5 Things Your Christmas Tree Is Missing This Year

Justine Wilson, professional Christmas tree stylist and Founder of Vault Interiors, is sharing her most coveted festive styling secrets - starting with the five things your Christmas tree is almost certainly missing this year:

1. Oversized Statement Florals (Your Tree Needs BIG Pieces, Not More Small Ones): Most trees look flat because they're covered in dozens of tiny ornaments. To create a luxe, full, designer look, you need large-scale florals, poinsettias, leaves and decorative stems woven deep into the branches. Oversized pieces add volume, dimension, and instantly elevate even the most basic artificial tree.

2. Decorative Picks & Sprays to Add Height and Drama: Professional decorators always use picks, sprays and glittered branches to extend the height and shape of a tree. These create that "bursting with abundance" silhouette seen in premium displays. Insert them at the top, sides and centre to break up symmetry and make the tree feel extravagant.

3. Layered Textures - Not Just Shiny Baubles: Your tree should mix matte, metallic, velvet, mesh, glass and natural textures for depth. Most homes rely solely on baubles, which results in a flat, predictable look. Layering textures makes the tree read as rich, expensive and professionally styled.

4. Ribbon or Mesh Garland Woven Into the Tree (Not Wrapped Around It): The biggest giveaway of an amateur tree is ribbon circling the outside like a maypole. Instead, weave wired ribbon, mesh netting or soft fabric garlands deep inside the branches in soft waves. This adds movement, body and visual softness - and hides gaps effortlessly.

5. A Multi-Piece Tree Topper - Not Just a Star: This year's trend is a sculptural topper built from multiple elements: cascading branches, florals, spirals, sprays and decorative picks. Rather than placing a single star at the end, professionals create a topper that feels dramatic, organic and integrated into the tree's design.

For those who haven't got their tree up yet - here is the order you should follow for the best result according to Justine:

1. Fluff and Shape Every Branch (The Most Important Step): Before adding a single item, fully shape the tree. Separate every branch, Fill visible gaps and create a full, symmetrical silhouette. A perfectly shaped tree already looks 40% better before any décor is added.

2. Add Your Lights (Work From the Inside Out): Lights always go on before any decorations. Start deep within the trunk, zig-zag outward toward the branch tips and avoid wrapping lights in a spiral as it flattens the look.

3. Insert Ribbon, Mesh or Fabric Garland (Woven, Not Wrapped): Add any large-scale ribbon, mesh or fabric before ornaments, weaving it through the branches in soft waves. This sets the structure and flow of the tree.

4. Place Oversized Florals and Decorative Picks: Next, add large florals, leaf stems, glitter sprays and textured branches - these anchor the design, fill empty spaces and create dimension.

5. Add Large Ornaments First: Place your bigger baubles and statement pieces. Make sure you position them evenly, tuck some deeper into the branches and keep colours balanced across the tree.

6. Add Medium and Small Ornaments: Now layer in smaller details to complete the texture story. Use varied finishes: matte, gloss, glass, velvet to fill small gaps and maintain visual balance.

7. Add the Topper (Build It, Don't Place It): A professional topper is built using picks, florals, spirals, branch sprays, ribbon elements or any angel or star if preffered.

8. Style the Base: The tree base is just as important as the top. Use a tree skirt, woven basket or fabric drape. Make sure you hide stands, cords and lighting plugs and add fake presents or floor décor to finish the scene.

9. Final Fluff, Photo Test & Adjust: Stand back, take a photo, and identify any gaps, unbalanced clusters (especially if the kids have been helping), colour-heavy sections and crooked topper elements. Make final tweaks for a polished, editorial-worthy finish.

For more styling tips go to: https://vaultinteriors.com.au/