Christmas trees are a central element of holiday decoration. If you only choose to have one thing in your home that hints at Christmas, a tree is probably first on the list.
But what if you don’t have the space for a real Christmas tree, or even an artificial one? Space is increasingly at a premium in our homes, particularly for those living in apartments. Setting aside a whole corner of your living room for a purely decorative item isn’t an option for everyone.
Luckily, I have a solution that lets you appreciate the joys of Christmas trees while saving space. Instead of keeping a large tree on the floor, why not mount your tree on the wall?
Why I’m Choosing a Wall-Mounted Tree This Year
Wall Christmas trees are the ideal space-saving holiday decorating hack. They remove one of the largest (and often messiest) holiday decorations, keeping your home clean and clutter-free. Plus, if you’re renting an apartment or live several floors above ground, it’s not always easy to get a real tree inside.
But there are many other benefits that convinced me to use a wall-mounted tree this year. One is cost—not only in the tree itself, but the décor. This DIY is cost-effective and doesn’t need masses of ornaments and lights to look magical. It remains out of the way, so no worries about lights or ornaments shifting around or falling off with increased foot traffic.
Speaking of ornaments falling off, another motivation I have is my pets. Although I have tried to keep them away from the Christmas tree in previous years, there is always potential for accidents to happen. This tree is lifted off the ground and away from prying paws to limit any damage.
The final reason is one you may not agree with, but I stand by. I don’t love excessive Christmas decorations. While I want my home to look festive, I find masses of decorations and a large tree can create visual clutter that’s compounded by the chaos of the holidays. This tree brings a festive feel without overdoing it.
Wall Christmas Tree Variations
As with many Christmas DIYs, this is the perfect chance to get creative. If you’re making your wall-mounted tree from scratch, you can decide on the materials, foliage, and structure you prefer.
I’ve chosen a hanging version for a few reasons. For one, it doesn’t require a central support, which can take away from the interesting ‘floating’ feel of a hanging tree. It’s easy to put up, and just as easy to take down if needed. It also requires fewer steps than some of the more complex DIYs.
Of course, you can always buy a wall-mounted tree online. However, these options aren’t as customizable as making your own (or as cost-effective). Plus, this DIY allows you to use real foliage rather than artificial for that extra Christmassy feel.
If you’re good with power tools, you can always make a more elaborate wooden structure to attach to your wall. But in the interest of being renter-friendly, I prefer this hanging version.
Is it Renter Friendly?
Speaking of renter-friendly, one of the greatest features of this specific wall Christmas tree is the way it’s mounted. Many wall Christmas trees need each section to be stuck to the wall with something like command strips, which can be tricky to remove without damage. I’ve even seen versions that need to be drilled in place to support the large structure.
Since it is lightweight and easy to move, this hanging Christmas tree can be hung from a regular picture hook. Simply take down one of your artworks or mirrors and hang up your tree in the same spot for the holidays. If you don’t have any wall hooks, you can also attach the tree to a vertical support to lean against the wall, rather than hanging it up.
What You’ll Need
The basic structure of the tree is made up of wooden dowels cut into different-sized pieces. You can also use rectangular wood scraps, but these tend to be heavier and harder to hang. Aim for thinner dowels—the bulk will be made up of lighter foliage that won’t weigh down the tree.
Next, you’ll need something to string each section together. I’ve used some old fishing line for strength and invisibility (and because I had some in the craft cupboard), but you can use any twine or string that won’t break or fray once the tree is hung.
For decorating, grab whatever fresh foliage you can forage from your garden or neighborhood. You can use artificial foliage or even tinsel if you prefer. Avoid branches with sparse foliage—you want to cover the whole dowel in leaves with few gaps. If you want to add ornaments or Christmas lights, also have those ready.
When it comes to tools, you can use a drill to make holes in the dowels to hide the hanging structure. This is a better option for those using twine or anything visible to hang the tree. Since I’m working with fishing line, I chose to forgo the drill and simply tie around each dowel as is. The only other tool needed is a saw to size your dowels.
How to Make a Hanging Christmas Tree
Once you have all your items ready, this DIY won’t take you long. It took me about an hour (less time than it usually takes me to successfully decorate a large real Christmas tree). Clear a space and lay down some newspaper to catch any sawdust or foliage pieces for easy cleanup.
Step 1: Size the Dowels
To create the triangular shape, you need to cut each of your dowels to the correct size. I can’t image anything worse than going through all the steps and finding at the last moment that one dowel is just slightly shorter than it’s supposed to be.
The right size will depend on where you want to hang your tree. I started by measuring the area where the tree would hang, deciding on the right height and total width to look good on the wall. Using these measurements, create a template on a piece of paper to visualize your measurements.
Divide the length into equal sections based on how dense you want your tree to look. I would aim for a minimum of five rows for the Christmas tree look, but you can add even more if you want a denser tree. Don’t forget that more dowels will make your tree heavier, too.
Mark those sections along the length with a marker. Then, from the top center point along the width, use a ruler to connect the bottom two corners to create a triangle shape. Measure the width of the inner triangle on each division you’ve marked off. Then, use those measurements to saw your dowels to the right sizes. Here are the measurements I used:
- 2″
- 6″
- 12″
- 18″
- 24″
If you’re drilling holes in the ends for hanging, you can do that after sizing. If the edges are a little rough, you can also sand them by hand to smooth them out (but they will eventually be covered by foliage).
Step 2: Attach Your Foliage
Once you have your separate dowels, you can begin attaching the foliage to each one. I used more of the fishing line, but you can also use floral tape or floral wire that will be hidden between the leaves. Overlap the sections so you don’t leave any gaps and secure them tightly. If you want some of the dowel showing for the woody texture, spread out the leaves.
If you’re using artificial foliage or tinsel, wrap them around the dowel and secure with hot glue. Try to keep the bulk on one side of the dowel only so the tree sits flush with the wall.
Step 3: Attach a Hook
Next, you need to attach a hook to the top dowel stick for hanging. Attach a picture hanging hook to the top dowel. You’ll need to choose a smaller hook to fit onto the dowel without being visible. If you only have large hooks on hand, use foliage and ornaments to cover any parts that overhang.
Step 4: Thread the Pieces Together
Lay your dowels down on your tree pattern to ensure they are spaced apart correctly. Then, using your fishing line, attach the ends together by wrapping around and tying knots. If you’ve drilled holes, thread the line through and tie a knot to keep it at a stable level before moving on to the next one.
As I decided not to drill holes, I created a hanging frame with fishing wire, tying knots at regular intervals. Then I threaded each piece through the gaps to hang it on the wall.
Step 5: Hang
Finally, lift up your structure and hang it from the existing picture hook. Add any ornaments you like to create the perfect shape. You can also add some Christmas lights along each dowel, circling them as you would around a regular Christmas tree.
To keep the greenery fresh, mist the foliage every few days. If they start to look wilted, pull out the branches and replace them with new ones.
Once the holidays are over, no need to spend hours packing away your tree. Simply remove it from the hook and replace whatever was there before. Remove the leaves and store the dowels for hanging again next year.