I just found the perfect hack to make a sparse Christmas tree look fuller – and it’s both easy and budget-friendly
This is the answer to a sparse-looking artificial Christmas tree that you've been looking for


Christmas trees that are on the sparser side tend to look quite sad and, dare I say, cheap. And very often, if it is a sparse-looking artificial Christmas tree, it’s likely a budget design that didn’t cost much. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t fix a sparse tree – on the contrary, as I just found the perfect hack that fixes this issue. And all you need is green tinsel!
The best artificial Christmas trees are usually full and bushy as the branch tip count tends to be directly tied to their quality and price tag – the higher the count the better the look but often also the higher the price. But if your existing tree is too sparse to your liking, filling the gaps with green tinsel is both an easy and budget Christmas decorating idea.
This simple fix comes courtesy of Kirsty, a TikTok content creator at @houseofhaz. But Christmas tree and styling experts fully back this creative way to make your artificial Christmas tree look more expensive.
@house.of.haz ♬ Christmas at Hogwarts (From "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone") - The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
‘Once you’ve positioned the fullest side of the tree to face the front and arranged the branches as neatly as possible, you might still notice a few small gaps,’ says David Sumner, sales manager at Christmas Tree World. ‘This is where a darker green tinsel can work its magic! Adding green tinsel to sparse areas is an easy and effective way to create the illusion of a fuller tree. The tinsel blends naturally with the tree’s foliage, seamlessly concealing any imperfections.’
Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James, agrees, ‘Green tinsel is a great affordable way to make a Christmas tree look fuller, and is something I would recommend for those needing to make a sparse artificial tree look a bit healthier. The trick is to ensure that the green tinsel matches the Christmas tree as closely as possible – so opt for tinsel that’s matte rather than glittery to create a seamless effect.’
An alternative solution
If you want to take it a step further, then using a faux Christmas garland to fill any gaps of your tree will likely result in an even more realistic and cohesive look – so it’s a great Christmas garland idea.
‘If you have a little more budget, but still don’t want to replace your tree entirely, you can purchase tree-like garlands to add instead. This will be a much easier match to the tree and can make an artificial Christmas tree look really bushy and bold. Adding decorations over this will help cover the fact that it’s an external garland and make the tree look cohesive,’ Chloe at Laura James says.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
How to fix a sparse real Christmas tree
Real Christmas trees can often look quite patchy and sparse, too. But it’s not necessarily recommended to be using the green tinsel hack on a real tree.
‘If you have a real Christmas tree, adding tinsel to fill it out could actually cheapen the look of a natural tree,’ Chloe warns.
Sam Sutherland, Flitch interior stylist, suggests an alternative solution, ‘While this technique is less practical for real trees due to their natural irregularities, you could achieve a similar effect with sprigs of faux greenery tucked into sparse spots, which enhances fullness while keeping a more organic feel.’
The popular £1 tinsel from B&Q is currently sold out. But Amazon's £4 alternative is still affordable enough.
Now there’s no need to tolerate a sparse-looking Christmas tree because you know exactly what to do about it. You’re welcome!

Sara Hesikova has been a Content Editor at Ideal Home since June 2024, starting at the title as a News Writer in July 2023. She is now also the Ideal Home Certified Expert in Training on Furniture, and so far has tested 80 different sofas.
Graduating from London College of Fashion with a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism in 2016, she got her start in niche fashion and lifestyle magazines like Glass and Alvar as a writer and editor before making the leap into interiors, working with the likes of 91 Magazine and copywriting for luxury bed linen brand Yves Delorme among others.
-
Wood drenching is the calming new twist on the colour drenching trend – here’s how to make the look work in your home
It’s easier than ever to embrace natural materials
By Maddie Balcombe
-
Aldi is launching a £200 day bed with four different features - its sleek design is suited to the whole family
You don't want to miss out on this Specialbuy
By Kezia Reynolds
-
How to set up a drip watering system that saves water and a lot of effort
Keep your plants hydrated (and your water bill down) with this clever garden watering solution
By Natalie Osborn
-
I've been waiting to try out the Ninja Slushi for months – this is what happened the first time I tried it
The Ninja Slushi is the stuff of dreams for summer entertaining
By Molly Cleary
-
IKEA has drenched its BILLY bookcase in this year’s ‘it’ colour - but you’ll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on one
I'm obsessed with this gorgeous limited-edition colourway
By Kezia Reynolds
-
My go-to Ninja coffee machine just had a major price drop. It's more affordable than I've seen it before
It makes coffee shop quality achievable at home
By Molly Cleary
-
I'm a kitchen decor editor and didn't like this tableware trend - until I saw H&M Home's designer-look plates
They made it easy to justify a new crockery set
By Holly Cockburn
-
Have we just had a sneak peek at Ninja's plans for pastel air fryers? These new US-exclusive Crispi colours are giving us hope for the same in the UK
Ninja's spring colours collection i the US has sparked some serious appliance envy
By Molly Cleary
-
I'm suffering serious kitchen appliance envy over Ooni's new standmixer that sold out in 4 hours, but it's finally back in stock
Here's why the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral mixer is a big deal for at-home breadmakers
By Molly Cleary
-
I’ve been looking for a new signature scent for my home and The White Company's new fragrance is the exact summer holiday smell I needed
Santorini smells fresh, summery and sophisticated
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Should your doormat go inside or outside the front door? According to experts I've been getting it wrong for years
Experts reveal the best spot for a a doormat based on your preferences and where you live
By Sara Hesikova