Christmas is just around the corner, so if you have yet to set up your tree in the corner of the living room, it’s certainly time to consider it.
What’s important though is to ensure you know how best to get a great look for your own Christmas tree.
Take a look at our five expert tips below and ensure your tree is the talk of the town:
Choosing a tree
Don’t just go out and buy the first tree you see. A lot of the appeal from your Christmas tree will be to do with its shape and no amount of decorations can cover up an unsightly one. Of course, your first decision will be whether to choose a fake or real tree. There are pros and cons to each so it’ll ultimately come down to your personal taste.
But here are three tips for choosing the right tree:
- The shape: A well-shaped tree will do wonders for your decoration. If you opt for a real tree then ensure to see it out of its netting as well.
- The stand: Make sure you have a stand which will accommodate the tree base. Fake trees will often come with their own stand, whilst those with a real tree tend to fill a large bucket with soil.
- Pre-lit trees: If you decide to buy a fake Christmas tree then choosing a pre-lit one could be your best bet. Setting up the lights can be a hassle and a pre-lit tree avoids the inconvenience in this part of decoration.
The colour scheme
When you decorate a room in your home you’ll always be keeping an eye on the colour scheme and this is exactly the same with the Christmas tree. Go with too many colours and it can look a mess. Consider the room your tree’s in and ensure there isn’t a clash of colours.
Popular Christmas tree colour schemes include:
- Red and green: These are often seen as classic Christmas colours and are probably colours you’ll see on most occasions. Many homeowners look to pick a metallic silver or gold colour to give a fantastic appeal. With the lights we’d recommend choosing red, green or clear.
- Blue, silver and purple: It’s winter after all, so why not consider some wintry colours for your Christmas tree? Don’t mix these colours with red, yellow or gold though because there’ll be a clash in contrast. Keep the glittering theme with some blue lights and choose white decorations for a snow-like finish.
- The metallic colours: Gold, silver and bronze have seen a lot more popularity over the last few years and if you choose this theme then you could opt for one, two, or all three of these colours. Clear lights are recommended to work best with metallic decoration.
Christmas tree theme
Choosing a distinct theme for your Christmas tree can help you to create a cohesive look. For instance, some homeowners will pick angels, nutcrackers or even snowflakes as the reoccurring theme for the tree. Doing this will also help your tree to stand out from the crowd.
- The ornaments: You’ve probably collected tons of ornaments over the years from your Christmas tree exploits, and a particular theme will help you add to this collection.
- Christmas theme: If you haven’t got a lot of money to spend on decorations then don’t worry because you can simply choose a ‘Christmas’ theme for your tree. As long as there is a theme of some sort you can ensure your tree looks fantastic.
Buying ornamental bulbs
The chances are you have plenty of these rattling around in your loft, but if not then definitely consider purchasing a few for your tree. Ornamental bulbs bring an elegant and sophisticated appeal to your tree that you can continue to use each year.
Our tips include:
- Matte or shiny: Bulbs that reflect light will have a beautiful effect on your Christmas tree, so we’d always suggest choosing shiny or matte variations.
- Similar sizes: Mix and match different sizes at your peril as we’ve always found it best to keep a similar size for the bulbs on your tree. Of course, a few variations in size can add visual interest but don’t go overboard.
Multipacks: Obviously any multipack will help you save money rather than buying individually. Pick up a few multipacks and even buy a few individual ones to mix it up a little if you want to. Just make sure not to over or under decorate.
The Christmas tree lights
When it comes to the lights it’s best to go small than big. Tiny twinkles of light serve a better purpose for your tree than larger plastic bulbs and you can easily create a whimsical appeal. Don’t forget, the lights are there as background, rather than being the focal point – that’s for your ornaments!
- Keep basic: As we’ve mentioned, your Christmas lights shouldn’t be the focal point of the tree. It’s all too easy to become wrapped up in shop promotions but don’t go for lights that flash or play music. It can quickly become an annoyance.
- The colour: Colour is always vital with the Christmas tree and if you want a safe bet with the lights then white would be the choice for you. Many homeowners will pick a red, blue or green but you have to ensure not to clash with other decorations.