7 Common Christmas Tree Decorating Mistakes and How To Fix Them for a Picture-Perfect Look

Tired of the same old Christmas tree decorating ideas? Most people dream of a beautifully decked up tree with the right ornament placement, the perfect color coordination and sparkling lights to alleviate the whole look that radiates through the hall. But most struggle with finding the right balance and end up with a tree that looks messy and all over the place. 

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To help you understand some of the common mistakes and learn some simple yet designer-approved fixes that you can implement right away,  we have put together a practical guide to help you get your picture perfect tree this Christmas.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Common Tree Decorating Mistakes
• The 7 most common mistakes
•       Mistake # 1 - Ornaments over lights
•       Mistake # 2 - Skipping the fluffing
•       Mistake # 3 - Wrong Colour Coordination
•       Mistake # 4 - Hanging all ornaments only on the tips
•       Mistake # 5 - Sticking to only one ornament size
•       Mistake # 6 - No theme nor style in place
•       Mistake # 7 - Skipping finishing touches
• The Picture-Perfect Christmas Tree Decor Checklist
• Expert Recommendations

Common Tree Decorating Mistakes

You may have not noticed this, but many of us have made Christmas tree decorating mistakes from time to time. Sometimes it’s because we’re in a hurry to finish off the decorations before Christmas eve, and other times it’s simply because we’ve haven’t paid attention to our own habits that don’t actually work in our favour and end up costing us a pretty decoration that we have been working on. From rushed fluffing to mismatched colour coordination or ornaments placed only at the tips, these small mistakes contribute to the overall downfall of the decoration.

The good news is that these mistakes can be rectified with a few thoughtful adjustments. 

The 7 most common mistakes

So to help you avoid the same situation and mistakes from occurring again, let’s  take a look at some of the common mistakes in detail and understand how to decorate a Christmas tree.

Mistake # 1 - Ornaments over lights

If you start hanging your ornaments such as the Christmas ornamet balls, before you set up the ferry lights, you're already on the path to disaster. Lights are the foundation for every decoration. They set the tone for the space by providing the warmth, the comfort and the glow. If the lights are uneven or not properly placed, the entire design and style loses its charm and magic.

Why It Affects the Look

A poorly lit up tree looks flat and chaotic. You end up with a mismatched style in several pockets that  makes your entire tree look dull.

Solution

• Use around 100 lights for each foot of your tree.
  
  
• Push the bulbs of the lights deeper into the branches  of the tree to brighten the inner core of the structure.
  
  
• Mix the colours of the light. Try pairing warm white with soft sparklings lights for that subtle glow.

Mistake # 2 - Skipping the Fluffing

Many people rush with their decorating process either because they are short of time or the festive excitement takes over and they can't keep it in for too long. But fluffing your tree is what adds to the overall fullness, shape, and structure of the tree. Fluffing is a critical step in decorating a christmas tree. Skipping it is like forgetting to comb your hair before styling it.

Why It Affects the Look

Without fluffing, your tree looks unfinished and incomplete. The branches don't stand out, the ornaments aren’t in place and no amount of decoration can fix this uneven base.

Solution

• Ensure you stretch and pull out each branch outward, upward, and sideways so that they stand out.
  
  
• Start and work in layers and make sure each section looks balanced and in sync with the previous layer.
  
  
• Take a step back after you complete each layer to check the overall shape of the tree.
  
  
• Give yourself around 15 to 20 minutes just to fluff.

Mistake # 3 - Wrong Colour Coordination

When you haven’t decided upon a colour theme  for this year’s theme and you end up adding a bit of everything, the tree ends up looking chaotic and loses its festive appeal. At the same time, limiting the decorations to just a few colours, makes the tree look flat  and boring.

Why It Affects the Look

Your Christmas tree is the main festive attraction in your house and all the other decorations have to compliment it one way or the other. So if the colours clash or look out of place, the whole mood of the festive season goes for a toss. Your efforts turn futile because now the tree and the living room looks messy and chaotic.

Solution

• Pick two to three colour tones you want to go ahead with for the year and mix it and match it so that they compliment each other and look good together. 
  
  
• Consider a few of the popular Christmas combinations such as red and gold, green, red and gold,  silver and icy blue, dark green and silver.
  
  
• You can add one small accent shade if you love a little contrast.
  
  
• Play around and mix the finishes such as glossy, matte, glittery, textured. It creates dimension  and depth.

Mistake # 4 - Hanging All Ornaments Only on the Tips

A lot of people have this habit of hanging the ornaments at the tip of the outer branches of the tree. This pattern is fine if you have a small christmas tree, but while it is important to place ornaments at the tips, it's not meant for all ornaments as it makes the tree look shallow, lacking a good finish it deserves.

Why It Affects the Look

By avoiding or forgetting to place ornaments inside the tree, you automatically lose depth and dimension. Everything sits on one surface and so you should always make the most of it rather than restricting the decorations to the corners.

Solution

• Use large-sized  ornaments for the  inside sections of the tree.
  
  
• Use medium-sized ornaments to fill the middle area.
  
  
• Use small-sized ornaments on the tips.
  
  
• Always try to mix different sized-shapes like round, teardrop, starburst, and icicle.
  
  
• Remember that the more you place the ornaments well, the more you are giving your tree  depth.

Mistake # 5 - Sticking to Only One Ornament Size

Now having ornaments of the same size isn't a bad thing. But at the same time, placing them next to each other, makes them blend in instead of  standing out. The tree ends up  with a mundane pattern that is uniform and dull.

Why It Affects the Look

Using an array of different sizes gives it that layered structured  and makes each one stand out irrespective of the size.

Solution

• Use large-sized or otherwise well-known as “anchor ornaments” at the beginning.
  
  
• Use medium-sized ornaments to create balance.
  
  
• Add small-sized ornaments at the end to give it the final touch.
  
  
• Add one or two oversized pieces for character.

Mistake # 6 - No theme Nor Style in Place

No matter the occasion or the event, having a theme really alleviates the space. It adds character, comfort and really sets the mood for the season.  So the same applies when it comes to decorating Christmas trees.

Why it Affects the Look

Without a set theme in place, your Christmas tree decor ideas will end up in chaos and confusion.

Solution

Here are a few Christmas tree ideas:

• The classic red and gold - You cannot go wrong with this one!
  
  
• Winter white - Give it the winter-wonderland effect
  
  
• Rustic farmhouse- This gives the comfy and homely feel
  
  
• Glam metallic - If you are looking for elegant christmas tree decorating ideas
  
  
• Minimalist forest theme - if you are looking for a rustic theme

Mistake # 7 - Skipping Finishing Touches

The fine details at the very end like adding the ribbons, the toppers or even a tree skirt are more than just final touches, it completes your tree.

Why it Affects the Look

By skipping this step, you leave your tree incomplete and unfinished. No matter the perfectly placed ornaments and the lights, without the final touches, your tree is not ready for the season.

Solution

• Try using a vertical or wave-style Christmas tree ribbon for the final touch
  
  
• A bow, star, or angel topper adds great value
  
  
• A stylish tree collar or skirt does the job

These are the signature elements you see in high-end decorated Christmas trees which you can consider if you are looking for something fancy or extravagant this season. 

Now that we have covered some of the most common decorating mistakes and how to fix them with a few suggested solutions, it becomes easier for you to approach your Christmas tree decoration ideas this season. Instead of trying to figure out where to start, how to arrange or how to make the most of your existing decorations, you can  simply follow a well thought out process that guides you right from stretching and pulling out the first branch to the final finishing touch. We have put together a simple yet super useful checklist below that breaks everything down into easy, actionable steps you can follow as you start decorating your Christmas tree this year.

The Picture-Perfect Christmas Tree Decor Checklist

Expert Recommendations

Many of these Christmas tree decorating ideas are in line with tips, insights and experiences that are often shared by professional home décor stylists and designers who always focus on balance, layers, and creating a cohesive theme. Their tips often highlight the importance of mixing textures, placing ornaments both inside and on the tips to create definition and depth, spacing out ornaments to create layers, and choosing a nice colour palette as per your preference and choice to avoid cluttering and overcrowding. 

It's the same in online home decor communities and forums, wherein users have shared what actually worked and what didn’t for them while decorating. Many have stated and shared how incorporating simple changes like fluffing more carefully and consciously, adding the lights closer to the trunk, or using a mix of ornaments made a noticeable and significant difference to their decorations. By taking expert recommendations along with real life experiences into consideration, you get access to a practical and relatable approach that helps you decorate your tree with joy, ease and excitement.

Decorating a Christmas tree is a superfun, joyous and enriching process. It should not  become a stressful, or a hectic process for you which will eventually make you hate or regret decorating. 

Following a clear checklist will help you stay  on track right  from the very first branch to the final light testing. With a little  bit of planning, a colour coordinated palette, and a few designer-approved ideas, you can create your picture perfect Christmas tree that feels balanced, intentional, and truly yours. 

Whether you love a classic red and gold, a rustic wooden appeal, or a fully themed tree, the step-step guide gives you a solid foundation to bring your ideas to life. Take your time, do your research for inspiration and most importantly you need to enjoy the process, so don’t  shy away from experimenting. 

At the end of the day, the best Christmas tree is the one that makes your home feel warm, festive, and ready for the season.

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