How tall should your Christmas tree be? What size Christmas tree do you need? Should you go for the classic full shape, a narrow one, or something different? As a high-quality tree is meant to last, knowing the right Christmas tree dimensions ensures you’re making the right investment in your family’s holiday memory-making. It also helps you narrow down the correct Christmas tree height, size, and type of decorations to buy. We’ve broken down the process into four easy steps to guide you in finding your perfect artificial Christmas tree.
Step 1: Choose Where to Put Your Christmas Tree
Before looking for your tree, identify where you want to set it up. Here are the most popular areas for Christmas tree displays and important factors to consider when selecting your spot.
Living Room
Gather friends and family around your realistic Christmas tree for quality time and gift-giving.
Foyer
Welcome guests with a festive Christmas tree display in your entrance hall.
Dining Room
Bring festive cheer to mealtimes with a Christmas tree. Choose a narrow or flatback style to save space.
Bedroom
Choose a pre-lit Christmas tree for an enchanting glow come bedtime.
Other Areas
There are many ways to display Christmas trees throughout your home, from guest rooms and dens to covered patios and porches.
Practical Things to Consider
- Visibility – A Christmas tree serves as the focal point of your holiday home. Place it in a large room’s center or a cozy corner to command attention.
- Foot Traffic – To avoid accidents, provide clearance between your tree and doorways or walkways. Allot extra space to accommodate gifts.
- Furniture – You may need to rearrange or remove some pieces to make room for your tree. If you prefer to keep your furniture set as is, opt for a slim or tabletop Christmas tree.
- Natural Light – Sunlight helps brighten and warm up your room, so allow space for it to filter in.
- Power Source – Place your tree near an electrical outlet for easy lighting. This eliminates the need for unsightly extension cords that may pose safety hazards.
- Safety – Protect your tree from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, and candles.
Step 2: Measure Your Space
Now that you’ve chosen the location for your tree, it’s time to size up your area. Follow our simple guide below.
- Prepare the following materials:
- Using the ladder, measure the distance between the ceiling and the floor with your measuring tape.
- If you plan to use a tree topper, subtract 12 inches from your ceiling height. If you don’t need a topper, subtract 6 inches from your ceiling height. This measurement is the maximum height of your Christmas tree including its stand. All Balsam Hill standard Christmas tree sizes are calculated by measuring the tree stand to the topmost tip.
- Use your measuring tape to determine the available floor space for your tree. It’s best to do this after rearranging your furniture to give yourself a more accurate idea of your space.
- Subtract 12 inches from this measurement and note it down. This is the maximum width of your tree.
Step 3: Find the Perfect Christmas Tree Size
Artificial Christmas trees are offered in various heights and shapes. As you review your options, don’t forget to match them to the measurements you listed.
Choose the Right Height
Allot 12 inches clearance between the top of your tree and the ceiling to accommodate a standard tree topper. Here’s our Christmas tree size chart for your reference:
| Christmas Tree Height | Recommended Area |
|---|---|
| Tabletops, bedrooms, kid’s rooms, and small spaces | |
| Areas with low ceilings | |
| Rooms with standard 8- to 9-foot ceilings | |
| Rooms with high ceilings | |
| Public spaces and vaulted ceilings | |
| Tall Christmas trees for grand displays |
Pick The Ideal Shape
- Full – The classic silhouette of natural Christmas trees makes this shape our most popular choice.
- Slim– Slender options perfect for tight spaces without compromising on style.
- Flatback – Get the look of a full Christmas tree while taking up only half the space.
- Sparse – Lifelike trees with spaces between branches to showcase ornaments.
- Wide – With its broad silhouette, wide artificial Christmas trees provide more room for décor and presents.
Insider’s Tip
Balsam Hill Christmas trees are measured from the tree stand to the topmost tip. If you plan to use an artificial Christmas tree stand or a special platform to raise your tree, consider this in your computations.
Step 4: Consider Other Factors
Details such as your decorations and the scale of your space may influence the size of your Christmas tree, so take note of the following before making a purchase.
Room Proportions
When choosing your tree, it’s also important to match the scale of your room. A small tree may get overlooked in a tall room, while a large one may make a compact room feel smaller.
Tree Accessories
- Christmas Tree Toppers – Allot 6 inches of space between your tree topper and the ceiling. Check the dimensions of your topper to ensure your tree can accommodate it.
- Tree Skirts and Collars – Allow 6 inches around your tree for your Christmas tree skirt and gifts. Follow the same guideline for tree collars.
- Other Tree Décor - If you plan to put decorative elements like wooden trains or miniature villages, Nativity scenes, or similar vignettes underneath the tree, account for extra space so the area doesn’t look cluttered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we address common concerns about choosing the right Christmas tree height and size.
How Are Artificial Christmas Trees Measured?
Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees are measured from the tree stand to the topmost branch’s tip.
Does the Height of an Artificial Christmas Tree Include the Stand?
Yes. Generally, standard Christmas tree sizes include the tree stand when measuring height.
How To Calculate Christmas Tree Height?
Use measuring tape to get the tree’s height from the base to the topmost branch tip. It should be at least 12 inches lower than your ceiling height.
What Is the Most Popular Christmas Tree Height?
As many living rooms have a standard ceiling height of 8-9 feet, the most common Christmas tree height is 7 to 7 ½ feet tall.
Should I Get a 6-ft or 7-ft Christmas Tree?
For rooms with a standard ceiling height, a 7-foot tree fills the space nicely and gives you plenty of room to decorate and display gifts.
We hope this Christmas tree size guide helps you find the right one for your space. Visit our store to browse our many options.
Learn More About Artificial Christmas Trees
Read these articles next for more tips and guides.