A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is a definitive way to set the holiday mood in your apartment. You might see lots of stunning trees posted on social media and want to make yours look just as good, if not better! Creating an eye-catching Christmas tree depends on a few different factors; read on below to learn how to make your Christmas tree Instagram-worthy.
Tree Size and Type
The first variable in the beautiful Christmas tree equation is what kind of tree you have to work with. Natural trees will require some different design considerations than artificial trees. Artificial trees come in a variety of colors and sizes, and many also come with lights already attached. Generally speaking, artificial trees will require less lighting than natural tree. This is because natural trees will thin out and lose their needles as time passes, requiring more light and decorations to keep them looking full and bright.
How Many Lights You Need Depends On the Tree Size
The number of lights you need will vary based on the size of your tree, but the general rule is that you will need 100 lights for every foot of the tree. For example, if your tree is 4 feet tall, then you will need 400 lights. This rule should be used as a general guide to get you started. Depending on how wide your tree is, how many ornaments you use, the color of your needles, and whether it is a natural or artificial tree, you may need to add more or remove some lights. Once you take a step back from decorating your tree, it should be easy to judge if you have enough lights.
What Types of Lights Should I Use?
There are so many options for string lights that you might not know where to begin. The first thing you need to decide is whether or not you want colored lights. Once you have made this choice, then it is time to decide what size lights you want. To get the most visually interesting tree possible, consider using a mix of large and small lights. The large lights will draw your eyes to them while the small lights will sparkle in the background.
Tips for Hanging Your Lights
You should examine your tree and how the branches lay. Not every tree will be the same, and no tree is going to be exactly symmetrical. In the thicker parts of your tree, lay the lights more on the outside of the branches. For the thinner parts of your tree, wrap the lights deep in layers to give the impression that the tree is evenly covered. You don’t want the lights to stick out, but you also don’t want them to get lost behind the ornaments.
