Settle in, friends - because I’m about to teach you everything you ever need to know about how to choose the very best artificial Christmas tree for your home.
But first: Remember the tree lot, where many of our childhood Christmas memories began? We piled in the car, dramatically dressed in our winter prints for the best photo ever. We looked at every single tree before buying the most obnoxious one on the lot. Ahh….. the memories.
Artificial trees are no different - with the exception of having way more control and practical options than you’d find at a tree lot. We still visit the real deal for fresh greens and that Insta photo op - but when it comes to trees for our home, artificial is the way to go.
Design for your Space
When tasked to design a space, the very first thing I do is find the Perfect Tree for the room. There is no one size fit’s all tree for every room. Don’t buy one of the three trees at your local warehouse store just because they are set up! I don’t care if it’s $189, if it’s not the best tree for your space, then it’s not the tree for you! Every room is unique and finding the best tree for the space is part of the fun! It not only shapes the design, it is where the recipe begins for what you’ll need to trim that tree. Here’s what you need to consider.
What Height is Right?
You may heard that your tree must be a foot from the ceiling. This isn’t a thing. I said it and you can’t tell me I’m wrong, but let me explain.
If your tree is going in the window, wouldn’t it be lovely to have the window framing the tree and not have the tree cut in half to the passersby? Yes, the answer is yes! As a rule, I’m not a fan of any window cutting the tree “off.”
Now… if your tree is in a windowless corner or in the center of the room and you want it to kiss that ceiling, DO IT!
Isn’t part of the fun of bringing home that fresh tree the fact that you got the tallest you could get? If it makes your heart happy, DO IT! Let’s let those artificial trees give us that same amount of overwhelming Christmas JOY that one finds at a tree lot.
There are almost always standard variables with artificial tree heights, 5, 7.5, 9, 12 – this is because height is a JOY option – CHOOSE JOY – as long as your joy isn’t near the window.
The Deal About Diameter
When you’re designing a tree, you need enough space to bring your vision to life - but you also need to be able to comfortably move in your space! The space in your room is “real estate,” and there is nothing more valuable than real estate when you are bringing a tree and every human you know into your home during the most wonderful - and chaotic - time of the year.
Have your sisters not spoken in five years? Well, if your tree is too wide for your space they may end up sharing a chair on Christmas eve. You can call yourself a peacemaker but it’s truly inhospitable for the tree to get more real estate than your guests!
Be the host with the most and walk out the space for your tree before you shop. I’m a girl so I naturally use my foot to measure “a foot.” When you shop, I want you looking at diameter before you ever visit height. Make sure that tree gets the real estate it needs so your family can have the real estate it deserves.
And remember: A wider tree needs more ornaments!
Standard diameters for an artificial tree are going to be 58”, 60” to 72”. I want you to think of the last wedding you went to - the odds that you were seated at a 60” table are almost a sure thing. You’re bringing a table a 10 into your home!
I have two words for you: Trim and slim! While I’m naturally as curvy as they come, I love a trim tree. Trim trees take eight to 10 inches off that standard diameter while still keeping a fuller look. In most well-decorated homes, the trim tree really fits the space well without compromising placement of your furniture.
Don’t Pick a Pencil
Nobody needs an awkward, dense, cone-shaped pencil tree. NOBODY. If that’s what you have space for… look up! A ceiling tree is the perfect tree for you! Mark my words – with a pencil if you wish – don’t forget the real estate we don’t stand on. There are a variety of tree options to deck your halls from top to bottom!
Go Green
Trees are like children and I don’t have a favorite - but depending on my mood and the room I’m in, I for sure have a preference about the company I want to keep in tree form!
Green trees are rich and luxe. They are traditional and, in most cases, considered the favorite. If you are heavily ornamenting – going in big with ribbon - a green tree may be the best option. They are denser in tip count and they usually have a much higher light count – you’ll find mixed textures of pine within the branch structure that creates that perfect palette for your ornaments to not only dance on the branches but to drip off of them with natural grace. Dig deep into the heart of the tree when selecting it. You’re going to want the branches closest to the heart to be very bendable to secure your waited items and ribbon.
Fluff that Flocked!
Flocked trees are always a good idea. Yes, they are messy but it’s part of the fun and it’s why they glow like snow on Christmas morning. The right flocked tree can create a moment second to none. They are complicated when you start out but they require less ornaments and the organic nature of the pine and flock can’t be matched with a green tree. If you don’t fashion yourself very good at Christmasing, get a flocked tree and you’ll be changing your tune real fast! I live for a long needle flocked – the ornaments dance close to the heart and branches are forever free to be gorgeous!
Twinning is Winning
You’ve seen them, you love them and in a symmetrical space they are meant to be! The 6.5 and 7.5 trim trees are a perfect size for a twin tree moment!
Let there be Light
“I only like warm white!” New-gen LED warm whites are gorgeous and meant to shine 24/7 during the holiday season. If your tree photographs with a hint of green (High reflection!) don’t fret… that’s why you have an editing function on your phone. Fix it, post it and enjoy your lower electric bill and long-lasting lights!
Colored Tree for Me?
Have fun, there is no wrong! Black is my favorite neutral and I’ve never met a black tree I didn’t love! If you’re looking for something unique but still as right as it gets, lean into this gorgeous option. You can thank me later!
Happy Christmasing!
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