Your new is just around the corner
Sign up for insight into the latest design trends from our newsletter
You're on the list
By signing up, you agree to receive email marketing.
Design 101
Black and White Christmas Decor Ideas for a Modern, Stylish Holiday Home
Published: September 19, 2024
When planning your Christmas decorations, the first thing you’ll need to decide is a color scheme. Though you may consider traditional colors such as red or green, don’t overlook the style and simplicity of black-and-white Christmas decorations. Whether you stick with monochrome or pair your black-and-white decor with a more traditional accent color or two, black and white are the unsung heroes of Christmas colors.Â
Are Black and White Christmas Colors?
When you think of traditional Christmas decor colors, you probably envision splashes of red, green, and white. You may even imagine white and blue decorations that sparkle like ice crystals in the first snow. But if you’re dreaming of a black-and-white Christmas, you’re not alone. Monochrome Christmas decorations are growing in popularity because they suit almost any decor style. Capture the cine-magic of classic black-and-white Christmas films or use this  Christmas color scheme to lean into modern minimalism in a sleek and fashionable way.Â
What Christmas colors go with black and white?
This timeless color scheme can stand alone or be accented by other traditional colors such as bright red, evergreen, or icy blue. Or if you want to add some glam to your Christmas decor, throw in some sparkling accents in silver, gold, or bronze, such as gold stars or silver icicle ornaments.Â
When pairing other colors with your black-and-white decor, consider the style you’re going for. If you’re looking for a more traditional decor style, add some red or green with a traditional green tree covered in both black and white ornaments, or a white tree hung with candy canes. Or if you’re in the mood for a glam holiday,  deck out your tree with sparkling silver icicles or gold tinsel. You could even aim for a blue Christmas with some icy blue ball ornaments and blue Christmas lights surrounded by black ornaments on a white tree.Â
How To Decorate a White Christmas Tree With Black Ornaments
One striking way to use a black-and-white Christmas color scheme is to pair an all-white tree with black ornaments. If you want to  decorate your Christmas tree in black and white colors, try lining white branches with black ball ornaments or tie some black bows around individual branches using small pieces of ribbon. You can also hang black tinsel or garlands to add some length to your tree decor.Â
For a more homey, traditional decor, use black-and-white checkered ribbons or miniature chalkboards displaying anything from season’s greetings to your family members’ names. Or lean into glam with glass or crystal ornaments that glitter like diamonds and sleek ebony accents. Throw in some bright red accents for a seasonal complement that also evokes red carpet class.Â
Minimalist Black-and-White Christmas Decorations
If you’re looking for a minimalist Christmas decoration style, black and white shades are the way to go. Score this style with simple decorations such as black or white ball ornaments, tinsel, and plain garlands. If you want to add a little more visual interest, choose throw pillows or blankets in black-and-white checks that evoke cozy flannel to keep out winter’s chill.Â
Elegant Black-and-White Decorations
Create the black-tie Christmas of your dreams with sparkling white ornaments, black silk ribbons, and gold or silver accents. Or add a pop of color with some seasonal red in glittering strands of ribbon or shiny ball ornaments. Â
Top off your tree with a glittering silver star, or drape its branches with a string of delicate white faux pearls. Don’t forget the lights — sparkling white bulbs evoke the magic of a film marquee as you walk the red carpet in style.Â
Vintage Black-and-White Christmas Decor
Travel back in time with vintage monochrome Christmas decorations that will make you feel like you walked right into your favorite historical holiday flick. Pick up some antique porcelain ornaments or invest in some delicate glass balls that will bring back memories of your grandmother’s tree. Set up a festive Christmas village blanketed in soft, white snow on your mantel or windowsill. Fill the rest of your space with antique chalkboard signage, soft black-and-white quilts, or rows of hand-strung popcorn to complete the vintage look.Â
Sparkly and Glam Christmas Decorations
The striking contrast of black and white lends itself well to a sparkly and glam Christmas style. Whether you want to evoke the glamour of the silver screen or lean into some modern shine, black-and-white decor can help you achieve the look. Silk ribbons and bows strung from tree branches, glittering black and white ball ornaments, and a shiny black or white star tree topper can add glitz and glamour to your holiday decor.  Â
Woodsy Hints of Black and White
Black-and-white decor looks great paired with a woodsy-themed Christmas. Top off your tree with some checkered black-and-white ribbon or white-painted burlap. Add some chalkboard art to your walls or prop mini chalkboards in your tree’s branches. You can even hang textile-style art meant to look like the pattern of your favorite sweater or load up your sofa with black or white flannel blankets and furs.Â
Black-and-White Holiday Decor
There are tons of black-and-white  holiday decorations appropriate for any winter celebration that will make your home feel cozy and festive all season long, whether your is celebrating low key or you’re  hosting for the holidays.Â
Make your living room feel cozy with white and black throw blankets and pillows that will help stave off the winter’s chill. Or line your floors with a cozy black-and-white rug to bury your cold toes in. A string of white lights can add some ambiance to your space when draped over a mantel, framing your favorite winter wall art, or strung across the ceiling like a blanket of stars.Â
Black-and-White Gift Wrapping
To polish off the look, wrap the gifts under the tree in black and white paper. Use plain black paper to really stand out, or lighten things up with sparkling white paper. You can even get creative and wrap your gifts in recycled newspaper, book pages, or sheet music.Â
(P.S., looking for some gift ideas? Check out our Black Friday and  Cyber Monday shopping guides for our top decor gifts for all of your friends and family, no matter their aesthetic!)Â
Dreaming of a Black-and-White Christmas
As you’re decorating this holiday season, consider integrating both black and white Christmas decorations into your plans. These timeless Christmas colors work with almost any style and can be reused for many years, even if your taste changes. Whether you’re looking for some monochrome glam, accenting a woodsy Christmas with black-and-white elements, or leaning into modern minimalism, black-and-white decor is the perfect way to complete your holiday look.Â
Explore More