35 Holiday Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

From tree alternatives to window decor, try these space-saving designs for the holidays.

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October 08, 2020

By: Maria Conti and Sam Henderson

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Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

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Photo By: Cassidy Garcia; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn, FlynnsideOut

Photo By: Evin Photography; Styling by Jenny Reimold and Sara Brigman

Photo By: Sam Henderson

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Rennai Hoefer

Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

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Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Photo By: Rennai Hoefer

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Photo By: Rennai Hoefer

Festive + Functional

All decorations aside, you still need to live in your small space during the holiday season, so function is key. Be sure not to overload essential areas like your entryway or kitchen with tchotchkes and trimmings that require you to move things out of the way in order to use the space in an efficient manner. Here, holiday accents, like snowshoes and stockings, are visible but tucked out of the way so they don’t inhibit the homeowners from going about their everyday activities.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make Spirits Bright

Follow our lead and make your bar cart merry and bright with a collection of vibrant bottle brush trees, a gilt reindeer duo and this zippy, rainbow pom-pom wreath. This easy DIY craft combines kicky colors with traditional silver jingle bells and a dainty, curled ribbon detail to create an festive accent fit for merrymaking aplenty. Get the scoop on how to make this playful holiday decoration, below.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Colorful Holiday Pom-Pom Wreath

From: Morgan Faulkner

Set the Table

Even if you aren't expecting guests soon, setting the table with seasonal accents will certainly put your dining room or eat-in kitchen in the holiday spirit.

See More Photos: Copy These Christmas Table Setting + Decorating Ideas

From: H. Camille Smith

Christmas-Ready Cabinets

There’s no need to take up valuable walking space to show Christmas spirit in your tiny home. Keep floors clutter-free and bring cheer into your space by displaying festive accents around the perimeter of the room. Try dangling a ribbon-clad wreath in front of your built-in bookcase or drape it flush against your kitchen cabinets like this dreamy little number from Brian Patrick Flynn.

Spirited Snippings

Skip the standard-size Christmas tree this year and create this fresh and festive tabletop alternative in its stead. All you need are a few fresh-cut evergreen snippings, miniature tree ornaments and a large vase. The secret to recreating the whimsical display is to maintain just enough length at the end of each branch so that the fragrant greenery overflows from the vase in an effortless and organic fashion. Attach ornaments to the sturdiest branches and pile petite presents at the arrangement’s base to polish off the display.

Fake a Fireplace

Get creative to craft a spot to hang your stockings and lend a little Christmas cheer to any room. Our instructions, below, show you how to turn a canvas dropcloth, drapery hardware and chalkboard paint into this clever faux mantel wall hanging that you can simply roll up and store when the holidays are over.

Get the How-To: Clever Faux Mantel Wall Hanging for the Holidays

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Layer Up

Dress your dining table for the occasion with layers of wintry texture, holiday hues and charming sculptural accents. This tulip table is made cozy for cocoa, cake and gift wrapping with a fluffy faux fur on each chair, holly-red throw blankets and a sleek, snowy pine centerpiece.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Two Is Better Than One

It’s true: size matters. That said, bigger is not always better and proper scale is crucial to achieving an inviting and comfortable holiday design in small spaces. Case in point? This little living room is much better off with two, petite and proportional pines than it would be with a single standard-size tree that scrapes the ceiling and leaves Santa little room to work with on Christmas Eve.

From: Jenny Reimold

Modern Felt Kissing Ball

Turn craft-store staples into a modern take on a centuries-old holiday tradition. Best of all: Unlike fresh mistletoe kissing balls, this felt version requires no upkeep, doesn't cause a risk to pets and can be used year after year.

Get the How-To: Modern Felt Kissing Ball

From: Sam Henderson

Use Gifts as Decor

Beautifully wrapped gifts are not only a treat for the recipient, they can also double as holiday decor till time for gifting. Get our tips for pro-style packages, below.

See More Photos: 90+ DIY Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

From: H. Camille Smith

Flock Your Fixtures

Take your holiday decorations to a whole new level — literally. Adding playful details overhead like these snowy pine cones will draw the eyes up, distracting from the small quarters and accentuating the height of the room with holiday cheer.

Repurpose Like a Pro

Add emphasis to your small tree by placing it in a wine crate. Elevate the tree in the bottom of box so the branches sit above the top of the box. For a rustic look, fill the space in the crate around the tree with burlap. Add upholstery strapping for garland and simple ornaments.

From: Sam Henderson

Give Gift Wrap New Purpose

Give your Christmas morning brunch or any holiday table a mini makeover (that also makes clean-up a snap) by covering the table in pretty paper. For small tables, cover the whole surface, securing the ends of the paper to the underside of the table with painter's tape. Or, if you only have a small amount of leftover gift wrap, place it on the center of the table as a pretty runner.

See More Photos: 10 Ways to Turn Leftover Gift Wrap Into Pretty Decor

From: H. Camille Smith

Deck Out Dining Chairs

Dress up your dinner by wrapping basic chairs with ribbon or a fabric sash. Gather it together at the back of the chair and add greenery and a vintage ornament.

From: Sam Henderson

Chance of Snow

Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow! Deck your walls with a flurry of icy activity courtesy of our easy, Scandinavian-inspired wooden snowflake craft. It’s a failproof addition to small-space holiday decor because it lays flush against the wall and serves as a neutral winter accent that you can use well into the new year. All you need to create your own snowflakes at home are a pack of wooden craft beads, red-and-white striped yarn, scissors, wire and snips. Find our easy-to-follow instructions and a full materials list in the link, below.

Get the How-To: 5 Must-Make Holiday Projects With Wooden Craft Beads

Trim With Trees

Prep your petite pad for holiday festivities with this spirited and space-saving centerpiece idea. Take your cues from designer Brian Patrick Flynn and group similar seasonal accents in varied finishes together on single decorative serving tray. When an eclectic collection is arranged on a single tray, the items instantly appear intentional and polished rather than cluttered and chaotic.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Onate trimmings and flashy holiday hues may look out of place in simple spaces like this cozy bedroom but that doesn’t mean you can’t add some holiday cheer. Give your old evergreen garland a new lease on life by draping it across your headboard and swap your mainstay pillow covers for a pattern suited for the season.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Wintry Window Wreath

Even the tiniest homes have the space to display a darling, winter window wreath. This contemporary kitchen nook features a window clad with a classic, snow-dusted pine wreath topped by a bold, red-and-black plaid ribbon bow. Create a similar look in your windows at home using an unembellished evergreen wreath tied with a high-contrast, saturated holiday ribbon.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bedside Manner

Wrap your bedroom with wintry charm using soothing hues and soft finishes. Here, a collection of cool-tone holiday accent pillows provides a plush nod to the season on the bed while a petite pine tree in a burlap base offers welcoming, woodsy warmth to the nightstand.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Utilize Windows

Show your holiday spirit to the world. String snowflakes and snowballs on cord or fishing line and fill a window with them.

From: Sam Henderson

Crafty Cocoa Station

No need to add holes in your wall to put your pad in a merry mood. This coffee and cocoa station celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with a renter-friendly, removable chalkboard paper backdrop embellished with holly berries, twinkling stars and a whimsical, hand-lettered motif in white and red chalk.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Rely On the Power of String Lights

Take ordinary mini-lights to new heights by creating a holiday chandelier. Use a wreath form to add varying lengths of lights in a circle and adorn the top with snowflakes and snowballs. Hang the lights over a table or chair for twinkly holiday impact.

From: Sam Henderson

Sweater Weather

Take cues from designer Brian Patrick Flynn and cozy up your sofa using pillows and throw blankets in timeless holiday patterns such as Fair Isle, tartan, houndstooth, windowpane or the ever-popular buffalo-check print.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Sweet Seasonal Touches

Not sure how to fill that empty ledge, drab dresser or boring shelf with Christmas cheer this year? Put your creative chops to the test this weekend with our low-cost gingerbread village craft. Each snow-capped house is made from cardboard and cut to size using our free house template. Glitter, puff paint and vellum paper bring the village to life while a blanket of faux snow brings softness to the scene and a bottlebrush tree forest wraps the community in color. Get started with our tutorial, below.

Get the How-To: Cute + Crafty: DIY Cardboard Gingerbread Village

Make Pretty Paper Trees

Something as simple as paper can become a tabletop showstopper. Make cones from poster board and cover with coordinating gift wrap. For added interest, place a few of the cones on cupcake stands, pedestals or candlesticks.

From: Sam Henderson

Or, DIY Upholstered Trees

Basic upholstery materials and techniques are all you need to craft these fabric-covered trees that fold flat so they're a cinch to store between holidays.

Get the How-To: How to Make an Upholstered Christmas Tree

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Makeshift Mantel

No fireplace, no problem. Call on unexpected spaces to create a makeshift mantel in your petite pad. This snowy staircase railing is Santa-ready with a lush pine garland, fluffy faux fur stockings and warm burlap bows. Other locations to consider? Your bedroom dresser, dining room chairs, a coatrack, bookcase or the living room blanket ladder.

Consider Kitchen Items

Brighten up your holiday tabletop with plenty of white. Gather a grouping of white cake plates and fill them with white candles and a variety of fresh greenery.

From: Sam Henderson

Floating Flakes

Holiday hack: Use fishing line to suspend your window decorations, so they appear to float against the glass. This is a must-try technique for small homes and apartments because the “floating” accents add ample charm and cheer to the space without creating visual clutter in the already tight quarters.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create a Cozy Countdown

Nothing builds excitement for the most magical day of the year more than an advent calendar and this cozy version is packed with treats and charm. Recreate this sweet vignette in your small home using a sofa table or bedroom dresser as your base and layering it with seasonal books, an evergreen arrangement and our DIY sweater advent calendar. Get crafting with our tips, below.

Get the How-To: Turn Old Sweaters Into an Adorable Advent Calendar

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Woodsy Winter Touches

You’ve spruced-up your stairs, decked your halls and flocked your family room to resemble a full-blown snowstorm. What’s next? Polish off your holiday decorating by adding Christmastime delights to your powder room. This wintry-white bathroom is prepped for Yuletide celebrations with a perky countertop pine, a proud reindeer figurine and a black-and-white pom garland draped across the mirror.

Think Outside the Box

Turn holiday decorating on its head by filling glass cylinders in a variety of sizes with small pine cones. Turn the vases over carefully and wrap the vase bases with ribbon. Arrange the vases tallest to smallest in a cone shape to create a tree. Add fresh greenery and embellishments to the tops of the cylinders.

From: Sam Henderson

Use Unconventional Materials

Dress your door in style. Wrap a wreath form with a marabou feather boa and add your favorite embellishment. Choose wide coordinating ribbon for hanging.

From: Sam Henderson

Transform Basic Pillows

Add holiday flair to your sofa by making pillow covers with felt. Print simple, bold holiday graphics and use them as a template to cut out coordinating colors of felt. Sew them to the felt squares before making the pillow covers.

From: Sam Henderson

Install a Temporary Mantel

Add vintage charm to your holiday with stockings made from vintage tea towels. For spaces without a true mantel, install an old branch to hang your stockings. Adorn the stocking loops with jingle bells for even more holiday goodness.

From: Sam Henderson

35 Holiday Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

Related To:

Shop This Look

Festive + Functional

Make Spirits Bright

Set the Table

Christmas-Ready Cabinets

Spirited Snippings

Fake a Fireplace

Layer Up

Two Is Better Than One

Modern Felt Kissing Ball

Use Gifts as Decor

Flock Your Fixtures

Repurpose Like a Pro

Give Gift Wrap New Purpose

Deck Out Dining Chairs

Chance of Snow

Trim With Trees

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Wintry Window Wreath

Bedside Manner

Utilize Windows

Crafty Cocoa Station

Rely On the Power of String Lights

Sweater Weather

Sweet Seasonal Touches

Make Pretty Paper Trees

Or, DIY Upholstered Trees

Makeshift Mantel

Consider Kitchen Items

Floating Flakes

Create a Cozy Countdown

Woodsy Winter Touches

Think Outside the Box

Use Unconventional Materials

Transform Basic Pillows

Install a Temporary Mantel

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