In this blog post, we’ll explore how to decorate a small living room for Christmas without sacrificing style or comfort.
The holiday season is fast approaching, so it’s time to decorate our houses with festive decor. But what if you have a small space and can’t fit a tree? Don’t fret! I have a list of 18 space-saving decor ideas for you to try.
Top 3 ideas for how to decorate a small living room for Christmas:
- Swap out the items you already have for a festive version
- If you can’t fit a tree don’t worry find a different festive statement piece that will fit your space
- make items multipurpose
1. Decorate Your Window Sills
If your floor space is at an absolute premium utilize your window sill. With only a few items you can easily create a festive Christmas scene. Grab a mini tree, some garland, and your favorite decor items, and arrange them across your entire sill. If you don’t require regular access to your window you can opt for a maximalist style and fill the entire sill. Add layers of garland, fairy lights, pine cones, and candles.
2. Make your coffee table a Christmas display
You don’t need to have a big tree to make your space feel festive. Coffee tables are a great place to put your Christmas decorations and can make a really nice focal point in the room.
I like putting a tray down first to display my items on, this makes your display look intentional and not like you are just haphazardly throwing things on your coffee table. The rule of three works well here so display things in groups of threes and make sure to incorporate different height items for visual interest.
3. Make your bar cart the feature
Bar carts are a great platform for Christmas decor and this small item can have a big impact. It’s time to swap out your regular glassware for Christmas glassware. You can add some fairy lights and Christmas garlands. Don’t forget to stock your bar cart with your favorite Christmas beverages.
4. Put up a small tree
The best space-saving idea and probably the most obvious is a skinny Christmas tree tucked away in a corner. There are some really great options for fake skinny trees. Another great option is to keep your decorations minimal on your tree this will prevent your space from feeling cluttered.
You don’t even have to go the route of a traditional Christmas tree, skinny or not. Opt for festive seasonal branches and wrap them in fairy lights for a minimal festive look.
5. Include festive throw pillows
Changing out your throw pillows with the seasons is an easy way to instantly change the feel of your space. Drape your couch with holiday-themed blankets or throws. Choose blankets that complement your color scheme or add a pop of festive color and roll up extra blankets and store them in a decorative basket.
6. Hang some fairy lights
Fairy lights are the ultimate cozy vibe. I love how versatile they are, and you can’t really go wrong with them. Make sure to get the warm glow bulbs with your fairy lights if you want a more boho cozy look or if you want a cooler more icy vibe choose the vibrant white bulbs.
If you want more boho ideas check out 13 Tips for Mastering Beachy Boho Bedroom Decor
7. Decorate your front door
If you live in a small apartment with limited floor space use your door as a decor focal point! Who doesn’t want to walk out of a warm festive door every day on their way to work?
Decorating your front door is especially effective if you can see it from your living room. Make sure to keep your decor to the walls and door frame to free up valuable floor space. Make your decor multifunctional by finding a coat rack that also looks like a tree.
8. Choose a festive color palette
When you are thinking about how to decorate a small living room for Christmas start by swapping out some of your regular decor for some soft green and red items. A festive color palette is a great way to get yourself in the holiday spirit. If red and green are too much go for gold and silver with some pops of green. Alternatively, if traditional Christmas colors aren’t for you stick to a neutral color palette.
If you love a neutral color palette check out our blog post 17 Of The Best Trendy Aesthetic Bedroom Decor Ideas
9. Include some fresh greenery in your space
Depending on what climate you live in you might be able to walk out your front door and grab some fresh pine branches from your yard. If not most flower shops and grocery stores will sell beautiful wreaths made from fresh greenery. Not only do they look cute but they smell amazing too.
10. Hang your old Christmas cards on the wall
Put all your Christmas cards to good use, instead of throwing them in a drawer use them to make cute DIY holiday decor! I always keep my favorite ones every year and hang them from a piece of string on the wall. This is a great space-saving idea and a free way to decorate your place.
11. Create a Christmas garland
This is the most beloved decor item (or at least it is for me) and especially effective if you are trying to come up with ideas on how to decorate a small living room for Christmas. Garland and Christmas go hand in hand and you don’t need a large space to incorporate it! I love the texture and warmth it immediately brings to a space. Most importantly, you can do almost anything with it and it is the perfect starting point for any Christmas scene.
The most popular way to use garland is to hang it on your fireplace mantle, but if you don’t have one of those lay it on top of your TV console. Conversely, lay the garland flat on a side table and nestle some candles and other decor items in between each branch for a cozy Christmas display.
12. Spice up your decor with candy canes
Not only are candy canes a delicious Christmas staple you can also use them to decorate your space. Candy canes don’t have to be the star of the show but they make for great filler decor. Firstly, Add them to your coffee table centerpiece or hang them from your tiny Christmas tree. Secondly, You can also put a handful of them in a cute mug and put them on your side table for easy snacking.
13. Decorate your side tables
Decorating your side table is a great way to add some Christmas decor when you have limited space, especially if surface space is at a premium. Choose your favorite ornaments and decorative objects to place them on your side table. This is also a great opportunity to use your fairy lights to wrap around the legs of your side table for an extra cozy vibe.
14. Mini wreaths are a great space-saving decor item
You can do so much with mini wreaths. They make for a great decor item when styling your shelves. I like to hang them on the front of my TV console. You can also hang these on the wall or put them lying flat on your coffee table and fill the center with pinecones.
15. Make your fireplace mantel the star of the show
If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in your space decorating it can make a big impact. If you have a beautifully decorated fireplace who needs a tree? Add some frames with holiday prints in them and stack them on your mantle. You can add some beautiful garland along the bottom and incorporate some tall candles to add height and visual interest.
16. Use miniature Christmas trees
Keeping all of your decor items on a small scale will help keep your space from feeling cluttered. Another advantage of using small-scale items is that you can incorporate more of them. For example, instead of one big Christmas tree add a bunch of really small-scale trees around your room. This way you have the trees but don’t need to take up valuable floor space with one.
17. Add in some statement pieces
One of the biggest themes you will find in this post is moving your decor from the floor to the walls. Create a fun holiday-inspired collage on your wall, you can incorporate your fairy lights and Christmas cards on a string as well. If you already have artwork on your walls swap it out for holiday-themed prints.
18. Pine cones make for a great centerpiece
Pine cones are one of my favorite Christmas decor items. They add a touch of the outdoors and give cabin vibes. Go find any size glass jar and fill it with pine cones, dried citrus fruits, and twinkle lights for a space-saving display on your coffee table. Lastly, you can also throw your pinecones in a bowl and sprinkle some dried citrus fruit on top for extra pizazz.
Conclusion
I hope you have learned how to decorate a small living room for Christmas after reading this post. The most important takeaway is that you don’t need a giant living room in order to decorate your space for the holidays.
To summarize, When space is at a premium move your design elements to the walls. Secondly, use miniature versions of large-scale items to include in your decor. Lastly, swap your regular decor items out for a festive version this way you aren’t taking up any more additional space! I Hope you have a great holiday season.
