Room Concepts

If you’re working with limited space and wondering how to decorate a small living room for Christmas, we have some festive solutions for you! In this guide, we’ll walk you through seven holiday decorating ideas for small spaces, from picking the perfect tree to creative solutions that maximize every inch with festive flair.

7 Christmas Decorating Ideas for a Small Living Room

1. Choose a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Okay, not really (unless you really love Charlie Brown), but choosing a smaller tree that better fits your home is going to really open up your space. There are many ways you can choose a smaller tree. Buying one that is tall but more slender, buying one that is flat in the back so it fits snugly against a wall, or buying a smaller tree altogether. 

2. Get Creative

If your heart isn’t set on a traditional Christmas tree, get creative with your small space Christmas decor ideas. You can make a garland wall Christmas tree (or any of these other wall-mounted Christmas trees), a stick tree, or find a Christmas tree craft that brings the whole family together to make the tree (literally) a holiday activity. 

3. One In, One Out Rule

Sometimes, to decorate a small living room for Christmas, you need to follow the One In, One Out rule. If you bring in a piece of decor that seems to clutter up the room, remove a piece of furniture or decor that you can go without during the holidays. For example, if you want a larger tree, remove a potted plant or smaller piece of furniture to make more room. 

4. Table-Top Trees

Table-top trees can help you save space while still getting the twinkling lights you love from a Christmas tree. It’s the placement that matters. Just like how mirrors can help furnish a small living room to look bigger, if you place the tree on a small mirror or in front of a mirror or window so that the lights are reflected, you get double the sparkle without taking up all the space. 

5. Choose the Minimalist Route

Sometimes less can be more when it comes to decor, especially when you want to decorate a small living room for Christmas. Pairing simple Christmas greenery with a few
Christmas decorations throughout the space, like nutcrackers or candles, can add warmth and festivity to your home without making it feel overwhelming.

You can also double things often found around the house during the holidays as decorations. The presents under your tree? Add bows or festive foliage to your wrapping and display the presents as part of your decor.

6. Focus on Keeping it Cozy

For many, cozy vibes come to mind when thinking about the holidays. And if you’re looking for holiday decorating ideas for small spaces, then you have the perfect opportunity to lean into those cozy vibes. Amp up the coziness of your living room by adding warm lighting with fairy lights or candles. Add extra levels of comfort by mixing in different textiles, from holiday-themed pillow covers to chunky knit blankets.

7. Think Outside the Box

When you want to decorate a small living room for Christmas, you may need to think outside the box. No mantle or fireplace? Hang your stockings on a bookshelf, sofa table, or banister. Love garland? It’s not just for mantles or banisters. Add it to your windows or drape it over headboards and mirrors. 

Don’t let a small living room limit your holiday decorating ideas. With a few creative choices and clever use of space, your small living room can become a cozy holiday retreat. Embrace the season (and holiday decorating ideas for small spaces) and make your small space shine!

Where Should You Put the Christmas Tree in a Small Living Room?

The Christmas tree is often the focal point of your home during the holidays. So, finding the right spot is important, but it can be tricky if you have a small living room or limited floor space. Here are some living room design ideas and tips to consider when deciding where to put a Christmas tree in a small living room.

1. Will you have enough room for gifts under the tree or close by?
2. Do you want to include other decor with your tree, like figurines or houses? Is there enough room for them?
3. Can you easily walk by the tree without rubbing up against it? Is it blocking any seating areas?

For many people, once they’ve answered these questions, they often find a corner is the best place to put a Christmas tree for clutter free holiday decorating. It’s visible, it’s convenient, and it’s not blocking any walkways or seating. An added bonus if your tree is artificial, putting your tree in a corner means you can often bend and rearrange branches on the back of the tree so that it fits into the corner more tightly, freeing up more room in the front of the tree.

How to Make a Small Space Feel Festive but Not Cluttered

We could walk you through all the living room storage ideas to keep your space clutter free again, but during the holidays, we want to focus on creating that festive home we remember from our childhoods. Here are a few more ideas to help you get into the clutter free holiday decorating spirit.

1. Make it Smell Like the Holidays

When you think of Christmas, you probably have one or two scents that instantly come to mind. Fill your home with candles or a simmering pot recipe to make your home smell like Christmas all day long.

2. The Sounds of Christmas

When we think of Christmas, we always think of holiday music and movies. Many nights throughout December, you can find us watching Christmas movies or listening to old Chrstimas records. Both are great ways of feeling festive without adding too much clutter to your home.

3. Fill Your Home With Love

One of the best holiday decorating ideas for small spaces is to fill your home with love. From friends to family, the holidays are a time to enjoy one another’s company. And while a smaller home may not seem ideal to host a holiday get together, the time spent with each other is worth it.

Decorating a small living room for Christmas can be as fun and festive as decorating a larger space—all it takes is a little creativity and thoughtful choices. By considering these small space Christmas decor ideas, you’ll be able to transform your small living room into a cozy, holiday-ready space. Whether you choose a tabletop tree, get creative with wall decor, or keep it minimal, knowing how to decorate a small living room for Christmas can bring the spirit of the season to any space. And if you’re more worried about how to be the best host or guest than clutter free holiday decorating, check out our holiday dining etiquette guide. 

Room Concepts is here to provide tips and tricks on making your home your own, in addition to providing the best quality customizable and configurable furniture. Get in touch with our team today or stop into one of our showrooms in Pittsburgh, PA (South Hills) or Wexford, PA (North Hills) to explore our customizable furniture or to talk to our furniture experts about choosing the best furniture to add value and comfort to your home.