The 3 major colour stories for holiday tablescapes this year

Red and green? For the holidays? Groundbreaking.

Hear us out. While this classic couple aren't new holiday hues, they're everywhere this season — but in fresh pairings and in rich, jewel tones. Emerald is a big colour trend for holiday decor this year and, along with ruby red, has spilled onto the tabletop too. We're also spotting an all-neutral-everything scheme and while silver seemed to be the shiny accent of choice for most of the early- to mid- 2010's, gold is now the major player in metallics. Below, a bit more on these colour stories, plus some picks you can shop now.

Ruby red

This isn't your typical holiday red. The red-centric tablescapes we're seeing this season are less santa's hat and more rich, ruby red, paired with gold to up the drama. We're also seeing the delightfully unexpected pairing of this jewel tone with light pinks, as seen on the tables pictured above. Poinsettias are feeling decidedly more modern and elegant this season, especially when treated in the style of the H&M Home tablecloth featured above.

Get the look:

To style something similar, look for alllll the red accents this season. Pair bright reds with ruby reds, pomegranates and pinks for a more modern take on a seasonal red 'scape. Cut crystal goes with everything, but looks especially lavish when mixed in here. And you really can't go wrong with the height and sparkle tapered candles provide for dinner parties. 

1. Celestial Dinnerware, $11.20 - $28.70, West Elm; 2. Drift Reactive Red Dinnerware, $13.95 - $61.80, CB2; 3. Gold Candlestick, $12.99, H&M Home; 4. Tall Gold Candlestick, $14.99, H&M Home; 5. Mellie Glass Beverage Dispenser, $109, CB2; 6. Fishs Eddy Gilded Side Plates, $6.99, West Elm; 7. Red Poinsettias Tablecloth, $29.99, H&M Home; 8. Extra Tall Gold Metallic Taper Candles, $5, Home Smith; 9. Long Christmas Candle, set of 2, $9.90, Zara Home; 10. Ursula Serving Bowl, about $90.45 CAD, Anthropologie

Au natural

Composed of a palette of beiges, greys, whites, and the ever-popular 'greiges', the all-neutral everything look is back on the scene but with a slightly more rustic vibe. A little bit French countryside kitchen, and maybe a little bit moody nordic-inspired — like the West Elm table — we'd definitely call this tablesetting trend "cozy". But it's still elegant enough for festive feasting. 

Get the look:

This look is super approachable but it does call for all the neutral servingware you've got on hand. The key to getting it right is to use organic shapes and textures. The dinnerware and serving tray in the picks below are good examples. Wood, natural materials and loads of linen are great for adding texture. To make it a little more festive, run some of your favourite winter greenery down the centre of the table, or add them to a vase in the middle as a centrepiece, as shown above. For a dinner party, don't hesitate to dim the lights, use some delicate string lights, and layer on the glassware and candles for sparkly glow similar to the Zara Home inspo image.

1. Petrified Wood Serving Board, $95.96, Crate2. Truffle Serving Plate, $540, VdeV; 3. Forest Floor Cake Stand, about $77.16 CAD, Anthropologie; 4. Tree Print Linen Napkin, pack of 2, $17.90, Zara Home; 5. Star-Shaped Fibre Placemat, $19.90, Zara Home; 6. Vintage Wood and Metal Candle Holders, $53.90, Home Smith; 7. Twilight Ash Garland, $26.75, Home Smith; 8. Truffle Serving Plate, $540, VdeV; 9. Snowflake Dessert Plate, $10.90, Zara Home

Go green

Much like ruby red, emerald's being paired with gold in most iterations this season and it's got a rather glam, art deco feel to it, as seen in both the inspo images above. Although green is no newcomer to the holiday colour palette, this rich hue feels like a sophisticated departure from the greenery motifs or brighter greens that continue to be popular in some particularly Christmas-y looks. 

Get the look:

Go for maximum impact with a green tablecloth. Layer in plenty of emerald and gold accents, too. We think this look would be really elegant for a big, holiday brunch so we sourced some gold-accented tea sets and platters that would be perfect for serving up all the festive frittatas. (BTW, toast racks are the epitome of brunch decadence.)

1. Surface Emerald Green Platter-Server, $74.95, available early December, CB2; 2. 4-Piece Rush Brushed Gold Serving Utensil Set, $74.95, CB2; Lydia Serving Tray, approx $50.48 CAD, Anthropologie; 4. River Candle Holder, $8.50, VdeV; 5. Glucksteinhome 4-Piece Check Soirée Appetizer Plates, $39.99, The Bay; 6. Metal and Glass Candlestick, $14.99, H&M Home; 7. Washed Linen Tablecloth, $59.99, H&M Home; Evie Toast Rack + Jam Jar Set, approx $77.04 CAD, Anthropologie; 9. Michele Tea Set, approx $40.38 CAD, Anthropologie