Red and Green are well known in society as the "colors of Christmas". The origins of this come from many different places. Ancient Celts believed that holly brought beauty and fortune throughout the winter, and therefore would decorate their homes in red and green. Christians symbolize the holy wreath to be the crown of Jesus. Even Coca-Cola had a hand in illustrating Santa in their signature red with green fir twigs. Red and green are what we decorate with, but how do we decorate with them properly?

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3-5 Hues in a Color Scheme

A general rule of thumb in the interior design business is to use three to five colors in a color scheme. This gives interest to your design and prevents monotony within the space. When decorating with red and green, we advise to add a third neutral color into your scheme, such as a shade of white, black, or gray. Work with a cream color or white, with more vibrant reds and greens, and opt for the darker blacks and grays if your reds and greens are more muted. The neutral color creates the necessity of contrast within your space. It balances the color palette and allows the eyes a place of rest. As long as the neutral shade matches the undertones of the red and green that you are using, you are on the right track!

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Hues and Their Variations

A traditional color scheme doesn't have to be “just like Grandma had”. Reinvent the classic red and green colors by swapping them with different versions of the same hue. Accomplishing this properly takes a bit of understanding in color theory, so let me give you a quick lesson. Every color, or hue, can be altered with the addition of white, black, or gray. The addition of white is called the hue’s tint. The addition of black is a shade. And the addition of gray is called its’ tone. Matching tints with tints, shades with shades, and tones with tones will ensure balanced chroma, or intensity of the color. For a romantic effect, we love a deep wine red paired with a sage green and a soft white.

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Timeless Décor Items

It is easy to fall into filling your space with Santa clauses, snowmen, elves, and more, especially when you’re decorating with red and green. Resist the temptation! Unless the vision is theme décor, we steer clear of the detailed trite figurines. Instead, a simple, solid colored reindeer or nativity scene will suffice while keeping your décor classy. Simplicity is a must. You do not want to overstimulate the space. The items you decorate with will make or break the elegance factor of your entire design!