There are several things to consider when choosing the mainstay of your holiday décor. These include price point, color, lighting, leaf, size, and shape to name a few. Knowing the different Christmas tree shapes is essential in choosing one that fits your display surface area. This comprehensive guide by Treetopia teaches you what you need to know.

What are the different shapes of Christmas trees?

Treetopia offers several types of artificial Christmas tree shapes: full, slim, pencil, flatback and corner. There'due south also the upside-down tree shape for a truly unique vacation display.

Infographic detailing the different widths and shapes of artificial Christmas trees

This guide estimates the diameter of every Christmas tree shape. It gives you an idea of how much floor surface area each 1 takes up.

Shape Bore
Full > 50 inches
Slim < 47 inches
Pencil 19-23 inches
Flatback Flat 13 inches
Upside-down 50 inches
*Note: Measurements are based on the widest function of 7-foot trees

Tip: How practise you measure a tree? For the Christmas tree height, measure from the bottom of the stand to the tip of the topmost co-operative. To get the diameter, measure the widest part of the tree.

How to Tell the Divergence Betwixt Christmas Tree Shapes

Each Christmas tree shape has a unique profile—or "silhouette." Information technology's the outline yous meet when you're standing in front of the tree. You can tell the shape by looking at the tree's slope and measuring its bore.

one. Full Christmas Tree Shape

Oh Christmas Tree traditional shape
The total and fine Oh Christmas Tree

A full or traditional Christmas tree is dense with a gradual slope. A 7-foot one would have a fifty-inch bore or more at its base.

2. Slim Christmas Tree Shape

An example of a slimline Christmas tree
The slim and lifelike Addison Spruce® Christmas Tree

The contour of a slim bogus Christmas tree is narrower than a full one. By and large, one that measures vii feet is less than 47 inches in diameter.

3. Pencil Christmas Tree Shape

A pencil tree with lights sans decorations
The sharp-looking No. 2 Pencil Christmas Tree

An artificial pencil Christmas tree has the sharpest profile among the iii. Its diameter is up to 60% smaller, usually nineteen to 23 inches for a 7-foot tree.

iv. Flatback or Corner Christmas Tree Shape

A flatback gives the appearance of a full tree when viewed from the front. Just the back lies flat on a wall. It has a width of flat xiii inches.

Similarly, a corner tree has a full silhouette from the front. But with a corner width of 27 inches, information technology's smaller than a flatback.

v. Upside-Downwardly Christmas Tree Shape

An upside-down Christmas tree is so much fun
Don't knock information technology until you've tried information technology: The Knocked Upside-Down Christmas Tree

An upside-down tree also has a full contour but every bit the proper noun suggests, it's inverted with a base supporting the tip. The widest part is at the peak, measuring fifty inches.

What sizes practice artificial Christmas copse come in?

The different Christmas tree silhouettes come in a multifariousness of sizes (or heights) that range between 4 to 12 feet. A tree'southward profile and height suits certain areas improve than others.

Here are examples of how each Christmas tree shape looks in different areas of the home.

Where to Put a Full Christmas Tree

A full Christmas tree is a popular pick because it has a similar contour to a real evergreen. Bogus full copse are available in heights of 4 to 12 feet. They don't work in small spaces with depression ceilings and wait best in spacious rooms, including large bedrooms. Aside from the living room, the foyer is an ideal spot, as it'south usually the first area guests see.

Areas to Display a Slim Christmas Tree

A slim Christmas tree is a good pick if you desire a traditional shape but lack space. It comes in a wide range of heights from under five feet to bigger ones over viii anxiety tall. This tree shape suits rooms with a small to medium-sized floor expanse like dining rooms.

Platonic Locations for a Pencil Christmas Tree

A pencil tree is even narrower than a slim tree and has a precipitous contour. This unique Christmas tree shape doesn't take too much floor space and is available in heights of up to 12 anxiety. Display it in pocket-sized apartments or apply it as a secondary tree in the master or kids' bedrooms. It also adds cheer to pocket-size spaces like reading nooks.

Suggested Display Areas for a Flatback or Corner Christmas tree

If a total contour is a not-negotiable but your floor space doesn't cutting it, a flatback tree is a expert compromise. Information technology stands at 7 feet tall and has a full silhouette when viewed from the front. The back lays apartment against the wall. It works best in tight areas like hallways and kitchen nooks.

Or apply a corner tree that saves even more space than a flatback. It's available at 7.5 feet and only takes upwardly a quarter of the space a total Christmas tree needs.

Places to Display an Upside-Down Christmas Tree

An upside-down tree stands at vii feet tall and has a full profile. From a practical standpoint, it'south a unique alternative to save on floor space. But from a design perspective, it'due south a fun tree that drives interesting reactions from spectators. Put it anywhere in your home—exist it the living room or the sleeping accommodation.

Tip: Regardless of shape, remember to leave at least vi inches of space between the tree and the ceiling for your tree topper. That said, it shouldn't graze the surface of your ceiling. You don't desire any scratches.

How to Decorate According to Christmas Tree Shape

After choosing a tree, it's fourth dimension to do some decorating. Read on to find out how you can decorate your centerpiece to complement its unique shape.

Dress it Up: How many ornaments do you need?

Ornaments can make or suspension your tree décor, so cull well. A full Christmas tree that's seven.5 feet tall needs virtually 105-140 ornaments. We recommend ornaments between four to 8.75 inches in size. Still, recall that at that place'southward no hard and fast rule when it comes to number of ornaments. It all depends on your style. Merely utilise this information as a springboard for your decorating plans.

i. Full and Slim Christmas Trees

One of the benefits of a full Christmas tree is that it has dense leaf to support more ornaments. Carrie Colbert busy her centerpiece with loads of newspaper blooms and a variety of ornaments. If you lot're up for some heavy decorating, then a full Christmas tree is your all-time bet.

The aforementioned goes for a slim Christmas tree. Of course, with less ornaments. Treetopia'southward slim Christmas copse are every bit sturdy as their full counterparts.

A slim Christmas tree with a rustic decoration
Gold tree decorations by Design Fixation

Tip: For a slim and alpine Christmas tree, a balanced expect is a must. Accept inspiration from the tinsel tree by Design Fixation . Have fun decorating but allow the sparkly foliage play its part. Add together natural elements like pinecones and twigs to emphasize the shiny branches. Include ornaments of different shapes like palm-size snowflakes and elongated tree picks for dimension.

2. Pencil Christmas Tree

This tall and sparse Christmas tree has a pencil shape that comes with large design possibilities. Get for a minimalist look by leaving space between your decorations. Use colorful trinkets in line with your theme. For case, this pinkish tree is a tribute to Texas with its avocado, guitar, and taco ornaments. Detect the lightweight tree topper—heavier ones can cause the holiday centerpiece to fall over.

3. Flatback & Corner Christmas Trees

Decorate a flatback or corner tree equally yous would a full Christmas tree. Both trees accept the same lush leafage to hold your ornaments except yous'll need fewer pieces. With their compact structure, you lot spend less on decorations.

Get inspired by Joanna King Conety's flatback tree filled with gold and silver Christmas balls. A lighted tree topper added warmth to her living room centerpiece. Meanwhile, Scott Powell went traditional with red and white ornaments on his corner tree. A standing Santa on the side matched the color scheme.

4. Upside-Downwards Christmas Tree

An upside down Christmas tree decorated with ornaments
Upside-down tree by Frederick Riggins

An upside-down tree lets you go even more creative with your decorating. Chandelier-inspired themes are quite popular for this tree shape, but there are many other imaginative ideas to try! Hang fun ceiling décor to complement a topsy-turvy concept. For instance, Frederick Riggins used upside-downward Santas. Past the style, there are presents on the flooring AND on top of the tree.

Christmas Tree Ornament Calculator
Click the image to summate how much ornaments, ribbon, and tree picks you need.

Outshine the residuum: How many lights should y'all put on your Christmas tree?

Just similar ornaments, the ideal number of lights on a Christmas tree varies depending on its height and shape.

Light Density

Ever heard of the term light density? Well, it refers to the number of bulbs per foot of the tree. In fact, you demand about 100 regular lights to achieve the full effect. For pre-lit LED trees, fewer bulbs per foot works. Below, see the differences in low-cal density on a total orange tree, a slim pink tree, and pencil green Christmas tree.

How Many Lights Needed, Co-ordinate to Christmas Tree Shape

A quality, pre-lit total Christmas tree has around 100 light bulbs per foot. Information technology's mutual to see 600 light bulbs on a 7-foot full tree. This may come up as a surprise, but slim Christmas trees probable have the same number of lights per foot as a full tree. Meanwhile, pencil Christmas trees need one-half the lights used by a total one, making it more energy efficient. A light density of 300 is ideal for a pencil 7-pes tree.

Christmas Tree Lights Calculator
Click to summate the number of bulbs you need.

At present that you know more than well-nigh Christmas tree shapes, the next footstep is understanding how to fluff their leaf. When you buy an bogus Christmas tree, it arrives in a box and the contents inside are compressed to fit. The get-go time you assemble it, the branches won't immediately await every bit full every bit the pictures you see from the store. Make it look full and gorgeous past taking time to properly shape your tree.


So, what's it going to be: a full, slim, or pencil Christmas tree? Maybe y'all're leaning toward flatback, corner, or upside-down copse now? Nosotros hope this guide was useful in shaping your decorating plans. Amend yet, we hope it helps yous find the right vacation centerpiece. If it does, share it with those who want to know what tree shape all-time fits their domicile and decorating style.