A Designer’s Guide to Decorating Large Christmas Trees

Expert Tips for Decorating Large Christmas Trees in Homes and Commercial Spaces

Large Christmas trees can create a spectacular focal point in a home, but decorating them requires a different approach than styling a standard tree. Taller trees highlight spacing, proportions and ornament placement much more clearly, which means preparation and planning are essential. Working at height can also bring a range of logistical challenges.

Whether you are decorating a statement tree in a living room with high ceilings or styling a large commercial installation, these professional Christmas tree decorating tips will help you achieve a balanced and luxurious result.

Be Realistic About the Ladder Height Required

Before you begin decorating, make sure you know the height of your tree and ensure you have a ladder tall enough to reach the top safely. In some cases this may require renting a ladder.

Decorating a tall Christmas tree can be dangerous, particularly when reaching out from a ladder to place ornaments or ribbon. Spend time making sure you have the right tools to properly decorate your tree and always prioritise safety when working at height.

For very large trees, professional decorators often work in teams so one person can stabilise the ladder while another styles the upper sections of the tree.

Take the Time to Properly Fluff the Tree

One of the most important steps when decorating a large Christmas tree happens before any ornaments are added.

Fluffing the branches properly creates the fullness and shape needed to support the decorations. On taller trees this process can take longer than expected, sometimes one to two hours or more depending on the size of the tree.

Each branch should be separated and spread to eliminate gaps. Because tall trees naturally draw the eye upward, empty spaces can become very noticeable.

Professional decorators often work with helpers when fluffing large trees, allowing the process to move faster while ensuring every section receives attention.

For many people, fluffing a large Christmas tree can easily take an entire day before the decorating even begins. This is completely normal. Taking your time during this stage dramatically improves the final result.

A Decorate Large Christmas Tree Requires More Decorations

Another challenge with large Christmas trees is scale. Decorations that look plentiful in storage boxes can quickly disappear once placed on a tall tree.

Before decorating, ensure you have enough ornaments to fill the tree evenly from top to bottom.

A large tree often requires:

• larger statement ornaments

• multiple sizes of baubles

• ribbon or garland to fill space

• decorative accents for depth and layering

  
  

Using larger ornaments helps maintain visual balance so the tree does not appear sparse.

We like to combine large feature ornaments with medium and small decorations to create depth and fullness throughout the tree. You can explore more examples of our work on the Jake Decorates homepage.

Maintain the Natural Shape of the Tree

Large Christmas trees should maintain a clear cone shape when decorated.

To achieve this, we typically place larger ornaments toward the lower sections of the tree, gradually transitioning to smaller decorations near the top.

This technique helps support the natural proportions of the tree while preventing the upper sections from feeling overcrowded.

Balancing ornament size is especially important when working with very tall Christmas trees, where visual proportions become more noticeable.

Choose a Tree Skirt or Collar That Matches the Scale

The base of a large Christmas tree should feel proportional to the size of the tree itself.

We have worked on many projects where clients believe their existing tree skirt or collar will fit, only to find it is too small once the tree is assembled.

A small tree skirt or narrow collar can look undersized beneath a tall tree.

Instead, choose a wide tree skirt or large tree collar that visually anchors the tree and fills the space beneath it. A larger base also creates more room for decorative presents or props, which helps complete the overall display.

For tall trees, the base styling becomes an important part of the design. If you cannot find a plush tree skirt large enough, a high quality blanket or throw can often work beautifully. Just ensure it complements the overall colour palette of the tree.

Consider Professional Christmas Tree Styling

Decorating a large Christmas tree can take significant time and planning. From fluffing branches to layering lights and ornaments, each step contributes to the final result.

Working with a professional decorator can ensure the tree is styled beautifully and efficiently. Many of our Sydney Christmas decorating clients ask us to handle the installation of their larger trees, particularly when working with very tall trees or complex installations.

At Jake Decorates, we specialise in designer Christmas tree styling in Sydney, including large feature trees for homes, businesses and commercial spaces. Every installation is carefully planned to ensure balance, scale and visual impact.

If you would prefer help styling a large tree, you can learn more about our Christmas tree styling services in Sydney.