Here’s what we discovered about furniture layout, heating, and tree longevity this festive season.
Putting up the Christmas tree is one of the highlights of the festive season.
But if you’ve squeezed it into a corner next to the radiator or haven’t adjusted your furniture to fit it in properly, there’s a good chance your tree might not last until Christmas morning.
In our latest survey, we found that 32% of UK homeowners don’t move any furniture when putting up their tree, even though one in five opt for a real tree.
It might seem like a harmless decision, but it could be drying your tree out, limiting airflow, or even making your living room less energy efficient.
Our heating design expert Jess Steele explains the most common layout mistakes we see each December – and what to do instead to keep both your home and your Christmas tree looking their best.
1. Placing your Christmas tree too close to a radiator or heat source
It’s tempting to place the tree by the fireplace or near a radiator for that warm, cosy feel. But this is one of the fastest ways to shorten its lifespan.
If your home has underfloor heating, we recommend turning it off in the area where your tree is located.
And if you can’t avoid a warm spot entirely, be extra vigilant with watering – a real tree can go through up to two litres of water per day.
While a roaring fire sets the scene, heat is a real problem for real trees, putting your tree too close to a radiator or fireplace will cause it to dry out, wilt and shed needles long before the big day.
2. Not rearranging your furniture
According to our survey, a third of homeowners don’t move any furniture to accommodate the tree.
Instead, it often ends up crammed into a corner, limiting airflow and causing it to dry out more quickly.
If you’re decorating with a real tree, it’s worth creating a bit more breathing space around it.
We recommend leaving at least 6–12 inches between radiators and any furniture, and making sure there’s enough space for air to move freely around the tree too.
Poor airflow around the tree makes it harder to stay fresh, but it also disrupts how heat circulates through the room, which can lower your radiator’s efficiency.
3. Blocking the tree with bulky furniture
One of the most overlooked issues is furniture placement around the tree.
Our survey found that 87% of people are unlikely to move their sofas when decorating – even though larger items can seriously affect airflow and watering access.
Try removing smaller pieces like coffee tables or shifting large furniture slightly to give the tree room to breathe and be enjoyed.
It’ll help with both maintenance and aesthetics.
Big pieces like sofas and sideboards can restrict access to the base of the tree, which means people end up watering it less frequently. This increases the risk of it drying out or even becoming a fire hazard.
Make your tree the star of the show (not a fire hazard)
A few small changes to your living room layout can make a big difference – not just for your tree’s health, but for your heating too.
Keep heat sources clear
Create space around the tree for airflow
Don’t let big furniture block radiators or water access
If you’re putting in the effort to find the perfect tree, it makes sense to keep it looking great through to Christmas and beyond.
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John Lawless is SEO Manager at BestHeating and a recognised expert in home heating. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he blends technical insight with practical advice on everything from energy efficiency to radiator design, and more. John’s work has featured in national media and leading home & garden publications, and he leads the editorial strategy for the BestHeating Advice Centre – helping homeowners make smarter heating choices with confidence.
