How to Decorate a Christmas Tree to Look Full All Season Long

Give your Christmas tree a full and festive look with these clever decorating tricks. Whether you're putting up a real or artificial tree this holiday season, use these tried and true tips to fill in empty spots and make sparse branches look fuller. We're talking garlands, decorative picks, extra twinkle lights, and lots of decorating strategies for adding volume.

Keep reading to learn more so you can turn your Christmas tree into a stunning focal point and celebrate the holidays in style.

Fluff the Branches

A full-looking tree begins with the tree itself. If you have an artificial tree, before hanging any decorations, make sure you straighten out and fluff every branch properly.

It may feel tedious, but don't skip this step, because it sets the foundation for everything else. To make the task easier, use Christmas tree fluffing gloves that protect your hands from cuts and scratches.

Utilize the Depth of the Branches

Instead of hanging all the ornaments from the ends of the branches, utilize the full depth of each branch. Hang ornaments near the tree trunk as well as the middle and ends of branches to create depth and dimension that will give the tree a fuller look.

Add Floral Picks

Floral picks add color and sparkle, and their delicate appearance softens the organic nature of tree branches. In addition to being a beautiful decorative element, floral picks are also a clever trick for making a tree appear fuller. Nestle them into empty spots and make sure to distribute them evenly for a balanced look.

Hang a Beaded Garland

Drape a beaded garland over tree branches to create a full and sophisticated-looking Christmas tree. The beaded strings extend over empty spaces as they hang from branch to branch, visually filling them in.

A beaded garland dresses up a tree, doesn't take up excessive storage space, and can be used over and over again.

Fill Empty Spots With Ribbon

Tie pieces of ribbon to branches to increase the tree's volume. For a fuller look, opt for a thick ribbon with a shiny surface, and for a more understated appearance, use longer, thinner pieces of velvet ribbon.

Create Dimension With Various Ornaments

Dimension is what makes a Christmas tree look full and to achieve that, use ornaments that differ in size and shape. The contrast creates depth and a more organic tree design where a variety of ornaments adorns branches from their base to the outer tips.

Use Extra Lights

Add extra twinkle lights to make your Christmas tree look fuller, especially in the evenings. If you have a pre-lit tree, simply add extra strands of lights, making sure their color and glow match the built-in lights.

Go Traditional With Tinsel

For a touch of nostalgia and a fuller-looking tree, drape tinsel over fluffed branches. Take your time to carefully hang and evenly distribute the shimmery silver strands throughout the tree. Go as light or heavy as you like on the tinsel, utilizing the full height and depth of the tree for a true vintage-inspired Christmas.

Increase the Number of Ornaments

Load the tree with extra ornaments and go for the "more is more" aesthetic this holiday season. Use oversized and whimsical ornaments to create a full look and take a playful approach, especially if this is a second tree in your home.

Flock the Branches

In addition to fluffing out the branches, another foundation step you can take to create a full look before you even begin hanging ornaments is to flock the tree.

You can purchase a snow flocking spray that creates a white textured finish mimicking the appearance of snow. Go as light or heavy as you like, perhaps creating a slightly uneven flocking design for a realistic look.

Nestle in a Ribbon Garland

Adorn your Christmas tree with a ribbon garland from top to bottom, nestling it into the empty nooks and weaving in and out from the trunk. Use a wide, textured ribbon for maximum impact, and adjust it once you hang ornaments to ensure even spacing.

Use Oversized Ornaments

Mix oversized ornaments into your tree decor, strategically hanging them in sparse spots. Make sure to step away from the tree to see it as a whole and prevent uneven clusters of large ornaments. Balance them out with smaller ornaments and dainty garland for contrast and dimension.

Read Next: 60 Beautiful and Unique Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Read the original article on The Spruce.