Create a sophisticated holiday atmosphere with stunning burgundy Christmas decor that brings warmth, depth, and timeless elegance to your celebrations.
When You Crave a Different Kind of Christmas Magic
You love the festive season, but sometimes the traditional red and green palette feels a bit too expected. You’re dreaming of a holiday home that feels rich, cozy, and uniquely yours—a space that welcomes guests with a sense of refined warmth. This is the perfect moment to embrace the deep, luxurious charm of burgundy Christmas decor.
Moving beyond traditional holiday colors doesn’t mean losing the festive spirit. It means enhancing it with a palette that feels both classic and contemporary. We’ll show you how to weave this beautiful color throughout your home, creating a cohesive and deeply inviting atmosphere. You’ll learn to blend burgundy with metallics, textures, and natural elements for a look that’s truly special.
Creating Your Burgundy Christmas Wonderland
1. Luxe Velvet Ribbons on Trees and Garlands
Imagine wide, sumptuous velvet ribbons in deep burgundy cascading down your Christmas tree or woven through your staircase garland. The rich texture of velvet catches the light differently than satin, adding a layer of luxurious depth and a wonderfully tactile element to your decorations. This single addition can elevate your entire tree from pretty to profoundly elegant.
The trick is in the draping. Don’t just tie a bow. Create long, flowing tails and soft loops that look abundant and organic.
✅ Ribbon width: Choose 2.5 to 4-inch wide ribbon for maximum impact
✅ Draping technique: Weave in and out of branches, don’t just wrap around
✅ Mix textures: Pair velvet ribbons with matte or satin finishes elsewhere
Running your fingers over the soft velvet ribbon as you decorate becomes a sensory part of your holiday ritual.
2. Tartan Throws and Plaid Accessories
Introduce classic tartan patterns that feature burgundy as their dominant color. Drape a beautiful wool throw over your sofa or armchair. Use plaid fabric as tree skirts, table runners, or even as wrapping paper for a few special gifts. This pattern brings a cozy, heritage feel that pairs perfectly with the richness of burgundy.
The key is to choose a tartan where burgundy is the star, not just a minor accent. This ties all your decor together beautifully.
✅ Pattern mixing: Use one primary tartan to avoid visual chaos
✅ Quality materials: Wool or flannel feels more authentic than polyester
✅ Strategic placement: One plaid throw can anchor an entire room’s color scheme
Curling up under a soft, burgundy tartan throw with a cup of cocoa is the very definition of a cozy Christmas evening.
Burgundy Color Pairing Guide
| Complementary Color | Effect Created | Best Use | Mood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cream & Ivory | Soft, elegant contrast | Linens, ornaments, stockings | Traditional & Calm |
| Forest Green | Rich, natural depth | Greenery, wreaths, tree | Classic & Lush |
| Gold & Brass | Warm, luxurious glow | Accents, candleholders, ribbon | Opulent & Festive |
| Charcoal Gray | Modern, sophisticated edge | Furniture, vases, wall color | Contemporary & Chic |
3. Curated Burgundy Ornament Clusters
Move beyond scattering single ornaments. Create intentional clusters of burgundy ornaments on your tree, mantel, or in decorative bowls. Group ornaments of varying sizes, textures, and finishes—think matte, glossy, glittered, and mercury glass—all within the burgundy family. This creates pockets of intense color and visual interest that are more striking than a uniform spread.
Place these clusters at key focal points: at the ends of sturdy branches, nestled in your garland, or hanging in groups of three from a curtain rod.
✅ Odd numbers: Cluster 3, 5, or 7 ornaments together
✅ Vary the scale: Mix large statement balls with smaller, intricate ones
✅ Incorporate texture: Add burlap, wood, or felt burgundy ornaments to the mix
The deep, jewel-toned glow of a burgundy ornament cluster against green foliage or a neutral backdrop is simply mesmerizing.
4. Monogrammed Stockings with Burgundy & Cream
Personalize your mantel with elegant burgundy stockings adorned with cream or gold monograms. This combination feels incredibly personal and upscale. Choose stockings in rich fabrics like velvet, wool, or felt, and have family initials embroidered or painted on in a complementary color.
Hang them with care, using different ribbons or hangers for a collected-but-cohesive look. The stockings become a beautiful, permanent part of your holiday tradition.
✅ Font choice: Select a classic script or clean block font for monograms
✅ Lining details: A contrasting cream satin lining adds a luxe surprise
✅ Embellishment balance: A simple cuff or fur trim is enough; let the color shine
Seeing your family’s initials elegantly displayed on the mantel adds a heartfelt, personalized touch to your burgundy Christmas decor.
5. Berry-Studded Wreaths and Garland
Incorporate faux or dried burgundy berries into your greenery for vibrant color and natural texture. Tuck clusters of berry picks into wreaths, weave them through garland on your staircase or mantel, or add them to centerpieces. The berries provide gorgeous pops of color that feel organic and festive.
Mix berry types for variety—some small and clustered, some larger and more open. This mimics the beautiful imperfection of nature.
✅ Secure placement: Use floral wire to firmly attach berry picks
✅ Mix with other naturals: Add pinecones and dried citrus for texture
✅ Faux vs. real: Quality faux berries last for years and won’t make a mess
The cheerful, bright spots of burgundy berries against dark green garland bring instant holiday joy and a touch of nature indoors.
6. Statement Burgundy Taper Candles
Place groupings of tall, elegant burgundy taper candles in your candlesticks. The slender, deep-colored candles create dramatic vertical lines and cast a warm, flattering glow. Use them on your dining table, sideboard, or mantel for instant atmosphere.
For safety and elegance, choose dripless candles and always place them in proper holders. Lighting them as evening falls transforms your space.
✅ Candle height: Vary heights (10″, 12″, 14″) for dynamic groupings
✅ Holder pairing: Brass, gold, or black iron holders complement burgundy best
✅ Evening ritual: Light them each night to signal the start of cozy family time
The gentle, flickering light from a burgundy taper candle makes everyone and everything look more beautiful and creates unforgettable holiday ambiance.
Festive Texture & Material Mix
| Material | Visual Feeling | Tactile Experience | Best Paired With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet | Luxurious, rich, deep | Soft, plush, warm | Gold, wood, cream |
| Mercury Glass | Sparkling, antique, magical | Cool, smooth, reflective | Burgundy, green, white |
| Wool Tartan | Cozy, traditional, hearty | Warm, slightly scratchy, substantial | Leather, brass, greenery |
| Wax | Classic, warm, organic | Smooth, slightly soft, fragrant | Metal, wood, glass |
7. Wooden Accents with Burgundy Touches
Balance the richness of burgundy with the warmth of natural wooden accents. A wooden bowl filled with burgundy ornaments, a rustic sled decorated with a burgundy blanket, or wooden picture frames painted with a burgundy wash creates a beautiful, grounded contrast. The wood tones down the formality of burgundy, making the overall feel cozy and approachable.
Look for pieces with character—reclaimed wood, pieces with visible grain, or items with a rustic finish.
✅ Neutralizing element: Use wood to prevent burgundy from feeling too heavy
✅ Hand-painted details: Add thin burgundy stripes to wooden bead garlands
✅ Natural collections: Display pinecones or walnuts in a wooden bowl with burgundy ribbon
The combination of natural wood and deep burgundy feels both earthy and elegant, like a stylish winter lodge.
8. Burgundy Velvet Wrapped Gifts
Elevate your gift-giving presentation by wrapping select presents in burgundy velvet ribbon or using burgundy foil paper. The luxurious material makes the gift itself feel special before it’s even opened. Keep the rest of the wrapping simple—cream paper, brown craft paper, or simple white—to let the burgundy shine.
Finish with a timeless adornment: a sprig of greenery, a vintage-inspired gift tag, or a single metallic ornament tied on with twine.
✅ Focal gifts: Use luxurious wrap only on 2-3 key presents under the tree
✅ Tag elegance: Use cream cardstock tags with calligraphy in gold ink
✅ Ribbon reuse: Velvet ribbon can be saved and reused for years
A beautifully wrapped gift in rich burgundy velvet adds to the overall visual tapestry under your tree and builds anticipation.
9. Elegant Mercury Glass and Burgundy Baubles
Combine the old-world sparkle of mercury glass with the depth of burgundy. The reflective, iridescent quality of mercury glass ornaments or vessels catches the twinkle of Christmas lights beautifully, while the burgundy provides a strong, beautiful base color. This pairing feels incredibly festive and glamorous.
Cluster a few mercury glass pieces among your burgundy ornaments, or use a mercury glass vase as the centerpiece for burgundy flowers.
✅ Light reflection: Place mercury glass near light sources to maximize sparkle
✅ Color infusion: Look for mercury glass that has a burgundy or pink tint
✅ Fragility factor: Handle with care and store wrapped in tissue paper
The way mercury glass reflects and distorts the deep burgundy color and nearby candlelight creates a truly magical, shifting effect.
10. Burgundy Floral Arrangements
Create stunning, non-traditional Christmas floral arrangements using blooms in shades of burgundy. Think deep red roses, anemones, hypericum berries, and dahlias mixed with plenty of lush greenery like cedar, magnolia leaves, and seeded eucalyptus. This makes for a breathtaking centerpiece or mantel display.
For a longer-lasting option, use high-quality faux flowers. The key is to choose varieties that look natural and are available in a true, deep burgundy hue.
✅ Greenery base: Start with a framework of fragrant evergreen branches
✅ Bloom variety: Mix large focal flowers with smaller filler blooms
✅ Water source: If using fresh, ensure a clean vase and flower food
A lush, burgundy floral arrangement brings organic beauty and a wonderful fragrance to your holiday home, feeling both lavish and natural.
11. Classic Plaid Table Runners
Anchor your holiday dining table with a beautiful burgundy plaid table runner. This simple layer instantly defines the space and sets a festive, cohesive tone for your meal. The linear pattern of the runner helps elongate the table and guides the placement of your centerpiece and table settings.
Layer it over a solid tablecloth—cream, gray, or dark green all work beautifully—for added dimension and to protect your table.
✅ Fabric choice: Cotton, linen, or felt are practical and look great
✅ Size matters: Runner should hang 6-12 inches over each table end
✅ Setting harmony: Coordinate your napkin color with a stripe in the plaid
The familiar, cozy pattern of a plaid table runner makes the dining table feel welcoming and thoughtfully prepared for gathering.
12. Traditional Wreaths with Velvet Accents
Give a classic evergreen wreath a burgundy update by incorporating wide velvet ribbons or burgundy-painted pinecones. Hang it on your front door to make a rich, welcoming first impression. The combination of natural greenery and luxurious velvet is timeless yet fresh.
You can easily DIY this by upgrading a store-bought wreath with a few strategic additions. A big, beautiful bow is all it takes.
✅ Bow size: Go bigger than you think for a generous, welcoming look
✅ Weatherproofing: For outdoor doors, use water-resistant velvet or ribbon
✅ Symmetry vs. asymmetry: A centered bow feels traditional; an off-center cluster feels modern
Coming home to a burgundy-adorned wreath on your door feels like entering your own personal holiday haven.
13. Burgundy Velvet Pillows and Throws
Scatter a few burgundy velvet pillows on your sofas and chairs, and drape a matching throw over the arm. This is one of the easiest ways to immerse your living space in the color, adding instant comfort and a tactile invitation to relax. The pillows don’t need to match exactly—vary the shades and textures for a collected look.
Mix in other textures like cable-knit, faux fur, or linen in neutral colors to keep the velvet from feeling too formal.
✅ Pillow pairing: Combine one solid burgundy velvet with one burgundy-patterned pillow
✅ Throw placement: Drape casually over the corner of a sofa for an inviting look
✅ Year-round potential: These rich tones work well beyond December for a cozy feel
Sinking into a sofa adorned with soft burgundy velvet pillows is the ultimate in holiday comfort and luxury.
14. Copper and Burgundy Mixed Metals
Introduce warm metallic accents in copper and rose gold alongside your burgundy elements. The warm undertones of these metals complement the red-base of burgundy perfectly, creating a cohesive and incredibly warm glow. Use copper candle holders, rose gold bell ornaments, or metallic ribbon.
Avoid cool metals like silver or chrome, which can clash with burgundy’s warmth. Stick to the gold family for harmony.
✅ Accent, not overwhelm: Use metallics as highlights, not the main color
✅ Surface reflection: Polished copper catches and amplifies warm light
✅ Natural partner: Copper pairs beautifully with wood and greenery
The way copper gleams alongside deep burgundy feels both festive and naturally elegant, like a sunset in your decor.
15. Hand-Painted Pinecones in Burgundy and Gold
Create a simple, impactful DIY project by collecting pinecones and giving them a festive makeover. Lightly dry-brush the tips with burgundy craft paint, then add delicate touches of gold gilding or glitter to the edges. Display them in a bowl, scatter them on your mantel, or tie them to gift packages.
This activity is perfect to do with family, and the results look expensive and artistic. The natural shape of the pinecone adds wonderful texture.
✅ Dry brush technique: Use very little paint on the brush for a subtle effect
✅ Gilding focus: Highlight just the very tips of the scales for elegance
✅ Sealing spray: Use a matte sealant to lock in color and prevent glitter mess
Creating these hand-painted pinecones adds a personal, crafted touch to your decor that store-bought items can’t replicate.
Your Guide to a Cohesive Burgundy Christmas
Pulling your burgundy Christmas decor together is about creating a feeling, not just matching colors. Step back and look at your space as a whole. Does it feel balanced? Do the textures complement each other? Is there enough variation in light and dark?
Remember that your holiday decor should reflect your personal style and bring you joy. The deep, welcoming warmth of burgundy provides a perfect backdrop for making memories.
✅ Edit as you go: Remove items that don’t contribute to the warm, elegant feel
✅ Lighting is key: Use warm white string lights and candles to enhance the burgundy glow
✅ Involve the senses: Add cinnamon sticks or evergreen clippings for fragrance
✅ Start with a focal point: Build your scheme around your tree or mantel first
A beautifully executed burgundy Christmas theme makes your home feel like a timeless, enveloping retreat from the winter world outside.
Essential Questions Answered
Won’t a burgundy theme make my home feel too dark?
Not if you balance it well. The key is to pair burgundy with plenty of light-reflecting elements like cream, gold, mercury glass, and warm lighting. Use burgundy as your dominant color, but not your dominant material—keep backgrounds and large surfaces light.
Can I mix burgundy with traditional Christmas red?
It’s best to choose one or the other for a cohesive look. Burgundy is deep and blue-based, while Christmas red is bright and orange-based. Mixing them can clash. Commit to your burgundy palette and use it in varying shades.
What’s the most affordable way to start with burgundy decor?
Begin with ribbon and fabric. A few yards of beautiful burgundy velvet or plaid ribbon can transform your tree, gifts, and wreaths. Pillow covers and throws are another cost-effective switch that makes a huge impact.
How do I store burgundy decor to prevent fading?
Always store textiles and ribbons in a cool, dark place, wrapped in acid-free tissue paper. Plastic bins are better than cardboard boxes. This is especially important for dark colors, which can fade if left in sunlight.
Is burgundy Christmas decor suitable for a modern home?
Absolutely. For a modern take, pair clean-lined burgundy elements with charcoal gray, concrete textures, and sleek metallics like brass. Keep patterns minimal and focus on bold, solid blocks of color.
Final Touches for a Memorable Holiday Home
Embracing burgundy Christmas decor is about choosing a mood—one of sophisticated warmth, deep comfort, and understated elegance. It’s a palette that invites people in and makes them want to stay, wrapped in the richness of the season.
Your holiday home should tell your story and reflect what makes this time of year special to you. Whether you incorporate all these ideas or just one or two, the depth and warmth of burgundy will add a beautiful, memorable layer to your celebrations.
So light those burgundy taper candles, fluff those velvet pillows, and enjoy the deeply beautiful, wonderfully cozy holiday home you’ve created. May it be filled with the warmth of good company and the quiet magic of the season.
