Red and White Christmas Decor: 13 Fresh Ideas From Nicole Kidman’s Two Tone Tree

Red and white Christmas decor is having a big comeback, and Nicole Kidman just gave it a fresh push. On October 20, Homes and Gardens shared a look at her tree, dressed only in red and white with striped ornaments, ribbons and a few candy cane ornaments, and said it reinvents two tone decorating for this year. It makes sense. Red has been the color of the year in homes, from cherry to deep burgundy, and pairing it with crisp white feels clean, cheerful and a little bit classic. The best part is that the look is cheap and easy to copy at home. You do not need new furniture or a designer, just two colors and a few weekend crafts. Here are 13 ideas to bring the two tone look into every room..

Red and White Christmas Decor, the Nicole Kidman Way

The formula is simple. Keep the tree green, then use only red and white on it: striped ornaments, plain white balls, red ribbon and a few berry picks. Nothing else. That one rule is what makes her tree look so polished, as Homes and Gardens described this month. Sticking to two colors also saves money, because you skip the impulse buys. Ready to try the two tone rule on your own tree..

You will need: A green tree, red and white ornaments, a roll of red ribbon and red berry picks.

How to make it: 1. Take every ornament that is not red or white off the tree. 2. Add white balls first, then red, spacing them evenly. 3. Finish with ribbon and berry picks.

Striped Yarn Ornaments in Clear Balls

Striped ornaments are the heart of the look, and you can make your own for pennies. Push short pieces of red and white yarn into clear plastic or glass balls and give them a gentle shake so the colors swirl. Each one comes out a little different. They look like candy from far away and feel handmade up close. Kids can help with this one, and every ornament they fill becomes part of your red and white Christmas decor for years. How many will you fill?

You will need: Clear fillable ornaments, red and white yarn, scissors and a pencil to push the yarn in.

How to make it: 1. Cut yarn into short pieces. 2. Push red and white pieces into the ball, mixing as you go. 3. Replace the cap and hang with red ribbon.

Red and White Christmas Decor Starts at the Top: A Striped Bow

Skip the star this year and top the tree with a giant striped bow. Wired ribbon holds its shape, so the loops stay full, and long tails can trail down the sides of the tree. It is the first thing people notice when they walk in. Red and white Christmas decor looks especially sharp with a bow because the stripes repeat the ornaments. Have you ever tried a bow instead of a star?

You will need: About 4 yards of wide red and white striped wired ribbon, floral wire and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Make four big loops and pinch them in the middle. 2. Wrap floral wire tightly around the center. 3. Wire the bow to the top branch and let the tails fall.

Red Velvet Ribbon on a White Flocked Tree

If your tree is white or flocked, red velvet ribbon is all you need. Let it fall from the top in loose loops, tucking it into the branches every foot or so. The deep red against the snowy white looks rich and calm at the same time. Add just a few red ornaments so the ribbon stays the star, and leave the rest of the tree snowy and quiet. Red and white Christmas decor does not get easier than this. Would this look work in your living room?

You will need: A white or flocked tree, two rolls of red velvet ribbon and a few red ornaments.

How to make it: 1. Tuck the ribbon end into the top branches. 2. Let it fall in loose loops, tucking it in as you go down. 3. Add a few red ornaments near the loops.

A Berry Wreath With a Red Velvet Bow

Carry the two colors to the front door. A full evergreen wreath with clusters of red berry picks and one big velvet bow looks classic, and a light dusting of white flocking or a few white ornaments brings in the second color. On a dark door it really pops, and neighbors will notice it from the street. It is a simple way to tell everyone your home has a theme this year, and red and white Christmas decor on the door sets the mood before guests even step inside. Will you make one for the front door or the back door too?

You will need: An evergreen or flocked wreath, red berry picks, a few white ornaments, a red velvet bow and an over the door hook.

How to make it: 1. Push berry picks into the wreath in three or four clusters. 2. Wire the bow at the bottom. 3. Hang it on the door with the hook.

A Striped Paper Chain With the Kids

Remember making paper chains in school? Use only red and white strips and they suddenly look stylish enough for the mantel. It is a perfect project for a cold afternoon with kids, and you can make it as long as you like. Wide strips look bold, while thin strips look delicate. Some families make one link for each day until Christmas and take one off every night. It is red and white Christmas decor with a memory attached. How long will your chain be?

You will need: Red and white paper, scissors or a paper cutter, a ruler and tape or glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut paper into strips about one inch wide. 2. Loop the first strip and tape it closed. 3. Thread the next strip through, alternating red and white.

A Red and White Pom Pom Garland

Pom poms add softness to all the shiny ornaments. Make them in red and white yarn and string them into a garland for a bookshelf, a staircase or the tree itself. They are cozy, cheerful and impossible to break, which makes them great for homes with pets and little ones. A fork works just as well as a pom pom maker. Pom poms are the softest piece of red and white Christmas decor you can make. Will your garland go on the tree or the stairs?

You will need: Red and white yarn, a fork or pom pom maker, scissors and a large needle.

How to make it: 1. Wrap yarn around a fork about 60 times and tie the middle. 2. Cut the loops and fluff. 3. Thread the pom poms onto a long strand of yarn.

Red and White Christmas Decor With Painted Wood Stars

Plain wooden stars from the craft store turn into lovely ornaments with white paint and red stripes. Use painter’s tape for clean lines, or paint the stripes by hand for a folk art look. A dot of glitter on the tips adds a little sparkle. Hang them with twine for a rustic touch that balances the shiny balls. They also work as gift tags. Red and white Christmas decor like this looks good for years, so you only make it once. How many stripes will yours have?

You will need: Small unfinished wooden stars, white and red acrylic paint, painter’s tape, a brush and twine.

How to make it: 1. Paint the stars white and let them dry. 2. Tape off stripes and paint them red. 3. Peel the tape and add a twine loop.

Red and White Christmas Decor for the Holiday Table

Red and white is made for the dinner table. Start with a red gingham tablecloth, add plain white plates, and tie white napkins with red ribbon and a sprig of pine. A white pitcher of red flowers in the middle finishes it. It feels cozy and old fashioned, like a holiday at grandma’s house. You likely already have the white dishes, so this is one of the cheapest ideas here. Who will sit at your table this year?

You will need: A red gingham tablecloth, white plates and napkins, red ribbon, pine sprigs and a white pitcher.

How to make it: 1. Lay the gingham cloth over the table. 2. Set white plates and napkins tied with ribbon and pine. 3. Add a white pitcher of red flowers in the center.

Red and White Enamelware on Open Shelves

The kitchen deserves some holiday cheer too. White enamelware with red rims looks right at home on open shelves, and a few pine sprigs and red ribbons make it festive. You can find old enamel mugs and plates at thrift stores for a few dollars each. Group them by size and leave space between pieces so the shelves feel calm. It is red and white Christmas decor you can leave up all winter. Do you collect anything for your kitchen?

You will need: White enamelware mugs, plates and a pitcher, pine sprigs and red ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Clear the shelves and wipe them down. 2. Arrange the enamelware, bigger pieces at the back. 3. Tuck in pine sprigs and tie a few ribbons.

Glowing Jars With Battery LED Lights

Glass jars wrapped in red and white striped paper make a soft glow on a windowsill or a table. Use battery LED tea lights inside, never real flames, so they are safe around kids, pets and paper. Turn them on at dusk and the room feels warm right away. Clean pasta sauce and jam jars are perfect for this, and they cost nothing at all. How many jars are waiting in your recycling bin?

You will need: Clean glass jars, red and white striped paper or washi tape, glue and battery LED tea lights.

How to make it: 1. Wrap a band of striped paper around each jar and glue it. 2. Turn on the LED tea lights. 3. Drop one into each jar and line them up.

A White Pitcher of Red Carnations

Carnations are cheap, they last for two weeks, they smell lightly sweet, and they come in the perfect shade of red. Put a big bunch in a white pitcher with some greenery and you have a centerpiece that feels classic and fresh. Trim the stems every few days and change the water to keep them looking good. It is a lovely way to finish the red and white look in the kitchen or entry. Where would yours go?

You will need: Two bunches of red carnations, a few greenery stems and a white pitcher.

How to make it: 1. Trim the stems at an angle. 2. Fill the pitcher with water and add the greenery first. 3. Tuck in the carnations until it looks full.

Red and White Christmas Decor for the Porch

Finish outside with two planters by the front door. Stand a few white birch logs in each one, fill around them with evergreen branches, and add red berry picks for color. The white bark and red berries carry the two tone look all the way to the street. For more ways to style bows, see our Christmas bow decor ideas. Would your porch look better with one planter or two?

You will need: Two planters, birch logs, evergreen branches, red berry picks and soil or floral foam.

How to make it: 1. Fill the planters with soil or foam. 2. Stand three birch logs in each. 3. Fill around them with evergreens and add berry picks.