Small Space Christmas Decorating Ideas to Go Big on Christmas Cheer
Don’t let a lack of space cramp your Christmas style.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, so don’t let a small space hold you back from decorating to your heart's content. Decorating for the holidays is tradition for many of us, but worrying about lack of space can dull your holiday joy. Whether you’re wondering where to put a Christmas tree in a small living room, or looking for apartment Christmas decor ideas, we’ve got you covered. Get inspired with these 25 small space Christmas decorating ideas.
1. Start With Seasons Greetings
If you’re short on space inside your home, take advantage of your front door. Add a festive Christmas wreath and garland to your door so Christmas cheer is the first thing your guests see. Place a festive doormat outside or inside your entryway door. If you’re looking for Christmas walkway ideas, try lining your pathway with solar candy cane lights, or placing Christmas inflatables on your front lawn.
Tip!
Try out these Christmas front porch ideas to put your most festive foot forward this holiday season.
2. Warm Up Your Entryway
Your foyer sets the tone for your home's interior. Create a warm welcome for your guests throughout the colder months by decorating your existing entryway hall tree or console with evergreen garlands. Hang a holiday wreath inside where it will be protected from wintry weather and can still be enjoyed by family and friends entering your home.
Tip!
Wondering where you can decorate with garlands? Check out these gorgeous garland ideas.
3. Create Holiday Magic With Indoor Christmas Lights
Christmas lights aren’t just for house exteriors and Christmas trees. Hang Christmas-themed lights like stars, snowflakes, and icicles from ceilings, on walls, or in windows. Christmas lights are a classic element of holiday decor ideal for decorating small spaces since they take up little space and can adorn existing structures.
Don’t let a lack of square footage hold you back from the Christmas tree of your dreams. Large decor like a full Christmas tree or oversized wreath can make a small space feel more grand. Fill a spare corner with a plump tree or hang an oversized wreath in your window to serve as the festive centerpiece for your cozy Christmas living room. Opting for one oversized piece of decor versus many small pieces allows you to make a big impact without the clutter.
Tip
Try out a flocked Christmas tree to bring some winter wonderland magic inside!
5. Try a Tiny Tree
If you’re set on a Christmas tree but don’t have space for a full-sized or narrow one, opt for a tiny tabletop tree. Try a miniature faux Christmas tree or miniature live evergreen shrub you can plant outside in the spring. Consider placing a Christmas tree–shaped rosemary bush in the kitchen and then using it to season your holiday meals! Decorate your miniature Christmas trees with flocked pine cones, miniature ornaments, and miniature string lights.
If you don’t have the space to accommodate a voluminous tree, go for a slender one. A slimmed-down tree will allow you to fit a Christmas tree in a small living room without sacrificing height or festivity. Use a half or corner artificial tree to save even more space. This trick works for any room where you wish to display a Christmas tree. Most artificial trees come pre-lit, which saves you the hassle of lighting your tree and storing the lights separately.
Tip!
Looking for more small-space Christmas tree ideas? Check out these christmas tree ideas for small spaces.
7. Layer on the Christmas Spirit
If you decide to include a Christmas tree in your decor (big or small), don’t forget to layer on the tree decor. Choose a color-coordinated ornament set or mix and match unique ones to show off your style. A tree skirt is another way to elevate your tree’s holiday flare, and they come in many styles and colors. Don’t forget to top it off with your favorite tree topper.
Tip!
Make this year’s tree the best one yet with these Christmas tree decorating ideas.
8. Double Your Decor With a Mirror
Mirrors create the illusion of more space. They are also great for reflecting ambient light and creating depth in any room. Mirrors are perfect for decorating your small space for Christmas, since they will seemingly double your eye-catching decor by reflecting holiday lights and garlands. Choose a gold or silver-accented mirror to mesh seamlessly with classic Christmas colors. Silver and gold are neutral enough for your mirror to stick around after you’ve put the Christmas decor away.
Make the most of your wall space by hanging festive decor. Flat Christmas decorations, such as signs with seasonal greetings on them, are a great addition to any wall. Add depth with smaller wreaths, decorative gift boxes, and strings of lights. If you already have wall art up, consider swapping it out for holiday-themed wall art during the winter season to avoid overcrowding.
Make sure to hit every room when looking to spread cheer throughout a small house or apartment. Dress up bedrooms with holiday accents including small Christmas decor, festive throws, and winter greenery. Go for a cozy glam look with lush faux furs and velvets that can be used to cuddle up all winter long. Choose neutral colors and minimalist Christmas decor to go for a subtle holiday look, or go all-out with pops of Christmas colors.
For a bold Christmas bedroom look, swap out your everyday bedding for a fun Christmas bed set. Choose neutral holiday designs and muted colors for a softer winter look or bright red and green designs to show off your Christmas spirit.
When short on decorating space, consider every surface available. Adorn nightstands, tops of dressers, and gaps on shelves with trendy Christmas decor that matches your color scheme. Swap out your typical bedside lights and candles with winter lanterns and holiday-scented candles or diffusers. Set a Christmas floral arrangement or festive Christmas vase on your bedside table.
Prioritize furniture with shelves, nooks, and multiple levels for your small-space decorating. A two-level console or coffee table is a great place to set up a Christmas village or Nativity scene. Try out other Christmas village ideas for small spaces, such as placing decor on bookshelves or in a dining hutch. Add fake snow to your surfaces to level up your village. Go with classic Christmas village decor or add rustic elements like a holiday pickup truck for a small town Christmas aesthetic.
Invest in classic Christmas-themed dinnerware that can be used to serve up a Christmas feast each year. When not in use, display these festive holiday designs in a classic hutch. If you're short on storage space, plates and bakeware can be displayed in the kitchen or on walls by installing simple shelving.
Break out the holiday-themed table settings and serveware to wow family and guests each holiday season. Place settings can even be displayed on the table when they’re not in use. Stick to a Christmas set or play with colors and patterns to elevate your holiday place settings. Make sure to include a festive centerpiece, such as miniature ceramic Christmas trees, candles, and garlands.
Tip!
Make sure your table is guest-ready with these Christmas tablescaping ideas.
16. Pull Out All the Stops With a Christmas Bar Cart
Up your holiday hosting skills by stocking a holiday bar cart. Dress up any cart with miniature wreaths, ribbons, or garlands for an instant holiday makeover. Swap out everyday glassware for classy holiday-colored crystal – perfect for serving delicious holiday cocktails. A bar cart can also serve as a holiday hot cocoa cart for the kids, or for serving milk and cookies to Santa! Bar carts are great for small spaces where a built-in counter bar isn’t an option, and since they are on wheels, they can be moved to any room.
Tip!
Serve up Christmas cheer with these Christmas cocktail recipes.
17. Get Cozy With an Electric Fireplace
Enjoy a festive fire without the hassle of maintaining a real fireplace. A media console with an electric fireplace adds another surface to decorate for the holiday season – hang your stockings or the garlands from the mantel! An electric fireplace that doubles as a media console is practical and useful during the holiday season and beyond. Who doesn’t love a cozy Christmas fire?
Stock up on Christmas-themed throw pillows during the holiday season. Festive pillows add both comfort and cheer to couches, accent chairs, and beds. Choose neutral but festive plaids to last the entire season and beyond, or go for Christmas-specific designs like gingerbread men and wrapped presents. Pair these with holiday print throw blankets, and prepare to snuggle up in front of the fireplace!
Luminaries and lanterns are a classic, cozy way to bring ambient light into your festive space. The different sizes available make these holiday lights perfect for placing on surfaces around your house, on windowsills, or on your porch. Choose a simple neutral design for your mantel if you prefer minimalist Christmas decor, or line your walkway with winter-themed paper bag luminaries for cheerful curb appeal. Large lanterns are perfect for turning your porch or entryway into a winter wonderland. Place regular tea candles or battery-operated ones (that you can program to turn on automatically each night!) inside a festive luminary or lantern. Keep them out all season long to add warm light to the dark winter nights.
Don’t feel like you have to stick to classic Christmas colors when decorating for the season. Bright colors like white, bright pinks, and light blues make small spaces feel bigger and add a cheerful vibe. Liven up your space with a nontraditional Christmas tree and decorate it with fun Christmas decorations and colorful ornaments. Colorful Christmas trees are perfect for maximalist and eclectic-style homes.
The holidays are the perfect time for baking. Holiday cookies, cakes, and gingerbread houses aren’t just yummy treats; they make great decor as well. Stock up on holiday baking supplies like gingerbread house cake molds, cookie cutters, baking sheets, and mixers to make your creative holiday baking dreams a reality. Invest in a festive display with a cake stand and pair it with more decor, like a Christmas vase floral arrangement, mini trees, and wreaths. The best thing about edible decor is that you don’t have to store it away at the end of the season!
Tip
Create the ultimate edible display with these Christmas cookie board ideas.
22. Get Creative With Stocking Placement
No mantel? No problem. Hang stockings wherever you can place stocking holders, such as a windowsill, staircase, or a console. Or install hooks on any wall or surface where you want to put your stockings. Choose from various colors, patterns, and designs for stockings that fit your unique interior style.
If you’re tight on space or don’t want to decorate your entire home, stick to a festive nook. Adorn an accent chair with festive throw pillows and blankets. Choose a Christmas favorite–shaped throw pillow, such as a peppermint, candy cane, or cookie, to make a statement. Lay out a Christmas-themed area rug. You can also plan to use your gifts as decor – choose festive wrapping and bows that fit your holiday aesthetic and place some in your holiday nook until it’s time to exchange gifts on the big day!
Mistletoe is a classic Christmas staple. This centuries-old Christmas tradition is associated with romance, luck, and good tidings. This simple piece of decor brings big Christmas cheer to any room and can easily be placed around the house. Hang it in a doorway if you’re hoping for a Christmas kiss, or hang it on a hook with plaid throws and chunky knits to grace your entryway with traditional Christmas flare.
Efficient holiday storage is essential when decorating a small space. Apartments and small homes are notorious for lack of storage space, so it’s important to make the most of yours! Organizing and storing your holiday decor makes it easy to tuck out of sight in the off-season and to pull out when you need it. Keep delicate glass ornaments secure and organized with an ornament storage box, and preserve DIY wreaths with a wreath storage case. Stock up on storage tubs to stow away Christmas-themed throws and other decor.
Tip!
Want to learn the best way to store your Christmas decor? Check out our guide: How to Store Christmas Ornaments & Decor
