Holiday decor traditionally calls to mind classic reds and greens, evoking the warmth of pine wreaths and glowing ornaments. But pink has a surprising presence in holiday decor, giving festive displays a vibrant appearance.

Interior design experts Jarrett Kemp, owner of Appointments at Five; and Brandy Martin, co-owner of The Avenue and Alexa Stevenson, also co-owner of Lex & King, share their insights on pink and offer tips for incorporating this peppy hue into your holiday decor.

Bold and Back Again

Pink may seem daring for holiday decor, but it brings a festive allure beyond nursery pastels or spring accents. 

“Especially among the younger generation, there’s a growing love for color, and it doesn’t feel as intimidating as it once did,” Kemp said. 

Martin credits pink’s resurgence to its cultural associations, from the timeless appeal of “The Nutcracker” ballet to recent influences like the “Barbie” film, casting pink as an enduring holiday choice. 

Understanding the Palette

This season’s shade leans toward a hot pink, shifting from soft pastels to a bolder tone.

“I feel like light pink is considered, like younger, more nursery, more baby,” Martin said. “And so I mean, I have women my age that use pink in their decor that, like, love the hot pinks and all the colors we have going on.”

Starting Small

To make pink the focal point, adding small touches can be an easy way to introduce the color for those hesitant.

To keep the color balanced, Stevenson advises clients to remember their home isn’t a department store. It’s about the “edit,” she said, suggesting that sometimes less is more. She recommends avoiding lace and overly frilly accents when working with pink to keep it tasteful.

Kemp suggests adding tabletop items, ornaments, small pillows or pink Santas to complement existing decor.

“I think doing small things like that and plugging it in can be an easier way than, like, having a pink tree that might be a little overwhelming at first,” Kemp said. 

Martin says to start with a few pink-accented ornaments on the tree for a touch that doesn’t overpower. For a more relaxed, coastal grandma look, she suggests incorporating pink toile, a subtle addition that keeps the decor festive yet elegant.

If you aren’t ready to fully commit to pink, you can still keep classic red and green while layering soft hints of the hue.

“Pink kind of naturally goes with red and green, like, it’s a mix,” Martin said. “So just adding a few ornaments that maybe have a little pink and a little green or a little pink and a little red, so it blends without feeling like it sticks out for sure.”

Mixing Pink with Classic Hues

Pairing pink with blues, greens and gold creates a balanced color scheme, Kemp said, especially if you favor the traditional blue-and-white palette.  

“I think when you’re doing something like a gingerbread house or like the Lauren Dunn Acrylic Villages that have all of those colors, it’s easy to add in,” Kemp said. “Like a traditional customer might already have that blue-and-white pillow that they can pair back with the pink ornaments and gingerbread houses to kind of, like, tie it all in together.”

Decor that Endures

To make your investment worthwhile, opt for decor pieces with timeless appeal and styles you’ll look forward to displaying year after year. 

Kemp highlights pieces like the Lauren Dunn Acrylic Nativity set ($20-$30) and Fig & Dove’s Christmas Stocking Collection ($100-$200), which nod to traditional decor, making pink feel less “trendy” and more like a classic addition.

Martin points to pink Santa decor, a trend captivating holiday enthusiasts. Pink Santa designs now adorn plates, mugs and punch bowls, perfect for dressing up an appetizer table at gatherings. 

Experts’ Favorite Ways to Incorporate Pink

Kemp uses decorative wrapping paper to create a pop of color under the tree, wrapping a few gifts or even empty boxes if decorating early, in pink paper or with pink bows. 

Stevenson emphasizes the value of investing in high-quality paper. Even a few carefully wrapped gifts can transform the space, creating a contrast against the tree’s green. 

“If you have all pink presents with pink bows that are beautifully wrapped, like that’s so pretty and welcoming to me, as opposed to just like the random paper just kind of tossed in there with like the sheet broken,” Stevenson said.  

Alternatively, Martin decorates her tree with pink delights, from glittery ornaments to disco balls, adding sparkle and texture. 

Emily Slepsky is a journalism major at the University of Georgia. She produced this story in a home and garden writing course.