How close can a Christmas tree be to a fireplace?

Make sure a tree is at least three feet from a fireplace, heat vent, or other heat sources, including TVs. If it’s natural, ensure it’s well watered to prevent it from drying out.

Can you put an artificial Christmas tree near a radiator?

It’s safe to place a Christmas tree next to a radiator if the radiator isn’t covered, and the temperature isn’t turned up too high.

When should we put our Christmas tree up?

Traditionally, a Christmas tree is put up to mark the beginning of Advent, which starts four Sundays before Christmas. Many begin decking their halls in mid-November and put up their tree at the same time. There are no hard and fast rules. With the increasing popularity of artificial trees, you can start as early as you would like to get into the festive spirit.

How should I discard or store my Christmas tree after the holidays?

Many municipalities collect discarded natural Christmas trees and chip them for use as mulching materials. Real Christmas trees can also be used as bird feeders or as wildlife cover in fishponds and woodlots. Some artificial trees need to be disassembled before storing while others are best left fully assembled so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions. Store your tree upright in a sturdy box or a bag that’s specially designed to hold and protect it.

Where to Put a Christmas Tree in Your Home This Holiday Season

Haven’t decided your Christmas tree placement yet? Check out our suggestions and then use the RoomSketcher App to try out various options before settling on the ideal location – or locations if you decide to put up more than one!

Blog, Home Design

By Linda White

Published November 22, 2022 Updated July 21, 2026

Images by Hvjezd

Quick summary:

You can put a Christmas tree almost anywhere — popular spots include the front porch, foyer, family room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, and patio, as well as by a fireplace, staircase, or wide windows. Before choosing, measure your space and ceiling height, and think about where you’ll enjoy the tree most and how it affects traffic flow. Avoid placing a tree near heat sources or in front of a small window.

O Christmas Tree! The evergreen inspired a timeless Christmas carol, but it begs the same questions from one home to another: where to put the Christmas tree and when should you put it up?

In this post:

Things to Consider Before Placing Your Christmas Tree

There are a few considerations when deciding where to put a Christmas tree, including the following:

How much space do you have available? Be sure to measure and not just eyeball the space.
In which room or space will you enjoy the tree the most?
Will the location obstruct how you get around the room or move from that room to another?
Will you need to remove or rearrange furniture to accommodate the tree? Doing so provides an opportunity to orient more of your seating towards the tree.
What is your ceiling height? If you plan to use a tree topper, subtract 12 inches from your ceiling height to determine the maximum height of the tree, including its stand. If you don’t need a topper, subtract just six inches.

Where Should a Christmas Tree be Placed in a home?

Why limit yourselves to just one Christmas tree? When deciding Christmas tree placement, consider spreading holiday cheer throughout your home with trees of various sizes. Let one or more of these locations inspire you:

Front porch

Placing a tree or a cluster of miniature trees on your front porch adds a festive touch sure to be appreciated by neighbors, passersby and guests

Foyer

The weather outside might be frightful, but placing a slim Christmas tree or a cluster of small trees in your entryway will be delightful, creating a warm welcome for family and guests. Choose a tree that allows for ample space to put on and remove bulky winter clothing and boots.

Family room

Imagine watching your favorite Christmas movies with your family while enjoying cups of hot chocolate under the soft glow of a Christmas tree adorned with beautiful lights and ornaments.

Dining room

If you enjoy holiday meals with family and friends, the dining room is a picture-perfect location for a Christmas tree. It will create a cozy ambience that invites you to linger over welcome conversation.

Kitchen

Place a miniature tree on a countertop or a larger tree in an out-of-the-way corner and decorate it with homemade gingerbread cookies and culinary-themed ornaments.

Bedrooms

Tucking the kids into bed after reading Christmas stories and letting them fall asleep to the warm glow of Christmas lights is nothing short of magical. Make it even more special by letting them choose a theme for the tree and hang DIY ornaments.

Patio

The towering Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City might be the world’s most famous outdoor tree, but that doesn’t mean placing a tree on your patio won’t create a big impact. Decorate it with shatterproof ornaments and oversized lights.

Christmas Tree Placement Ideas

By the fireplace

Placing a Christmas tree to the side of a fireplace is a traditional location, but ensure it’s at least three feet away from the fireplace for safety.

By the stairs

Transform your home’s staircase into the season’s star attraction by placing your Christmas tree beside it. Extend its impact by decorating the staircase handrail with a garland that complements the tree.

By wide windows

Placing a Christmas tree by tall and wide windows allows you to share the beauty of your tree with neighbors and passersby. It will create an especially festive impression when lit on dark winter nights.

Open spaces

If you're wondering where to put a Christmas tree in open floor plans, place it in a space that allows you to enjoy it from numerous vantage points. Be sure it’s near an electrical outlet, so the cord for your lights doesn’t become a tripping hazard.

In apartments

Now, where to put a Christmas tree in apartments. Depending on the size of your apartment, you can place a narrow tree in a corner of a favorite room or a miniature tree (or several miniature trees) on a table.

When you have a small space

Placing a Christmas tree in a corner of a room ensures it’s out of the way while still allowing you to enjoy it. Choosing a narrow tree as tall as the height of the room allows rather than a wide tree will create the biggest impact.

Feng Shui Christmas tree placement

A Christmas tree’s triangular shape is considered a symbol of ‘fire’ in Feng Shui. The best place for this symbol is in the room located in your home’s upper left-hand corner, which is considered the ‘wealth area’ where triangular shapes and wooden objects are particularly powerful.

Where Should You Not Put a Christmas Tree?

These are two places where you should avoid putting a Christmas tree:

Near heating elements

Avoid placing a natural or artificial tree near a source of heat or ventilation, including TVs, because it will become dry and brittle and pose a fire hazard. Also, blocking the heating elements that warm your home will force you to turn up the thermostat.

In front of a small window

In front of a window might sound like an ideal location for your Christmas tree placement because it would allow passersby to enjoy it, but make sure the window is wide enough and the tree doesn’t block natural light from entering your home. You’d need to turn on lights to brighten the space, and because natural light warms up a space, you’d also need to turn up the thermostat – both energy wasters.

Visualize Your Holiday Decor With RoomSketcher

All the holiday room designs in this article were created with RoomSketcher.

Use the RoomSketcher app to experiment with different room layouts, tree sizes, and decorating themes. Rearrange the furniture, compare possible tree locations, and view the finished room in 3D before making changes to your space.

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