Whether your annual Christmas tree decorating afternoon involves mulled wine and a trip to the garden center with your partner, or you spend the day grinning toothily while your kids put all the decorations in one place, it’s time to decide on a theme for this year.
Maximalism has been a popular home decor trend in 2023, an antidote to the minimalist homes that have dominated social media in recent years. It can be difficult to make your tree look full without spending a lot of money, but maximalism also brings with it the added challenge of walking the fine line between decor that looks full or cluttered.
How to make a Christmas tree look full
To keep costs down, it’s worth investing in some packs of standard baubles and decorations that will fill in gaps and ensure your decorations look uniform. Adding lots of lights is also an inexpensive yet impressive way to add volume. We know there’s a lot to think about at this time of year, including presents and Christmas shopping, so you can also start with an already decorated tree and add some extra if you’re short on time or inspiration.
Although a mix of eclectic, colorful, and quirky decorations is currently trending, if you’re worried your tree will look like a child decorated it, stick to one or two colors to keep the theme consistent. Add a personal touch to your tree with homemade decorations like these felt balls or these festive crochet balls.
Maximalist Christmas tree decorating
To make decorating your Christmas tree a little less daunting, we spoke to Peter Robinson from The White Company to get some expert tips on how to make your tree look full without it overwhelming your space…
“To decorate your tree effectively, we recommend buying your ornaments in groups of six or twelve and sticking to two or three styles for extra impact. Alternatively, a single hero style can make a real statement.”
A mix of large and small decorations is also recommended, as these can balance the look of the tree depending on their placement.
Robinson says: “We recommend a minimum of 80 baubles for a 7-foot tree and placing delicate decorations near the top so they are more secure and in the best position. Larger weighted baubles look great when placed in the middle where they have more support, while smaller decorations can be attached to the ends of the branches.”
Choosing Christmas tree lights
The right lighting for your maximalist Christmas tree can make or break the look. If your tree lighting is too sparse, you risk making the tree look a little sad, and too many lights will overwhelm the decoration. The best way to make your Christmas tree look full of lights is to use the Robinson decorating technique.
“There’s something magical about the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree. We recommend at least 170 lights per meter of tree. Start at the bottom and then wrap them up and around to create as much light as possible.
“Choose a subtle green cable that you can bend around the branches of your Christmas tree so that it looks like the lights are floating in place as if by magic. The bulbs sit close together and create a rich, tinsel-like effect when lit.”
Top tips for decorating a full Christmas tree
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Think about the placement of your decorations and lights to ensure complete coverage
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Take your time decorating and don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks
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For a grown-up finish, stick to a color scheme or theme
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Match your maximalist tree theme to the rest of your decor for a unified look
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Add fun personal touches that are meaningful to your family
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Have fun! Christmas decorating should be fun, so remember that ultimately, all you have to do is enjoy looking at your tree!
Looking for Christmas tree decorations? Grab some of our favorite Christmas decorations for 2023 below…
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