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Apartment Christmas decor requires a little more creativity than, say, Christmas decorations for a sprawling mansion. Because while more may be merrier, a limited amount of space means each element must be extra thoughtful and impactful.
Let’s face it: It can be hard to picture North Pole vibes and a 12-foot Christmas tree when you have a teeny tiny living room.
If dreams of sugar plums are dancing in your head, you’re in for a real treat! There are tons of ways to add a touch of the holidays to your apartment, even if you have Z E R O space to work with.
When I moved into my first apartment, I remember being overwhelmed by the task of holiday decorating (my parents’ house is just so darn cozy!!!). Yet, I was so excited to start creating my own traditions and put my own spin on Christmas decorations.
Turns out, you can find some really, really inexpensive things out there. That, coupled with creative DIY holiday crafts, and you have a real chance at a (mini) winter wonderland!
Although you may not have the square footage as some other homes, there’s plenty of ways to get that joyful holiday spirit in full shining light.
Here are 12 Apartment Christmas Decor Ideas to try in your small space!
Tip 1: Choose Feature Colors
Before you begin stringing popcorn or careening down the aisles of Home Goods, take a second to narrow down your vision.
In a small apartment, too much *stuff* can make a place look VERY cramped. One way to lessen the visual load is to stick with one to two(ish) theme colors.
A simplified theme (like, say, white and greenery) can really keep a small apartment feeling fresh and festive, without looking like a cramped corner shop full of knick-knacks and clutter.
Some color combination examples would be…
- Snow White and Fresh Greenery
- Emerald and Gold
- Ruby and Silver
- Holly Berry & Rustic Wood
Obviously, there are some colors in the room you won’t be able to control (like, a fresh garland is a forest green and there’s not much changing that!). But take it all into account when you’re plotting things like ornaments, wrapping paper, trinkets and centerpieces.
Whichever color combination speaks to you is fine, just run with it for the rest of your process.
Tip 2: Get a Tabletop Tree
If you’re in a small apartment, a huge Christmas tree sometimes just IS NOT an option.
(Never mind that it won’t fit … apartments on the fifth floor of a walk-up are a DOOZY to get a tree into!)
If you don’t have space for a traditionally large tree, go the Charlie Brown route!
A cute, miniature tabletop tree is just the ticket for small spaces. Of course, you don’t have to place the tree on your kitchen table; you can get creative with the placement.
DECOR HACK: Set your tabletop tree on a TV table with a simple white or lace tablecloth draped over it, put it in a corner and bam! Done.
You can sometimes find fresh tabletop trees locally, but I’ve found that they sell out very quickly where I live.
Another logical option is to buy a small faux tree that you can enjoy year after year. If you just HAVE to have that fresh pine scent, try these awesome tree-sicle hanging ornaments — they blend in perfectly but add a lovely, fresh tree smell!
Amazon has great fake tree options for less than $23!!
This one is pre-lit with twinkle lights:
These are the TV tables we have. They fold up easily and we slide them into our coat closet when we don’t need them. (And, they also come in handy for entertaining, extra spots to place food and drinks for movie nights, to place on the porch while painting, etc. It’s one of my must-haves for any apartment!!)
Drape a round tablecloth over it (this one is less than $8!) to make it instantly chic:
Tip 3: Create a Big Winter Bouquet Instead
If you can’t squeeze an entire tree or even a tiny one in your apartment, why fight it?!
There are a number of gorgeous, festive bouquets ready-made for you, or you can create your own by picking out a couple of select stems to add to a centerpiece you already have.
One genius idea is to get a centerpiece like this that you’ll love all year round:
… and then swap out a couple of stems depending on the season!
Add these in and boom, CHRISTMAS!
Tip 4: Focus on Bar Cart Christmas Decor
We know there will be plenty of Yuletide cheer being passed around this time of year, right?
Take the decor where the party is!
Since a bar cart is often a staple in an apartment’s living/dining area, it’s the ideal focal point for some fun decor.
Add a garland, a glass jar of ornaments, or a faux tree in to help make a little holly jolly happen right at the drinks station.
I LOVE how One Small Blonde styled hers:
SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS:
Tip 5: Use Gifts as Christmas Decor
Using gifts as your main Christmas decor is so smart for many reasons. It’s relatively inexpensive AND you don’t have to store it the other 11 months of the year!!
Pro tip: Choose a paper that sets the tone for the theme you love.
For example, go with all gold shiny wrapping paper and navy ribbon for a modern, chic look.
Or, maybe a classic tartan/plaid pattern for a cozy farmhouse Christmas.
I also love an all-silver “Silver Bells” look!
Last year, I did a “white Christmas” — I used simple, old-school off-white paper (super cheap!) tied together with twine. Then, I slipped a piece of fresh garland through the twine. It was so simple and nostalgic, and provided a truly classic look.
I can’t find my image from last year, but It looked something like this:
Plus, as its mentioned above, sticking with a specific, limited color scheme can help keep everything feeling elegant and no cramped! The gifts were a perfect place to let this shine.
SHOP CHIC WRAPPING PAPER:
Tip 6: Make it Sparkle with Twinkle Lights
They’re small. They’re flexible. AND, they’re Christmassy. Plus, they’re cheap.
WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?!
Twinkle lights add a certain holiday magic that is pure and simple — and totally accessible.
Change it up! Beyond your tree, add twinkle lights to your mantle, around your TV, up and down a book shelf, or hanging from the ceiling!
Tip 7: Add a Cozy Christmas Blanket to the Couch
Nothing says, “Let’s snuggle and watch cheesy Christmas movies” like a super-soft blanket on the couch.
Find one that you’ll love pulling out winter after winter.
Bonus: This is the perfect chance to get something in your color scheme to really tie everything together!
Tip 8: Go Foraging for Decor
Create a pinecone centerpiece the easy way! Gather pinecones from the yard, shake them off, then place them in your prettiest serving tray or bowl.
This also looks great on a coffee table!
I love how Sarah @ The Charming Detroiter used this rustic wood and added greenery!
It doesn’t get much more simple or inexpensive than that!
Tip 9: Decorate Your Blanket Ladder
Blanket ladders are super popular in apartments, and they also happen to be the perfect launch pad for apartment Christmas decor!
Easily weave twinkle lights throughout the ladder, prop up a wreath (without having to put a hole in the wall!), and display your coziest blankets.
A blanket ladder is another one of those household elements that make a good investment because you can love them all year round, but add small seasonal touches to make them feel festive for every major holiday.
Tip 10: Display Your Cards as Apartment Christmas Decor!
Even the smallest apartments have room for this idea! All you need is the back of a door (the pantry door or door to a hall bathroom works well for this one!).
Simply tack up a ribbon and use tape, a clothespin, or a safety pin to clip each card to the ribbon!
It’s the simplest way to put holiday cheer on full display. PLUS, if the card sender comes over, they’ll see their face smiling back (and you can avoid the whole “sorry I threw you in the garbage, I don’t have a lot of space here” conversation ;).
If you don’t have the energy for that, this hanging wreath card display is just about as cute as they come.
RELATED READ: 17 Savvy Apartment Decorating Tricks You NEED to Know
Tip 11: Re-think Wreath Placement
We think of wreaths on the front door, right?
Well, wreaths are much more versatile than that!
Use wreathes as the centerpiece with a big candle in the middle, or to snazz up a side table.
They can even be hung low, instead of up high on the door!
I love the way Hi, Sugarplum does this with a gorgeous pop of color.
It feels chic and festive without being too bulky.
A similar wreath would look wonderful looped around a stair banister, or on the back of a chair!
Think outside the box a bit.
Tip 12: No Chimney? No Problem
Many apartments — actually, MOST apartments — don’t have traditional fireplaces where you can hang your stockings.
Does that mean no Santa? Not necessarily 😉
Get a little imaginative with your stockings placement! Use a shelf, a credenza, or that countertop space where bar stools normally go.
I love how Allison from The Golden Sycamore handled her stockings. It’s almost like she used floating shelves!
SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS HERE:
So — how are you feeling about your apartment Christmas decor? Ready to add ALLLLLL the holly jolly to your small space? 😉
When it comes to apartment Christmas decor, you CAN pack a big punch without a big space. You just need to step back and think about what you’re working with, and then decorate with intention.
What other apartment Christmas decor tips or ideas do you have? Drop them in the comments below!
You just read: 12 Simple Apartment Christmas Decor Ideas For A Magical Space
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