Faux Christmas Tree Guide | Should You Get A Fake Tree? | Mulhall's
November 1 // Home

Our Guide to Faux Christmas Trees

Some of our most cherished holiday traditions happen around that classic symbol of the season – the Christmas tree. A well-constructed and beautifully detailed faux tree creates years of Christmas memories to come, and today’s styles and options seem almost endless. When it comes to choosing the perfect faux tree, there are five things to consider – height, shape, lights, realism, and density. Here we break down how each of these details helps you make this decision an easy one.

 

Height

The perfect tree fits the scale of the room – which is largely determined by the height of the ceiling. A tree that scrapes the ceiling is an obvious problem, but a tree that’s too short can look awkward or underwhelming in the space too. As a general rule, a Christmas tree looks best when it tops out about 6” below the ceiling. If you plan to use a tree topper, you’ll want to increase that clearance to 18”. The ceiling height won’t be the only factor to consider, but it’s definitely the first place to start.

Shape

While you’re measuring the height of your ceiling, take a minute to consider how wide the base of the tree should be as well. A suitable width depends on the amount of floor space you want to devote to the tree – and all the presents – as well as the decorative style you want to achieve. We group our faux trees into three general categories for shape – full, slim, and pencil. A full tree has the classic cone shape of a traditional Christmas tree. It’s noticeably wider at the bottom than the top, with an average diameter of 64” at the base. Slim and pencil trees have slimmer profiles and narrower bases which allow these shapes to fit into tighter spaces. They’re great complements to more contemporary décor themes too.

Lights

Once you’ve narrowed your selection down to trees with the perfect height and shape, it’s time to decide how you’d like your tree to shine. Tree lights fall into two main categories – incandescent and LED. For a warm, nostalgic glow, incandescent lights are the classic choice. But, if you’re looking for a more modern look with a brighter, focused light, then LED is the way to go. With either type of light, you can choose a tree that glows in all white or a mix of bright colors.  And, if you’d love a tree that really dances, we have choices with adjustable light effects as well.

Of course, a tree with no lights at all is an option too. An unlit tree provides flexibility – if you’d like, you can change the color and style of lights from year to year as technologies and your own style changes.

Realism

If you’re looking to create a nostalgic Christmas, you might choose a tree with the traditional tinsel-like foliage of the classic artificial trees. Or maybe you want something that looks even more like the evergreens you love outdoors. In our collection, you’ll find faux trees with branching, needles, and pinecones that mimic those of living trees like fir, pine, or spruce. Some of our trees are even created using molds from real tree branches – for our most lifelike option.

Density

By now, you may have whittled your list to just a few potential trees. Your personal style and how you plan to decorate the tree will help you make the final decisions.

For instance, if you love covering your tree with lots of large ornaments, floral stems, ribbons, and more, look for one with a more open branching structure – these trees have lots of big spaces to accommodate all your favorite decorations.

Or, maybe the tree itself is the decorative focus, and you’d prefer a simpler approach to the decorations. In this case, look for a more densely branched tree. These trees are beautiful even on their own and may work perfectly in your décor plans as a secondary tree in a den or bedroom. This year, our tree collection includes an expanded assortment of novelty trees – featuring frosty flocking, colorful lights and effects, or specialty bulbs – that can stand beautifully in your home without much additional décor needed.

We’ll Help You Find the Perfect Tree

In addition to an amazing variety of heights, shapes, and styles, each of our faux trees carries a warranty on construction and lights, so you can shop with confidence, knowing your investment is protected for years to come. So stop by and take a look – we’ll be happy to guide you through our collection and help you find the perfect Christmas tree for your home.