One of my favorite features of homes we work on – particularly older ones – is the seemingly random ‘bump-out’ that many of them have which serves as the PERFECT place to position one’s Christmas Tree.
How did this come about being a common practice and was it originally meant for this purpose?
Many homes built in the last several decades include this small bump-out area which we often call the “Christmas Tree nook.
This space is usually a small extension of a living room or family room, often shaped like a bay or bow window.
Because it provides extra floor room and lots of natural light, many families use it as the perfect spot for their Christmas Tree – which I have come to LOVE them doing!
The truth is that the Christmas Tree nook was not originally created just for Christmas Trees.
Instead, it grew out of older architectural ideas that were used for totally different reasons.
In the 1800s and early 1900s, bay windows – and in many cases their associated bump-outs – became popular because they allowed more sunlight into a house.
Homes at that time relied heavily on natural light since electrical lighting was weak and expensive.
Bay windows also made rooms feel larger and more open. They were considered fancy, attractive features that showed off a homeowner’s style.
As time went on, builders continued using bay and bow windows (…and their bump-outs…) because they added charm and character to a home.
But by the mid-1900s, families in the United States and Canada began adopting larger Christmas Trees and decorating them with more lights and ornaments.
This created a small challenge: people needed a spot where the tree could stand out without blocking walkways or crowding the living room.
These existing bay window areas became a natural solution.
During the 1980s and 1990s, homebuilders noticed this pattern.
Families repeatedly placed their Christmas trees in these spaces because the bump-out allowed the tree to be seen from both inside and outside the home.
It also kept the tree away from busy areas where people walk.
Builders began intentionally designing rooms with these small extensions, even if they weren’t exactly the same shape as traditional bay windows.
Over time, these areas became known informally as “Christmas Tree nooks,” even though that wasn’t their original purpose.
Another reason this practice became common is that the bump-out adds visual appeal from the street.
When people decorate their Christmas Trees with bright lights and ornaments, the glow from the window creates a warm, festive look.
Neighbors driving by can see the Tree without the homeowners having to place decorations outside.
This sense of tradition and community helped strengthen the idea that the bump-out was the “perfect” place for a Christmas Tree.
Builders eventually embraced the idea because it also made marketing easier.
When potential buyers toured a home, real estate agents often pointed to the bump-out and said something like, “This is a great spot for your Christmas Tree.”
This suggestion stuck with people, and many began to view the space as though it were designed for that purpose – even though it really wasn’t.
Today, the Christmas Tree nook is simply a modern use for a much older architectural feature.
While it wasn’t originally created with the Holiday Season in mind, it has become a beloved tradition for many families.
The space works well because it provides extra room, catches natural light, and showcases decorations to anyone passing by.
The practice grew naturally from how families chose to use their homes, and the name stuck because it felt charming and fitting for the Holiday Spirit, a practice that continues to grow in use and warming of that Holiday Spirit today!
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