Family debate: Where should your Christmas tree go?

For some it’s an obvious answer: ‘wherever it can fit!’ while for others it has pride of place in the exact same spot every single year. But when it comes to the perfect location for your Christmas tree, it’s what happens underneath the tree that matters most according to local stylists Julia Roos and Kiara Shah.

According to Julia, owner of Canberra-based Mode Modern, “the perfect spot is the comfiest spot for sitting around on the floor on Christmas morning to open pressies and give cuddles."

“The Christmas tree should definitely go in the lounge or living space – the cosiest, best place for just the family to enjoy,” Julia says.

“In the evening, when it’s time for feet up, I love collapsing onto the couch and enjoying the twinkling lights, the soft scent of a real tree and the quiet ambience the tree provides.”

Kiara Shah, principal designer at Loft Studio: “Share the special feeling outside as well. Show the love to passers-by putting your tree in a window and having the lights sparkling from dusk onwards.”

But what if you live in a studio apartment in Braddon or a one-beddy in Bruce?

“Go for a little potted tree - Bunnings have good ones - that can sit on a console, bench or table, or a large vase with some gnarly branches to hang various trinkets from,” Julia says.

“If you have a little balcony or courtyard, your tree can go out there! Just make sure you use outdoor fairy lights and go as big as you can.”

Kiara says curated is okay, but nostalgic decorations are more meaningful than bought ones. Julia has two non-negotiable rules: white tree lights only (not coloured ones) and under no circumstances should tinsel ever be used.

“Remember the canvas you’re working from is deep green, so colour is always going to pop and look beautiful,” Kiara says.

“Be careful not to over decorate and neutral or white ornaments can balance out the colour.”

Julia: “The joy and nostalgia the kids experience when they pull the decorations out of the box each year makes me so happy. But it’s important to note that there’s nothing wrong with curating the tree look – they don’t all need to go on every year, and only the cutest ones make the cut.”

Julia prefers real trees to fakes but does remember one nightmare Christmas when a friend got more than she bargained for with a real tree.

“She and her family found a huge one at a Christmas tree farm, brought it home and decorated it,” Julia recalls.

“The next morning they awoke to find two huge, fat huntsman spiders on the wall and hundreds of baby spiders all through her living room.

“She’s had a fake tree ever since.”

Kiara once had a Red Hill client whose huge foyer was designed around the Christmas tree.

“Just like the tree, we had deep green furniture as a base and then complemented that with coloured artwork and accessories.

“It was stunning.”