Ideas for elegant Christmas decorations in your dining room featuring rich burgundy and shades of gold.
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This year’s dining room is built around a photograph I saved more than a year ago. The combination of deep burgundy and warm gold felt sophisticated and timeless, and I wanted to recreate that elegant look across the whole room. Inspiration often strikes at the oddest times; when it does, I try to lean into it and see where it takes me.
I prefer the dining room to feel a bit more formal than other rooms, so burgundy paired with gold was a natural choice. I didn’t have a large collection of burgundy pieces, so I purchased a few accents and pulled several items from my existing holiday stash. Even pieces with slightly different red tones, like the holly on my Christmas plates, blended well because their shades were deep and muted rather than bright.
On the table I layered gold chargers with my holiday plates, added burgundy napkins and used old brass napkin rings for a slightly vintage touch. The gold flatware I added this year has a rich sheen that elevates the whole setting and gives a luxurious contrast to the deep burgundy textiles.
The centerpiece is intentionally uncomplicated: a few picks and berry stems tucked between a pair of glass hurricanes. I added a small gold sleigh off to one side for a bit of asymmetry — my husband thought it was too informal, but I love how that little tilt adds personality. Clean glass makes such a difference, so I wash the hurricanes each time I change the table decor to keep them sparkling.
On the sideboard I reused a gold eucalyptus garland from another room and anchored it around the mirror with removable hooks. To create a cohesive vignette I grouped vintage-style gold tinsel trees, a pair of gold deer, frosty long-needle pine garland and a few burgundy and gold ornaments. The result is festive without feeling crowded.
On a small chest across the room I kept the decor minimal: a bowl of greenery accented with a few burgundy ornaments and a Santa figurine wearing a faux-velvet robe trimmed with vintage-look tinsel. Small touches like that help carry the theme from one side of the room to the other.
The tree itself is deceptively simple. I used burgundy faux hydrangea stems, inexpensive burgundy and gold ball ornaments, leafy gold stems and berry picks. For the topper I wired a few ornaments together before placing them on the tree; wiring keeps the ornaments in the position I want and helps them read as a single, intentional focal point.
A simple, budget-friendly trick I used: I bought several large gold ornaments that felt too shiny, then toned them down with a smear of dark wax. The wax gives the gold a softer, vintage look and works equally well on glossy leaf stems that need to feel aged or muted.
A pretty burgundy tree skirt and a few presents tied with satin burgundy ribbon and wired gold ribbon finish the look. Photographing a tree that sits in a window can be tricky, but I’m pleased with how the light plays on the gold accents and deepens the burgundy tones.
Whether you’re aiming for a formally styled dining room or a cozy, intimate holiday meal, burgundy and gold make a classic pairing that reads as both elegant and warm. Layer textures, keep your focal points simple, and don’t be afraid to tone down overly shiny pieces with a bit of dark wax or paint to achieve a cohesive, vintage-inspired finish.
Thanks for visiting and taking a look around my burgundy and gold dining room. I hope these ideas inspire you to create a refined Christmas setting of your own. Next on the tour is Kate from Southern Home and Hospitality, whose classic red-and-white tree is always stunning. Enjoy the rest of the home tours and happy decorating!