7 Christmas Color Schemes That Will Never Go Out of Style

Sophie Flaxman

October 25, 2022 at 4:15 PM·6 min read

Get inspired with beautiful, bold colors this holiday season.

Expect the unexpected this Christmas. Red and green have long been synonymous with the festive season, but the Christmas colors for 2022 were more creative than ever, and the multi-colored combinations and unique hues continue to inspire in 2023. 'Tis the season to be jolly with a range of vibrant, whimsical, and nostalgic shades guaranteed to brighten your home.

"People are ready to express their personal taste and individual love of color," says Sophie Robinson, interior designer, color expert, and host of The Great Indoors podcast. "Christmas is the perfect time to ditch trends and surround yourself with all the twinkle, all the sparkle, and just do you," she adds. Color is the perfect way to channel your unique personality and create a space that brings you joy. Here are some favorite Christmas color scheme ideas to get you started.

Classic Red and White

Red and green is an iconic Christmas pairing and a good go-to color scheme if you're more of a traditionalist. However, simply removing green from the equation and relying solely on red and white immediately gives the festive palette a fresh, contemporary update and Scandi-chic look.

"Red and white is a classic Christmas combo that reminds me of candy canes," says Robinson. She recommends buying some and hanging them on the tree as a fun (and tasty) motif. White Christmas trees are soaring in popularity, making an excellent blank canvas for red ornaments.

Victorian Blue

Red and green haven't always been the signature Christmas palette. In the Victorian era, blue was equally popular. Travel back in time with blue beadwork, ribbons, porcelain figurines, and delicate snowy white lace. Continue the theme with fine vintage blue-and-white China and polished glassware on a white linen tablecloth. Finish the look with candle holders and a centerpiece of fruits and nuts for added Old World charm.

Blue is a cool shade with a soothing quality, making it an appropriate color to represent the winter season. Mix different blue shades "like navy with cobalt and turquoise to make it tonally interesting," says Robinson. Add white for a crisp look and gold accents to warm up—and glam up—the scheme.

Pops of Pink

Jump on 2023's most popular color trend with muted shades of pink. Incorporate blush and soft pastel pink Christmas decorations to channel a cozy yet whimsical touch. Pink symbolizes love, affection, and kindness, so the color naturally leans into the Christmas spirit of giving.

"Pink really pops against green foliage," says Robinson, who recommends mixing it into a lush green fir tree or holly branches to prevent the scheme from becoming too sweet. Pair pale pink shades with light green accents for a contemporary spin on the classic Christmas palette. Replace holly branches with eucalyptus and set gold and silver aside in favor of copper, rose gold, and champagne metallics.

Rich Shades of Green

Ditch the red and focus on verdant shades reminiscent of a dense coniferous forest. Green works well in both traditional and contemporary homes. Associated with nature, green has an innate calming quality that's welcome during the busy winter season. If your home already sports a green palette, draw on existing decor for inspiration so your Christmas decorations coordinate.

"I think it helps if your Christmas decor complements your interior style, mostly from a sustainable point of view," says Robinson. "We all know that chucking out last year's decorations to buy into a new color trend is really wasteful." Instead of buying new green Christmas decor, explore nature's own collection of pinecones, acorns, and branches. Dust them with glitter or paint them with metallic paint for an update, then showcase the DIY Christmas decorations on your tree or mantel.

Rainbow Hues

Capture the essence of a merry Christmas with a rainbow of happy hues. Pull off this vibrant trend with a colorful Christmas tree made for maximalists, or dress your tree with multicolored Christmas lights and a collection of all your favorite trimmings. "Multicolored is my go-to color palette. You just can't have too many colors," says Robinson. "Metallic brights give a more luxe feel ... so I'd go that way for a more sophisticated look."

For Robinson, Christmas is about applying a "more the merrier" ethos and turning her home into a festive funhouse to enjoy with family and friends. "My Christmas decorations are similar to the color palette you see in my home. I love the saturated jewel tones, like cobalt blue, purple, fuchsia, emerald green, and canary yellow," she says. "Like a box of Quality Street chocolates, they are perfect for the festive season."

Black and White

This neutral palette couldn't be further from the rainbow tree trend, but it's sure to be a welcome relief for minimalists. Black and white isn't commonly associated with Christmas, but styled well, a monochromatic palette can look sophisticated and festive. Dress a black-and-white Christmas tree with monochrome baubles and strings of pearls or black-and-white plaid ribbon with presents wrapped in matching paper. Or opt for a flocked Christmas tree for a snowy white backdrop.

Ready your home for hosting with a crisp white tablecloth and simple matte black dishware. Keep table decorations simple with metallic mini trees or an evergreen centerpiece decorated with black-and-white bows or ornaments. Add warmth to the Christmas color scheme with soft textures, like a faux fur blanket or white knitted throw, and the gentle glow of scented candles. For a hint of color, Robinson suggests throwing in "an accent of red or canary yellow to bring this combo to life."

Nostalgic Retro Colors

If you’re looking to be more sustainable and cut costs this Christmas, utilize vintage ornaments that have served as the backdrop to family celebrations for decades. "I much prefer to cherish my Christmas decorations and enjoy bringing out the same ones every year. I love the nostalgia of it all," says Robinson. As well as being environmentally friendly, vintage Christmas decor is imbued with a sense of nostalgia. "I think looking back to the past is a big part of the Christmas tradition, so if you can build on your existing collection with a few well-chosen additions each year, you will soon build up an original collection and story," says Robinson.

Line your mantel with all-time Christmas classics, like gingerbread houses, nutcrackers, and ceramic Christmas trees. "Go all the way with retro kitsch baubles and fifties nostalgia," says Robinson. Dig out those old Shiny Brites in retro shades, like mustard yellow, aquamarine blue, bright pink, and malachite green. Pair them with silver or copper accents for a sparkling finish.

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