Christmas Tree Ideas For Small Spaces
THESE CHRISTMAS TREE IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACES ARE BIG ON STYLE, BEAUTY, AND CREATIVITY!
Don’t let a small space limit your holiday cheer!
Decorating a Christmas tree in a compact area is all about getting creative with size, style, and placement. Whether you choose a mini tree, a slim profile design, or an alternative idea, there are plenty of ways to bring festive spirit into even the coziest of spaces.
Even if space isn’t a limitation for you sometimes you don’t want to dedicate the time needed to setting up and decorating a full-sized tree. For example, we are in the process of moving. Full-out Christmas decorating isn’t really feasible for us this holiday season.
The small tree shown above is one I decorated for my daughter’s room last year. I found a mini set of vintage ornaments that inspired that one. It was a fun way to bring a little Christmas cheer to her bedroom.
The good news is, with a few thoughtful touches—like lightweight ornaments, minimalist garlands, and warm lights—you can create a Christmas tree setup that feels just as magical as a full-sized one! And it will be perfectly tailored to your small space.
These mini Christmas tree ideas have inspired me and I’m ready to embrace the idea of using smaller trees this year.
Embrace a Natural Look: Christmas Tree Ideas for Small Spaces
A small natural Christmas tree can bring festive warmth to any space with just a few simple decorations. This is exactly the same as we talked about in our minimalist Christmas tree decorating ideas, just on a smaller scale.
Start with a strand of warm white or soft-colored lights to highlight the tree’s natural beauty. As you can see in the tree below, you may not need much more than that.
A small Norfolk tree is a fun alternative to a traditional tree. Keep an eye out for these during the holidays. I found them very inexpensive at Walmart one year. These are also useful for winter planters.
For decorations, a simple garland made of twine, beads, or even popcorn can add texture without cluttering the branches. With just a few thoughtfully chosen decorations, a small natural Christmas tree can become a cozy, charming focal point that embodies the understated magic of the season.
Choose lightweight, mini ornaments like wooden stars, dried citrus slices, or tiny glass balls in muted tones that won’t overwhelm its petite size.
Charming Tabletop Christmas Trees
A small tabletop Christmas tree brings all the festive cheer of full-sized tree in a compact size! Which makes it a great option for any small room or a small apartment.
These mini trees are easier to set up and decorate than a big tree, requiring fewer ornaments and lights. That also saves time and effort if you’re especially busy this year.
Think about using them in multiple rooms—place one on a mantel, a side table, or a kitchen counter to add a cheerful touch throughout your home. That is what I am considering doing this year.
This next tree with the paper garland and classic ornaments is a favorite.
Get creative with containers for your small tree such as buckets, antique vessels, or planters. This blue and white vessel is a beautiful idea! Let your vessel inspire the decorations!
Consider the size and shape of your mini tree. The tree below has a free-form, natural shape that is really beautiful on its own. The simple ornaments and candles let the tree be the star.
For lighting your festive tabletop trees, consider battery-operated fairy lights as an easy alternative to full-sized Christmas lights.
Simple and Stylish Mini Trees
Small Christmas trees with simple decorations bring a cozy, festive charm to any room, making them perfect for compact spaces or as an accent in larger rooms.
I always talk about simple and natural Christmas decor because I love the beautifully understated look for the holidays.
For the tree below, I kept the decorations to a minimum with one set of ornaments and one strand of lights. I propped it up on a side table for height and wrapped the base in a plaid scarf for interest.
This worked well for my small living room. With a big Christmas tree, I have to remove a side chair to make it fit. End tables in the corner of the room are a great place to sneak in a small tree.
If you don’t have an interesting container or vessel that fits your mini tree, get creative with wrapping the base. You can use scarves, blankets, old quilts, or anything else you have on hand.
With just a few tasteful ornaments, like tiny wooden stars, frosted pinecones, or delicate glass baubles, these trees can still feel elegant while adding a hint of holiday magic. Less really can be more!
Small trees with minimalist decor are not only easy to set up and maintain but also bring a warm, welcoming vibe that’s perfect for creating an intimate holiday atmosphere in any corner of your home.
Perfect Mid-Sized Christmas Tree Ideas for Cozy Small Spaces
If you don’t want to commit to a tiny tree, you could also consider a mid-sized Christmas tree as an option. It will have a bigger presence and won’t overwhelm in a limited space.
Mid-sized Christmas trees offer the best of both worlds, bringing a festive presence to your home. They’re perfect for apartments, smaller living rooms, or entryways. You could also consider using one outdoors on your porch or near your front door.
I would consider a mid-sized tree to be about 4 feet tall. Substantial enough to have a variety of ornaments and decorations without needing extensive decorating time.
Mid-sized trees also give you the option of placing them on the floor if you have enough room, without taking up a tremendous amount of space.
Alternatively, you could prop it up on a chair, small stool, or even a crate in your dining room to give it more height. This way, it doesn’t take up any extra square footage.
You could also place a mid-sized real tree in an entryway to keep the gathering spaces less cluttered.
Mid-sized trees allow for a beautiful display while still leaving room for gifts underneath and other holiday decor around the room.
Their manageable size also means they’re easier to set up. This makes them an ideal choice for anyone looking to enjoy a Christmas tree that’s practical and beautiful.
Brighten Up Small Spaces with Colorful Christmas Tree Ideas
Another way to give your small Christmas tree big impact is to use colorful ornaments. Vintage shiny brite ornaments are perfect for adding color to your Christmas tree.
Not only does decorating a Christmas tree with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments bring a nostalgic charm but the colors add holiday cheer.
Shiny Brite ornaments, popular in the mid-20th century, have a unique look that is timeless. They are wildly popular among vintage collectors with vibrant colors, glitter accents, and classic holiday motifs.
As someone who loves neutrals, I have to admit this colorful little tree in the crock is a stunner!
While Shiny Brite ornaments look beautiful in contrast to green trees, they also pair well with silver trees. Aluminum Christmas trees were popular in the 60s and have made a resurgence lately.
Or use them to DIY your own little tree like those shown below! But remember to handle them with care, they are fragile.
Top the tree with a classic star or an angel with a retro flair. Alternatively, a simple vintage finial tree topper will echo the delicate shapes of the Shiny Brite ornaments. For a cohesive display, decorate your surrounding area with other vintage Christmas decorations, such as old-fashioned Santas and vintage cutter quilts to match the ornaments’ era.
Bring Holiday Cheer to Small Spaces with Outdoor Christmas Tree Ideas
Small Christmas trees can bring a delightful touch of holiday magic to outdoor spaces like porches, patios, or entryways. Placing your tree outside is a great way to enjoy a Christmas tree without taking up space inside.
It’s also easier to keep a live tree fresh longer when it’s outside.
Their compact size makes them easy to position near doorways, or even in pairs to frame a front entrance.
The trees above are more of a full-size tree, but this was so pretty that I wanted to share. As you can see, simple can be beautiful.
Decorate with simple, weatherproof elements like string lights, small bows, or shatterproof ornaments to add sparkle without overwhelming the natural beauty of the tree.
For our front porch, I found a white pine tree at the grocery store (of all places) that was one of my favorite front porch displays for Christmas.
Simple string lights or a light dusting of faux snow can enhance the tree’s natural look, creating an elegant yet effortless feel.
Adding small trees outside not only creates a welcoming, festive ambiance for guests but also adds warmth to your home’s exterior. These little trees are easy to maintain, and they can even be potted or planted after the season to continue bringing greenery to your outdoor space year-round.
Creative Alternative Christmas Tree Ideas for Small Spaces
Another option I’ve considered this year is using an alternative to a Christmas tree. Something that leans more towards gardening and floral.
For example, the tree below is actually an obelisk arbor with fresh Christmas greenery and string lights added. It’s placed in a planter and surrounded by loose ornaments. So beautiful!
Or consider filling a planter with fresh or faux greenery such as magnolia leaves. Next, embellish it with candles and ornaments.
Another thought I had was something like a vase full of eucalyptus or other floral fillers. For this, I would take it a step further and add red berry branches to make it more festive.
Or do something really unique and fill a large vase with faux pomegranate branches! Isn’t that cool?
Additionally, here are a few more alternative ideas to the traditional Christmas tree.
- A wall-mounted “tree” made from string lights or garland.
- Decorate a ladder with lights, garland, and ornaments for a rustic display
- Stack books into a tree-shape
- Use large branches in a vase with ornaments for a Scandinavian-inspired feel
- Hang Christmas cards on the wall in a tree-shape
These alternative “trees” add a fresh, creative twist to holiday decor, perfect for homes where space is limited or for anyone looking to try something new!
ADVANTAGES OF USING A SMALLER CHRISTMAS TREE
Using a mini Christmas tree can be a charming and practical alternative to a full-sized one. Here are a few reasons why a mini Christmas tree might be a perfect fit for your holiday decor:
- Mini trees are ideal for small spaces, like apartments, dorm rooms, or offices. They add festive cheer without taking up too much floor space, making them great for those who want a holiday feel without rearranging furniture. (Having to rearrange the furniture is the biggest pain for me).
- Mini trees are easy to set up and take down, requiring less time and effort than a full-sized tree. This is especially handy for people with busy schedules or those who prefer a hassle-free holiday setup.
- Smaller trees are often more affordable, which can be a big plus if you’re decorating on a budget. You can still achieve a festive look without investing in a large tree, ornaments, and extensive decorations.
As you can see from these examples, a mini Christmas tree can be just as festive and enjoyable as a full-sized one, with the added benefits of flexibility, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness!
Plus, they’re easier to store or dispose of after the season, requiring less storage space.
I hope you’re as inspired as I am to create a gorgeous Christmas tree with a small footprint this year!
Which of these small Christmas tree ideas was your favorite?
You can shop the look below:
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great small holiday decorations ideas! All so unique!
Roxanne, thank you for sharing these great ideas!! I think my favorite is the tree with the burlap ribbon and pinecones. Next would be the obelisk arbor. I have everything for both ideas as well as a large crock and newly aquired wooden box for two others. These are in the “why didn’t I think of that category”. Thank you again for the inspirations!