2025 Christmas Color Scheme Trends

While the classic red and green duo will always be a holiday staple, there are some unexpected color schemes making an appearance this season—and not just as accents, but as primary holiday colors. “The overall vibe is moving away from that hyper-saturated, primary color Christmas and toward something that feels more curated,” says interior designer Sabrina Soto.

If you’re feeling the itch to refresh your Christmas decor with an unexpected new color scheme this year, here are seven Christmas color scheme trends experts say will be big in 2025.

1. Shades of Blue

Design experts say blues are the unexpected and non-traditional color family showing up everywhere this Christmas. From midnight blue to deep navy, the blue color family adds a timeless, sophisticated edge to holiday decor. “Because of its magical, fantasy feel, it works especially well when paired with dramatic lighting including twinkle lights, reflective surfaces, darker backdrops, or for spaces meant to feel cozy and atmospheric,” says holiday decor expert Jen Derry.

Soto says that unlike in pervious years, she’s seeing people use various shades of blue as their primary holiday color and not just as an accent. “This color family works beautifully in Christmas decor because it has incredible versatility,” Soto shares. What she loves about using blue in Christmas decor is that it reads as festive without feeling too expected. “You can pair it with warm metallics and golden tones for a really rich look, or combine it with those earthy terracottas and rust tones for something that feels organic and grounded.”

2. Nature-Inspired Greens

Green is a staple Christmas color, but Soto says this season she’s excited about nature-inspired greens becoming the star of the show: “Not your typical Christmas tree green, but deeper, more complex greens like forest tones, sage-inspired hues, and smoky blue-greens,” Soto says. The perfect example is Behr’s 2026 color of the year, Hidden Gem. “It’s this beautiful smoky blue-green that feels fresh and modern but still has that organic, natural quality that works so well for the holidays,” Soto says.

For anyone who want to dip their toes into the trend without going too bold, Soto recommends starting with a creamy gray base, then layering nature-inspired blue-greens through accessories and decorative accents. “It makes the transition feel much easier,” she says.

3. Warm Chocolate Browns

With Mocha Mousse as Pantone’s 2025 color of the year, Derry says warm browns are making a big appearance this holiday season. “Warm browns and caramel tones are getting more play in ornaments, ribbons, textiles,” she says. Their warm elegance brings a vintage-inspired feel and timeless charm. Derry recommends pairing brown velvet ribbon bows with Balsam Hill’s Rustic Elegance collection, which has been popular this season. “It’s cozy, nostalgic, natural, and works well with rustic or organic styles,” she says.

4. Moody, Luxe Metallics

Another Christmas color palette that’s having a major moment is moody, luxe metallics. “Instead of shiny silver and gold, people are gravitating toward aged brass, burnished copper, and even blackened metals,” Soto says. She suggests pairing the moody metallics with deeper paint colors like espresso browns or charcoal grays for a rich, layered look that’s both festive and elevated.

5. Rich and Earthy Jewel Tones

“Rich, earthy, jewel-toned palettes are completely taking over traditional red and green,” Soto says. She’s been seeing deep burgundies paired with warm terracotta and clay tones, like Behr’s Terra Cotta Urn. “Think velvet ribbons in these warm rust tones, ornaments in clay-inspired hues, and those gorgeous burnt orange accents, like Behr’s October Leaves.” Soto says this rich color palette feels so much more sophisticated and grounded than the bright primary colors we’ve been used to.

6. Soft, Warm Neutrals

“People are also embracing soft, warm neutrals as a base instead of stark whites,” Soto says. Instead of the crisp white that’s typically associated with Christmas, the designer says creamy ivory shades, warm beiges, and soft taupes are creating cozy, enveloping backdrops that make holiday decor pop. They bring the brightness and contrast, but without being too stark.

7. Deep Plums and Mauves

Deep plums and mauves are two unexpected colors Soto says are popping up this holiday season. “They add this moody, romantic quality when paired with candlelight and natural elements,” Soto shares. There’s a vintage-inspired depth and timelessness to these shades, which pairs beautifully with all the vintage Christmas decor that’s trending this holiday season.