20 Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree Ideas
There is a reason a Ralph Lauren Christmas tree stops you mid-scroll. It is not just a decorated tree — it feels like a cosy clubhouse library: deep green branches, dark tartan ribbon, worn leather nearby, and brass catching warm light. The good news? You do not need a designer budget or a copy of a store window to get this feeling at home. Borrow the principle, not the whole look: pick one or two signature elements — plaid, brass, deep colour — and let them do the work. These ralph lauren christmas tree ideas show you how, one layer at a time.
The Ralph Lauren Look at a Glance
| Element | What It Looks Like | Easy Way to Borrow It |
|---|---|---|
| Tartan / plaid | Classic red, green or navy plaid ribbon and ornaments | One spool of plaid ribbon wound loosely through the branches |
| Deep green | Dark, full branches in a rich forest tone | Choose a dark green tree, or deepen a lighter one with dark green ornaments |
| Navy | Deep navy baubles and ribbon as a quiet base colour | Swap a handful of ornaments for navy ones you already own, painted or new |
| Burgundy | Wine-red accents that feel warm, never bright | A few burgundy velvet bows at the branch tips |
| Gold / brass | Antique, brushed metal — never shiny yellow gold | Matte gold ornaments and a brass-toned tree collar |
| Leather | Brown leather and worn wood nearby | A leather-handled basket or brown ribbon at the base |
| Equestrian touches | Horse bits, stirrup shapes, rope and brass details | One or two horse-themed ornaments, used as a signature |
| Warm light | Soft, candle-glow lighting | Warm-white lights only, set deep inside the branches |
1. Tartan Ribbon and Gold Bells
Photo credit: @randigarrettdesign on Instagram
Wind wide tartan ribbon in loose, lazy loops from top to bottom, letting it dip between the branches instead of hugging the trunk. Tuck small antique-gold bells where the ribbon crosses so they catch the light and move gently. This is the easiest starting point for ralph lauren christmas tree ideas because one ribbon spool does most of the styling for you, instantly giving a plain green tree that classic, tailored feel.
Colour note: Choose a tartan with deep green and burgundy in it so the ribbon ties your whole palette together.
Budget upgrade: One quality ribbon spool beats five cheap ornament sets — buy it once and reuse it every year.
2. Deep Green Branches and Burgundy Velvet Bows
Photo credit: @christmas_interior on Instagram
Start with the darkest green tree you can find, then tie simple burgundy velvet bows onto the outer branch tips. Keep them the same size and spacing, like buttons on a blazer. The contrast of soft velvet against dark branches is what makes this look feel expensive. Out of all the ralph lauren christmas tree ideas, this one suits a formal living room best, where the tree acts like a piece of tailored furniture.
Texture note: Velvet absorbs light, so place bows near the lights to give them a soft glow.
Colour note: Burgundy, not bright red — the deeper tone keeps the tree calm and classic.
3. Navy Baubles and Brass Ornaments
Photo credit: @cozy.home.by.annie on Instagram
Navy is the quiet hero of this style. Mix matte navy baubles deep inside the branches with brushed brass ornaments closer to the surface, so the tree has shadow and shine at the same time. This pairing feels like a navy blazer with brass buttons — timeless. If you are collecting ralph lauren christmas tree ideas on a budget, start here: navy and brass alone can carry an entire tree.
Colour note: Keep navy matte and brass brushed; shiny versions of both look cheap next to each other.
Budget upgrade: Spray-paint old baubles matte navy instead of buying a whole new set.
4. Plaid Ornaments and Warm White Lights
Photo credit: @christmastreeideas on Instagram
If ribbon feels like too much commitment, use plaid on the ornaments instead. Plaid ball ornaments, small tartan hearts or fabric-wrapped baubles scattered evenly give the same clubhouse mood in smaller doses. Keep the lights strictly warm white and push them deep into the branches so the plaid glows instead of glittering. This is one of the most family-friendly ralph lauren christmas tree ideas, since fabric ornaments do not shatter when little hands or tails investigate.
Lighting note: Warm white only — cool white lights undo the whole cosy effect in seconds.
Texture note: Mix plaid fabric ornaments with plain ones so the pattern feels collected, not matched.
5. Leather Tree Collar and Brass Bells
Photo credit: @balsamhill on Instagram
Skip the fabric tree skirt and ground the tree with a brown leather-look collar or a wide leather-handled basket. Add a row of chunky brass bells around the base. This small change does heavy lifting: it brings the equestrian, country-house side of the style right to the floor. Among ralph lauren christmas tree ideas, this is the fastest five-minute upgrade, and it photographs beautifully in entryways where the tree base is fully visible.
Texture note: Worn, matte leather looks right; shiny faux leather reads as costume.
Budget upgrade: A thrifted leather belt wrapped loosely at the base gives the same hint of the look.
6. Equestrian Ornaments and Rope Garland
Photo credit: @lovehurtts on Instagram
A tiny nod to the stable is enough: one brass stirrup ornament, a small horse figure, or a horseshoe tied with burgundy ribbon, hung where guests will notice it. Drape a simple rope or twisted jute garland instead of tinsel for that tack-room texture. Restraint matters here — this is where these ralph lauren christmas tree ideas ask you to borrow the principle only. One equestrian signature feels elegant; a tree full of horses feels like a theme party.
Colour note: Natural rope brown pairs perfectly with deep green and keeps gold accents looking antique.
Texture note: Rope garland also hides bare spots in the branches better than beads do.
7. Burgundy and Gold Ribbon Cascade
Photo credit: @balsamhill on Instagram
Instead of winding ribbon around the tree, cut it into long strips and let them cascade straight down from under the topper, like ribbon on a clubhouse wreath. Alternate burgundy velvet ribbon with thin antique-gold ribbon for a rich, tailored stripe effect. This works best on slim trees where horizontal swags can look crowded. It is one of the most photographed ralph lauren christmas tree ideas because the vertical lines make any tree look taller and grander.
Lighting note: Tuck lights just behind the ribbon strips so the velvet edges glow softly.
Budget upgrade: You need far less ribbon for a cascade than for full swags — two spools are plenty.
8. Dark Green Tree and Candlelight Glow
Photo credit: @farmhouse165 on Instagram
This idea is about light more than ornaments. Choose warm, flickering candle-style clip lights, or place battery candles on a mantel or table right beside the tree so the branches catch a soft, uneven glow. Keep ornaments minimal — dark green, burgundy and brass only. This is the mood at the heart of every ralph lauren christmas tree: layered, low light that feels like a fire is burning somewhere nearby.
Lighting note: Mix one string of warm lights deep inside with candlelight nearby; two light depths create the library mood.
Colour note: In low light, burgundy reads almost brown — add a few brighter gold pieces to keep the tree awake.
9. Tartan Tree Skirt and Wooden Crates
Photo credit: @farmhouse165 on Instagram
Anchor the whole look at the bottom with a tartan tree skirt in deep red and green, then stack two weathered wooden crates beside it for wrapped gifts or folded throws. This turns the tree into a small scene instead of a single object. Many ralph lauren christmas tree ideas focus only on branches, but the floor-level styling is what makes visitors feel the room was designed, not just decorated.
Texture note: Rough wood against smooth tartan fabric gives that collected country-house contrast.
Budget upgrade: A plaid blanket or large scarf works as a tree skirt for almost nothing.
10. Brass Star Topper and Navy Ribbon
Photo credit: @thechristmasdecorators on Instagram
Top the tree with an antique-brass star — simple, five-pointed, nothing glittery — and finish with long navy ribbon tails streaming down from just beneath it. Navy at the top draws the eye up and balances navy baubles below. This is one of the easiest ralph lauren christmas tree ideas to copy exactly, because the topper and ribbon do the work of a dozen ornaments and make the tree feel finished from across the room.
Colour note: Navy ribbon with a thin gold edge quietly repeats the blazer-and-buttons idea at the very top.
Lighting note: Place two or three lights just under the topper so the brass star glows, not sparkles.
11. Velvet Ornaments and Matte Gold Baubles
Photo credit: @mytexashouse on Instagram
Cover simple baubles in burgundy, forest or navy velvet (or buy them ready-made) and mix them with matte gold ornaments in slightly different sizes. The velvet swallows light while the matte gold returns just a little, giving the tree a calm, layered depth. This pairing is the texture core of a ralph lauren christmas tree, and it suits a bedroom tree where you want quiet luxury instead of sparkle.
Texture note: Keep the velvet-to-gold ratio about two to one so the tree stays moody, not shiny.
Budget upgrade: Velvet ribbon wrapped around plain baubles gives the same effect for pennies per ornament.
12. Plaid Bows and Pinecone Accents
Photo credit: @thechristmasdecorators on Instagram
Tie small tartan bows — no tails, just neat loops — onto branch tips, then tuck natural pinecones deep into the tree where the lights sit. The pinecones add woodland texture without adding colour, which keeps your plaid pattern in charge. This is one of the most budget-friendly ralph lauren christmas tree ideas, especially if you can collect pinecones on a walk and only need to buy one spool of plaid ribbon.
Colour note: Let the plaid be the only pattern on the tree; everything else stays solid and quiet.
Budget upgrade: Pinecones are free, last for years, and can be lightly brushed with gold paint for evening glow.
13. Library Corner Tree and Book Stacks
Photo credit: @goldenboysandme on Instagram
Place a slimmer tree in a reading corner and style the base with stacked hardcover books in burgundy, navy and green cloth bindings, tied with a little tartan ribbon. Use ornaments in those same three colours so the tree and books read as one scene. This idea captures the clubhouse-library soul of the ralph lauren christmas tree better than any ornament can, and it is perfect for a study, den or quiet bedroom corner.
Colour note: Take your ornament colours directly from the book spines for an instantly coordinated look.
Texture note: Cloth book covers add the same softness velvet does, at zero extra cost.
14. Gold Bead Garland and Deep Red Baubles
Photo credit: @thechristmasdecorators on Instagram
Drape a thin antique-gold bead garland in gentle swags and pair it only with deep red matte baubles in two sizes. No ribbon, no extras — the discipline is the decoration. This restrained combination is what separates ralph lauren christmas tree ideas from brighter, busier red-and-gold trees: everything here is darker, duller and warmer. It suits a dining room beautifully, where candlelight on the table will meet the gold beads halfway.
Lighting note: Bead garland should sit just outside the light string so each swag catches a soft highlight.
Colour note: Deep red, not scarlet — test one bauble against your sofa or curtains before buying a set.
15. Horsebit Details and Burgundy Ribbon
Photo credit: @blesserhouse on Instagram
Borrow a signature detail from equestrian gear: gold horsebit-style rings or stirrup-shaped ornaments, hung sparingly over wide burgundy ribbon. Five or six pieces are plenty. This idea is pure borrow-the-principle styling — you are taking the hardware of the look, not dressing the tree as a stable. It is one of the most distinctive ralph lauren christmas tree ideas and a lovely choice for a hallway tree guests pass up close.
Texture note: Smooth polished hardware contrasts best against matte velvet ribbon.
Budget upgrade: Key rings or curtain rings in antique gold can stand in for horsebit ornaments from a distance.
16. Tartan and Tweed Mixed Textures
Photo credit: @wilshire_collections on Instagram
Layer two classic fabrics: tartan ribbon as your pattern and tweed-look or fabric ornaments in brown and tan as your neutral. Add plain deep green baubles to rest the eye. The mix feels like a favourite old jacket — patterned, worn and comfortable. These ralph lauren christmas tree ideas work especially well in a family room, where soft fabric ornaments survive children, pets and being stored in a hurry every January.
Texture note: Keep fabrics matte and slightly rough; satin or glitter fabrics break the country tailoring feel.
Colour note: Tan and brown tweed tones warm up deep green and stop it from looking cold.
17. Slim Navy Tree and Brass Accents
Photo credit: @balsamhill on Instagram
For a bolder take, use navy as your main colour story on a slim tree: navy baubles in three finishes — matte, satin and one velvet — with brushed brass ornaments and a brass collar at the base. Slim trees suit narrow hallways and apartment corners, and the dark palette makes a small tree feel deliberate. It is the most modern of these ralph lauren christmas tree ideas while staying inside the classic palette.
Colour note: Three finishes of one colour add depth without adding visual noise.
Lighting note: Warm lights are essential here; navy under cool light turns grey and flat.
18. Vintage Brass Ornaments and Dark Plaid
Photo credit: @wilshire_collections on Instagram
Hunt for vintage-style brass ornaments — bells, keys, small instruments, embossed baubles — and hang them against the darkest tartan ribbon you can find. Nothing needs to match; the shared antique finish ties them together. This is the collected-over-generations feeling a ralph lauren christmas tree does so well, and it lets you use heirloom or thrifted pieces proudly. Best on a main living room tree where guests will lean in and notice details.
Texture note: Mixed brass shapes look richest against the flat, dark background of deep plaid.
Budget upgrade: Flea markets and thrift shops are full of brass-toned ornaments in November — buy by finish, not by set.
19. Burgundy Velvet Ribbon and Gold Leaf Garland
Photo credit: @christmastreeideas on Instagram
Weave a gold leaf garland loosely through the branches, then overlay wide burgundy velvet ribbon in slow spirals. The leaves peek through the velvet like light through trees. Keep every other ornament off the tree — this one is about two beautiful materials doing everything. Of all the ralph lauren christmas tree ideas, this is the one to choose for a tree placed near a fireplace, where real firelight will move across the gold leaves.
Colour note: Choose dull, antique gold leaves; bright gold foil makes the burgundy look purple.
Texture note: Velvet over metal leaf gives soft-meets-shine contrast in every branch layer.
20. Classic Green Tree and Heirloom Tartan Finish
Photo credit: @brittneyblane on Instagram
Finish the list with the simplest version of all: a classic dark green tree, warm white lights, and one heirloom touch — a length of family tartan, a plaid blanket folded at the base, or tartan ribbon saved from last year. Add only burgundy and brass ornaments you already own. This ralph lauren christmas tree proves the style was never about buying a look; it is about deep colour, honest materials and warm light, repeated calmly every year.
Colour note: Three colours maximum — green, burgundy, brass — is the rule that keeps this tree timeless.
Budget upgrade: The most authentic version costs the least: shop your own ornament box first, then add one tartan piece.
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A last friendly reminder before you start: you do not need all twenty ideas, or even five. Choose one signature element from the table — tartan, navy, brass or burgundy — pair it with warm light and a dark green tree, and you already have the heart of the look. That is the real secret behind every ralph lauren christmas tree you have ever saved: borrow the principle, skip the copying, and let your own home tell the story.
