The Most Popular Christmas Tree Styles of 2023
From wide flocked styles to tall skinny evergreens, experts share how to find the best tree for your home and design style.
If you're not one for chopping down your own evergreen, chances are you're decorating an artificial Christmas tree this year. Faux Christmas trees come in practically all sizes and styles, from slim minimalistic looks to chunky flocked evergreens—and choosing the best tree for your decorating needs starts with knowing which category to search in.
With hundreds of artificial tree iterations on the market, fine-tuning your true Christmas tree style can be challenging. To help make your seasonal decorating easier, holiday experts are weighing in on this year's most popular Christmas tree styles. If you're in the market for a new faux tree, consider this expert advice for faux trees that look and feel just like the real thing. Plus, artificial trees require virtually no maintenance! And, they're a smart investment too: An artificial tree can last you a decade (or more) if properly cared for.
Ahead, top design experts round up the most popular Christmas tree styles of 2023, plus professional buying tips to help you find the best tree for your home.
Related: The 7 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023 to Deck the Halls This Season
Flocked and Frosted Trees
Capped in artificial snow, flocked and frosted trees remain at the heart of holiday decorating. Use these snowy style statements to create the perfect winter wonderland effect in your spaces. Josephine Kim, director of merchandising at Balsam Hill, recommends these frosty delights because of how well they echo "the quiet charm of a snow-covered landscape or forest."
Can't decide between a flocked or frosted tree? Hone in on the look you're going for first. Frosted trees feature lightly snow-dusted branches (to resemble a freshly fallen snowfall). Flocked trees, on the other hand, are dipped in faux snow (to capture the beauty of a full overnight snowfall).
Editor's Tip
Both pre-frosted and pre-flocked trees may shed some of their snow over the years (although not as much as a DIY-flocked version). Always follow your manufacturer's recommended storage and care instructions to prolong your trees to keep them from yellowing or losing too much of their snow. Also, keep in mind that flocking is not safe for pets.
Related: 31 Stunning Ways to Decorate a White Christmas Tree
Tall, Skinny Trees
Tall and skinny trees should be on your decorating radar for 2023, says Lewis Puleo, vice president of holiday decor company Puleo International. He says these towering slim trees have surpassed what he calls the "short and chunky variety" as the most popular style this season. "Full-width and slim or pencil trees remain by far the most popular shapes," he says.
If you're not sure how tall to go, start by measuring your ceilings to determine what you have room for. "Have at least six inches between the top of your tree and the ceiling," Kim says. "This accounts for a topper or any decorative stand that adds height to the tree." Puleo says 7.5-foot trees are by far the most popular, followed by 6.5-foot, 9-foot, and 10-foot varieties.
Thankfully, today's trees come in full, slim, flatback, sparse, and wide profiles, so narrowing down your selection to fit your space can be simpler than you think. Sizing and trends aside, picking a tree shape is a personal choice, and if you can't decide on just one, Kim recommends mixing it up. She suggests pairing a narrow-profile tree with a full tree, or placing trees in different rooms throughout the home to achieve the ultimate Christmas splendor.
Related: The 13 Best Christmas Tree Stands of 2023
Classic Green Trees
Evergreens fit an idyllic Christmas decorating formula, so it's no surprise they continue to spearhead this season's style. Puleo confirms that classic green remains the most popular tree color—especially green trees with white flocking. White trees are the next-most popular shade, followed by blue-green, black, and pink hues.
If you're looking for a tree that mimics the color and texture of real evergreen branches, you'll need to splurge on a high-quality tree that reflects exceptional realism in the tiniest details. For example, Balsam Hill's tree designs are inspired by nature, so you can actually shop by tree species to find varying shades of green. Their Classic Blue Spruce has blue-green needles, while the Noble Fir has a gray tint. For a truly classic look, the Fraser Firs come in a dark green hue with silver undersides.
Related: The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Artificial Christmas Tree
Illuminated Trees
There's nothing like the soft glow of twinkling Christmas lights on a cold winter evening, so it's no surprise that pre-lit or illuminated trees are a popular pick this season. While you can always string your own lights on the tree, Kim encourages shoppers to choose a pre-lit tree. This is especially useful if you don't feel like pouring over an assembly kit, and as Kim points out, "there's no more tangled string lights!"
A pre-lit tree also introduces an additional design element: The age-old debate of colorful lights vs white lights. Puleo says warm white LED or incandescent lights are by far the most popular, followed by dual-color LED lights, which means they have the option to switch between a multi-color option and warm white. He notes that plain multi-color lights are a distant third.
Related: How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree for a Gorgeous Holiday Glow
The Bottom Line: Pick a Tree That Matches Your Space
Tall and slim flocked trees might be a popular style this year, but that doesn't mean they're the end-all be-all of holiday decorating. The most important factor to consider when choosing or decorating a tree is your own personal design style. If you love a short and chunky evergreen, go for it. If you're embracing Barbiecore with a hot pink tree, consider taking the theme all the way through the house with pink holiday decor. The best kind of Christmas tree for your home is one that you truly love and will enjoy decorating.
And if you're buying a new tree this year, consider all the elements of your investment before you click 'add to cart.' Puleo recommends deciding on a desired height and width before you start shopping, especially if you're tight on space. "Then, decide on the color of your tree and lights. Based on this criteria, you can narrow down your search to find the tree that best meets your tastes and price point," he says.
Related: The Best Places to Buy a Christmas Tree in 2023
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