What is a half wall Christmas tree?

A half wall Christmas tree is a type of artificial Christmas tree that is designed to sit on top of a half wall or railing. Unlike a full-sized Christmas tree that stands on the floor, a half wall Christmas tree is meant to be displayed on an elevated surface in order to save floor space. Half wall Christmas trees are a great option for small homes or apartments where there is limited room for a large traditional Christmas tree.

What are the Benefits of a Half Wall Christmas Tree?

There are several benefits to using a half wall Christmas tree in your home for the holidays:

  • Saves floor space – Since it sits on a half wall or railing, a half tree doesn’t take up valuable floor space in your living room or other room. This makes it ideal for small homes.
  • Easy setup – Half wall Christmas trees come pre-assembled so you don’t have to put together a complicated artificial tree. Just place it on the wall and it’s ready to decorate.
  • Convenient access to gifts – With a half tree, gifts can be placed under the wall and are easy to access. You don’t have to crawl under a low tree to get to them.
  • Unique look – A half wall Christmas tree provides a unique and stylish way to display a Christmas tree in your home. It serves as a focal point on the wall.
  • Lower cost – Since you only need half the amount of decorations, a half wall Christmas tree is more affordable than a full-size tree.

What Types of Half Wall Christmas Trees Are There?

There are a few different styles of half wall Christmas trees to choose from:

  • Lean-to tree – Designed to sit on a half wall and lean slightly out. These come in sections to create the layered, leaning shape.
  • Cascade tree – Full at the top and cascades downwards with graduated layer lengths. Gives a waterfall effect.
  • Straight tree – Uniform layers give this tree a straight, even appearance. Best for modern decors.
  • Corner tree – Fits neatly into a corner of a room. Perfect for maximizing small spaces.

The type you choose depends on your wall space and decor style. Cascade and lean-to trees work well on wide flat walls, while corner trees are ideal for filling empty corners.

What Are the Different Half Tree Heights?

Half wall Christmas trees come in a range of heights to accommodate your wall size and ceiling height:

  • 24 inches – Best for very short half walls or tight spaces.
  • 36 inches – Ideal for shorter railings or half walls.
  • 48 inches – Standard size for most half wall applications.
  • 60 inches – For tall walls with high ceilings.
  • 72+ inches – Extra tall options for two-story walls and vaulted ceilings.

Make sure to measure the height of your half wall from the floor when choosing a tree size. Leave a few inches of space between the top of the tree and the ceiling.

How Wide Should a Half Wall Christmas Tree Be?

Standard half wall Christmas trees range from 24 inches to 36 inches wide. Wider trees up to 60 inches are also available for long walls.

Consider the length of your half wall when choosing the right width:

  • 24-30 inches wide – Best for shorter half walls or tight spaces.
  • 36-42 inches wide – Fits most standard half wall lengths.
  • 48-60 inches wide – Ideal for long, wide half walls in open concept rooms.

Make sure there is enough room for the tree width plus space to walk past or access doors. Measure the wall length before purchasing a half tree.

What Materials Are Half Wall Christmas Trees Made Of?

Half wall Christmas trees are available in both artificial and live options:

  • Artificial trees – Most common option. Made of PVC, metal wires, and plastic needles. Last for years.
  • Live potted trees – Small live evergreens planted in a planter box that sits on the wall. Need care while displayed.

Artificial PE/PVC half trees are lower maintenance and more budget friendly for most people. Live potted half trees give you the real tree experience but are more expensive and require watering.

How Are Half Wall Christmas Trees Installed?

Installing a half wall Christmas tree is quick and easy in most cases:

  1. Place the artificial tree sections on the half wall in the desired position.
  2. Plug the sections together if they detach and wrap any cords neatly behind the wall.
  3. Shape the branches and fluff out the needles with your hands for fullness.
  4. Light the tree by plugging into an outlet, or use battery operated lights.
  5. Add Christmas decorations and gifts underneath the tree.

Some lean-to trees come with included hardware to securely attach the tree to the wall for safety. Follow manufacturer instructions for these trees.

For live potted trees, position the planted tree box on the wall and water sufficiently before decorating.

How Do You Decorate a Half Wall Christmas Tree?

Decorating a half wall Christmas tree is similar to decorating a full tree:

  • Wrap lights around the branches starting at the top. Use mini LED lights for convenience and energy savings.
  • Add Christmas tree ornaments throughout. Distribute them evenly from top to bottom.
  • Incorporate tinsel, garland, ribbon and other trimmings to fill in any sparse areas.
  • Top with a tree topper like a star, angel, or bow.
  • Surround wrapped gifts underneath the tree on the floor or wall surface.
  • Finish off with a tree skirt around the base or along the wall for a polished look.

Since you only see half the tree, you may need fewer lights and ornaments. Focus decorating efforts mainly on the front facing side so it looks full when viewed from the room.

Where Should You Place a Half Wall Christmas Tree?

Consider the below when deciding where to display your half tree:

  • Room visibility – Choose a high traffic room like the living room or entryway so the tree gets noticed.
  • Wall dimensions – Select a half wall that can fit the tree width and height. Measure first.
  • Outlets – Ensure there is an electrical outlet nearby to plug in lights and decor.
  • Traffic flow – Avoid blocking doors, windows or walkways.
  • Furniture spacing – Leave enough space around furniture and under the tree for gifts.

Plan out your half tree location ahead of time for the best results. Using your half wall space effectively creates an eye-catching display.

Conclusion

A half wall Christmas tree provides a creative way to add festive flair in a small home for the holidays. From condensed condos to cramped apartments, a half tree lets you enjoy a Christmas tree without sacrificing valuable floor area. Artificial half wall Christmas trees offer convenience and versatility with effortless installation. Choose the right size and style half tree for your space, decor in cheerful holiday trimmings, then get ready to enjoy compliments on your unique Christmas focal point!