Bright red ornaments and shiny gold ribbon have had a long run. This Christmas, deeper colors and softer light are taking over. This look, moody Christmas decor, feels warm, grown-up and slightly theatrical, but it does not require a can of charcoal paint. Control the contrast, texture and light, and dark moody Christmas decor feels intimate and festive, not like your living room is preparing for a funeral.
The Moody Christmas Color Palette
Good moody Christmas decor starts with forest green, oxblood, charcoal and plum, then adds small touches of muted gold. There is no call for an even hand with the shades. Make green your foundation, pick a dark hue to be the primary accent and put in just enough metal to give the eye something to catch.
For the easiest way to put a new spin on things, put oxblood or burgundy in place of those bright Santa-reds. It is a simple trade that will make a well-worn palette seem less glossy and more substantial. A few ribbons, some wrapping paper and candles in this deeper red are all it takes to alter the feel of the room; there is no need to do away with the tree or any of the family’s treasured ornaments to see the difference.
Getting the Christmas Tree Right
Good moody Christmas tree decor depends more on finish than ornament count. There is a difference in how the eye takes in matte versus glossy ornaments. The former will absorb light and lend some depth to the branches, while the latter has a way of bouncing it about, making for a tree that is brighter and perhaps a bit busier. A few reflective pieces are fine, but let them be highlights and not the centerpiece.
For ribbon, opt for a wide velvet or woven variety in oxblood, charcoal or forest green and run it down through the branches. A vertical line has a more relaxed air to it than a tight horizontal ring. When it comes to lighting, warm-white on a dark or green wire works well; tuck the bulbs in a little and you will have a glow emanating from inside the tree as opposed to a harsh outline.
Do not overlook placement either. If the room is well lit, set the tree to a pale wall for a clean silhouette. In a darker space, position it by a window trim, doorway or where the curtains are lit. The best moody Christmas tree decor still needs an edge the eye can see.
Lighting Is What Actually Makes It Moody
Color sets the direction for moody Christmas decor, but lighting decides whether the room actually works. Do away with the main ceiling light. A single bright fixture overhead has a way of flattening velvet and robbing darker hues of their appeal by banishing the very shadows that make them so inviting, all while putting every corner on equal footing.
It is better to put in place three or four smaller layers of illumination. Start with the tree as your first layer. Then put in a floor or table lamp at about seated eye level and set some candles on a console, mantel or dining table below that. Varying the height will send pools of light across the room as opposed to an undifferentiated wash.
For the bulbs, go with 2700K to get that warm-white quality of good home lighting. Where dimmers are available, pull them back until the walls recede and the brass, glass and ribbon have something to catch. Make sure the color is consistent between the lamps, the tree and any battery candles; an icy-white string will only serve to throw the rest off.
And for the sake of safety, reserve real tapers for a well supervised spot in a solid holder. Put LED candles where there are low branches, curtains or dried foliage. You want to be in control of the shadows, not the subject of a Christmas insurance claim.
Textures That Do the Heavy Lifting
The way light plays over the surface of velvet lends a certain depth to its color. It is well suited to stockings, a slim table runner or some bows, but do not let it dominate every surface.
For a more subdued and textured look, turn to dried greenery. Combine fir with bare twigs, seed heads or hydrangeas; you want the arrangement to have character and not appear as though it was just put out of a box.
Then there is the matter of warmth without any of the glare that comes from mirror-polished gold or chrome. Aged brass in your frames, bells and candleholders will do the job nicely, provided they have a bit of patina. The slight dullness is exactly what makes it useful here.
How to Create the Look When Your Walls Are White
Yes, dark moody Christmas decor can work with white walls. There is no call for a fresh coat of paint. Instead, put the emphasis on deep color in a handful of adjoining spots and employ some warm, low lighting. Let a bit of pale space show through to give the darker accents something to play off of.
Pick a single visual anchor to begin with, be it the tree, the dining table or the mantel. Put the bulk of your oxblood and forest green there and then echo those shades once or twice in other places. A bow of oxblood on the tree can be picked up again in an entryway ribbon or a couple of cushions. That kind of repetition has purpose; you will not get the same effect by spreading a dark hue over every surface.
For the white expanse, break it up with some temporary layers. A charcoal piece of art on the shelf, a dark textile on the back of a chair or a deep green wreath will do. The idea is to cut down on the bright wall that meets the eye without hiding it altogether.
Direct the lamps at your decorations and not the wall. With a little dimming of the bulbs and shades set low, one can let the light from white paint do its work to put some brightness in the room. The resulting pale background will provide contrast and define any dark foliage, all while keeping the space from having a cramped air about it.
Room-by-Room Quick Hits
These moody Christmas decor ideas work best when each room gets one strong focal point rather than a thin layer of decorations everywhere.
For the mantel, put together an irregular garland of oxblood ribbon, bare branches and some forest foliage. Position a few aged-brass holders at varying heights, but be sure to leave the greenery well away from the flames.
The dining table calls for a runner in charcoal or plum, along with low evergreen cuttings and warm taper candles. A word on the centerpiece: keep it under eye level so that conversation is not impeded.
In the entryway, let a single wreath, a small lamp and a dark bowl of oddments set the tone without making a show of the whole decoration box.
The bedroom should remain restful, so no flashing lights. A velvet cushion, one bedside lamp and a short, unlit garland will do.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake with moody Christmas decor is making everything dark. Details have a way of vanishing in the absence of pale walls, natural wood or cream fabrics and the odd metallic accent. Then there is the matter of cool-white lighting; put that in with 2700K lamps and the warmth is gone in short order.
Do not be tempted to put something on every shelf either. Darker hues have more heft to them than light ones and require some space to let them breathe. A good rule is to take one thing off an arrangement before calling it done. Should the tree, the mantel and the table all seem to be vying for the eye, pick a single focal point and let the rest recede a bit.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. The trick is to leave the floor open and put your decorating on a console, tabletop or in one corner. You will find that a compact setup with some layered light is quite cozy, whereas dark accessories strewn about the room tend to look cluttered.
Is a real or artificial tree better?
As for the tree, real or artificial are both fine. A natural one has an irregular shape and texture of its own. But if you want more command over where the light goes and sturdier branches, a good quality artificial tree will do the job.
Which colors should I avoid?
There are some colors best left alone: neon brights, blue-white lights and too much shiny silver. Cream, soft white and muted gold are better choices; used sparingly they give the room the right amount of contrast.
A Darker Christmas, Without a Permanent Makeover
You only need deeper accents, tactile materials and warmer light to shift the atmosphere. For ways to keep that richer feeling after the decorations come down, see our year-round moody decor guide.