This 2 minute Christmas ornament cluster trick will change the way you decorate – forever

At Homes & Gardens, we're always looking for new ways to decorate – and especially so in the holidays. 

But with sustainability and the cost of living crises in mind, we have obviously been working up Christmas decor ideas that can be created from everything we already own.

Enter: the Christmas ornament cluster trick, which our stylists came up with a few years back, and which is now taking the internet by storm. It's incredibly impactful on a Christmas tree, but it can be used in a variety of ways, some of which we show you below in pictures taken from past Christmas photography shoots.

It will help you rethink your Christmas ornament ideas, without you having to spend a cent. 

1. Create an ornament cluster on garlands and trees

'If your Christmas tree display is somewhat lacking in presence, you can make it look much more grand by clustering ornaments in groups of three, four or five – I prefer an odd number as I think it looks more visually pleasing,' shares Homes & Gardens' Deputy Editor and stylist, Jo Bailey. 

'On a garland, as shown above, this can be done by connecting the ornaments with florists' wire, twine, ribbon, chenille stems (whichever you have to hand), though on a tree, I tend to use thin ribbon for an extra flash of color. Christmas tree ribbon ideas are also very on trend – and, fashion aside, so pretty – so it's nice to marry the two together.

'My final tip would be to create larger clusters, either with larger ornaments or more smaller ornaments, for the bottom of the tree; mid-size clusters for the center of the tree; and smaller clusters for the top. This will give you a balanced look.'

2. Create an ornament cluster to hang as a focal feature

'Ornament clusters don't need to be on a tree or garland to make them impactful,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief, Lucy Searle. 'In fact, as you can see above and in the dining room (top), they can be a focal point all on their own.

'If you are going to do this, it's a great opportunity to either tie in the colors with your existing decor scheme by choosing ornaments that complement it, or to add a touch of festive color to your scheme. 

'Either way, I pick out pretty ribbons from my gift wrap box to make the display just a touch more curated, like in the space above, where ornaments are suspended from curtain poles with ribbon. It's so easy, so quick and so pretty.'

3. Frame your favorite ornaments as festive artwork

'We all have our favorite Christmas ornaments, and rather than hang them on the Christmas tree, where they get pretty lost amongst other ornaments, I like to separate them and hang them in a cluster in front of a reflective surface, so that their impact is doubled,' says Jennifer Ebert, Homes & Gardens' Deputy Editor.

'This could be an antique tray, like the one above, but a wall mirror works just as well, though I'd advise getting the cluster-to-frame proportion just right to maximize the effect; you want the ornament cluster to be at least a quarter of the size of the frame or it will look lost.

'Another way to heighten the effect? Hang a cluster of ornaments near to twinkling string lights; they will catch the reflections and look prettier still.

'The other upside? They're less likely to get damaged on a wall than on the tree.'