How to decorate a Christmas tree like a designer

November 11, 9:50 AMHouston Interior Decorating ExaminerKerry Fletcher, ASID

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Would you like for your Christmas tree to be decorated to be the focal point of your room instead of just a place to hang your family ornaments? See the steps below for instructions on how to decorate your Christmas tree professionally to compliment your decor using your family ornaments and a few extras, just as a designer would.

photo courtesy of enimal www.sxc.hu/photo/1121187

1. Select a color scheme for your Christmas tree.  You must take into account the color scheme of the room your Christmas tree is going into.  Your Christmas tree's color scheme must compliment your room's color scheme.  The color scheme could be all red, red&gold, pink&white, olive&burgundy, or most any other color scheme you would like.
2. Decide if you would like a theme for your Christmas tree. The Christmas tree's theme could be stars, nature, angels, nutcrackers, snowflakes or anything you can dream up. Having a theme is optional.
3. Purchase over sized Christmas ornaments, garland, ribbons, florals, feathers, and any other designer items in your color scheme and theme (if you have a theme). Make sure your Christmas ornaments and trims are slightly over sized. Christmas ornaments in a multi-pack are usually less expensive, however you should purchase different types of multi-pack Christmas ornaments so not all the ornaments look exactly alike. You can get multi-pack ornaments at hardware stores, discount stores, craft stores, and online. 10 large Christmas ornaments per foot height of tree works well. Consider using natural elements on your tree such as grape vine, pine cones, or twigs. You can also use artificial natural elements such as Christmas ornaments shaped as butterflies or birds.
4. Once you have all of your decorations, put on your Christmas lights first before you decorate with ornaments. Make sure you apply the lights evenly, both towards the trunk of the Christmas tree and towards the outside of the tree. Use approximately 100 small clear Christmas lights per foot of tree. If you have a 5' tree, you should use 500 lights (5 strands of 100 count lights).
5. After the lights are on and you have checked that they all work properly, decorate your Christmas tree using ribbons, garlands, florals, and any non-ornament that you have. There are several ways to add garlands to your tree. You can add the garlands running from the top of the tree down, tucking the garland into the tree about every 2 foot going down. Another option is to run garlands in a circle around the outside of the tree like a barber pole. A third option is to run the garlands in a circle just around the trunk of the tree.  If you use feathers, consider placing them so they stick out perpendicular to the tree.
6. Decorate your Christmas tree with ornaments.  Start using your multi-pack of ornaments (if you have purchased multi-packs) and attach those ornaments evenly all over the tree. Periodically step back and look at your progress. Keep decorating with the ornaments evenly until you run out. Place larger ornaments towards the bottom of your tree and smaller ornaments towards the top of your tree.
7. Decorate with your family ornaments. Whether it is an ornament from your last vacation or a craft your child made in school, a Christmas tree should be decorated with family memories.
8. Finish off your Christmas tree with a tree topper and tree skirt. The Christmas tree topper could be a traditional angel, star, Santa, fancy designer bow, or anything else that will top off your tree.  You can even put poinsettias under your tree.
9. For extra designer flair, color coordinate your gift wrap to your Christmas tree's color scheme. Use multiple colors, textures, and patterns of paper and ribbon in the color scheme for interest. Brown craft paper used as wrapping paper with fancy bows is always a designer favorite.

For Christmas tree decorating inspiration, see the slideshow below.

See my other articles:
How to decorate the outside of your home for Christmas like a designer
Christmas collections