Full or slim crown
Two trees of the same height can take up very different floor space — it all depends on the shape of the crown.
Crown shape is not about quality but about how much space the tree takes around its trunk. A full (wide) crown opens out lusher and denser; a slim one keeps its silhouette without blocking the way.
When to choose a slim tree
- A corner or a narrow space where the tree is not centre stage
- A hallway or passage where the width at the base matters
- A second, smaller tree — for a balcony, a child’s room or an office
When to choose a full crown
- The tree is the focal point of the room and stands in the centre
- There is enough free floor space around it
- Plenty of ornaments, and the crown must carry their weight without bare patches
Both shapes use the same cast needles and the same quality of material. The only difference is the shape of the frame the branches are fixed to.
How to measure the space for the crown
The ceiling sets the height of the tree: subtract 20 cm from it. The floor sets the width, and it deserves the same careful measuring. The bottom tier is the widest part of the tree, so measure the free space at floor level, not at eye level.
- Mark the spot where the trunk will stand and measure the distance from it to the nearest wall, furniture and door
- Twice the smallest of these distances is the largest bottom-tier diameter that will fit without touching anything
- Compare this figure with the bottom-tier diameter of the model you are considering
- Leave room to walk past: people should be able to pass the tree without brushing the branches
- Check that doors, cupboards and windows still open once the crown is in place
Slim and full: a comparison
| Criterion | Slim crown | Full crown |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the room | a corner, a pier wall, by a window or door | the middle of the room, a bay window, a large space |
| Floor area | moderate — the tree does not block the way | larger — it needs a clear circle around it |
| Silhouette | vertical, it emphasises the ceiling height | a lush cone that reads well from any side |
| Ornaments | fewer pieces, the focus is on the line | several tiers of ornaments and a string of lights around |
| Who it suits | flats, offices, narrow living rooms | houses, living rooms with high ceilings, halls |
Crown shape and ceiling height
A slim tree visually stretches a room upwards: the vertical silhouette draws the eye to the ceiling, and a low room feels taller. A full tree is happier where the ceiling is high and there is plenty of space around — in a small room a wide bottom tier makes it feel cramped. Work out the height the same way for both shapes: ceiling minus 20 cm.
The most popular height is 2.1 m: it fits under the ceiling of most flats with room to spare for a star on top. At this height it is the shape that decides whether the path past the sofa stays clear.
Decorations and lights on each shape
A slim crown suits small and medium ornaments hung in vertical lines or a spiral: they emphasise the silhouette. A full crown can carry large baubles and several tiers of decorations, and the lights are easy to run around it, tucking the wire in towards the trunk so the glow comes from within.
Whatever the shape, a branch of a cast-needle tree holds about 1 kg of decorations. Hang heavy pieces closer to the trunk rather than on the tip of the branch, so it does not sag.
A slim tree in a small flat
In a flat with a single living room, the tree often stands between the sofa, the TV and the balcony door. A slim shape lets you have a full-height tree without moving furniture: the crown rises upwards rather than spreading out. If you want more lushness, add volume with decorations — large baubles near the trunk and lights set deep in the crown make a slim tree look fuller.
Can a full tree go in a corner?
Yes, if the corner is roomy and there is free space between the walls and the bottom tier. Turn the fullest side towards the room and concentrate the decorations on the front half. If the branches press against both walls, the crown gets pushed out of shape, and a slim model of the same height is the better choice.
Common mistakes
- Measuring only the height and forgetting the width — the tree ends up pressed against the sofa or door
- Putting a full crown into a tight corner: the back half of the branches is pressed against the walls and out of sight
- Placing a slim tree in the middle of a large empty room — it gets lost there
- Ignoring the radiator and curtains: branches should not press against a radiator or fabric
- Buying a full tree “to grow into” when there is nowhere in the room to put it
- Hanging all the heavy ornaments on the tips of a slim crown — it loses its silhouette
Does a full tree take longer to fluff?
The frame of any model unfolds in about one minute. Fluffing the branches takes 30–60 minutes; the time depends on the height of the tree and on how carefully you shape each branch.
Which shape to choose if you are unsure?
Measure the space. If the clear circle around the trunk is smaller than the bottom tier of a full model, choose a slim one. If there is room to spare and the tree is meant to be the centrepiece of the room, choose a full one.