Small living rooms can be difficult to decorate for the holidays.
Making it feel festive requires some creativity because there is typically very little room for a tree and not many surfaces to decorate.
Our current home has a very small living room and each year we live here I find myself working hard to come up with new ways to maximize our space with Christmas decor without making it feel cluttered or “over the top.”
Try these Christmas decorating ideas for small spaces if you struggle with this same issue and have a small living room!
Table of Contents
When Can Christmas Decorating Begin?
When it comes to decorating your home, I always advise doing what makes you happy.
Want the tree up and Christmas music playing in October? Do it!
November 1 through December 15 is the customary window of time for people to decorate for Christmas.
Entryway Eaves
Everyone has a doorway, even if they don’t have a yard or even a bedroom (yes, studio dwellers). The dramatic wrapping of handmade garlands that forms Jess Morris’ Scandinavian-inspired doorway provides all the holiday magic we require. “Less is more in creating a beautiful space in small quarters,” says Morris. “I like to add a few accents while using one main feature piece or material.” From here, we can almost smell the brand-new pine needles.
Try A Midsize Tree
Although it may go against everything you’ve been taught, consider this: While small trees provide more space for movement, they lack the imposing presence of a large tree. So rather than placing a pokey little Charlie Brown inspiration in your four-person sitting room, go ahead and opt for a midsize tree that still offers that dramatic moment that will have you vocalizing “What beautiful branches you have!”
Kylie Fitts
Santa is an expert stocking detector, so use your imagination when placing your stockings if your mantle is missing. Santa has perfected the fire escape entrance into your apartment (fear not, city kids).
Take a look at Shelby Girard, vice president of creative and design at Havenly, for a straightforward improvisation. This area is decorated for old Saint Nick with plain stockings, a gorgeous garland, and a straightforward string of lights. Milk and cookies were taken into consideration.
A Garland Garnish
There is no requirement that your kitchen island seat eight people in order to be noticeable. Take a cue from Carly Fuller of My NYC Apartment, whose understated garland arrangement serves as the focal point for this joyous 450-square-foot apartment in New York City. No matter if it’s around a tree or not, we’ll still be rocking this holiday season!
Add A Touch Of Twinkle
Now is the time to shine! The warm glow of this gleaming wreath will heighten the holiday spirit in any space. Christmas lights are the ultimate mood lighting. This Christmas will be illuminated with the right plug-ins, whether your wreath is accented with a hint of red or gold or it channels neutral tones.
Maximize Use Of Your Walls
The simplest method for holiday decorating a small space is to use wall space. (And it doesn’t need to be expensive!) Purchase damage-free hooks and hang Christmas decorations in place of existing artwork, place Christmas quotes or images in frames, showcase children’s holiday creations, or hang wreaths and other greenery. A paper fan’s strength should never be underrated. When combined with contemporary hoop wreaths and greenery, these plaid paper fans have a sophisticated appearance.
Flaunt What You’ve Got
If you’ve got it, show it off, as the saying goes. For those who are learning how to live large in a small space, those words have never been more applicable. Add some impact in the manner of Inspired By Charm’s Michael Wurm Jr., whether it’s a staircase, media console, or even a floating wall shelf.’s dramatic garland. Styled with LED lights, a red ball garland, vintage Christmas cards, and two garlands for the “full” effect, this festive red-and-green scene will beat any bough of holly.
Keep Color In Check
You are not required to wear excessive amounts of red, green, and metallic during the holiday season. Avoiding the urge to overdo the color in your home in a small space is crucial. “I keep my colors to a minimum,” says Emslie. “I enjoy drawing inspiration from Scandinavian Christmas decorations because they are simple and have hints of red and green, as my home is entirely white.”
Double The Decor
Mirrors are multi-functional. A tall mirror not only draws the eye up, it also reflects, giving the impression that the space is much larger. Hot tip: Put your tree in front of the mirror to spread twice as much holiday cheer!
Arrange A Winter Bouquet
Every inch matters when adding glitz to your small home. Instead of attempting to fit a traditional tree into your apartment, opt for a festive Scandinavian woodland arrangement like this one. Joanna Hawley-McBride describes how she gathered noble fir, blue ice cypress, ponderosa pine, and tallow berries while foraging on Jojotastic, arranging them all in this faceted geometric vase. Bringing the outside inside will give us an excellent excuse to stay inside if we didn’t already have one.
Take Advantage Of Vertical Space
Think outside the traditional table centerpiece by hanging decorations and pendants from the ceiling, like this stunning arrangement from The Jungalow, as you get ready for the big day of eating, gifting, and more eating. This arrangement of oranges, garland, and twinkle lights not only adds depth, but it also takes up no additional space for foot traffic. Feast mode: on.
Keep It Light And Bright
Lighter hues make a space appear larger, according to rule number one of decorating small spaces. Additionally, there are many lessons to be learned in the area of neutral tones from this charming nautical vignette.
What Can I Do To Make My Home Feel Festive?
There are lots of ways to give your home the “Christmassy” feel – many of which have to do with what feels nostalgic to you.
What evokes the cozy, warm holiday spirit in you the most?
Is it fir trees’ aroma? or the illumination’s glow?
Perhaps it’s the holiday music in the background!
Brainstorm what makes you “feel” and carry those out.
In terms of decor, easy ways to make your house feel like Christmas include adding the following:
- Greenery (tree, garland, branches/stems, wreaths)
- Christmas colors – Red, Green, Gold, Silver (blankets, pillows, ribbon, artwork)
- Holiday Themed Figurines (trees, santas, angels, stars, reindeer, etc)