16 Creative Color Schemes for Your Holiday Décor (That Aren't Red and Green)

These updated Christmas palettes are sophisticated, fun, and festive.

Candles that flicker against a chilled window, glittering ornaments that catch the light as they gently sway on your tree, and a dancing fire that crackles against soft holiday music playing in the background while sugar cookies bake. The magic of Christmas never grows tiresome, thanks to these cozy surroundings and sweet traditions, but sometimes—just sometimes—you feel the urge to sidestep convention.

An easy way to do just that is to switch up your holiday décor color palette. Swapping out the ol’ green and red classic combination for an unexpected Christmas color scheme offers a chance to infuse some pizazz into your home this season while also tapping into your creativity and personal tastes. Not sure where to start? Let these sophisticated holiday décor themes inspire you.

Related: 22 of Our Most Creative Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Shades of Blue

Meg Young, founder and creative director of Cailini Coastal, says that she treats her seasonal décor like she does her evergreen décor—by coordinating it with the rest of her home’s aesthetic. Her home happens to be coastal, so a blue theme works brilliantly.

"Where a traditional Christmas color palette of red, green, and gold can look harsh and out of place, blue holiday décor perfectly accents the serene look of a coastal home," she says. Weave in different tones and textures, like blue linen or jute, navy velvet, and pops of pastel.

Yuletide Metallics

As the famous Christmas song goes, "Silver and gold, silver and gold, everyone wishes for silver and gold." This classic Christmas color scheme blends seamlessly into any décor and feels very of the season, to boot.

Opt for a balanced mix of gold, bronze, rose gold, and silver—as pictured in this tree decorated by Well x Design—or opt for just one or two of these hues and add accents of the others. Add dimension by incorporating sparkles, reflective ornaments, ribbons, and soft textiles.

Teal and Pink

When you think about it, teal and pink are just a few steps away from red and green, which is precisely why this Christmas color scheme works so well. "I love this combination because it is unexpected and not traditional. I love how fresh and light it feels," says Christiane Zweifler of Flora Nova Design. "Incorporating light pink and teal ornaments into your dinner table centerpiece is so fun, too. And mixing in orchids makes the look even more fun."

Related: Martha's Collection of Vintage Faux Christmas Trees Is a Sight to Behold

Winter Whites

No matter where you live, you can’t go wrong with a scheme of winter whites. It conjures visions of a snowy winter wonderland, and you can make your décor extra magical by incorporating accents that evoke an enchanted frosted forest.

"For this décor, we shopped the kids’ section and used snow owls, white reindeer, and other winter creatures as part of our décor—even on the buffet table,” says event planner Amanda Orso, founder of the High Low Hostess. "An all-white Christmas tree will feel uber chic but is still easy to create and can be inexpensive, too."

Orange, Pink, and Blue

The last color on your mind for Christmas is probably orange, but this retro hue makes for a super fresh display.

"Orange is the perfect mid-century throwback neighbor to red, while pink and blue offer a bright, modern feel in combination," says Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design in Houston, Texas. She says that flocking your Christmas tree provides a crisp, blank slate for this palette (and any other) and that ornaments, ribbons, and lights really bring the theme home.

Green and Gold

A handsome, dark green Christmas tree dripping in gold tinsel might just be the prettiest holiday sight. This classic color scheme keeps things simple and sophisticated without veering too far from tradition. Instead of tinsel, as pictured in this design by Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective, you could wrap your tree—and decorate other parts of your home—with gilded ribbon, ornaments, and other metallic components.

Bold Brights

On the opposite side of the coin, lean into a spectrum of bold bright hues for your holiday décor. "For a simple way to add color at Christmas, look for bright throw pillows, ornaments, and brush trees that can be found on the high-end side, but also at budget retailers," says Orso. "Find a black or a colored tree for even more impact. Fun candles in the form of reindeer can add to this happy vibe."

Red and Blue

Choosing red keeps a string of tradition in your holiday décor, but the addition of blue instead of green makes for a modern twist. "The ability to play with the blue chinoiserie and bold hues of red is a combo we can't get enough of," says Emma Kuske with HMR Designs. She recommends adding some extra dimension with pattern play. "Mix and match patterns that coordinate with your colors. Maximalism is in!"

Rose Gold and Pink

For a spin on a gilded Christmas color scheme, set your sights on something just a bit more whimsical via rose gold. It’s still a sophisticated palette but feels slightly more modern versus classic and has an air of femininity. Lean into the theme by incorporating pink accents, as seen in this design by Bethany Adams Interiors.

Related: 10 Artificial Christmas Trees That Look Even Better Than the Real Thing

Sage, Orange, and Gold

Lean into earthy tones by embracing muted orange, vintage brass and gold, and beautiful sage against a wood grain backdrop.

"I love the versatility of this color palette for the fall and winter holidays alike," says Matilda Reuter Engle, proprietor of Middleburg Hospitality. "Its allure lies in its seamless transition between occasions—from the gatherings of Thanksgiving to the enchantment of Christmas, adapting to each time and place."

Pale Pink and White

Soften your holiday décor this year—and add a touch of whimsy—by opting for a pale pink and white Christmas color scheme.

"Pink offers a fun and unexpected iteration on traditional holiday colors while adding a feminine and playful touch to your décor," says Young. "This color palette is particularly fun this year after the Barbie movement, and I suspect there will be an abundance of pink offerings this year and next for the holiday season."

Ivory and Green

Ivory not only leans into the concept of a white Christmas but also exudes elegance, peace, and harmony. When paired with evergreen via wreaths, trees, and simple accents, it feels like a fresh reinterpretation of traditional holiday décor.

"It’s simple to create an ivory-themed Christmas tree, mantle, and dinner table," Orso says. "Just layer ivory on top of ivory and embrace simplicity. Wrap coordinating gifts with ivory paper and ribbon to easily add to this décor."

Pink, Purple, and Blue

Elias is also a fan of working with your home’s existing décor when holiday decorating, and this pink, purple, and blue theme is the perfect play on the existing blue tones found in her casual dining area. "Pink and purple are natural companions to bright, punchy blue and were the perfect opportunity to highlight some of my favorite Leontine table linens," she says.

Related: 12 Christmas Table Setting Ideas That Will Enchant Your Guests

Green Tones and Silver

Embrace green tones this holiday season by picking a light green tree and layering more green on top. For some dimension and sparkle, weave in silver ornaments, tinsel, and/or ribbon.

Silver and Black

Jet black and brilliant silver make for an undeniably chic Christmas color scheme. "I love going off the beaten path for the holidays when it comes to colors, and this combination makes for a great focal point in your home without distracting from your existing décor," says event designer Eddie Zaratsian. "It translates easily throughout winter and is perfect for those that aren't into traditional holiday accents or color palettes." Reflective silver also adds a bit of sparkle to the room.

Garnet, Pink, and Green

If you like the idea of traditional green and red but are craving just a hint of something extra, weave in tones of pink and turn up the dial on your red so it’s more of a saturated garnet hue. Fresh florals in these tones weaved into an evergreen base make for the most stunning holiday centerpiece, as pictured in this tablescape design by Flora Nova Design.

Related: 15 Centerpiece Ideas That Bring a Festive Touch to Your Holiday Table

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.