Decorating: Christmas Trees

Dynamic Decorations

Stately and simple or dressed in holiday finery, a tree is an enduring symbol of Christmas. Steal ideas from some of our faves!

The homeowner’s favorite lavender and green color palette adorns the living room and its tree. The happy hue lends itself perfectly to the baubles and ornaments of the holidays. A detail of the tree is on the following slide.

Design: Gerald Pomeroy

Dynamic Decorations Detail

The jewel-tone ornaments of the tree draw from the existing color scheme. Gifts wrappings coordinate with the fun ornaments.

Design: Gerald Pomeroy

Big and Bright

A big, full Christmas tree matches this living room’s grand proportions. Strung with yards and yards of lights, it is a joyful—and spectacular—holiday focal point.

Design: Lisa Hilderbrand

Nature Themed Tree

A large Christmas tree is visible the minute you walk in this home. Feathers, owls, and a burlap skirt create a woody nature theme.

Design: Emily Sullivan

Golden & Glam Tree

This tree glitters in gold, which is a natural extension of the room’s warm palette. With trimmings piled on, including a fun paper chain and faux snow, and topped with a gold star that’s a twist on the traditional, this tree sparkles with delight.

Trimmed in Tradition

This traditional tree shimmers and shines with its ribbon and ornaments in classic colorings. A hearty, festive bow tops it all off.

Great Big Tree

Inspired by the home’s equestrian history, horse figures and plaids prevail in this house’s design. The great room’s towering tree dazzles with hundreds of red, gold, and plaid ornaments.

Design: Alison Sherman

Pink Statement

Because the homeowner decided she wanted to use pink to make a statement on her tree, she topped it with a giant, playful pink bow. An array of ornaments—many pink—in different sizes mix with white doves to create visual interest.

Design: Emily Janson

Tropical Touch

The sea-inspired palette of turquoise and lime in this Savannah home carry over to the holiday decorations. The glass balls on the tree and the colorful wrapping of the gifts underneath reflect the seaside tones. A palm frond tree topper is the perfect final touch.

Simply Festive

Pinecones, berries, and candy canes adorn this tree as well as botanic postcards. Ribbons threaded through punched holes turn the cards into ornaments.

Design: Lauren Muse

The Weather Inside’s Delightful

With “snow-brushed” branches, assorted pinecones, and cranberry bunches, the natural theme of this tall tree brings the beauty of winter inside without the cold.

Shining Starburst

The large, glittery starburst atop the tree is enhanced by thick curly ribbons in red and gold. Decorative ribbon can be a fun element to add the usual ornament-and-light mix.

Winter WIndow

Basking in natural light by day and glowing in the dark by night, we love the way a full, decorated tree looks in a window bump out.

Ho, Ho, Home

Cheerful red pops against the fresh, green tree. The multitude of Santa ornaments pays tribute to the big man himself.

Classically Cool

Silver and blue—a classic holiday color combination—adorns this little tree without overwhelming it. Any ordinary houseplant can become a merry decoration when struck with a little holiday spirit.

Horse Holiday

A small tree on a desk, nightstand, or dresser is a great way to bring holiday cheer to a child’s room. For a fun, personal touch, use a theme to trim the tree, like your child’s favorite hobby.

Oversized Abundance

Oversized glass balls in solid colors look at home on a full tree. Beneath the tree, gifts wrapped in various solid colors are subtle but enticing. 

Details on the following slide.

Colorful Details

A mixture of ornaments in varying colors, shapes and textures dangle on the branches of the tree.

Here, a large white fir tree decorated simply in blue and silver ornamental balls with ribbon streaming from the top creates a classic Christmas atmosphere. Gifts crowd around the base of the tree, sparking the children’s excitement. Symmetry is perfected with twin wreaths hanging outside the windows, while the home’s bright interior invites the snowy landscape inside.

See details on the following slide.

Bedroom Bounty

A tree in the bedroom is a fun way to spread the holiday spirit throughout the home, as well as a chance to experiment with holiday themes. This bedroom’s woodsy palette is taken to the next level with a tree decorated with small birds, gold icicles, and other natural elements.

Mini and Merry

Tiny trees throughout the home are a charming way to spread cheer. In this entry hall, gold rings and pinecones provide the pretty.

The More the Merrier

A host of holiday decorations keeps this large tree from darkening the sunny living room. Santas, reindeer, snowflakes, icicles, and colored balls gleam from the tree’s ample branches.

Festive Family Tree

Sparkling red, green, and blue balls bring an exceptionally festive feel to this living room. A cornucopia of ornaments tells the family’s history. Gifts wrapped in complementary colors ground the vibrant tree.

Details on the following slide.

A Modern Touch

Cherry red and snow white add holiday spirit to a green color scheme. This cozy nook is turned into a festive space with the addition of a red-and-white pillow and throw. A frosty mini-tree is adorned with graphic crimson birds.

Classic and Cozy

Nothing says Christmas like a tree and roaring fire. Simple white lights on the tree illuminate its folksy ornaments without competing with the room’s color palette. Fresh boughs over the mantel add another layer of charm.

A Tree with Imposing Height

Verticality counts in this vaulted living room. Reflecting the stately mantel and high ceilings, this tree stands tall while minimizing its impact on the floor space. Thick ribbons wind through its branches; shimmering ornaments are right at home in the room’s warm color scheme.

Sing a Song of Christmas

“The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect.”
—Charles Barnard

Notice how placing the tree by the piano adds instant warmth to the room.

Showstopper

Radiant streams of light come from this showstopping Christmas tree, beautifully framed with the entryway connecting the dining room to the living room, accented by classical statuary.

Eye Candy

Surprise guests and spread Christmas cheer by scattering small trees throughout your home. Try decorating them in unexpected palettes like this one of turquoise, green and gold.

In the Kitchen

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” —Peg Bracken

Playful Décor

Here we come a’caroling! A cluster of carolers atop a dear old piano adds a little more magic to this Christmas tree setting.

Golden Days of Yore

This towering tree dressed in shimmering gold finery brings back memories of other trees, other Christmases.

Do Not Open ‘Til December 25

We like the way a gift placed on a chair beside the tree heightens the sense of Yuletide anticipation.

Once Again As In Olden Days

The traditional tree in this parlor, along with greens and red balls on the mantel, make it an inviting place to gather family and friends.

Waiting

“The stockings were hung from the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”

Picture Perfect

In this lovely dining room, the richly patterned walls and gold-trimmed tree create an ideal setting for a holiday meal.

Family Fun

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” —Marjorie Holmes

The Polar Express

A children’s train set winds its way around the tree, contributing a touch of nostalgia.

Childhood Pleasures

Note the handmade ornament on the tree that the train encircles; children’s decorations make a traditional tree all the more endearing.

Red, Green and Gold

This full and festive tree looks just right decorated in traditional Christmas colors.

Complementary Colors

Adorn your tree in colors that enhance your space’s palette.

Let it Snow!

“The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature.”
—Andy Rooney

It Won’t Be Long Now

This Labradoodle is waiting so patiently for Santa he’s sure to get a special treat. The jewel tones of the decorations—jade and purple—bring out the green of the tasseled velvet sofa.

Mini Forest

A mini forest of silvery trees along with bells and greens adds luminosity to the holiday, further enhanced by the mirror.

Frosted Windowpanes

When you position a tree by windows, it can be enjoyed from both the inside and out.

Feliz Navidad

White lights on the trees flanking the entrance to this Spanish Mission style home are elegantly simple; the glimpse of the tree inside promises more to come.

Festive and Folky

A traditionally trimmed tree works well in this relaxed family room.

Beautiful Backdrop

Placed in front of a mirror against gorgeous wallpaper, a small tree provides a classic holiday touch.

Family Fun

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."
-Burton Hillis

Perfect Symmetry

Pencil trees flank French doors, punctuated by a wreath in the center.

Tabletop Forest

A forest of paper and feather trees tops a tabletop.

Natural Decorating

The fruit decorations look fresh and pretty in this dining area.

Funky and Fun

This antique tree sets off a collection of Santas.

In the Library

Decorated in gold and red, the tree is the centerpiece of a slightly Bohemian library.

Old-Fashioned Warmth

Multicolored balls enhance the warmth of the room's rugs and wooden floors.

Santa's Helper

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."
-Larry Wilde

White and Gold Formality

Multi-paned windows are storybook perfect with this lovely tree.

Visions of Sugarplums

Isn't this fun for a bedroom? Dr. Seuss would approve!

Twin Trees

Gold decorations on small trees echo the softness of a serene ivory bedroom.

Staging the Tree

A fanlight window and gorgeous rug beautifully set off this glorious tree.

Christmas Present

Package wrappings and ornaments work together to establish a coordinated but not too matchy-matchy color scheme.

Pretty in Pink

The pink decorations on the tree enhance the room's romantic palette.

A Charlie Brown Tree, All Grown Up

A nicely shaped but less full tree gives a room an airy look especially when placed in front of a generous window.

Study in Turquoise

The intense turquoise of the tree décor works well with the cheery yellow furniture.

Get Out the Glue Gun!

An alphabet block tree, an ideal DIY project for a child's room.