We interviewed design, color, and Christmas decor experts to learn which palettes will be hot this year.
Classic red and green will always be a popular Christmas color scheme, but it’s far from the only one. Last year’s Christmas color trends prove that people are ready to embrace bold and lively hues, even for the holidays—and that trend has continued into 2024. We interviewed experts from the design, color, and holiday sectors to bring you the most accurate predictions for the top color schemes of the season.
“I’ve seen holiday trends shift over the years, but this season’s color schemes bring a beautiful blend of classic elegance and modern flair,” says Patricia Derpinski, the lead designer at Hudson Holiday Decor. From vintage-inspired palettes to a futuristic chrome trend, these six color combinations offer inspiration for any style and personality.
Meet the Experts
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Patricia Derpinski is the lead designer at Hudson Holiday Decor, a luxury holiday decorating service in New York City.
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Evelina Juzėnaitė is the principal interior designer at Planner 5D, an online home design tool.
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Emily Kantz is the color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams.
1. Earthy Greens and Dark Browns
With the number of earth tones in 2024 paint colors of the year, it’s no surprise that a palette inspired by nature is a top color scheme this Christmas. Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams, says this aesthetic brings the raw, organic beauty of the outdoors inside for a biophilic approach to traditional holiday decorating. Look for colors reminiscent of a woodland scene, like dark green and a woodsy brown, when you pick out your Christmas decor this year.
Derpinski recommends gold accents and natural textures to accompany the colors in this palette. “Pair neutral tones with a soft gold to create a grounded, elegant atmosphere. Incorporate natural materials like pinecones, wood accents, and warm lighting to keep the look cozy yet sophisticated,” she says.
Related: 27 Inspired-By-Nature Color Palettes for a Beautiful Home
2. Blush Tones and Soft Pastels
Blushy light pink and other soft pastels have been favorites for not only Christmas but other holiday decorating as well. Evelina Juzėnaitė, the principal interior designer at Planner 5D, says that a house decorated with pastel decor this year will look delicate and on-trend. She suggests pastel Christmas lights on a green or white tree for a tint of added color. Go sweet and whimsical with iridescent or glittery finishes to add some interest to unsaturated shades like spearmint, lilac, and baby blue. Use a light and snowy cream hue as a grounding color.
Related: 34 Pink Christmas Decor Ideas for a Nontraditional Twist
3. Chrome and Other Metallics
According to the 2024 Etsy Holiday Trend Guide, “chrome decor” was searched roughly 3000% more than last year. The report also predicts that chrome will be huge for Christmas decorating, coining the trend, “Chrome-mas.” Juzėnaitė suggests adding chrome and other metallic finishes to a Christmas tree to represent an icy wonderland. Combine chrome with soft colors such as beige for a minimalist look and with darker colors for a more pronounced appearance. Derpinski says that you can also mix metals by combining chrome with touches of gold accents.
“This pairing creates a serene, luxurious feel that never goes out of style,” Derpinski says. “To achieve this look, start with soft whites as the base—tree skirts, table linens, or garlands—and add touches of gold and silver through ornaments, candles, and accents for a warm glow.”
Related: Get Ready for Chrome to Take Over the Home In 2024
4. Dark Green, Navy, and Burgandy
If you’re nostalgic for the familiar comfort of holidays past, this vintage-inspired palette is for you. Deep emerald, rich burgundy, and dark navy offer a sophisticated twist on the traditional red-and-green palette. These tones add richness and warmth, making a room feel festive yet refined, Derpinski explains. She recommends velvet pillows, dark red florals, and lush green garlands for a cozy and classic holiday ambiance. Kantz suggests rounding out the moody colors with crisp, cool white and soft gold accents.
Related: 14 Iconic Christmas Trends That Are Making a Comeback This Year
5. Black, Green, and Gold
While black isn’t inherently associated with Christmas, this elegant and dramatic color scheme is perfect for those who love a bold statement. If you lean towards more luxurious and modern holiday decor, use rich green and gold accents with stark black as a base. Warm lights, frosted greenery, and shimmery ribbon all help brighten the powerful use of black hue.
“It’s dramatic, chic, and perfect for upscale spaces,” Derpinski says. “A few touches of black paired with shimmering gold can transform any room into a festive, modern holiday display.”
Related: 5 Black Christmas Tree Ideas for a Modern Holiday Look
Wendy Ball & Dara Albanese
6. Jewel Tones
We saw jewel tones dominate the Christmas decorating scene last year, and they’re not going anywhere in 2024. The use of sapphire blue, amethyst purple, emerald green, and ruby red offers a more sophisticated way to use a multicolor palette for the holidays. “Combine these colors with a dark or light neutral so that the jewel tones are the most accented and bright,” Juzėnaitė says. Inject the opulent shades into your decor with ornaments, stockings, ribbons, and garlands.
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