12 Burgundy Christmas Decorations That Make Your Home Look Expensive
Bright red may be the traditional Christmas color, but burgundy Christmas decorations create a completely different mood. Burgundy is deeper, warmer and easier to combine with dark wood, forest green, brass, velvet and candlelight—materials that instantly make a holiday room feel richer.
The secret is not replacing every red ornament in the house with wine-colored versions. The most convincing luxury burgundy Christmas decor uses burgundy selectively, allowing it to become a sophisticated accent rather than an overwhelming theme.
Think burgundy velvet ribbon woven through a natural tree, oxblood candles on a walnut table, deep wine stockings against evergreen garland, antique gold ornaments and one dramatic winter artwork anchoring the room.
Here are twelve ways to decorate with burgundy for a Christmas home that feels layered, warm and expensive rather than overly coordinated.
1. Build the Palette Around Burgundy, Forest Green and Antique Gold
The simplest way to create an expensive burgundy Christmas color palette is to combine burgundy with colors that have similar visual depth.
Start with:
- burgundy,
- oxblood,
- forest green,
- walnut brown,
- antique gold,
- brass,
- and warm cream.
This combination feels richer than burgundy paired with brilliant white and bright metallic gold.
Forest green keeps the palette connected to traditional Christmas greenery, while walnut and brass make the burgundy feel integrated with the room rather than added only for December.
Use cream to create breathing space.
A cream sofa, ivory candles, linen tablecloth or pale wall can prevent dark holiday colors from becoming visually heavy.
For a contemporary room, add a small amount of matte black.
For a traditional or lodge interior, lean more heavily into brown wood, aged brass and leather.
2. Use Burgundy Velvet Ribbon as the Main Christmas Tree Detail
If you change only one thing on your Christmas tree, make it the ribbon.
Velvet immediately creates more visual depth than glossy synthetic ribbon because it absorbs and reflects light softly.
For a burgundy velvet Christmas tree, use wide ribbon rather than several thin strands.
Work it into the tree in loose sections rather than wrapping it tightly around the outside.
Pair burgundy ribbon with:
- warm white lights,
- antique gold ornaments,
- dark green baubles,
- clear glass ornaments,
- pinecones,
- and a few brown or bronze decorations.
Avoid adding every ornament color you already own.
The burgundy will look far more expensive when the rest of the tree follows a controlled palette.
For a quieter version, keep most ornaments gold, green and transparent and allow the burgundy ribbon to carry almost all of the red color.
3. Replace Bright Red With Burgundy Across the Mantel
The fireplace is one of the easiest places to make a Christmas room feel more sophisticated.
Instead of using traditional bright red stockings and bows, move everything one or two shades darker.
For an elegant burgundy Christmas mantel, combine full evergreen garland with:
- burgundy velvet stockings,
- dark red berries,
- antique brass candlesticks,
- cream taper candles,
- and small pinecones.
Let the greenery remain dominant.
The burgundy should appear as deep pockets of color rather than one continuous red line across the mantel.
If the mantel is dark wood or stone, this palette will look especially rich because the burgundy feels connected to the architecture.
For a pale mantel, introduce brown through wooden candleholders, pinecones or a woven basket near the fireplace.
4. Add Burgundy Tartan Instead of Covering the Room in Solid Red
Burgundy becomes more interesting when it appears inside a pattern rather than on every object.
Tartan is particularly effective because it can combine wine red with green, navy, black and cream in one textile.
For a burgundy plaid Christmas living room, introduce tartan through one or two major textiles:
- a wool throw,
- two pillows,
- a table runner,
- or tree ribbon.
Then keep surrounding textiles relatively solid.
A camel leather chair beside a burgundy plaid throw feels far more luxurious than a chair surrounded by four different Christmas patterns.
Blackwatch-style green and navy plaid can also work beside solid burgundy, helping the palette feel traditional without relying on bright Christmas red.
This approach is especially effective in Ralph Lauren-inspired, English country, lodge and equestrian interiors.
5. Pair Burgundy With Walnut and Leather
Burgundy can look glamorous with gold, but brown is what makes it feel grounded.
Dark walnut, worn leather and espresso wood give the color a heritage quality.
For burgundy Christmas decor with dark wood, keep existing wood furniture visible rather than covering every surface with garland.
A walnut console can hold:
- one bowl of burgundy ornaments,
- several brass candlesticks,
- a pine branch,
- and a stack of old books.
A brown leather sofa may need nothing more than one wine-colored velvet pillow and a plaid wool throw.
The point is to let Christmas decorate the room you already have rather than hiding the furniture beneath seasonal accessories.
This is one reason burgundy works so well in rustic, western and traditional homes.
For more ideas on combining darker timber with statement artwork, read Dark Wood and Western Art: The Perfect Pairing.
6. Use Antique Gold Instead of Shiny Yellow Gold
Burgundy and gold are a natural combination, but the finish of the gold makes an enormous difference.
Bright reflective gold can make holiday decor feel more glamorous.
Aged brass, brushed gold and antique metallic finishes make it feel older and more collected.
For burgundy and gold Christmas decorations that look expensive, introduce gold through useful or substantial objects:
- candlesticks,
- bells,
- ornament caps,
- picture frames,
- trays,
- and several larger baubles.
Do not scatter dozens of tiny gold accessories around the room.
One pair of tall brass candlesticks has more visual impact than a table covered in miniature metallic decorations.
Warm gold also looks beautiful against dark green foliage because it reflects tree lights and candlelight without competing with the burgundy.
7. Create a Burgundy Christmas Dining Table With Candlelight
The dining table is one place where burgundy can become more dramatic.
For a luxury burgundy Christmas table setting, start with a neutral foundation rather than a burgundy tablecloth.
Use:
- warm white or natural linen,
- dark wood if the table is beautiful enough to leave uncovered,
- burgundy napkins,
- wine-colored taper candles,
- evergreen branches,
- and antique brass or silver accents.
This creates contrast and prevents the table from becoming a single block of dark red.
Fruit can also look surprisingly elegant.
Dark grapes, pomegranates, pears or red apples can add natural color without another manufactured Christmas decoration.
Keep centerpieces low enough for conversation.
A long line of greenery and candles usually looks more sophisticated than one large floral arrangement blocking the middle of the table.
8. Make the Front Door Wreath Burgundy Without Making It Red
A burgundy wreath can set the entire Christmas palette before guests enter the house.
Begin with deep natural-looking evergreen rather than a red wreath base.
Then add burgundy through:
- velvet ribbon,
- berries,
- dried hydrangea,
- or several dark wine-colored ornaments.
For a burgundy Christmas wreath for front door, keep at least half of the wreath visibly green.
This contrast is what makes the wine-colored details look rich.
Add aged brass bells, brown pinecones or a cream ribbon layer if you want extra dimension.
Repeat only one wreath material elsewhere on the porch.
For example, use the same burgundy velvet ribbon on two evergreen planters rather than duplicating every wreath detail across the entire entrance.
9. Use Burgundy Bows on Staircase Garland
Staircase garland has enough scale to carry a deeper color beautifully.
Instead of placing a small red bow on every section, use fewer, larger burgundy bows.
For an elegant burgundy Christmas staircase, combine full pine or cedar garland with:
- burgundy velvet bows,
- warm white lights,
- small brass bells,
- and perhaps a restrained amount of berries.
Allow long green branches to fall naturally instead of shaping every section into the same curve.
The irregularity makes the garland feel more organic and less manufactured.
If the staircase is dark wood, burgundy will blend beautifully with it.
Against white stairs, add black or aged brass details so the palette does not become overly sweet.
10. Mix Burgundy With Snowy Winter Artwork
A room does not need burgundy on every wall to maintain the palette.
Snowy artwork can provide the visual relief that dark Christmas colors need.
A snowy landscape containing white, gray, brown or dark green creates contrast beside burgundy pillows, curtains, candles and garland.
For burgundy Christmas wall decor ideas, consider:
- winter wildlife,
- snowy cottages,
- cardinals,
- dark woodland scenes,
- or traditional landscapes.
Keep holiday signs to a minimum.
Year-round artwork with winter atmosphere tends to look more elevated because it does not depend on text to communicate the season.
If your holiday room leans rustic or lodge-inspired, you may also like Lodge-Style Interiors: How Western Art Completes the Look.
11. Carry Burgundy Into the Bedroom With Textiles, Not Christmas Clutter
Bedrooms usually need a quieter Christmas treatment than living rooms.
Instead of filling nightstands with seasonal figurines, let the bed carry the color.
For a burgundy Christmas bedroom aesthetic, try:
- a burgundy velvet lumbar pillow,
- a deep red wool throw,
- forest-green or cream bedding,
- small cedar branches,
- and warm bedside lighting.
If you already have white or beige bedding, this is an easy seasonal update because only one or two textiles need to change.
A small wreath above the bed or one evergreen branch in a vase may be enough to signal Christmas.
Keep string lights subtle unless the room naturally suits them.
The goal is a winter bedroom first and a Christmas display second.
12. Finish With Cream, Black and Empty Space
The final step is editing.
Burgundy is a visually heavy color. Forest green, walnut and brass add even more depth.
Without lighter or quieter areas, the room can become crowded quickly.
For burgundy Christmas decorations that make a home look expensive, leave some surfaces almost untouched.
A console does not need garland, candles, ornaments, a sign and miniature trees all at once.
Use cream and warm white to create rest:
- ivory candles,
- neutral upholstery,
- cream ribbon,
- white ceramics,
- or simple linen.
Add black sparingly for definition.
A matte-black lamp, fireplace screen or picture frame can sharpen a burgundy-and-green palette and make it feel more contemporary.
Then stop decorating before every open area is filled.
Negative space is one of the most important ingredients in an expensive-looking Christmas room.
How to Make Burgundy Christmas Decor Look Expensive on a Budget
You do not need to replace your entire Christmas collection.
Burgundy works particularly well as an upgrade color because a few larger pieces can transform decorations you already own.
Start with ribbon.
Replacing bright red ribbon with burgundy velvet can immediately change the tree, wreath and garland.
Then add only a few coordinating objects:
- burgundy pillow covers,
- wine-colored taper candles,
- several dark red ornaments,
- and perhaps one plaid throw.
Keep your existing green tree, natural pinecones and warm white lights.
Look for secondhand brass candlesticks, trays, old books, dark wood boxes and glassware rather than buying more explicitly Christmas-themed accessories.
When the room already contains enough burgundy, stop adding it.
Repeating one color everywhere does not necessarily make a room look coordinated. In high-end interiors, repetition is usually balanced by variation in texture and plenty of neutral space.
Add a Dark, Sophisticated Focal Point to Your Holiday Interior
Explore rich nature, western and abstract canvas art for burgundy Christmas rooms, dark wood interiors and sophisticated winter styling.
Explore Nature Canvas Wall Art →Burgundy Christmas Decorating Checklist
- Main color: choose wine, oxblood or deep burgundy rather than several unrelated reds.
- Green: pair burgundy with forest green or natural evergreen foliage.
- Metal: use brass, antique gold, bronze or muted champagne.
- Wood: walnut, espresso, dark oak and natural brown deepen the palette.
- Tree: use burgundy velvet ribbon as one of the strongest visual elements.
- Mantel: combine greenery, burgundy stockings and warm candlelight.
- Pattern: introduce tartan or plaid in limited amounts.
- Dining: use burgundy napkins or candles over a neutral or wood table.
- Entry: add burgundy ribbon or berries to mostly green wreaths and planters.
- Artwork: use winter wildlife, stags, landscapes or sophisticated dark compositions.
- Neutral: keep enough cream, white or beige to prevent the room from becoming too heavy.
- Editing: stop before every surface becomes part of the Christmas display.
For dark and elegant holiday interiors, explore the Deer Canvas Wall Art collection, Cabin Wall Art collection, Horse Canvas Wall Art collection, Western Canvas Wall Art collection and Abstract Canvas Wall Art collection.
Related reading from Art of Royals includes Dark Wood and Western Art: The Perfect Pairing, Lodge-Style Interiors: How Western Art Completes the Look and Modern Rustic Interior Design: The Role of Western Canvas Art.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burgundy Christmas Decorations
What colors go with burgundy Christmas decorations?
Forest green, antique gold, brass, walnut brown, camel, cream, black and muted champagne all pair beautifully with burgundy. Deep navy can also work in traditional or tartan-inspired interiors.
How do I make burgundy Christmas decor look expensive?
Use burgundy in substantial materials such as velvet ribbon, wool, candles and ornaments rather than many inexpensive small accessories. Pair it with real or realistic greenery, dark wood, warm metal and restrained neutral areas.
Does burgundy work with traditional Christmas green?
Yes. Burgundy and forest green create one of the richest traditional Christmas palettes because both colors have more depth than bright red and green.
Does burgundy Christmas decor work with gold or silver?
Both can work. Antique gold and brass create a warmer, traditional look, while silver can make burgundy feel more formal and slightly cooler. Avoid using several competing shiny metals in equal amounts.
What ornaments work with a burgundy Christmas tree?
Antique gold, champagne, forest green, bronze, clear glass, cream and brown ornaments work particularly well. Pinecones and other natural textures help prevent the tree from feeling overly glamorous.
Can burgundy Christmas decorations work in a modern home?
Yes. Use one or two burgundy focal elements, clean evergreen branches, simple ornaments, matte black and brushed metal. Keep ribbon and garland less layered than you would in a traditional room.
How do I decorate a farmhouse Christmas with burgundy?
Combine burgundy velvet or plaid with natural pine, warm wood, cream textiles, aged brass, stone and rustic winter artwork. Avoid adding too many novelty farmhouse signs.
What color ribbon goes with burgundy Christmas ornaments?
Forest green, cream, antique gold, brown, blackwatch plaid and even matching burgundy velvet can all work. Choose one dominant ribbon rather than combining several unrelated patterns.
Can I use burgundy in a small Christmas living room?
Yes. Keep the largest surfaces relatively neutral and introduce burgundy through the tree ribbon, pillows, candles or stockings. This provides depth without making the room feel visually smaller.
Is burgundy Christmas decor the same as red Christmas decor?
Not exactly. Burgundy has deeper wine and brown undertones, so it feels more subdued and works especially well with dark wood, leather, brass and forest green.
What type of wall art works with burgundy Christmas decor?
Winter landscapes, wildlife, deer, horses, moody nature scenes and dark abstract artwork can all work well. Choose pieces that repeat either the burgundy, brown, gold, green or neutral colors already used in the room.
How can I decorate with burgundy after Christmas?
Remove explicitly seasonal elements such as garland and ornaments, then keep burgundy through velvet pillows, throws, candles or artwork. Because burgundy is a classic interior color, it can transition naturally into winter decor.
The reason burgundy Christmas decorations make a home look expensive is not simply that the color is darker than red. Burgundy naturally works with the materials that give interiors depth: walnut, leather, brass, velvet, forest green and candlelight.
Use it as a controlled accent rather than the only color in the room. Let a velvet ribbon become the star of the tree. Use burgundy stockings against natural greenery. Add wine-colored candles to a neutral table and surround deeper holiday tones with cream, snow-white winter imagery and warm metal.
When burgundy is layered rather than repeated everywhere, Christmas decor feels less like a temporary theme and more like a sophisticated part of the home.
