Home Decorating with Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree is the central decoration in most Christmas-celebrating homes during the holiday season and most people put lots of time and effort into making it look beautiful. With its softly twinkling lights and myriad of ornaments, it's beautiful sight to behold and will be the subject of pictures and events throughout the Christmas season.

Coordinating Christmas tree decorations for an overall color or style has become more popular every year, but very few people consider the decor of the room itself before depositing a tree with expensive, expertly coordinated ornaments in the center of their home--only to find the overall effect is just not what you hoped.

How do you ensure that your room and your Christmas tree complement each other and don't clash? With the amazing assortment of styles, colors and sizes of trees and ornaments available today, you're sure to find something that will look amazing with your special decor-as well as items that will look terrible.

Sometimes its size, which is easy to correct by purchasing the correct tree in both width and height or moving the tree to a different part of the room or house. But when the entire Christmas tree clashes with the room, there are some simple steps you can take to bring your room together, ornaments and all.

Please note: Primary and secondary colors are the main colors used throughout the room, for the walls, curtains, rugs and furniture. Accent colors are the colors used in accessories such as throws, vases and pillows to pull the look together and often soften bold colors or spice up neutrals. These colors should already compliment each other perfectly.

Color Scheme:

Some rooms are simple to match-white walls, specific color curtains and accessories. It's a breeze to find 10-15 ornaments in your primary or secondary room decor color and sprinkle them throughout the tree to match your room. Add some ribbon, a few balls or tinsel in your accent color and your Christmas tree is color matched to your room!

However, some rooms are complex and much more difficult to coordinate. If you have painted walls, hold up your ornaments to the wall in good light and see if it clashes. You may need to put some ornaments aside for another Christmas if it just doesn't look right in that particular room. To pull the room together, purchase ribbon or balls in your accent color and space it evenly throughout the tree. Don't attempt to use the wall color as a color on the tree, as it can be overwhelming.

If your room is very bold and busy, you may want to consider mostly white lights, colorless or white class ornaments and metallic accents such as silver or gold (whichever works better with the warmth of your decor). This will allow your tree to look lovely and elegant in your room without clashing with the myriad of colors already there.

In a neutral room, if you'd like to add deep Christmas or even modern colors to your tree, do so throughout the room using garlands and perhaps color coordinated pillar candles. Choose no more than two colors and a metallic accent for the most stunning effect. A purple or turquoise Christmas tree can seem garish unless its balanced throughout the room with accessories or accents.

In addition, you may want to consider removing some items of decor during the holiday season so they won't compete or clash with your tree. An excessive amount of green already in the room may wash the tree out and make it difficult to photograph.

Style:

Think of your room as the frame of your Christmas tree. What makes both the tree and the room look good? Consider the warmth and coolness of the colors as well as the overall style of the room.

If you have traditional decor with muted colors and an elegant style, a bright pink tree may clash badly. Even a green tree may not work if the lights are large and garish or the ornaments are excessively loud or plastic. This style room is made for traditional Christmas colors and ornaments as well as gold accents.

A modern style room with clean lines and simple decor may lose its edge with Victorian style tree covered with lace and crochet. In this style of room, monochromatic or duel color ornaments throughout the tree can create a dramatic effect. Don't be afraid of the unusual or bold color that speaks to you, as long as it doesn't clash with the colors already in your room.

A country style room is perfect for warm colors and hand made style ornaments. Think tin, stars, wood and hand stitched styles-perhaps even pine cones that you've strung yourself on red ribbon. Stay away from artificial colors and loud plastic.

If you're working with a lovely Shabby Chic style room, you can create a delightful style with delicate embroidered or lace ornaments in 2 or 3 light, girly colors along with airy blown glass. Traditional green Christmas trees work best, but if you must have a white tree be sure to add enough tinsel and decorations to properly offset the white background.

Specific themes:

If your room is themed, be sure to include a few ornaments to enhance the decor already in place. If your room is nautical or beach style, add a few sand dollar ornaments or boats. If its southwestern, look for cactus or wolf decorations. A floral room can benefit from delicate blown glass flower ornaments or a garland of roses instead of tinsel on the tree. Its worth the premium to get a few special ornaments to carry your theme to your tree, as far as enjoyment and overall appearance.　

You've so carefully crafted the mood and style of your room to reflect your personality, tastes and desires. There is no reason to abandon the look and feeling of your home during December. A Christmas tree should make a room look more beautiful and festive and never detract from current decor.