HOW MANY DECORATIONS DO YOU NEED FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE?

CHRISTMAS

Sep 24

The number of ornaments and baubles you’ll need for your Christmas tree will depend on a number of factors, such as the size of the tree, the size of the decorations and the style of tree you prefer.

This guide is just to get you thinking like a stylist, but ultimately it’s about experimenting with your tree decorating. I’d always recommend starting with what you have and building upon your collection, once you have an idea of whether you need more smaller baubles, or more larger ornaments for example.

STYLE

It’s a good idea to think about what your personal preference is when it comes to the style of your tree. Are you a minimalist who likes a sprinkling of lights and a few tasteful decorations? If so you won’t need a huge amount of decorations for an average size tree.

Or are you a more is more kind of person who loves maximalism? if so you will want a full coverage, with at least one decoration per branch, but more if you are intending to layer your decorations for a really full look.

There is no wrong or right answer. Be true to who you are and what you like.

Size & Shape

The taller and wider your tree, the more decorations you will need to achieve the same look as a shorter and/or skinnier tree.

Bushy, dense trees have lots of branches you can hang decorations on, whereas sparser more delicate trees might not be able to physically hold quite as many decorations, and watch out for ornament which are too heavy.

The size of your decorations in relation to the size of the tree is also big factor. For example if you have a 6ft tree and like a maximalist aesthetic, you’d need maybe a couple of hundred tiny baubles for any kind of coverage. But by incorporating some oversized statement pieces, and a range or medium and small, you will need fewer decorations overall and the tree will be more visually interesting too.

COVERAGE

How much of the tree you will actually see will affect how much of the tree you fully decorate. For example, when a tree is in a corner, an alcove or against a wall, there are portions of the tree that will not be seen. These can be left bare, meaning fewer decorations overall.

Sometimes you may hear this referred to as a 3/4 view, meaning we pay less attention to the unseen quarter.