Yesterday afternoon Dan and I got our fresh 10-foot tree for the living room! A true dream!
Our car is a Toyota Corolla and we figured there was no way a 10 footer would be fitting on the roof, so we used an hourly car rental company – GetAround (it’s an app, second time I used it, highly recommend!) – to rent an SUV for the job (which ended up being a fancy BMW, $11 for an hour and a half). It worked!
So this is where I wanted to put the tree – in the windows, naturally, for spreading cheer to all passersby.
I questioned whether we needed to rearrange the furniture but found this photo of Aerin Lauder for Williams-Sonoma and thought – ok, so a GIANT tree behind a sofa works! Bonus points it’s also an English roll arm.
So we had a plan. We had an SUV. Off we went to our local Home Depot, where the 9-10′ trees ran around $99 (I saw other tree lots had large trees for $150-250.)
I found this 9 footer which I thought worked! Dan vetoed. Said we needed bigger.
A la this!! He’s 6’1″ for perspective.
And on the car it went!
A lot of you have asked about my coat and boots! The coat is this Fjallraven jacket that is arguably the warmest coat I’ve ever owned and will likely last me a lifetime. See similar here and budget-friendly option here. And the boots are these duck boots by Sperry, except I have them in green. And this is the festive plaid scarf!
Got it home!
And put it up. Now in all fairness, it does look smaller in this photo than it actually is. These are 12′ ceilings.
I’m wondering – does it look too small? Is it big enough for being behind the sofa or do we need to rearranged? We coooould do what we did at Halloween where we push the sofa back against the window, move one of the brown chairs to the right of the sofa across from the TV, and bring the tree next to the fireplace where the gallery wall is.
But then the tree wouldn’t be in the window.
Thoughts?! Please share in the comments!
And we haven’t decorated yet but this is how it will look….
1. green myrtle cranberry wreath
2. car novelty ornament
3. classic needlepoint stockings
4. plaid wool throw
5. pine spray
6. simple brass stocking holder
7. light-up ornament
8. velvet tree skirt
Hi Alaina! I love the tree and it’s spot in the room next to the windows! It would be nice to see the tree in its entirety – would it be possible to move the couch to the other side of the room?
Sending you lots of love this thanksgiving! 🙂
So unfortunately no because the ductwork in the wall makes that width more narrow than this side of the room and you wouldn’t be able to get past it into the dining room… 🙁
And thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well!
I say furniture rearrange! You’ll be able to see the tree better and enjoy it, which I think is better than having it face the street.
Hmm yes definitely considering it! Thanks for helping!
I think it looks great and love having a big tree by the windows!
I think it looks great!
You could always do some big bow toppers in order to make it look taller than it actually is – and in the same color scheme you’re doing. I think once it’s decorated and lit it’ll fill the room a bit more, too!
I think it looks great, but if you think it is too short, you could put a sturdy crate/box underneath it to raise it a bit. We used to do it with our tree…we had a perfect wood box about 8” high that made all the difference. Whatever you do, I’m sure it will be beautiful!
I think it looks good in the window. That alcove was made for a tree. However, I would be maybe trying to arrange the sofa in front of the fireplace. I know the large doorway into the space is there, but maybe taking out the coffee table would leave enough room? I cant remember whats happening in the corner where it meets dining/hall, if that makes any sense.
I personally like to be able to have the tree in my typical sight line when watching tv etc. But I guess if youre typically lounging with your back against the arm of the sofa, then I suppose it would be in your sight line..
Im sure whatever you decide on will be great. But definitely a strong vote for making it work in the window!
W about moving the couch to the wall, facing the TV? Couldn’t tell from the photo if there was ductwork there as well.
What if you put the tree on something to raise it up a bit more? See more of the bottom fullness? I love it behind the couch myself, very cozy feeling. I think once decorated it will feel better.
I would say rearrange so that you have a view of the tree while you are curled up on the sofa watching movies!
I don’t think it looks too small – i say leave it! You always make it work!
Could you put some kind of platform underneath it to make it look taller and then conceal it with a skirt and presents? I am all about trees in front of the windows!!
Keep it and hang fresh garland from your windows to fill the space!
I think it looks great where it is! Can’t wait to see it decorated! Happy Thanksgiving! ?
I love the placement. If you’re thinking you need more height – put it on a platform. My grandfather made me one for my tree that’s too short and i used faux white fur fabric to wrap. That will fool the eye of a bigger tree!
A thought if you want to keep the tree under the window: find or make a platform to set it on for additional height. I’ve done this numerous times to give a tree an extra foot or so, just conceal a wooden box with fabric or throws. Makes it easier to put presents around as well–and the presents tend to conceal the box a bit more as well.
I think it looks great, and once you get it all decorated and blinged out I think it will have more of a presence. Also! You could hang some garland at the top of your windows to frame it out.
I think it looks beautiful but you should definitely rearrange the furniture. Could be the picture, but it hides half of the tree so it looks smaller and hidden. Still though looks lovely.
Love the idea in concept of it behind the sofa artistically, but with furniture as is it feels crowded especially with tv placement. Moving the tree into the room near the gallery wall sounds most cosy and practical, or maybe flip gallery wall and media console to balance out that corner?
I say get a bigger tree! A few years ago my dad went out and got the tree for the living room (like he does every year) got it home and my mom did that smile where you know she’s trying to be nice but that she secretly was not satisfied with the tree. So that one went in the sunroom and he went back to Home Depot for a bigger one. Can you put that one in the dinning room and get a 12 ft?
I can totally see myself having this same dilemma if I were in your shoes. My thoughts: there is nothing better than watching Christmas movies/enjoying your fire and wine while admiring the tree. While it would be so pretty for people passing by, your tree is primarily for you and Dan (and your guests) to enjoy. So I say rearrange the way you did for Halloween, so you’re always in a position to take in its full beauty. You’ll also be closer to the tree while entertaining in your dining room. Plus, your exterior is already gorgeous with the wreaths and garland for passers-by, and some may still be able to see a glimpse of the tree from the street even if it’s in the farther corner of your room.
Can you put the tree on something? Like a little platform or a small stack of plywood? My roommates and I did that one year. We were able to cover it with a tree skit and some tartan fabric. It gave us the added height and allowed more room for present stacking under the tree.
I love it behind the couch. I say leave it!
I think it’s perfect (definitely not too small!); also, I love seeing trees in windows. But if you’re questioning it, move it to a spot where you’re sure to enjoy it! It will look beautiful wherever you put it.
I like it! But a big tree topper onnit to give it a little more height!
Yikes, didn’t catch those typos!
I like it! Put a big tree topper on it to give it a little more height.
That’s the perfect spot! Just add a big tree topper or star!! I think it looks great.
Agree with Kathy, it looks great where it is but raise it a little. It’s plenty big and the sofa is good in front of it but raising it about a foot to 18 inches would allow the fullness at the bottom to show (plus leave more room for presents).
I say raise it up on a platform, it would be easy enough to built a box to put it on, and easy to hide with a table cloth, and your tree skirt. Or any large piece of material. Of course I am tempted to see it with the furniture rearranged as well. ITs hard to picture in my head. 🙂
I’m with the platform/stable table behind the couch….no one will ever know!!