The handy calculator hack that will make your Christmas tree look professionally decorated
There's something magical about a perfectly styled Christmas tree. You know, the ones you see in movies, catalogues and glossy magazine spreads?
Getting that look is easier said than done, though, with endless ornament, garland and light options. Not to mention the lights and the tree itself, and that's before we even consider colour palettes, themes and styles.
Fortunately, nailing a stunning Christmas tree has become a little easier with a handy online tool.
READ MORE: Simple swaps for stunning Christmas décor on a budget
Before decorating it helps to know how many decorations you need. Getty Images/iStockphoto
A Christmas Tree Decoration Calculator tells you exactly how many decorations you need to get the look you want.
First you select the height of your tree, and because the calculator was made in the UK you'll need to convert the height of your tree to feet.
Then you plug in the size of your ornaments, how full you want your tree to be and the shape your tree is.
Once you've picked your options, the calculator will tell you how many baubles and how many lights you need to get the effect you're after.
So if my tree is 1.5m (5ft) and I have small baubles, want an "in-between" level of fullness and have a full-shaped tree, I will need 133 baubles and 624 LED lights.
While it's a great starting point, the calculator doesn't account for having a variation in baubles or other decorations.
The fuller the tree and the fuller the look, the more baubles you'll need. Getty Images/iStockphoto
READ MORE: Tips and advice for styling your Christmas tree like a professional
For more detailed ornament count help, you can try Balsam Hill's Christmas Tree Decorations Calculator.
This version accounts for a combination of small and large baubles and uses the metric system.
Balsam Hill also has separate calculators for ornaments, lights and ribbons, which means you can get a more specific guide to decorating your tree.
As for bauble and light placement, that step is up to you but is easiest if you start from either the top or bottom and add the lights first. Then evenly space ornaments around the tree, and fill in gaps with other decorations.
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