The holiday season is upon us, which signals a time many dust off and bring out their ageless red and green Christmas fare — from garlands and parols to linens and themed cutlery — from storage.
Now, red and green are a classic color combo in festive speak. Just think Santa costumes, candy canes, and pine trees and advent wreaths. But this doesn't mean that the two colors are the only festive hues in the color wheel. In fact, many designers would argue that some colors work just as well in spreading holiday cheer.
If you're one of the few Filipinos who get into the Christmas spirit in December rather than 3 months prior and haven't started on decorating your space, or have gotten started but realized midway that your old red-and-green décor don't work with your current interior style, this short list of interesting color picks for holiday décor is for you. Skip the traditional hues this year, and focus on unique color choices that make your home feel exciting yet familiar and cozy all the same.
A Cool, Blue Christmas
Blue is an almost-neutral whose variations work for a multitude of design styles and color palettes. It may be an afterthought when it comes to festive color schemes, but blue holds its own when it comes to pairing with just about any color in the spectrum. For example, blue can easily replace green and match with red in the classic equation, to create an effortless and fresh, almost-patriotic look.
Cool blues work incredibly well with chilly whites and silvers, creating that frosty aura that's reminiscent of wintertime. But interestingly, blue fares just as effectively in the warm space with your simpleton Christmas tree and warm-tone metals like copper or brass. Use navy or turquoise with silver for a clean and refined look, royal blue with crisp white for a coastal, vacation-y feel, and teal with lime for a spunky, fun, and bright take on the holidays.
Works best on: Everyday linens and textiles, A mantel display to match your mother's precious china
Deep Purple
Purple is considered a luxurious color that's typically reserved for royal or glam design styles. Cool enough to feel winter-appropriate yet more unexpected than the versatile blue thanks to the addition of an energetic red, purples and violets make for a stunning holiday design that's sure to pique your visitors' interest.
Since purple is more of a distinguishing color rather than a base in a palette, it's best to reserve the hue for smaller items in your overall festive décor like Christmas baubles and artificial flowers for your centerpiece or decorative ribbons hanging from your door wreath. This color — when paired with a light neutral like white or beige — also builds a romantic and sophisticated aesthetic especially when used in dining setups and occasions like intimate Christmas Eve gatherings with friends and loved ones.
Much like your neighborhood blues, purples work best with cool-tone shades like frosty white and shiny silver. Deeper violets also work pretty well with darker browns, while light lavenders and lilacs are a beautiful contrast to tans and creams. Jewel toned purples match effectively with other jewel tone shades like emerald and citrine and yellow gold trimmings.
Works best on: Smaller accent items like ribbons and imitation flowers, or Advent candles
Au Naturale: 50 Shades of Brown
For minimalist designers and decorators, brown is a great alternative to the traditional festive colors which are often bright and saturated. Working with a neutral like brown also almost guarantees that your décor will blend well with your current furniture and overall interior design style. The trick is to stick to either a warm-tone brown or its cooler opposite. Make sure this choice makes sense in your overall space, i.e. it matches your wooden floors or furniture, or your big rattan storage pieces.
The earthy hue, when paired with the classic evergreen, creates a homey, rustic, and nature-filled ambiance that's perfect for those who embrace cottagecore. In a Christmas tree, for example, beige ornaments or brown felt and ribbons add to a raw, understated elegance and calm that's true for most minimalist homes. (Need a new home with high ceilings for a grand Christmas tree or large-scale belen? Check out our property listings here.)
Take it a step further and go eco by wrapping up the presents under your tree with burlap or brown recycled paper, or using wooden ornaments and beads for your garlands and wreaths. Create table centerpieces and mantel displays with natural materials like tree bark or pine cones and twine. Maybe even carve out your own Christmas figurines if you have a knack for DIY.
Works best on: Christmas tree and wreaths - basically anything with faux or real greenery, or other natural materials like a nativity scene or Christmas village
Soft Blushes & Pinks
Many overlook pink ornaments because they look and feel "feminine," but the color and its iterations can be described with adjectives other than ladylike and delicate. Rose is a subtle pale pink that rivals the neutral beige, while hot pink is a standout and can look glamorous when used properly in a space.
Pastel and lighter shades will work best as primary colors to any neutral or metallic counterpart, like grey or gold. Vibrant and saturated versions of pink, on the other hand, can hold their own as the lone color in star lanterns or in the branches of an artificial Christmas tree.
Bubblegum pink can be paired with the classic red for that sweet and romantic aesthetic, or with equally candy-like hues like bright blue and vibrant orange for a playful affair. The more mature blush or orange-based salmon matches perfectly with copper or rose gold. In a frosted tree with white accents, blush pink can create a modern yet classic design that's soft and light.
Works best on: Outdoor parols (star lanterns), Christmas lights and stockings
For more life & style and real estate content, follow us on our Facebook page (PropertyAccess Philippines) and on our Instagram (@propertyaccessph).