4 unexpected colour combinations trending this Christmas – and how to style them in your home

When it comes to Christmas, certain colours instantly come to mind: red, gold, and green. This year, though, some new hues and unexpected colour combinations are being hailed as the need-to-know trends for 2026.

If you're looking to try new Christmas decorating ideas this year, then you might be interested in these daring colour combos set to dominate. Although we adore the traditional hues of the festive season, experimenting with new colour combinations can bring much-needed freshness to your Christmas decorations.

So whether you're looking to try a new Christmas tree theme or desperately need a bauble refresh, why not throw tradition to the wind and try these new, chic colour pairings instead?

Chartreuse & Burgundy

We've seen many shades of green reign supreme in interior trends over the years, with pistachio green proving popular just last year, so it's no surprise this bold green-yellowish hue is set to be big this Christmas.

“There’s not a lot burgundy doesn’t go with, and this year burgundy and chartreuse are a trendy match," says Chloe Barrow, Head of Creative Interiors at Laura James. "Accentuating the moody, red-purple shade, chartreuse’s vibrant, citrus colour creates a harsh contrast, adding a layered visual tension that’s interesting and contemporary, without clashing."

"Burgundy brings warmth and richness to the look, while chartreuse adds a fresh, unexpected pop of colour. When it comes to styling these two shades, small doses are the way to go; keep burgundy as the main focus and use touches of chartreuse to brighten things up without overpowering the overall palette," she adds.

With bold colours like this one, adding accent ribbons, napkins and the odd bauble ensures it doesn't feel overwhelming.

Baby blue & Brown

After Dulux announced its Colour of the Year as a trio of soothing blue shades, we knew it would continue to prove popular in other areas.

“A strong shade through the spring and summer months, baby blue has become a popular staple in autumn and winter," Chloe explains. "A stylish pairing is baby blue and brown, which is a great choice if you’re looking for something neutral that isn’t overtly festive."

“Mocha brown has risen in popularity over the last year, crowned Pantone’s Colour Of The Year in 2025, and there’s no reason it can’t be used to create a warm and luxurious aesthetic for Christmas for a more understated, sophisticated festive look," says Chloe.

When styling your decorations, keep blue as the lesser accent, allowing the warmth and richness of brown to balance the cool lightness of baby blue.

Even if you're looking to splurge on new blue Christmas tree decorations, you can easily weave them in with your existing collection.

Burgundy & Pink

Burgundy is a great colour to add to your home all year round, but it's the perfect elevated Christmas red to add sophistication and richness.

“Burgundy has had another incredible year, remaining the ‘it’ shade of the colder seasons. Touted as a chic and effortlessly stylish colour, burgundy is a great choice for elevating your dining space, in an ode to the traditional green and red Christmas motif but with a modern twist," suggests Chloe.

"But if you want to step outside of the box this Christmas season, pair burgundy with pink instead of the traditional green. A colour combo that’s become very popular this year, deep, rich burgundy is perfectly balanced by light, vibrant pink. Both shades can be complemented by golden accents, adding to the luxury aesthetic while remaining festive," she explains.

We particularly like adding burgundy to your home through the Christmas bow trend, which is showing no signs of falling out of style.

Olive green & deep purple

A more muted shade of green, olive, is another elevated Christmas classic that will make your home feel instantly cosy thanks to its depth and rich tone.

“To mirror a traditional aesthetic with a luxurious twist, plum purple could be paired with a rich, contemporary olive green to create a moodier, darker ambience that still nods to the normal festive theme," Chloe says.

"Olive brings an earthy, understated feel, while the deep purple adds warmth and richness. Together, their muted tones create a sophisticated palette that feels effortlessly stylish, without veering into traditional Christmas colours," she adds.

"This colour pairing is sure to create an eye-catching contrast with your decor, which can be made more festive with accents of gold that add warmth and light. Or, if you want something a little less dark, burnt orange would complement the autumnal hues of olive, while still paying homage to the reds and greens we typically see through the festive season," Chloe finishes.

Make these colours pop even more by using your favourite warm-toned Christmas tree lights; they will help your space sparkle.

Before you have guests over and try out your new essential hosting tips, add a little unconventional festive colour to your space. You might be surprised just how good it looks with your already beloved decorations.