Holiday decor for your tiny apartment

Deck the halls with holiday decor ideas that offer maximum merriment, even with minimum space

White and spacious domestic living room decorated with Christmas fir tree and pastel holiday decor. Festive craft gift boxes and wrapped presents for family and friends. Cozy celebrations at home
(Image credit: Getty)

You don't need to have big space to throw a big holiday, and these holiday decor ideas for your tiny apartment are adorable proof. 

Ok, sure, we might not be able to fit one of those gigantic celebrity Christmas trees into our flats but that doesn't mean that our home holiday get-ups have to be any less jolly and joyful.

Whether you're looking for Christmas tree alternatives or clever small-space ideas that won't have you cursing your lack of storage come December 26, we've got holiday decor tips for you!



Holiday decor for your small apartment

1. Up your tiny tree game

Large Tassel Tree Gold - Opalhouse™ designed with Jungalow™

(Image credit: Target)

Don't have the square footage for a Kris Jenner-worthy Christmas tree? Bigger doesn't always have to mean better, especially when you can forgo one giant Douglas fir for a whole forest's worth of festive micro trees. They can be Charlie Brown-style charmers that would otherwise be left at the tree lot, purely decorative numbers, or you can simply dress up the potted greenery that you already have around your flat.

Target, Large Tassel Tree Gold ($15)
$15 at target.com

Target, Large Tassel Tree Gold ($15)

Add charm, color and texture to a small space with these playful tassel tree figurines, available in red, light pink, gold, light teal and dark teal. 

Food52, Farmhouse Pottery Ceramic Winter Trees ($32–$2,520)
$32 at SkimLinks - food52.com

Food52, Farmhouse Pottery Ceramic Winter Trees ($32–$2,520)

Don't want the mess of a spruce? You won't need to pick up any pesky needles with these ceramic wintry trees, perfect for dressing up your mantle or dining table. 

Homebase, 2ft Snowy Tabletop Christmas Tree (£9)
£9 at homebase.co.uk

Homebase, 2ft Snowy Tabletop Christmas Tree (£9)

Keep it traditional—and tiny—with this mini artificial tree, decked out with snow-flocked branches and a rustic burlap-wrapped base.

2. Swap in seasonality

MIULEE Pack of 2 Classic Retro Checkers Plaids Linen Soft Soild Decorative Square Throw Pillow Covers

(Image credit: Amazon)

When dealing with a smaller living space, you don't want to add more clutter-inducing items so much as replace the ones you already have. From dish towels to welcome doormats to throw pillow covers, swapping out your everyday stuff for more festive seasonal options is a super-easy fix when decorating for the holidays.

Amazon, MIULEE Retro Checkers Square Throw Pillow Covers ($9.99)
$9.99 at Amazon US

Amazon, MIULEE Retro Checkers Square Throw Pillow Covers ($9.99)

Add some preppy-sweet festivity to your sofa with these red-and-white plaid pillow covers. 

H&M, Text-motif doormat (£12.99)
£12.99 at www2.hm.com

H&M, Text-motif doormat (£12.99)

Get your holiday party off on the right foot with this cute and Christmassy coconut-husk doormat. 

Pottery Barn, Velvet Sherpa Tree Applique Pillow Cover ($59.50)
$59.50 at potterybarn.com

Pottery Barn, Velvet Sherpa Tree Applique Pillow Cover ($59.50)

It's joyfully festooned with bells, sequins, pom-poms and fringe but the easy-to-match neutral colorway of this velvet throw ensures that it will go with any interior design theme. 

3. Decorate the kitchen (and bedroom, and bathroom)

HALCYON DAYS Parterre Poinsettia Coaster Set

(Image credit: Amara)

Who says you need to stop in the living room when it comes to holiday decorations? We say extend the merriment through every room in your apartment or through your entire studio by bringing seasonal decor into your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, heck, even the hallways!

Amara, Halcyon Days Parterre Poinsettia Coaster Set (£76)
£76 at amara.com

Amara, Halcyon Days Parterre Poinsettia Coaster Set (£76)

Add some holiday high spirits to your tablescape or your bar cart with these fine bone china coasters patterned with poinsettias and gilded with gold. 

Pottery Barn, Sentiment Organic Cotton Sheet Set ($79–$149)
$79 at potterybarn.com

Pottery Barn, Sentiment Organic Cotton Sheet Set ($79–$149)

It's a win-win situation: smooth organic cotton bedding decorated with sweet red script spelling out "merry," "bright" and fellow holiday sentiments. 

Etsy, Boho Christmas Trees Kitchen Tea Towel ($19.99)
$19.99 at SkimLinks - etsy.com

Etsy, Boho Christmas Trees Kitchen Tea Towel ($19.99)

This cheerful printed washcloth is as at home near the kitchen sink as it is on the bathroom towel rack. 

4. Dress up your door(s)

Felt and Pom Garland

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

When you're working with limited space, you have to use up every inch you've got. That includes doors—and you don't just have to restrict it to your front door. Extend the yuletide trimmings to hallway doors, closet doors, you name it, with stuff like wreaths, garlands, decals and extra stockings. The more is definitely the merrier.

Anthropologie, Felt and Pom Garland ($33.60)
$33.60 at anthropologie.com

Anthropologie, Felt and Pom Garland ($33.60)

A plush play on those popcorn-and-cranberry garlands you used to make as a kid, this seasonal swag can be thrown over a doorframe for instant Christmas-party vibes. 

Urban Outfitters, Mini Tinsel Wreath ($9)
$9 at urbanoutfitters.com

Urban Outfitters, Mini Tinsel Wreath ($9)

The holidays simply aren't complete without tinsel. This metallic wreath adds some major twinkle even in its miniature size.

Oliver Bonas, Star Hammered Gold Metal Wall Art (£39.50)
£39.50 at oliverbonas.com

Oliver Bonas, Star Hammered Gold Metal Wall Art (£39.50)

Who said wall art had to go on a wall? Command Strip a few of these gorgeous Christmas stars to your front door to give your loved ones a glam welcoming for the holiday. 

5. When in doubt, light it up

Christmas Lights Indoor Decoration, Curtain String Lights Backdrop

(Image credit: Amazon)

If you live in an apartment building, you likely don't have the space or ability to hang up Christmas lights outside. But that doesn't mean you can't go all out indoors! From classic strung lights to window decorations and even trendy neon options, lighting adds a jolt of Christmas spirit without taking up much space.  

Amazon, Christmas Lights Indoor Decoration ($14.99)
$14.99 at Amazon US

Amazon, Christmas Lights Indoor Decoration ($14.99)

Individual strings of Christmas lights can be annoying to put up—that's where a string-light curtain like this comes in to help. Use it as a wall hanging or window treatment for a quick way to add some winter-wonderland wow to your space. 


M&S, Hanging Star Battery Lights (£20.65)
£20.65 at marksandspencer.com

M&S, Hanging Star Battery Lights (£20.65)

In a small space, you always want to take the eye up to make your surroundings look bigger. These hanging star lights will help you do that and, handily, they're battery-operated. 

Etsy, Yes to Champagne neon sign ($43.88)
$43.88 at SkimLinks - etsy.com

Etsy, Yes to Champagne neon sign ($43.88)

It's not a true holiday party until you crack a bottle of bubbly. Hung in your kitchen or above your drink station, this peppy signage will get the festive fete started in style. 

Christina Izzo

Christina Izzo is the Deputy Editor of My Imperfect Life. 

More generally, she is a writer-editor covering food and drink, travel, lifestyle and culture in New York City. She was previously the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York

When she’s not doing all that, she can probably be found eating cheese somewhere.