40 Black-and-White Christmas Decorating Ideas
Mix things up this holiday season by introducing black and white into your Christmas color palette.

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Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Ralph Lauer
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Evin Photography; Styling by Jenny Reimold and Sara Brigman
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn, FlynnsideOut
Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn
Photo By: Flynnside Out
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Jalynn Baker
Photo By: Ralph Lauer
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn
Photo By: Rennai Hoefer
Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn, FlynnsideOut
Black-and-White Christmas Decor We Adore
If you’re decorating for the holidays and want to branch out from the typical red and green color scheme, let us inspire you to give black-and-white Christmas decor a try. This classic color combo will stand the test of time and look great with practically any decorating style, from modern to rustic. Plus, the pared-down palette makes it easy to mix and match patterns and textures for an ultra-cozy look that’s perfect for the season.
In this crisp living room, a frosty pine garland adds earthy texture across the mantel and a set of four faux fur stockings is ready for Santa's arrival. The flocked fir Christmas tree dazzles with a mix of rustic and snow-dusted ornaments dangling from its twinkling branches. Gifts wrapped in black-and-white paper pile across the fireplace hearth in anticipation of Christmas morning. Browse our gallery for more ways to deck out your Christmas tree, mantel, dining table and more in chic black and white.
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Modern Merriment
Leave the gold foil bows, smiling santas and holly-red wrapping to your mom and join us on the dark (and dreamy!) side of Christmas this year. Pine cones and pitch-black presents pile high with chunky quilts and beaded garland to celebrate the season in this decked-out entryway. A bright, black-and-white banner layered with a minimalist eucalyptus wreath pops against the ebony planked wall while a snowy faux pelt and a chalkboard-inspired throw pillow soften this foyer's bench.
More Ideas: 16 Christmas Entryway Decorating Ideas From HGTV Magazine
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
Keep spirits bright with tons of snowy-white touches for the holiday season. A flurry of snowflakes dance above a petite polar bear, a wrapped present and iced cupcakes on this modern farmhouse kitchen island. Glittery flakes scatter throughout the space, bringing wintry whimsy to the cooktop, by the sink and at the base of the open shelving. Graphic black-and-white seasonal prints add a festive pop of contrast to the otherwise all-white space.
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Classic + Cozy Print
Set the tone for festive feasting by taking tablescape cues from designer, Brian Patrick Flynn. This contemporary dining table is dressed to impress for Christmas brunch with a bold, black-and-white buffalo check runner and an opulent pine centerpiece. Plush, pistachio pillows add coziness and contrast to the skirted dining chairs while a buffalo-check ribbon dangles a mini boxwood wreath over the chair backs to mark the occasion.
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Dreaming of a White Christmas
Bring your white Christmas dreams to life with a bedroom covered in frosted and festive details. Shimmery silver and white baubles dangle with delight from a twinkling pine in the corner of this wintry bedroom. A snowy pom-pom garland drapes across a handsome wood headboard and a fluffy white duvet covers the bed like a blanket of snow. Plush, black-and-white throw pillows create cozy contrast against the icy linens and a wooden tray with two cocoa mugs adds an inviting touch to the display. Whimsical calligraphy prints in classic, black-and-white gallery frames join forces with snowflake figurines and a pair of pretty wrapped presents to bestow holiday joy to the bedside tables.
More Ideas: 15 Christmas Decorating Ideas for Bedrooms
Season's Greetings
Red-and-green not your thing? When it comes to color, sometimes less is more. This black-and-white doormat extends a holly-jolly holiday greeting to neighbors and guests alike with vintage lettering, whimsical flourishes and a merry berry bunch in classic Christmas hues.
Shop Our Picks: 20 Festive Christmas Doormats for the Merriest Entry
'Tis the Season
Wrap your washroom with the spirit of Christmas with a few, festive accents. This powder room is primed for holiday hosting with a countertop pine tree, a sink-side reindeer, a lyrical hand towel and a whimsical, black-and-white pom garland draped across the mirror.
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Bold Baubles + Bows
Skip traditional holiday hues and stay true to your streamlined interiors with a sleek, black-and-white Christmas tree design. Consider this miniature tree your modern muse and mix inky ornaments with snowy baubles, painted globes and black-and-white patterned ribbon. Create interest and dimension by alternating between matte, gloss and glittery accents along the branches. Final touch? Weave foiled gold or metallic silver details throughout for a healthy dose of seasonal shimmer.
More Ideas: 100 Beautiful Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
Sweater Weather
Think outside the baubles and bows when scheming-up your seasonal decor. Large-scale textile art serves as a festive focal point in this contemporary home without a single holiday trope or traditional color in sight. The statement-making piece depicts a cozy, black Nordic sweater pattern complete with white stitching and a collection of wintry woodland creatures.
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Frosty Farmhouse Charm
As it turns out, two is better than one. Need more convincing? Just take a peek at the frosty alpine duo in the corner of this festive farmhouse family room. The pair are nestled in white woven baskets and wrapped at the base with matching ivory windowpane blankets. Their sparce branches are dusted with snow and adorned with silver, champagne and black-and-white ornaments that appear to sparkle against the warm twinkle lights. A petite polar bear trio adds charm underfoot as they stand guard over gifts until Christmas morning.
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Tree-Lined Table
Avoid an icy (read: sterile) seasonal table by mixing your black-and-white accents with organic arrangements and warm, natural finishes. This modern farmhouse dining table is decked-out for Christmas dinner with a frosted tree centerpiece, snowflake place cards and a black-and-white striped runner. The wooden, x-back dining chairs are gussied-up for guests with a mini pine wreath wrapped in a perky burlap bow.
Woodsy Wrapping
This contemporary Christmas deign is equal parts opulent and understated with a neutral hues and bold execution. Trailing paddle leaf eucalyptus creates a lush base for the collection of alternating white and ivory tapers lining the mantel in inky iron candlesticks. A towering pine turns heads from the corner, clad with a statement-making birch garland reminiscent of reindeer antlers and a collection of muted metallic ornaments.
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Frosty Friend
It’s always a joy to see familiar faces around the holidays and this Frosty centerpiece is no exception. The well-dressed snowman makes for a welcome guest (and fanciful centerpiece) at this breakfast table. His white body, onyx buttons and dapper top hat play well with the black-and-white buffalo check drapes and the sentimental window wreath wrapped in holly-red ribbon. Find out how to a build a snowman centerpiece for your holiday table with our step-by-step instructions in the link, below.
Get the How-To: How to Make a Carnation Snowman Centerpiece
Unexpected Ornaments
Deck your walls with all-things-jolly! This playful vignette incorporates black satin ornaments in an unexpected way. The inky baubles dangle from wall-mounted antlers between twin pine wreaths to provide festive flair in the otherwise sophisticated space.
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Spruced-Up Dining
Merry and bright, this inviting space begs the question, “Why walk in a winter wonderland when you can dine in one?” The rustic table is spruced-up for the holidays with a shimmery tree centerpiece, silver twig accessories, pinecone place cards and black-and-white striped linen napkins. A French Provincial chandelier adorned with evergreen sprigs illuminates diners overhead while a pair of tabletop pines and a scarved reindeer add whimsy to the weathered buffet against the wall.
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Room for Milk + Cookies
Skip the place cards and make more room for casserole, pudding and spiked cocoa on your Christmas table with a chalkboard paper runner. This inky paper runner creates a casual-yet-polished base for white hand-lettered names and a forest of snowy ceramic, wood and bottle brush pines weaving down the center of the reclaimed farmhouse table. Vibrant holly-green plates shine against the otherwise neutral backdrop and set the tone for celebration in the dining room.
Dashing Delivery
Never underestimate the visual impact your holiday gift wrap has on your living room décor. The pitch-black wrapping paper, ivory sacks, bleached twine and sans serif lettering give this present pile a modern appeal that’s sure to complement contemporary, minimalist and eclectic holiday schemes, alike.
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Spirited Staircase
Black-and-white patterns enliven this gray staircase with contrast and greet guests with Christmas spirit. The upholstered armchair is made inviting with a buffalo check and graphic holiday throw pillow beneath a crisp, black-and-white striped blanket draped over the back. Inky touches continue underfoot where striped, checked and tree-clad presents pile with a miniature sleigh and snowy reindeer beneath a petite tabletop tree.
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Moody + Merry Trimmings
This striking set-up pairs inky oil-rubbed bronze accents with glossy forest green serveware, a pair of pewter reindeer and textured greenery to achieve an understated and elegant holiday table design. Pro tip: Keep your table scape budget-friendly and classic with a mix of vintage objects, cut greenery and pine cones. Here an outdoor dining area is packed with texture, shape and contrast with a mix of organic touches found in the yard paired with a clear glass cake stand and masculine dinnerware.
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Sugar, Spice + Black-and-White Stripes
Stripes, snowflakes and silvery velvet ribbons come together to create one dashing Christmas dining table. Ruffled burlap napkins warm the white plates and the crystal glassware shimmers against the black-and-white table. The holiday display intertwines varied textures and neutral hues to achieve an effortless chic design that suits Christmas and New Year’s gatherings, alike.
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Dashing Details
Play with sculptural elements and unique shapes. This wire star becomes instantly more festive with unique greenery and winter berries added into the mix.
Black and White Accents
Black and White Stripes
Wrapped Books
Festive Sofa Accessories
Holiday Sofa Pillows
Ornament Lamps
Main Color Scheme
Contrasting Ornaments
In order to add the proper balance of black and white to a Christmas tree, keep in mind that contrast and proximity are key. When placed on a green tree, black ornaments tend to blend in and white ornaments tend to stand out. When hanging the ornaments, try clustering them close to one another ensuring roughly two black ornaments for every white ornament. This mix will help keep the proper contrast consistent so both colors are showcased equally.
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Striped Poinsettias
Patterned Skirt
Tree skirts offer another opportunity to play with black and white through pattern. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, it's likely the tree skirt will remain bare and you'll be able to see it more clearly. Once covered up with gifts, the skirt will lose its presence. Consider using black mixed with another holiday accent color, then bringing in accents of white through wrapped gifts. This will ensure that your skirt will still remain part of the overall design.
Shop Our Picks: 15 Beautiful Christmas Tree Skirts Under $75
Cozy Throw
Santa Stationery
Fireside Decor
This fireside gift wrapping area continues the black and white theme from the floor to the fireplace and into the Christmas tree thanks to a graphic rug, handmade stockings and a tree decorated mostly with black and natural-toned ornaments.
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Plaid Tree Skirt
Natural-Toned Tree Decor
Lighted Focal Point
Patterned Stockings
A little bit of black and white goes a long way. Britany had four custom stockings made for Mom, Dad, daughter and son — each featuring a subtle or strong use of black and white.
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