11 secrets to decorating your Christmas tree like a professional

We all want to decorate the perfect Christmas tree with baubles, ornaments and lights all perfectly co-ordinated in a festive but stylish scheme. In reality, however, it's easier said than done. Decorating a Christmas tree is no mean feat, especially for the perfectionists among us, but if your home is your pride and joy and the tree is the centrepiece of your home come the festive season, we've got you covered.

We've spoken to a range of style and decorating experts, including the team at Balsam Hill – whose artificial Christmas trees have graced the TV sets of The X Factor, Good Morning Britain and This Morning – about how to decorate your Christmas tree to make it look like you hired a professional, plus how to choose the right Christmas tree decorations to suit your theme.

But before we begin, like any task, you need to have the right tools to ensure the safe and proper set up of your Christmas tree. This includes cotton gloves for shaping branches, scissors with safety handles for materials, packaging or equipment, and a sturdy ladder or step stool for installing toppers and arranging décor on taller trees.

So now you're all set up, fancy getting that Insta-worthy look with very little effort? Read on...

1. Invest in a high-quality artificial tree

Christmas trees crafted from premium materials provide sturdy and reliable support for decorations. You'll find that high-quality trees are generally more durable and can stand up to repeated use every year, all whilst maintaining its beautiful look.

Opt for a traditional tree rather than a trend-led one, so that it doesn't go 'out of date' after a few years, as a traditional design gives you the perfect base to layer and decorate as you wish. Pre-lit Christmas trees are growing in popularity each year, becoming a firm favourite in households. And remember, to prevent wear and tear on your Christmas tree, consider models with advanced features that offer easy set up and storage.

Alternatively, if you want a real Christmas tree, there are many different types and styles available to buy at tree farms, markets or home & DIY stores. See all the tree varieties available, including Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce, in our real Christmas trees guide.

2. Fluff and shape branches

Fluffing the branches helps to make your Christmas tree look fuller and more natural. This can be a very time-consuming task, but trust us, the end result is more than worth it. Separate each branch so they fan out to cover as much area as possible. And don't hesitate to bend individual branches to fill in gaps. Keep in mind that a properly shaped tree is an appealing sight, however minimal or lavish your embellishments may be.

3. Design around a theme

A professional-looking Christmas tree has a central look that ties the decorations together. Deciding on a theme before choosing your decorations sets the tone for your materials and gives you a clear idea on how to decorate your tree. Need some inspiration? Why not take a look at John Lewis' Christmas themes for this year, from Renaissance to the Art of Japan, there's a total of seven key looks to help you decorate this festive season.

4. Start with the lights first

While pre-lit Christmas trees are popular and will save you time (and money), you'll need Christmas tree lights if you have a plain tree (real or artificial). As a general rule of thumb, the lighting experts at Lights4Fun advise 100 bulbs or 5 metres of lights per 2ft of Christmas tree. So for a 6ft tree, you'd need 300 bulbs or 15 metres of lights.

The first, most important thing you need to do when decorating your Christmas tree, is to always add the lights first – it's more difficult to do this after you've added decorations like baubles and garlands.

Balsam Hill advise that you start with a string of lights with the plug as the starting point, wrapping it around your Christmas tree’s trunk, working your way up from the centre of the base of your tree. Continue wrapping the lights evenly around the branches nearest to the trunk, and then weave it upwards from the middle of the crown.

'When you reach the crown, weave your way back down, arranging the lights further out on the branches,' say Balsam Hill. 'Keep weaving the lights until you reach the tips of the branches.'

And remember, when weaving, the bulb should be positioned under a branch and the next light over a branch.

5. Choose the right decorations

Choosing accents that fit your theme helps you achieve a cohesive design. Whether it's hanging tree decorations, garlands, ribbons, or floral picks, opt for Christmas tree decorations that will complement the overall appearance of your tree. Many bauble sets include different shapes, sizes, finishes and designs. Combining these with traditional baubles will give you more freedom to play up your theme.