DIY Pastel Shabby Chic Tulle Christmas Tree (2025 Tutorial)
This is the exact pastel shabby chic Christmas tree I built from scratch with a frame, layers of white ruffle tulle, blush satin bows and pastel ornaments. It has that fluffy, couture blush and cream flocked glam look you can’t buy in stores.
Scroll through the photos, then follow the step-by-step tutorial to recreate this French country cottage Christmas tree in your own home.
Materials for a Pastel Shabby Chic Blush & Cream Tulle Christmas Tree
Here’s everything I used to build this DIY tulle Christmas tree from the ground up. You can swap in pieces you already own or click my links below to shop budget-friendly pastel Christmas décor.
Core Tree Structure
- 1 budget artificial Christmas tree (6–7.5 ft) or a cone-style tree frame
- White or green base is fine – it will be completely hidden by the tulle
- Optional: PVC pipes and connectors if you want to build your own frame
Fluffy Flocked Look
- 40–100 yards of white ruffle tulle lace trim (multilayer, pleated, 3D fringe)
- Extra plain tulle or organza for filling gaps if needed
- Clear zip ties or white floral wire for attaching the tulle
Lighting
- 3–5 strands of warm white fairy lights or mini LED Christmas lights
Ornaments & Details
- Pastel ball ornaments in blush pink, cream, mint and pearl white
- Champagne gold and soft metallic ornaments for sparkle
- Textured statement ornaments (lace, pearls, filigree, beaded designs)
- Gold and champagne snowflake ornaments
- Gold leaf sprays, frosted floral stems and pearl berry picks
Bows & Ribbon
- Wide blush satin ribbon (3–5 inch)
- Cream satin ribbon and champagne organza ribbon
- Pre-made oversized bows or ribbon spools to DIY your own
Tools
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
- Low-temp hot glue gun (optional)
Shop This Pastel Shabby Chic Christmas Tree Look
Here are the core pieces I’d recommend if you want your tree to look very close to the photos:
- Tree frame: Budget artificial Christmas tree or cone frame
- White ruffle tulle lace trim: Multilayer fluffy 3D pleated tulle fringe
- Warm white fairy lights: Soft warm white LED string lights
- Pastel ornament set: Blush, cream, mint and champagne Christmas ornaments
- Oversized ribbon & bows: Wide satin and organza ribbon for big Christmas bows
- Filler picks & florals: Gold leaf sprays, pearl berry picks and floral stems
- Tree skirt or base fabric: Cream faux fur or ruffled tree skirt
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting Katie Oak Collections!
Quick Look at the Steps
Step 1 – Build the Tree Frame
The secret behind this fluffy white Christmas tree is a lightweight frame covered in ruffled tulle. You can either use an inexpensive artificial tree or create your own PVC cone frame.
Option A: Use a Budget Artificial Tree
- Set up a cheap artificial tree according to the instructions.
- Fluff the branches just enough to create structure. Don’t worry about perfect shaping – the tulle ruffle trim will cover everything.
- Make sure the tree is stable and level. This frame will eventually hold ornaments and bows.
Affiliate idea: Shop my favorite starter Christmas tree frame .
Option B: DIY 6-Foot PVC Pipe Christmas Tree Frame
What you’ll need: ¾" PVC pipe (about 55–60 ft total), ¾" elbows and T-connectors, PVC cutter or saw, measuring tape, marker, zip ties, and optional PVC primer + cement.
-
Step 1 – Build the octagon base (about 36" wide).
Cut 8 equal pieces of ¾" PVC, each 12" long. Connect them with 8 elbow
fittings to form an octagon. This is the footprint of your 6-ft tree, wide enough
to keep the frame stable.
Build a sturdy 36" octagon base using eight 12" ¾" PVC pieces and elbow fittings. -
Step 2 – Add the vertical legs (60" tall).
Cut 8 vertical pieces of ¾" PVC, each 60" long. Attach one leg at every
corner of the octagon using T-connectors or elbows so they lean slightly inward,
forming a cone shape. This gives you the main 5-ft frame height before the topper.
Attach eight 60" legs to the base, leaning inward to start the cone. -
Step 3 – Install the lower support ring.
Cut 8 more pieces of ¾" PVC, about 10½–11" long, and connect them with
elbows to form a second octagon ring, roughly 30" across. Slide this ring
up the legs so it sits about 18" above the base, then secure it with
T-connectors or zip ties. This locks in the lower shape and keeps the frame rigid.
Set a 30" support ring about 18" up the legs to stabilize the lower frame. -
Step 4 – Add middle and upper rings.
Make two more octagon rings from ¾" PVC:
a middle ring about 24" wide and an upper ring about
18" wide. Place the middle ring around 36" up from the base, and the
upper ring around 48" up. Attach each ring to all 8 legs with T-connectors
or zip ties so the cone tapers smoothly all the way to the top.
Add middle and upper rings so the frame gradually tapers into a tree shape. -
Step 5 – Build the top and star mount.
Bring all 8 legs together at the top using angled fittings or T-connectors. Cut one
more piece of ¾" PVC, about 12" long, and attach it straight up from the
top as your star mount. Once this is in place, your frame height is right around
6 ft tall.
Connect the legs at the top and add a 12" vertical pipe for your star or bow topper. -
Step 6 – Secure and decorate.
Tighten all joints with zip ties (and PVC cement if you want a permanent frame).
Then wrap the frame with white ruffle tulle, mesh, or garland, add string
lights, and finish with ornaments and a topper. Work from the bottom up in a spiral
so the tree looks full and fluffy.
Wrap, fluff, and decorate the frame into a magical 6-ft PVC Christmas tree.
Affiliate idea: Shop all of the PVC pipe, connectors, lights, and tulle I used for this DIY PVC tree frame .
Step 2 – Wrap the Tree in White Ruffle Tulle Lace Trim
This is where the magic happens. The white ruffle tulle lace trim gives the tree its dreamy, feathered, cloud-like look – almost like a couture wedding dress in Christmas tree form.
Spiral Wrap Method (Fastest)
- Start at the bottom of the tree and secure the end of your ruffle tulle trim to a branch or frame using a small zip tie or wire.
- Wrap the trim around the tree in a spiral, working your way up. Overlap the layers slightly so you don’t see any of the frame underneath.
- Every 12–18 inches, secure the trim with another small zip tie to keep it from slipping.
- When you reach the top, tuck and secure the end of the trim toward the back of the tree.
Extra Fluff Method (For Maximum Volume)
- Cut extra pieces of ruffle trim into 18–24 inch lengths.
- Scrunch each piece into a little “pouf” and wire it directly onto the branches or frame.
- Concentrate the poufs toward the bottom of the tree to mimic a full, fluffy skirt.
Affiliate idea: Shop the white ruffle tulle trim I used for this tree .
Step 3 – Layer in Cozy Warm White Fairy Lights
Lighting makes this pastel glam Christmas tree glow. I use warm white fairy lights so the blush and cream tones stay soft and romantic.
- Before adding ornaments, gently pull back sections of tulle and weave the lights inside the tree.
- Start at the bottom and move upward, wrapping the lights around the inner branches or PVC rings.
- Let some of the bulbs sit right behind the ruffle tulle so the light diffuses through the fabric.
- Plug in the lights as you go to check for even coverage and adjust where needed.
Affiliate idea: Shop warm white fairy lights that work beautifully with pastel Christmas décor .
Step 4 – Style with Pastel Ornaments, Oversized Bows & Glam Fillers
Now it’s time to turn your fluffy tulle base into a full pastel shabby chic Christmas showpiece. I follow a simple top-to-bottom layout to keep the tree balanced and cohesive.
1. Add Oversized Bows
- Create 4–6 big bows using blush and cream satin ribbon with long tails.
- Secure one extra-large bow at the very top as your tree topper.
- Place the remaining bows in a zig-zag pattern down the tree to draw the eye.
Affiliate idea: Shop wide satin ribbon and pre-made bows for a luxe pastel Christmas tree .
2. Layer in Large Statement Ornaments
- Start with your biggest ornaments in blush, cream, champagne and mint.
- Place them deep into the tulle layers so they look “nestled” instead of hanging off the edge.
- Space them evenly around the tree, focusing on the center and lower sections.
3. Fill with Smaller Ornaments & Pearls
- Add small matte, shiny and pearl-finish ornaments to fill gaps.
- Mix in textured designs like beaded balls, lace-covered ornaments and simple pearl clusters.
4. Finish with Leaf Sprays & Floral Picks
- Slide gold leaf sprays and champagne foliage into the tulle, angling them out for movement.
- Add soft floral picks and berry stems near the bows to create little “bouquets” on the tree.
- Step back frequently and adjust until the tree feels full and balanced from every angle.
Affiliate idea: Shop pastel ornaments, snowflakes and floral picks similar to the ones on my tree .
Before & After – From Simple Frame to Pastel Shabby Chic Glam
Before – Plain Tree Frame
A basic frame is all you need to get started – the tulle and ornaments do all the heavy lifting.
After – Finished Tulle Tree
The finished tree feels fluffy, romantic and totally custom – like a couture dress for your living room.
Detail Photos – Pastel Shabby Chic Tulle Tree Close Ups
Here are a few more angles and close-ups so you can see how everything layers together.
FAQ – Pastel Shabby Chic Tulle Christmas Tree
How much tulle do I need for a 6–7.5 ft Christmas tree?
For a very full, fluffy look, I recommend 40–100 yards of white ruffle tulle lace trim, depending on how tightly you wrap the tree and how many extra “poufs” you add.
Can I use a green tree instead of a white tree?
Yes. Because the frame is completely covered in tulle, a green tree works as long as you wrap generously. If your tulle is thin, choose a white or flocked base so the color doesn’t show through.
What colors work best with a shabby chic Christmas tree?
I love using blush pink, cream, ivory, mint, pearl white and champagne gold. These soft pastel colors create that romantic French country cottage Christmas vibe and look beautiful in photos.