Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Christmas Tree Shuffle

When we first moved into our house finding a place for the Christmas tree was easy. We had very little furniture so every room was a potential site. Today, however, things have changed. Over the past nine years our house has slowly filled up and for the first time ever, we had to move furniture to make space for the tree.


Last year, you may remember our Christmas tree was in the dining room (picture below). This location made the outside of the house look pretty as the tree was visible through the front window. The inside was a little different story. Although it was in a convenient spot, the tree was hard to enjoy as it was not in a part of the house which was used often. This year with the addition of the buffet and extra chairs, the dining room was no longer an option.


So where did we put our tree? Ironically, right back in the very spot we placed the tree for our first Christmas in our house – the family room.


We have less seating now but the trade-off of seeing the tree all day is well worth it. Having the tree in the family room makes the entire house more festive. I think we have found a permanent home for our Christmas tree for years to come!


So, where do you place your Christmas tree? Have you tried different locations in your house or do you always put your tree in the same spot?

Hooked on Houses
Met Monday
The Nester Christmas Tour

50 comments:

Adrienne said...

I wish I could move my tree around the house but our home is too small for many options. I can put it in front of the big front window or beside the big front window and that's about my only option. I could have it in several places if I moved the piano, the entertainment center or a big recliner that is in front of shelves. I love the look of your tree in your family room. Thanks for sharing it with us.
~Adrienne~

InMyOwnStyle said...

Oh how I love your fireplace!!! One year I suggested we put the tree in the living room where there was more room - my daughters would have none of it. They like it in the family room so they can see it all the time, lay under it and watch the lights twinkle on the ceiling while watching TV or falling asleep and listening to Christmas music. I can't blame them as it is meant to be enjoyed, not to just look pretty.
My best- Diane

Judy said...

Your tree looks perfect there. And where did you get that pillow on your white wingback chair? Love it!

Judy

Gina said...

I love your tree and decorations. Looks like a great place! Love the simplicity of your fireplace too.

Karena said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! The best is being able to have the family enjoy this wondrous Christmas Tree!

I have a $200 Giveaway from Fifi Flowers!
Do come and enter!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Tania Pelletier said...

I just moved into a new house (new to me anyway!) so I have no idea where I'm going to put my tree... but I always have to "make room" it seems! I am still trying to unpack so I'm hoping to get mine up this weekend!

Your tree looks beautiful!

Tania

Lise said...

What a lovely tree!
We prefer the tree to be placed in the living room or in the hall. :-) It's just something we like to be able to look at. But we wait a bit closer to x-mas before doing it. Your fireplace is lovely by the way!
have a nice day
br
Lise

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your tree looks lovely in between your fireplace and large window. We put our tree in the family room each year so that we can get maximum enjoyement out of it!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It looks lovely there, Stacy! We started out in our living room 20 years ago, but after we built our great room it moved in there. Of course, we didn't have a specific place for it - furniture moving was required. Now it sits off to the side of our pool table in that room, which thankfully isn't used much, because it would interfere with playing pool.

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

I am not sure how I found you, but your home is beautiful. I love your style. I am a new follower. Please stop by and visit me sometime.

Anonymous said...

Your tree looks so pretty! I've decided to put mine in the family room this year too. I think we'll just enjoy it more because we spend more time there. Of course it's currently sitting there completely undecorated, but at least it's there. :-)

Boxwood Terrace said...

Your tree and family room are beautiful. How nice to have such a large window too!
Deborah

Karen said...

Your tree looks beautiful and we did the same thing...our home is small and the best spot (we thought) was the dining room because we had more room but we soon discovered that we missed seeing the tree when we were relaxing in the family room. So, we move a chair and let the tree hold court in the family room throughout the month---well worth being a little crowded.
Karen

Amanda - Small Home Big Start said...

Beautiful tree! I like having mine in the living room too, so we can enjoy it all the time. But seeing it from your window does sound nice too!

Anonymous said...

Your tree looks so pretty standing in your most gorgeous window. Your family room looks so pretty!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Low Tide High Style said...

Your tree is beautiful and looks wonderful in your family room! We've had our tree in different locations in every house we've ever lived in. Like you, we usually have to move a piece or two of furniture no matter where we put it in order to make it all work. I'm not sure where I'll put it this year. With a new puppy in the house I want to be able to enjoy it but still keep it, and the puppy safe!

Kat :)

Calypso In The Country said...

We had the same issues. The first year our house was empty so we put the tree in the conservatory because of the high ceilings. Then we got a pool table and that was the end of that. We had it in the living room for a few years because it was the front of the house and now we have a family so the family room seemed to be the best place for us all to enjoy it! By the way, I absolutely LOVE your fireplace. I would love to change mine to that!

fatti navarro said...

linda tua decoração!

bjusss

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVELY... love this season!!! I have a tree in my family room, my music room and entryway and this year I was thinking of having one in my bedroom... it's in the room undecorated... still undecided... hmmmm

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Sooo very pretty!

Ours has moved from our living room to our family room. I like how it is visible when you drive up now. We have a second tree upstairs in our hallway, also visible through the window. It has tons and tons of the kids' ornaments. So much fun!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Your tree and mantel are beautiful. Looks like the tree's found the perfect home! For all the many years I only put up one, it was in the living room where we could see it easily. Now we put one tree that changes "faces" every year in the living room and another woodland-themed tree in my husband's study. Some years I put another tree in the dining room -- and several table top trees around the house. Two up so far this year. Stop by if you have time and take a peek!

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

Beautiful tree and beautiful spot for it! It looks great right next to the fireplace.
We had to move furniture around this year also for our tree! We like to put the tree in a small alcove where it's surrounded by windows, but normally our antique harmonium is in that spot, but it looks so perfect there, we can't bring ourselves to put the tree anywhere else. ;-)

Martha said...

Love your tree -- I think displacing as little as possible and yet, having the tree where you can see it all day long is where one should put it. I remember totally moving the living room furniture as a child so that the tree could sit in the front window -- I never liked all of that moving but I did like the tree where it could be seen from the street!

So I think you've put the tree in the proper place!

artis1111 said...

I have had our tree in both places, but I think I will keep it in the living room from now on. Your tree is beautiful. Kathy

Charlotte said...

Simply beautiful!!!!

Linda in AZ * said...

* Your tree looks so SPECIAL, WARM & INVITING right where it is!!! Just LOVELY!!!

I'm thrilled to have three large trees... One in our study (which just got finished being totally "redone" last week), one in the family room and a huge, white frosted one in our bedroomn, which is MY FAVE!!! We have a few other smaller ones, most UNadorned, and it all just makes me smile n' feel good... surprisingly enough, even my HUSBAND is enjoying them all!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Stacy! Your tree looks sooooo beautiful in that spot in front of the windows! Love it! Our living room is too small for a nice tree, so the past 2 years we've put it outside on our front porch in front of the living rooms windows. That way we can enjoy it from inside - and people driving by can enjoy it from their cars! :)

I have to ask where you got your adorable stockings hanging on your fireplace? I just love them!

Happy MM to you!

xoxo laurie

Red Door Home said...

The stockings are something I made and are available in my Etsy shop.

Holly Lefevre said...

It looks absolutely perfect in that room! We have played with new places, but only once did we put it in the family room...the other yeas in the living room in front of the big window!

Honey at 2805 said...

It's beautiful tree in a beautiful room. Nice job!

junkgarden said...

Everything looks so pretty. I love your fireplace.
Angie

Maria said...

Love your tree and mantle. You have fabulous style!

C.G. Koens said...

Your Christmas tree is beautiful! The very first year we had our house we stuck it in the front corner of our living room, but every Christmas since then we have stuck it in the back corner - no idea why the switch, but I'm thinking we need to move it around next year! :-) Merry Christmas!

Jeri ~ said...

Beautiful tree. I have several trees now but always make sure I have a tree in the room were I relax in the evening.

Sue said...

Beautiful simply beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Sue

Pickled Blu said...

Beautiful Tree! I know the feeling...
I have put our tree in a different place every year, but last year, I finally found JUST the right spot in the family room and I was so happy to see it go back there this year! Beautiful Home!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Everything is so beautiful! Your tree is fabulous and I adore the stockings. Happy Holidays.
Sherry

The Swanky Socialite said...

I think you definitely found the perfect spot! Beautiful tree! We could never decide on a "spot" so we caved and bought two trees - one for the living room and one for the family room, as we use both those rooms equally. Pictures in my blog.
Merry Christmas!!!

Kayleen said...

I love the tree. Thanks for sharing.

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Oh, I know exactly what you are talking about. Due to having a large couch gave to us this year we had to move our tree to the dining room. Unfortunately, that meant pushing our table up against the wall. Your tree is lovely :)

Bargain Hoot said...

Love your fireplace and the stockings....

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Beautiful tree! Thanks for sharing.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

A gorgeous tree and decor. I love the stockings. I have moved our tree around too! In fact, i have 6 trees now. some small and 2 larger. I am your newest follower. pop in and say hello. Happy Holidays to you! Linda

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness! I absolutely adore your tree!! Your whole house, actually. Just beautiful!!!
Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season.
Beth.

Curtis said...

We lived in a 1100 square foot house for 20 years and the Christmas tree was always, always in the same spot, in the corner of the living room. Then 6 years ago we sold that house and bought a bigger one, so now we have options of where to put the tree, and you know what??? It is always in the same place here in our new house, right in front of the 10 foot living room windows, so that we pass right by it every day and we and all who pass by our street can see it shining in the window.... sending Christmas Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie

xinex said...

Your tree is perfect in that spot. Just like you, our house is full of furniture now and I was going to change the location of the tree but where it is now I think is still the perfect spot so I had to move the furniture....Christine

Local Girl said...

You have such a beautiful home, I love the mantel and tree together just stunning! Happy Christmas!

Stacey said...

Hi there, I'm visiting from the Nester's Christmas home tour. Your tree is lovely, but what really caught my eye are your stockings! I adore them!!! Did you make them? You have such a beautiful home. Merry Christmas. Stacey

Delchick42 said...

We put our tree in an old spot this year as well! That's funny. We put the tree in the far corner of our living room next to the entertainment center. Which of course got us thinking about the rest of the furniture arrangement that we were already thinking of changing. So we moved some things around and we found that room feels more open and cozy. So in trying to decide on the Christmas tree spot we discovered a whold new space! Thanks for sharing your lovely home. The huge window in your family room is beautiful. Merry Christmas.

Cheryl

Carmen said...

Hi! Your home is lovely! I love your huge windows!! I have almost the same arrangement like you. I have my tree tucked in the same corner as every year, because I love the tree close to the fireplace.
Hope you can visit me so you can see for yourself. :) Merry Christmas!

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