Let your home say 'holiday' without red or green
There's no dispute that red and green are the iconic colors of Christmas decor — they're as much a part of the holiday look as Douglas firs and gingerbread houses. But who says you can't change up the palette if you want to?
Maybe your style is more sparkly than standard. Or you just want to try something new. Whichever colors you end up using, choose those that work well with the existing feeling and design of your space, says Claire Morgan, marketing coordinator for Baker Design Group in Carrolton, Texas. While there are no real rules, the following style tips will help you pull the look together.
Metallics
Metallics (gold, silver, copper), whites, and creams make a beautiful statement for the holidays, says Kade Laws-Andrews, owner of Kade Laws Interior Design in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. The metallics add shimmer while the whites and creams exude sophistication. Metallics go well with a rustic look too. “For a mantle or living room coffee table, group two or three glass vases, fill halfway with metallic marbles or clear iridescent beads, and add branches from your backyard, a few of which you've spray-painted metallic or white,” Laws-Andrews says. Mix metallics with rustic materials such as burlap and jute. “Just a few yards of burlap material make the perfect Christmas tree skirt,” says Laws-Andrews. Hang metallic ornaments to finish the look.
Blue and gold
These colors are pretty when used alone but pretty amazing when paired together. “The gold adds a pop of color,” says Morgan, who suggests silver as an alternative to gold if you prefer. The colors are so versatile, they work with any style from traditional to modern, including glam and industrial.
Coastal colors
If you're wanting a coastal Christmas theme, Laws-Andrews suggests using driftwood, cotton and other natural materials, which go well with whites and shades of blue. To incorporate this look in a dining room centerpiece: Get a large dough bowl or other oblong vessel for the base. Add driftwood spheres and simple glass Christmas balls in shades of white, blue or silver metallic. Balls should vary in size from two or three inches to eight to 10 inches (the size of the decorative balls and spheres depend on the size of your table and bowl). Add a few fresh magnolia or pine leaves, cotton bolls, pine cones and shells. For extra seasonal flair, add battery-powered white twinkle lights.
White
Similar to how people love an all-white kitchen, there's a lot of love for all-white Christmas decor, too. Set the table with white dishes, tablecloth, napkins and candles with a few gleaming hits of silver (flatware, napkin holders, candle holders).
Pink and green
It's not a look that only appeals to little girls. This colorful duo has lots of fans who appreciate the fun, modern spirit that has none of the intensity or boldness of red. Because artificial trees now come in many colors, including pink, you can make a customized seasonal statement before even hanging one ornament.