Picture a tree glowing in a dim living room, its branches heavy with ornaments the color of red wine. Nothing about it shouts. It feels warm, a little moody, and quietly expensive, like a candlelit dinner that somehow turned into a Christmas tree.
That’s the pull of maroon. It sits between classic red and deep purple, so it feels familiar and fresh at the same time. Below, you’ll find ways to build the look with gold, green, blush, velvet, and more, whether your tree is seven feet tall or small enough for a nightstand. Pick one idea or borrow from several.
1. Maroon and Gold, the Classic Pairing
Start with the combination everyone trusts for a reason. Deep maroon glass balls spread through the branches, with brushed gold ones tucked in between, give the tree a warm, old-world richness that suits almost any room. A few gold pinecones near the top add a little woodland texture.
Aim for roughly two maroon ornaments for every gold one so the red stays the star. Hang the biggest balls close to the trunk to create depth, then add warm white lights. If your gold looks too yellow, switch to antique brass for a softer, more aged glow.
2. Deep Green Branches with Maroon Ornaments
A full, dark green tree is the best backdrop maroon could ask for. The contrast makes every ornament glow, and the colors feel like a forest at dusk. Choose a tree with rich, deep needles so the red tones pop instead of fading into the branches.
Cluster ornaments in groups of three rather than scattering them one by one. Tuck a few into the inner branches so the lights bounce off them from within. Add one metallic shade, like soft gold or silver, so the whole tree doesn’t feel too heavy.
3. A Cascade of Maroon Velvet Ribbon
Ribbon might be the easiest way to get this look without buying a single new ornament. Wide velvet ribbon in maroon, draped in loose waves from the top down, adds softness and a slightly vintage feel. It catches the light differently than glass, which gives the tree real dimension.
Start at the top and tuck the ribbon into the branches every foot or so, so it dips and rises naturally. Wired ribbon holds its shape best. Cut a few extra lengths into bows and place them where the cascade needs a pause.
4. Flocked White Tree with Maroon Pops
Maroon looks surprisingly dramatic against snowy branches. On a flocked white tree, each ornament reads like a berry sitting in fresh snow, and the effect is crisp, graphic, and a little bit fairy tale. It works especially well in bright rooms with white walls.
Keep the palette tight, with maroon, white, and maybe one touch of silver. Mix matte and shiny finishes so the tree doesn’t look flat. Skip colored lights here and go with cool or warm white, depending on whether you want icy or cozy.
5. Maroon and Blush Pink for a Softer Look
Not every maroon tree has to feel dark. Pair the deep wine tone with dusty blush pink and the whole thing turns romantic, like a bouquet of roses dressed up for winter. It’s a lovely choice if you want a tree that feels a little feminine without being sugary.
Let maroon do about sixty percent of the work and blush fill in the rest. Add a few pearl strands or champagne-colored ornaments to tie the two shades together. Keep the lights warm so the pink glows instead of turning gray.
6. Layered Textures in One Color Family
When you stay inside a single color, texture does all the talking. Mix velvet, glossy glass, matte ceramic-style balls, and glittered shapes in different shades of maroon, from deep plum-red to a lighter wine. The result looks collected over the years, not bought in one afternoon.
Group similar finishes lightly, but don’t line them up like soldiers. Place glittered pieces where the lights will hit them and matte ones in shadier corners. If you want to stretch the look, add a handful of faceted or carved ornaments for a jewel-like surprise.
7. A Plush Maroon Tree Skirt
Sometimes the base of the tree is where the look comes together. A thick velvet skirt in maroon frames the trunk and makes the whole display feel finished, like a rug under a favorite chair. It also ties the tree to the presents resting around it.
Choose a skirt with some detail, such as gold embroidery, beaded edges, or quilted stitching. Measure your tree’s footprint first, because a skirt that’s too small looks like an afterthought. If you have pets, a heavier fabric stays put better than a thin one.
8. Maroon Plaid Bows and a Cozy Topper
Plaid brings a lodge-style charm that feels warm without being loud. Tie oversized bows from maroon and forest green plaid ribbon, then pin them along the branches in a loose zigzag. Finish with one big bow at the top instead of a traditional star for a softer silhouette.
Make each bow with long tails, about eight to ten inches, so they drape naturally. Wired ribbon helps the loops stay full. If the plaid feels busy, balance it with plain maroon ornaments so your eye has somewhere to rest.
9. Dried Florals and Berries in Wine Tones
Real botanical touches make a tree feel alive. Stems of dried hydrangea, faux berry sprigs, and burgundy roses poke out from the branches and give the tree a garden-like richness. They look especially good in the upper third, where they can spill outward.
Cut stems to about twelve inches and tuck them deep into the branches so they stay put. Use a little floral wire if a heavy bloom starts to droop. A few eucalyptus or pine sprigs nearby add a cool green note that makes the maroon look even deeper.
10. Maroon and Champagne for Quiet Glam
If gold feels too traditional, champagne gives you something softer. The pale, slightly pinkish shine sits beautifully next to maroon, giving the tree a polished, evening-gown kind of glamour. It feels celebratory without trying too hard.
Use champagne glitter ornaments, thin metallic garland, and a few mirrored pieces to bounce the light around. Keep the garland loose and let it swag from branch to branch rather than wrapping tightly. A cluster of tiny fairy lights tucked inside will add a gentle shimmer.
11. Mini Maroon Trees in Unexpected Spots
Not everyone has room for a full-size tree, and that’s perfectly fine. A tabletop tree about two or three feet tall, dressed in maroon ornaments and a tiny ribbon, can steal the show on a console table, mantel, or nightstand. It makes small spaces feel just as festive.
Try grouping three mini trees at different heights for a little forest effect. Match the ornaments across all of them so the display feels intentional. Battery-powered lights are the practical choice here, since you won’t need to hide a cord.
12. Wooden Bead Garland in Maroon
A bead garland adds a handmade, slightly rustic feeling that glass ornaments can’t. Chunky wooden beads painted or stained in deep maroon look warm against green branches and add rhythm as they loop around the tree. They’re also lightweight, so they won’t weigh down thinner branches.
Drape the garland in gentle swags, spacing each loop about eight inches apart as you work around the tree. You can string your own with a needle and strong thread in an evening. Add a few natural wood beads in between for a calm, earthy balance.
13. Warm White Lights That Make Maroon Glow
Lighting changes everything about how maroon looks. Warm white or soft gold lights bring out the red undertones and give ornaments a candlelit depth. Cool white lights, on the other hand, can make the color look flat and slightly purple.
Wrap lights from the inside out, running them along each branch toward the trunk and back. This layering gives the tree a glow that seems to come from within. Aim for about one hundred bulbs per vertical foot, and add a dimmer or timer if you want a calmer mood in the evening.
14. Gifts Wrapped to Match the Tree
The area beneath the tree is part of the design, and wrapping can carry the maroon theme all the way to the floor. Use kraft paper tied with wide maroon ribbon, or go with solid wine-colored paper and gold string. The coordinated look makes even a small pile of gifts feel generous.
Vary the box sizes and stack a few so the heights stay interesting. Tuck a sprig of rosemary or a small pinecone under each bow as a finishing detail. If you want a bit of contrast, wrap one or two gifts in cream or deep green.
Final Thoughts
Tonight, pull out one maroon ornament, or just a length of ribbon, and hold it against your tree. Notice how the color changes under your lights. That small test tells you more about your tree than any list of rules could.
From there, build slowly. Add one pairing, one texture, one finishing touch, and step back after each. A maroon tree doesn’t need to be finished in a single evening, and it often looks best when it grows a little each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What colors go with a maroon Christmas tree?
Gold, deep green, champagne, blush pink, and cream all work beautifully. Pick one or two as partners so the maroon stays the main color.
Q: Is maroon the same as burgundy on a Christmas tree?
They’re very close. Maroon leans slightly browner, while burgundy has a touch more purple, but most ornament sets use the names interchangeably.
Q: What lights look best on a maroon Christmas tree?
Warm white or soft gold lights are the best choice because they bring out the red undertones. Cool white lights can make maroon look dull.