The holidays are a great time to add some color, sparkle, and drama to your home's decor, and while red and green may be the traditional choice, this year it's all about picking a color scheme that compliments your home and your personality.

Whether you're hosting an open-house, opening up presents with your family, or ringing in the New Year with an intimate dinner for two, this is a great time to experiment with this year's hottest holiday color trends.

Black and White

The pairing of black and white is a sophisticated, classic combination that simply says "timeless elegance."  It has been one of this year's hottest color palettes for fashion and home, but did you know that black and white is also one of the chicest color schemes for the holidays?

Already a huge trend in Europe, black and white holiday decorations are making a splash in America this year.  This scheme looks fantastic in interiors that have accents of black and white, as well as homes that take their style cues from traditional European interiors.  Black and white ornaments, wrapping papers, and place settings all set the mood.

How about an artificial tree tinted a deep shade of ebony?  It's a bold trend that's sure to be a real "conversation starter" at your holiday festivities.  Just keep in mind that a black tree is a statement on it's own; we recommend using white or clear lights and keeping the decoration of the tree to a minimum.

If a black and white themed live tree or holiday party is for you, keep your decor looking stylish and not test pattern-ish by pairing black and white with one or two bold accent colors.  Pairing them with red or green let's you put your own spin on traditional, while mixing them with the predominant color in your home's decor allows them to blend seamlessly with the interior.

Or go for some extra glitz by adding some metallic touches. Gold or copper tones help to quiet the scheme, while the shine of silver or platinum emphasizes the yin and yang of this duo.

Updated Green

Is your home adorned with modern style?  Perhaps raspberry and lime, a fresh spin on traditional red and green, will give your holidays a new look.

This color scheme is bright and modern and looks fantastic in homes with clean lines and neutral colors, as well as homes in warmer climates.

Love the idea of a more up-to-date color theme but tend towards more traditional, deeper colors?  Then try combining lime with aqua, instead.  This color combination "pops" against darker backgrounds and is especially beautiful in rooms with deep brown accents, walls, or floors.

For extra fun and texture, adorn your tree or centerpiece with feathers - a hot trend for holidays.  Peacock feathers will blend perfectly with this color scheme.

For a warmer cottage feel, tones of golden yellows, greens, and browns blend well with the aged patina of cottage or Scandinavian-styled homes.  Paired with evergreens and natural fibers, such as twine, seagrass, and burlap, these colors will brighten even a snowy, gray Christmas morning.
 
Traditional Variations

A traditional favorite, the combination of hunter green, deep blue, and burgundy will give your holiday an equestrian look in a "British Isles meets Ralph Lauren" way.

This combination is especially fabulous in rooms that have a lot of texture and details, such as paneled walls, tartan accents, velvets, or animal skins.

Add a roaring fire, and your family and friends will feel like they just stepped into a cozy manor home.

Love the idea of doing something a little different this year, but absolutely love red and green at Christmas-time?  Then how about the combination of red and white, with accents of gold or silver for your decorations and tableware?

In this theme, the color green is simply represented by the greenery of the tree, garland, and wreaths.

This can be a nice alternative, especially if you already have all-white china or red and white transferware.  Dress your table with red and white patterned linens - damask, toile, and striped "ticking" are all nice choices.

Add in some silver or gold plate chargers and candlesticks, place some greenery on the table, or swag it around a chandelier and you'll have a table setting that looks trés chic all winter long.

Spice Up Your Current Color Scheme

Already have the perfect holiday "look" for your home, but love the idea of having some fun with color this year?  How about color-coding your family?

Forego the gift tags and assign each member a color or pattern of wrapping paper and you'll never have to worry about a gift with a missing tag again.

Or, if you have room in your house for a second, smaller tree, why not let your kids have full charge of its decorations?  They can make homemade ornaments in their favorite colors and put their own creative stamp on the holidays.

Or how about making a replica of your own house as a fun centerpiece?  Simply use a store-bought gingerbread house kit, add food coloring to the white icing, and purchase extra colored candies that mimic the exterior colors of your house.

Suddenly, something that started out as a generic tradition looks a lot like home.
 

 
 

Born with a natural sense of style, Julie is a fashion stylist and consultant working in the New York City area. Julie's professional experience in both the fashion and music industries has allowed her to develop a unique perspective on personal style that keeps her clients turning to her whenever they need help defining their look personally or professionally. 

Julie is the Lifestyle Editor and Chief Style Maven.  You can see the latest from Julie on Live In Full Color.