EVERYDAY Christmas COLORS

If you want to try a subtler approach to Christmas décor with no less cheer, follow these five tips to decorating based on your existing color scheme.

For Christmas, reds and greens can be added to pretty much any space as long as you marry them with the existing décor.

1. USE GREENERY. No matter what your everyday color palette is, natural greenery in the form of garlands, a Christmas tree and wreaths will work with the color scheme. Even if you don’t usually add green to your home, the shades in florals and garlands will blend in rather than stand out.

2. KEEP IT SIMPLE. You don’t have to replace every item in your house so it matches your Christmas theme. Instead, simple touches will keep you away from overdecoration. Add a garland to your mantel or stair railing, or a string of twinkle lights that will add festivity but won’t overwhelm the space.

3. ADD TEXTURE. Use items you have room for already, such as throw pillows and blankets. Switching these out is the perfect way to add a splash of holiday cheer through texture.

4. THINK OUTSIDE RED AND GREEN.

If you don’t like red and green or those colors don’t match your home, then don’t use them. Other color combinations can just as effectively conjure up Christmas cheer, without the loudness of the traditional combination. (For more on nontraditional colors, see page 40.)

5. MUTE THE SHADES. Whoever said you have to use bright red and green? Try more muted shades to keep the décor consistent with your home. You could go with a dark forest green and maroon red that will blend in.