Table of Contents
Introduction
A really easy way to elevate any space and add character is to add some plants and fortunately, you don't need a green thumb or a lot of free time to spruce up your home with some greenery.
Artificial indoor trees are a great low-maintenance alternative to real trees because they don't need light, water, or regular maintenance that living trees need.
Before you run to Target or Wayfair to buy a $200 tree, there are some tricks are recommendations to find a quality budget-friendly faux tree for a fraction of the cost.
How to Pick the Best Artificial Indoor Tree
It's important to choose a high-quality artificial tree that fits well in your space. Quality brand-name faux trees are usually well over $100, but luckily, there are cheaper options that are just as good if you look for the following characteristics.
Proper Size and Style for Your Space
This can be easily overlooked as most people are more concerned about the artificial tree itself instead of how it will look in your home.
This article from Nearly Natural gives some good guidelines on how tall a fake tree should be for different spaces.
The type of faux tree will also make a big difference for your space because you want the style of the tree and your space to match.
For example, a fake olive tree has a light and dainty structure that goes perfectly with lighter interior styles like a farmhouse style while a faux palm tree is bolder that matches a traditional style.
Also, pay attention to the shape of the leaves. If your space has a lot of soft angles and arches, then an artificial tree with pointy, angular leaves will seem like a harsh addition. But, if your space is very contemporary with defined points and angles, then the tree will emphasize and complement the style.
Realistic Design and Materials
Choosing a realistic artificial tree is a no-brainer, but you should specifically look for realistic proportions and materials.
A realistic fake tree will have properly sized leaves and trunk for its size, so look at pictures of the real tree as you're shopping to know what it should look like.
Additionally, get a tree with a realistic trunk and leaves. A poorly designed plastic trunk or leaves with no detail will look more like a cheap eyesore than a natural addition to your home. Instead, look for a faux tree with realistic materials, colors, and textures.
Wired Branches
A tree that looks realistic, but is stiff and straight, will look off. To prevent this, you want to look for an artificial tree that has wired branches that you can style. This is an important step discussed later in this section to make your fake tree truly look realistic.
Best Inexpensive Artificial Indoor Trees That Look Real
An artificial olive tree is at the top of the list because it is very versatile and trendy for any light and airy interior space.
What I love about this tree is how affordable it is compared to its expansive counterparts, and it has just as many features.
This tree is made from actual wood, so the trunk is as realistic as it can possibly be. It also has silk leaves and three different colors of olives to give it natural details.
To top it all off, the branches are wired so you can style it to your heart's content and it comes in four different sizes to fit any space.
Another classic fake tree is the ficus tree which has stunning, bold leaves that still have a delicate structure to them.
Like the olive tree, this faux ficus tree has real wood and silk leaves to give it a realistic look.
Moreover, it also has vines wrapping around the trunk, adding extra detail straight from nature that enhances the look.
This tree also has wired branches for personal styling and comes in four different sizes to fit in different spaces.
If you want a bolder artificial tree to match bolder interior styles with soft, unique, rounded angles, this is a perfect match.
Although it doesn't have real wood, the realistic trunk detailing and structure make up for it.
The leaves also have silk in them to give a natural look and are still sturdy to give the hardy look of the natural tree.
Of course the branches have wires in them to style how you want and arrange them to fit your space.
This tree comes in two sizes and styles if you prefer a more lengthy style like in the picture, or a fuller style for a bigger statement.
This fake palm tree gives any space a touch of tropics and the rounded leaves complement the soft shapes of your home.
It's made of silk and plastic to give it the hardy look of a palm tree with a natural leaf texture. The leaves also have a natural coloring to them with realistic details.
As expected, the branches have wire in them so you can style it to keep the leaves facing upward or give it a soft bend for a softer look.
A more classic tropical tree is the delicate and full areca palm tree with a rigid, angular structure.
This tree is made of silk and plastic with careful detailing to look realistic and hardy like a real palm tree.
The wired branches let you style it as you wish and it comes in 3 sizes to fit different spaces.
If you have a style with a lot of edges and shard angles like a contemporary style, then this is a must-have fake tree to elevate your space.
The high-quality plastic gives the leaves structure while the details and color imitate a natural look.
Wires in the leaves allow you to style them as you wish and three different sizes allow you to proportionally add it to different spaces.
This faux tree is perfect for organic, light, natural styles like the Japandi style that are soft in color but structured and geometrical.
The leaves have beautiful detail and coloring that make them very realistic and the pot compliments that dainty angular plant well.
Unfortunately, the stems aren't realistic, but if you're willing to splurge a little, try this one that uses real bamboo stems instead.
For customization, the tree comes with wires in the leaves for styling and there are two different sizes.
How to Make Artificial Trees Look Real
Buying a realistic artificial tree is the most important step to making a fake tree look real, but there are an additional three things you can do afterward to really bring the tree to life.
Invest in a Better Pot
Most faux trees either don't come with a decorative pot, or the pot they come with is cheap plastic that doesn't elevate your space.
Luckily, this is an easy fix that is very customizable for your space and style. Investing in a pot that complements the tree and your space is an easy trick to make your space feel more expensive.
Here are some things to consider when buying a pot for an artificial tree:
Choose the correct size pot that is proportional to your tree: a small pot looks cheap while a big pot looks overwhelming.
Choose the right material: a metal pot can accentuate other metal accents, a stone pot can enhance an earthy room, and a glazed ceramic pot can go with any style.
Choose appropriate patterns and textures: solid-color pots with patterned engravings give extra detail without looking busy or overwhelming while a pattern-painted pot can serve as a focal point.
Add Dirt, Moss, or Rocks to the Pot
Fake soil or moss is always a dead giveaway that an indoor tree is fake, so why not spend $5 to $10 and buy something real?
This succulent and cactus soil is perfect for fake trees because it is designed to not hold moisture, so it won't smell musty or ruin your faux tree.
If you want something less messy, then these potting rocks are perfect because they come in black, white, and mixed colors for different aesthetics. Their size is also proportional to a large pot necessary for a faux tree.
Finally, if you're looking for something more natural and decorative, this moss has a neutral brown color or this green moss for a soft pop of color.
Separate and Style the Branches
This is a super important step that many people overlook or rush. It's important because fake trees are shipped compressed in boxes, so when you receive the faux tree, it'll be very straight and unnatural, making it look fake.
To style the branches, pull up a reference picture of what the tree would look like in nature. Then, starting at the bottom branches, mold and bend them to imitate the shape the tree has in the reference photo.
This is why finding an artificial tree with wires in the branches is important because it allows you to easily shape the tree as you wish and maintain that shape until to reshape it.
Make sure to bend the branches where they would bend in nature and only bend them a little at a time. This way, you don't over-bend the branches and add unnecessary kinks from trying to straighten them.
As you work your way up to the top, frequently step away from the tree to see what the tree as a whole looks like and how it fits in your space. This prevents you from over-bending the tree and having to straighten the branches later.
Conclusion
Artificial indoor trees are a great addition to elevate any space. Although brand-name fake trees are quite expensive, it's possible to find just as good of trees for a fraction of the price if you know what to look for.
Although picking the correct tree is very important, you must also style the tree to make it look more realistic and choose the perfect pot to take your home to the next level.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my affiliate links
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