Who says you need a tree to hang your Christmas ball ornaments on when they can be the Christmas tree itself!
This DIY Christmas tree idea does not only look impressive, it’s also a clever solution for those who have limited space in their homes or small kids. It doesn’t occupy floor space so there’s more room for all the gifts you want to put underneath it. Plus you don’t have to worry over your Christmas tree falling on small kids while they crawl around your living room.
Crystal, clear or classic matte glazed – no matter what kind of Christmas ball ornaments you have, will surely look amazing with this unique Christmas tree idea!
So… is this going to be your Christmas tree this year?
Contents
Building a Suspended Christmas Tree
Materials
- 17″ Steamer Rack
- 5′ Lightweight Jack Chain
- Small Carabiner
- 100 Basic Ornament Hooks
- One Roll of 500 ft. Monofilament Non-Stretch Jewelry String
- 200 Jewelry Crimp Beads
- 100 Lanyard Hooks
- 100 Ornaments
Tools
- Tape Measure
- Jewelry Crimping Tool
- Scissors
Instructions
- Prepare the Ceiling Hook:
- Locate a secure point on your ceiling where the tree will hang. Use the tape measure to find the center of the area.
- Install a hook into a ceiling beam or use an appropriate anchor for drywall. Ensure it can support the weight of the tree.
- Attach the Steamer Rack to the Jack Chain:
- Cut the jack chain into four equal lengths with the scissors.
- Attach one end of each chain to the steamer rack using the lanyard hooks. Distribute them evenly around the edge of the rack.
- Connect the other ends of the chains to the small carabiner. This will be used to hang the rack from the ceiling hook.
- Preparing the Ornaments:
- Attach a basic ornament hook to each of your 100 ornaments.
- Cut the monofilament jewelry string into varied lengths, depending on how low you want the ornaments to hang from the steamer rack.
- Attaching Ornaments to the Strings:
- Thread one end of a cut string through the loop of an ornament hook and secure it with a jewelry crimp bead using the crimping tool.
- Repeat this step for all ornaments, varying the length of the string for each to create a tiered effect.
- Securing Ornaments to the Steamer Rack:
- Tie the free end of each string to the steamer rack, securing it with another crimp bead. Arrange the ornaments in a circular pattern, starting from the outer edge and working your way inwards. Ensure to distribute the weight evenly around the rack.
- Final Adjustments:
- Once all ornaments are attached, make any necessary adjustments to the length of the strings to achieve your desired design. Trim any excess string with scissors.
- Hanging Your Suspended Christmas Tree:
- Carefully lift the completed steamer rack and attach the carabiner to the ceiling hook. Ensure it’s securely fastened and the tree is hanging at your preferred height.
- Final Touches:
- Step back and view your tree from different angles, making any final adjustments to the ornaments as needed. You may also add additional decorations, like tinsel or fairy lights, for extra sparkle.
Creative Ornament Ideas for Your Suspended Christmas Tree
Looking for a unique twist on your suspended Christmas tree this year? Adding creative ornaments can transform your floating masterpiece into a stunning focal point of your holiday decor. Here’s how you can elevate your suspended Christmas tree with ornaments that reflect your style and creativity.
Hand-Painted Beauties
Unleash your inner artist with hand-painted ornaments. Select clear glass or plastic balls and use acrylic paints to create miniature masterpieces. Whether you prefer elegant swirls, festive patterns, or personalized messages, each ornament will add a unique touch to your suspended Christmas tree.
Upcycled Treasures
Turn everyday items into eye-catching ornaments for your suspended Christmas tree. Old CDs, fabric scraps, and even colorful paper can be transformed into dazzling decorations. Upcycling not only gives a new life to items that might otherwise be discarded but also adds a personal and eco-friendly touch to your tree.
Nature-Inspired Elements
Incorporate elements from nature for a rustic look. Use pine cones, dried fruit slices, or wooden beads to create ornaments that bring a touch of the outdoors inside. These natural materials blend beautifully with the floating design of a suspended Christmas tree, creating a serene and organic holiday atmosphere.
Glowing Accents
Add a magical glow to your suspended Christmas tree with light-up ornaments. Small LED lights, battery-operated fairy lights wrapped in tulle, or even glow-in-the-dark paint can make your tree sparkle and shine. These glowing accents create a captivating effect, especially in the evening.
Vintage Finds
Vintage ornaments can give your suspended Christmas tree a nostalgic charm. Hunt for unique pieces at thrift stores, flea markets, or even in your attic. Vintage baubles, with their classic designs and timeless appeal, can add a layer of warmth and history to your modern suspended tree.
Click on any image to start lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.
Lighting Your Suspended Christmas Tree
Lighting your suspended Christmas tree can take it from beautiful to breathtaking. The right lights can highlight the unique floating design and make your tree the centerpiece of holiday celebrations. Here’s how to light up your suspended Christmas tree to enhance its beauty and bring a cozy, festive glow to your space.
Choosing the Right Lights
When it comes to selecting the perfect lights for your suspended Christmas tree, the decision is more important than it might seem at first glance. LED lights stand out as an optimal choice for several reasons. Primarily, they’re celebrated for their energy efficiency, which means they won’t significantly increase your electricity bill during the holiday season. Additionally, LED lights are known for their low heat emission, making them safer to use near ornaments and other decorations.
Fairy lights are ideal for those aiming to achieve a gentle, enchanting effect. Their small, delicate bulbs provide a soft, sparkling glow that can transform your suspended Christmas tree into a captivating spectacle. Alternatively, micro LED lights, strung on very thin wires, offer a minimalist, almost invisible appearance.
This choice is perfect for creating the illusion that your tree and its ornaments are floating in mid-air, surrounded by a magical aura of light. By carefully wrapping these lights around both the ornaments and the framework of your suspended tree, you can enhance the ethereal beauty of your holiday centerpiece.
Strategic Placement
The strategic placement of lights plays a crucial role in maximizing the visual impact of your suspended Christmas tree. A recommended approach is to begin at the tree’s base, close to the steamer rack that serves as the tree’s foundation, and gradually work your way downwards. This technique ensures that the tree is evenly illuminated from the top to the bottom, creating a harmonious distribution of light throughout.
In addition to general illumination, consider the effect of highlighting specific ornaments by placing lights close to them. This can be achieved by carefully positioning individual lights or small clusters of lights near selected decorations.
The aim is to make these ornaments catch the eye by enhancing their sparkle and color, adding depth and interest to the overall display. Such strategic placement not only brings individual elements of the tree to life but also contributes to creating a dynamic, visually engaging suspended Christmas tree that captivates and delights all who see it.
Adding Color with Lights
Introducing colored lights to your suspended Christmas tree can transform the atmosphere of any room, adding layers of visual interest and emotional warmth. While the timeless elegance of classic white lights never fades, the allure of colored lighting opens up a world of creative possibilities.
Opting for lights in a single color can create a sophisticated, unified appearance that enhances the thematic direction of your tree. Whether it’s a serene blue to evoke a wintry feel or a warm red to add coziness, single-colored lights can significantly impact the mood of your holiday display.
Multi-colored strands are the way to go for those seeking a more dynamic and joyful ambiance. These vibrant lights introduce a playful, festive spirit perfect for a family home or a gathering space.
The varied hues can beautifully complement the diverse ornaments on your suspended Christmas tree, making the colors pop and the space feel alive. Moreover, colored lights can be chosen to match or contrast your room’s decor, adding an extra layer of decor sophistication and creating a warm, inviting environment.
Incorporating Light-Up Ornaments
Enhancing your suspended Christmas tree with light-up ornaments is a brilliant way to introduce points of interest and elevate the overall lighting design. These ornaments, ranging from simple illuminated spheres to more complex shapes that project captivating shadows, serve as mini highlights within the tree’s structure. Strategically placing these glowing decorations among the branches can draw attention to specific areas, creating a balanced visual appeal that keeps the eye moving and engaged.
Light-up ornaments also offer the opportunity to play with depth and perception. By varying the intensity and color of the lights within these ornaments, you can create a sense of depth that adds complexity to your suspended Christmas tree. The shadows cast by intricate ornaments can dance on the walls and ceiling, bringing a dynamic and interactive element to your holiday decor.
Creating a Focal Point with a Lighted Topper
The crowning jewel of any Christmas tree is its topper, especially for suspended Christmas trees. A lighted topper serves as the pinnacle of your tree’s decoration and draws the gaze upward, emphasizing the tree’s height and the uniqueness of its suspended design. Whether you choose a classic star, an angel radiating soft light, or any symbol significant to you, the illuminated topper acts as the centerpiece that ties the whole tree together.
Ensuring your lighted topper is securely attached is crucial, as it must remain stable and upright to maintain the intended visual effect. Moreover, the topper should be sufficiently lit to stand out against the backdrop of the other decorations, making it a true focal point.
When done right, a well-chosen and brilliantly illuminated topper can elevate your suspended Christmas tree from a mere decorative piece to a mesmerizing spectacle, captivating all who look at it and solidifying its status as the centerpiece of your holiday celebrations.
Alternative Materials for a DIY Suspended Tree
Creating a DIY suspended Christmas tree is a fantastic way to add a unique and personal touch to your holiday decor. Not everyone has access to the specific materials listed in traditional guides, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a beautiful suspended tree.
Here, we’ll explore alternative materials that can be used to construct your suspended Christmas tree, ensuring it’s not only a centerpiece of your holiday decorations but also a reflection of your creativity and resourcefulness.
Branch Out with Different Frames
While a steamer rack serves as a great foundation for a suspended Christmas tree, there are plenty of other options. Consider using a lightweight metal hoop or even a wooden embroidery hoop as the base of your tree. These can be easily suspended and decorated with ornaments. For a more rustic look, you could use a sturdy branch or a piece of driftwood as the main support for hanging your ornaments, offering a natural, earthy vibe to your festive decor.
Repurposing Household Items
Look around your home for items that can be repurposed as part of your suspended Christmas tree. Old lampshades stripped of their fabric can provide an excellent framework for hanging ornaments. Even a wire coat hanger can be reshaped into a circular form to serve as a minimalist frame. This approach not only recycles items that might otherwise be thrown away but also adds a unique story to your Christmas tree.
Innovative Hanging Solutions
Instead of the traditional lightweight jack chain, consider using colorful ribbons or rustic jute twine to hang your tree. These materials can add an extra layer of decoration and theme to your suspended Christmas tree.
Fishing line is another great alternative for a nearly invisible effect, making the ornaments appear as if they are floating in mid-air. For a more industrial look, metal wires or even bicycle chains can be repurposed to hang your ornaments, adding a modern twist to your holiday decor.
Eco-Friendly Decorations
For environmentally conscious people, consider using eco-friendly materials for decorating your suspended Christmas tree. Handmade paper ornaments, recycled fabric stars, and natural elements like pine cones and dried citrus slices can make beautiful, sustainable decorations. These materials reduce waste and bring a homemade, cozy feel to your holiday setup.
Safety Tips for a Suspended Christmas Tree
When creating a suspended Christmas tree, ensuring its safety is as important as its aesthetic appeal. A beautifully hanging tree can be a stunning addition to your holiday decor, but taking precautions to prevent accidents is vital.
Here are safety tips for setting up and enjoying your suspended Christmas tree without worry.
Secure Ceiling Attachment
The first step in ensuring the safety of your suspended Christmas tree is to securely attach it to the ceiling. Use a stud finder to locate a solid beam in your ceiling before installing hooks or anchors. This ensures that the tree’s weight is supported by a strong point, reducing the risk of it falling. As a precaution, always opt for heavy-duty ceiling hooks designed to hold more weight than you expect your tree to be.
Choose the Right Materials
When selecting materials for your suspended Christmas tree, consider their durability and strength. The frame, chains, or ropes used to hang the tree should be strong enough to support the weight of the ornaments and any additional decorations. Lightweight materials like monofilament string or thin chains might be tempting for their aesthetic, but ensure they’re rated for sufficient weight capacity.
Keep Ornaments Light and Secure
To maintain the safety of your suspended Christmas tree, use lightweight ornaments and secure them properly. Heavy decorations can strain the support system or cause the tree to become unbalanced and fall. Use ornament hooks to securely attach each decoration, ensuring they won’t easily fall off if the tree moves slightly, whether from air currents or accidental bumps.
Electrical Safety
Electrical safety is paramount if you’re adding lights to your suspended Christmas tree. Use LED lights that emit low heat to reduce the risk of fire. Ensure all cords and plugs are in good condition, without fraying or damage. Keep electrical connections away from metal parts of the tree to avoid potential shocks. Also, plug your lights into a surge protector to prevent electrical overloads.
Child and Pet Safety
If you have small children or pets, position your suspended Christmas tree out of their reach. This prevents the risk of them pulling on the tree or ornaments, which could lead to injuries or the tree falling. Additionally, avoid using small, detachable parts that could pose choking hazards.
Regular Checks
Regularly check the integrity of your suspended Christmas tree throughout the holiday season. Ensure the ceiling hook remains securely fastened, and the hanging materials show no wear or weakness. Inspect ornaments and lights for potential issues, ensuring your tree remains a safe and joyful part of your holiday celebrations.
Conclusion
A suspended Christmas tree is an innovative way to celebrate the holiday season while saving space and adding a touch of modern design to your home decor. Following the step-by-step instructions, you can easily transform ordinary materials into a stunning holiday centerpiece. This DIY project offers a unique twist on traditional Christmas decorations and allows for personalization and creativity.
For more crafty holiday ideas, check out our best wood craft projects!
