How to Decorate a Christmas Tree | OHS

Let’s face it: decorating a Christmas tree that looks like it belongs in a luxury interior design magazine isn't quite as simple as tossing on some tinsel and hoping for the best. Without the right method, even the most beautiful ornaments can end up looking cluttered rather than curated.

If you want to master styling a Christmas tree this season, you need a strategic approach. From the initial branch prep to the final, show-stopping topper, we’ve put together a step-by-step masterclass on transforming your festive centrepiece using the latest arrivals from OHS.

The Short Read

Decorating a Christmas tree requires a structured layering process: fluffing branches thoroughly, stringing lights from trunk to tip, and deep-placing structural baubles before hanging statement ornaments. To achieve professional results, balance visual weights by clustering varied sizes and finishing with a securely anchored tree topper.

Step 1: Establish Your Foundation with the Right Tree

The secret to a breathtaking display starts long before you open a single box of baubles. Investing in the best artificial Christmas tree for your space ensures flawless symmetry and robust branch strength year after year.

• Size Matters: Ensure your tree matches the scale of your room. A 6ft Christmas tree creates an instant, high-impact focal point in rooms with standard or high ceilings, offering plenty of space to get creative.
• The Golden Rule of Fluffing: When unboxing artificial trees, dedicate at least 15 minutes to shaping the branches. Separate every individual tip and fan them out in alternating 'up and out' directions to eliminate gaps and create a dense, natural look.
• The Ultimate Shortcut: If you want to skip the annual frustration of untangling knots of wire, a pre-lit Christmas tree is an absolute game-changer. Opting for specialised artificial trees with lights gives you an immediate head-start, ensuring perfectly distributed, warm illumination from the inside out without a single bulb out of place.

Step 2: Layering Lights for Maximum Depth

If you aren't using a pre-lit model, learning how to decorate a Christmas tree like a professional requires a specific lighting technique.

Instead of wrapping your Christmas lights around the outside of the tree like a spiral, weave them from the bottom up, moving in and out of the branches. Wrap the cord around the inner boughs close to the trunk, then extend out to the tips. This method buries the glow deep within the foliage, making your entire tree shimmer with three-dimensional depth.

Step 3: Strategic Ornament Placement for Visual Balance

When it comes to arranging your Christmas tree decorations, professional stylists never just hang items randomly on the outer tips. To create a balanced, high-end look, categorise your tree decorations into three distinct layers:

1. The Base Layer (The Core): Take your largest, plain-coloured baubles and place them deep inside the branches. This reflects the inner light, masks the central artificial pole, and creates visual weight.
2. The Mid-Layer (The Texture): Weave wide ribbons, velvet garlands, or faux florals vertically through the branches to create elegant, cascading waves down the tree.
3. The Showcase Layer (The Statement): Hang your most delicate, ornate, and sentimental Christmas tree decorations on the outer tips of the branches where they can catch the light and take centre stage.

Step 4: Define Your Christmas Tree Decorating Styles

To ensure your tree feels cohesive rather than chaotic, select a definitive theme. Coordinating your tree with your wider Christmas homeware collection will pull the entire room together effortlessly.

Curating a high-end look requires choosing a clear aesthetic and sticking to the brief. Here’s how to master the season's defining Christmas tree decorating styles with professional precision:

1. Scandi Mono

• The Palette: Matte black, cream, charcoal, and natural wood tones. This contemporary look relies on sharp contrast and architectural restraint rather than clutter.
• The Canvas: Break from tradition with a striking 6ft Black Tree or a textured 6ft Snowy Tree.
• The Branches: Avoid overcomplicating; use repeating structural pieces like the 4 Pack Bauble with Bow and the Satin Bow Garland.
• The Finishes: Soften the graphic edges with a Ribbed Faux Fur Tree Skirt, then carry the theme into the room with a Contrast Xmas Tree Print Throw.

2. Rich & Traditional

• The Palette: Deep crimson, opulent burgundy, traditional forest green, and gold. This look is anchored in nostalgia and tactile luxury, avoiding sparse spaces in favour of festive abundance.
• The Canvas: Start with a high-density base like the premium 7ft Green Tree or create a dramatic focal pathway using the structural 7ft Green Tree Arch.
• The Branches: Build an intentional, high-end theme by pinning oversized Statement Velvet Tree Bows to branch tips and weaving a Velvet Bow Bells Garland.
• The Finishes: Ground the deep red tones at floor level with a plush Ribbed Faux Fur Tree Skirt, then accent the room with structural Bow Present Shaped Cushions.

3. Disco Glamour

• The Palette: Hot pink, metallic silver chrome, rust, and chocolate brown hues. This playful, high-fashion aesthetic embraces bold styling and maximum light refraction.
• The Canvas: Drop traditional greens for a hyper-saturated alternative like the vibrant 6ft Pink Tree, the warm 6ft Rust Tree, or a moody 6ft Chocolate Tree.
• The Branches: Turn the tree into a shimmering light reflector by heavily layering the 30 Pack Disco Ball Bauble Set alongside a whimsical Disco Ball Bow Set.
• The Finishes: Complete the bright look by concealing the metal stand with a matching Ribbed Faux Fur Tree Skirt.

Complete Your Festive Ecosystem

A stunning tree is only one piece of the puzzle. To truly transform your space into a winter sanctuary, think about adding a touch of festive magic to each room in the home, ensuring the seasonal cheer flows seamlessly from the front hallway to the bedrooms. After all, decorating your home for Christmas is an annual ritual which brings the whole family together, creating shared memories long before the big day arrives.

To elevate this tradition, extend the warmth beyond the living room. Invest in festive bedding to create an undeniably cosy Christmas home, and dress the dining table for the main event with Christmas homeware. From elegant table runners to twinkling tabletop accessories, set the perfect stage for a spectacular festive feast.

Bring the Magic Home

Ready to design your ultimate festive sanctuary? Explore the complete OHS collection today to find stunning, high-quality Christmas trees, dazzling Christmas decorations, and all the cosy textiles you need to make this season unforgettable.