5 clever ways to make a Christmas tree look taller – from adding a base to tricking the eye with decor

Nothing shouts Christmas more than a big and beautiful Christmas tree standing in pride of place in your living room – but what if your tree is a little on the short side?

Whether you have an old faux tree that is too sentimental to replace, or ordered a real tree online and are a little surprised by its size, you might find yourself left with a tree that's less dazzling and a little more disappointing.

Luckily, there are some easy and effective techniques, loved by interiors experts and professional decorators to boost your Christmas tree ideas and get it looking grand and gorgeous.

How to make a Christmas tree look taller

Of course, it is far easier to choose a Christmas tree that perfectly fits your home the first time, but it is not the end of the world if it comes up a little short.

1. Add a base or elevated stand

The easiest way to enhance your Christmas decorating ideas and make a tree look taller is to actually elevate it, suggests architect Ladina Schöp. There are two ways to do this – either place your existing tree base on a platform or, as Ladina recommends, invest in a quality tree stand, such as the number one bestselling Tree Genie L (Gen 2) Christmas Tree Stand available at Amazon, which takes less than one minute to set your tree up when used. ‘This will allow you to raise the tree to your desired height and help achieve the desired visual effect,’ she explains.

Whichever route you choose, Amy Bell, interior designer and founder of Red Chair Home Interiors recommends keeping the height of the platform under about nine inches, ‘making sure that the platform is wide enough to hold the tree stand with generous room to spare on all sides (for example: 20 x 20).’

‘An added advantage of using a platform is that the gifts under the tree will be more visible and easier to access,’ she adds.

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Use a tree collar or skirt

Whether or not you are adding a base or platform, adding a Christmas tree collar or any Christmas tree skirt ideas can also make your tree look a little loftier, by creating a visual barrier between the bottom layer of the tree and the ground, shares Carolyn Morrow, Christmas specialist and founder of Christmaslyn: ‘As a Christmas enthusiast, I find that incorporating a decorative tree collar or arranging presents with varying heights at the base further elevates the overall look.

‘For an extra touch, place a mirror (such as the Gold Arched Mirror available at Amazon, which will also look beautiful behind) beneath the tree to extend its visual height and add a touch of reflective charm,’ she adds.

A tree collar also has the added benefit of making your Christmas tree look more expensive, by adding a decorative touch to make the base of your Christmas tree look nice.

3. Try strategic branch placement

While knowing how to fluff a Christmas tree is important for a full and lush look, Kanika Bakshi Khurana, the principal interior designer and founder of Kanika Design, a full-service interior design firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, also suggests that strategic branch placement can make a tree look taller, too.

She says, 'Now, let's talk about the branches themselves. When decorating, make sure to keep the lower branches more compact, and the upper branches fuller. Trimming and shaping the lower branches slightly (not removing them entirely!) can open up the space around the trunk and emphasize the height.

'The fuller top half of the tree contrasts with a slender bottom, making the tree look like it tapers toward the tow and, as a result, appears taller. The key here is not the overstuff the bottom, and let the branches spread naturally.'

If you are decorating a live tree, Khurana recommends getting some Bonide Garden Rich Pruning Sealer available at Amazon, to safely trim branches without damaging them.

4. Trick the eye with decor

A common trick in interior design to make anything look taller is to draw the eye upwards, with vertical patterns and decor. Therefore, if you want to make your tree look taller, avoid Christmas tree decorating mistakes like decorating normally, weaving your lights and garlands back and forth across your tree. Instead, as Matthew O'Grady, interior designer and director of Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furniture suggests, use vertical decorations and Christmas tree topper ideas to draw the eyes upwards, and create an illusion of height.

'Look for a Double-Sided Starburst Tree Toppers available at Balsam Hill ,for instance, which aims to enhance the vertical aspect of the arch so that the measure of height is augmented without ruining stylistic elements.

'Then, from the tip to the base of the tree, drape long ornaments and ribbons to achieve a waterfall effect. This enhances the feeling of length and height. Long icicle ornaments and vertical garlands can also be selected.

'Such items attract sunlight and create space that leads the onlookers' eyes from the top to the bottom, thus, creating an illusion of a taller tree.'

5. Consider using a ceiling hook

This idea is a little more of a modern Christmas decor idea, but interior designer Khurana suggests suspending faux trees from the ceiling, allowing them to float off the floor. She says, 'This works especially well for artificial trees because it creates the illusion of height by lifting the tree off the ground completely.

'By raising the tree in this way, you eliminate the visual clutter around the base and allow the tree to take center stage. It's a dramatic effect that makes the tree feel more grand and towering.'

If you want to give this a go, Khurana recommends using a heavy duty ceiling hook, such as the 2 Sets Large Swag Ceiling Hooks Heavy Duty Swag Hook with Hardware available at Amazon, which can support the weight of an artificial tree. Real trees are much heavier, and also obviously need watering, so shouldn't be suspended. 'This will allow you to hang the tree securely and safely, giving it that elevated, magical look that you're aiming for,' she adds.

FAQs

What is a good rule of thumb for Christmas tree height?

When choosing a Christmas tree to fit your space, it is a good idea to pick an option that sits at least six inches away from your ceiling, preferably up to one foot away from the ceiling, to give you enough space for a tree topper without the tree looking squashed or cramped.

Is it okay to have a small Christmas tree?

It is perfectly fine to have a small Christmas tree, especially if you need to make a Christmas tree fit in a small space. When going small, make it a statement with a tabletop tree and decorate it just as you would a regular-sized tree.

Next, learn about the best order to decorate a Christmas tree for maximum impact, no matter the size.