12 Decor Tricks That Can Make A Small Space Shine For The Holidays

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You don't need to live in a sprawling mansion to create a festive space during the holidays (though the Home Alone house was recently for sale). It can be easy to look around your small space and see all of the problems and limitations in it. Things may feel cluttered and cramped right now. Clearing space and using the best decluttering tips for your home before the holidays may help. But even after purging, how can you inject festive vibes without filling the room back up?

The key to loving your small space during the holidays is to embrace it and work with what you have. Rather than trying to make it look like the overfilled house you saw on Instagram, opt for small, more subtle touches that add a hint of coziness and magic. By using intentional decor techniques, your small space can instantly be transformed into a winter wonderland.

Keeping an eye out for unconventional spots to display your decor is a great way to add holiday cheer to a small space. When you don't have much square footage to work with, it's important to take advantage of every inch. To add a little magic without crowding your floor or other surfaces, look up to your ceiling. Adding decor here can also help draw the eye up and make your space appear bigger. 

Create your own winter wonderland at home by cutting out paper snowflakes from white or craft paper, then use twine to hang them from your ceiling. No extra time this month? No worries. Simply buy beautiful, pre-cut snowflake decorations like these Chrorine Winter White Paper Snowflake Decorations. For a sweet, vintage look, buy gingerbread-colored paper snowflakes like this pack of Crocheted Hanging Decor. Would you like to add more color? This Green-White Red Christmas-Tree Party-Decorations Garland will fill your small space with instant cheer. Use small Command Hooks to hang the decor without damaging your ceiling.

Rather than adding more stuff, temporarily swap out the everyday textiles that already have homes on your hooks or shelves. Using linens in festive colors will give your rooms a warm glow while taking up the same amount of space as your normal towels, sheets, and bedding. Plus, by using holiday-themed ones, you inject a little festive cheer into daily tasks like showering, sleeping, and doing the dishes.

End your morning shower with cheery red linens like this Casa Lino Set of Bath Towels. To make your bed a bit cozier for the season, swap your typical sheets with flannel ones like these Comfort Spaces Cotton Set in a festive plaid. Or, place a holiday dish towel next to the kitchen sink for drying your pots and pans. If you like using a tablecloth or placemats, switch your normal ones out for bright red or sparkly materials. 

Nothing says holidays like the soft glow of twinkle lights. No matter your age, they always feel special and calming. They also provide an instant festive feeling without a footprint. When decorating, focus on layering your lighting options. Using a combination of lights from lamps and twinkle lights makes a space brighter and allows you to create a festive mood. 

String twinkle lights from your windows or doors for a subtle glow. To avoid damaging your walls, hang your lights with Command Indoor Mini Light Clips. For small nooks or corners that aren't near outlets, opt for a short, battery-powered strand like Mini LED Starry Fairy Lights. For a bit more detail, these Christmas Snowflake String Lights have delicate shapes and come in multiple colors. Try hanging lights in areas where you'd like to relax. A small bedroom can feel transformed with a strand or two of twinkle lights, especially on cold nights when you're planning to stay in. 

Don't overlook ordinary spaces like windows when decorating. Rather than adding bulky garlands, decorate the glass with a simple chalk marker. It's cheap, easy, and provides hours of entertainment for adults and kids alike. It's also a beautiful way to add holiday cheer without taking up any extra space.

Look for a water-based pack, like Lana & Luca Liquid Chalk Marker Pens. They are safe for glass and other surfaces and are easy to wipe away. Draw a wintery village with tiny houses and trees. Or opt for snowflakes and ornaments hanging from the tops of your windows. You might surprise yourself with your creativity. And if you could use a little inspiration, search Pinterest or Etsy for ideas. For a little extra guidance, print out a simple picture of a gingerbread house or other holiday shape. Then tape it to your window and trace the outline. 

Charlie Brown may have been right all along. A small tree can bring big holiday joy and create a festive effect in your apartment or small space. To save room without sacrificing holiday fun, set up a pre-lit pencil tree like the National Tree Company Kingswood Slim Artificial Fir in the corner of a room. You'll get the satisfaction and nostalgia of decorating a tree without the bulky setup.

And you don't need a large ornament collection to make a big statement. Event designer Jung Lee told the New York Times that the key to hanging ornaments is to cluster them like bunches of grapes. "It becomes much more impactful," she explains. So, when decorating your pencil tree, pick out your favorite ornaments and leave the rest in boxes. You'll be left with a clean and compact look that creates festive vibes.

If you have a small kitchen, try decorating your cabinet doors. This keeps your counters clear while adding charming colors and designs. A colorful red bow or hand-cut snowflake adds cheer to any space. Plus, at the end of the season, these items can be stored in a small bin, or you can just remake them each year.

Think of a theme or color scheme you'd like to use in your space, then get to work collecting or creating simple decor. Adding the same ribbon to all of the kitchen cabinets looks chic and cohesive. Use a roll like Ribbli Red Velvet Ribbon to wrap each door both horizontally and vertically so they look like presents. Or, create the perfect display for your holiday cards, and tape them to your cabinets. This saves precious space, and you'll see your favorite people smiling back at you every time you open the doors. 

Candles are a staple in the ultimate guide to hygge decor because they instantly add a cozy elegance to any room. They're also perfect for small spaces because just a few can transform the vibe. Whether you're lighting your menorah or creating a cozy reading corner, candles are a holiday favorite. Flameless candles offer ambiance without the dripping wax and fire hazard. But if you'd rather use real ones, check out the cutest DIY menorah drip tray to save your surfaces.

Red and green candles provide a holiday pop of color. For a festive glow, opt for battery-powered options, like this Paichi Flameless Pillar Candle Set. Tapered shapes, like this Green and Red Flameless Candle Set, are a lovely addition to your windows after dark, and they're made with real wax. If you're short on surface space, use your walls. Install farmhouse sconces like these Metal Wall Candle Sconce Holder Set for warm candlelight without a footprint.

Use what you already have hung on your walls and simply swap out your usual family photos for holiday-themed pictures, cards, wrapping paper, or drawings. Remove the pictures from the frames you're already using and set them aside until the new year. Then, fill the frames with photos or drawings in vibrant red, rich jewel tones, or glittery gold. This leaves your space feeling open and clean while infusing fun holiday colors and patterns.

Consider choosing a theme for your holiday artwork. Look for pictures of Christmas cottages or buy a pack of festive prints like this TwoDays Vintage Christmas Wall Art that complement one another. To make your own gallery wall, use pictures or paintings with similar colors. For a more personal look, hang photos of your family or friends from past holiday seasons. You don't even need frames for this if you'd like to create a casual look. Simply string lights from the wall and clip your favorite holiday photos to them. 

If you like a rustic look, get outside to hunt for small treasures you can use to create a simple display. In the winter months, your neighborhood, backyard, or local park is a perfect place to find natural decor elements. Consider displaying tree trimmings on your counter or coffee table for a chic and rustic look. A narrow container, like this Ribbed White Ceramic Vase, allows you to make a tall, impactful arrangement without taking up much surface area. Or use rustic containers, like Wide Mouth Mason Jars Lids and Bands, to show off small pine cones.

Not up for foraging your own decorations this year? No problem. Choose any small item and display a group of them in a jar or bowl. Architect Elizabeth Roberts told the New York Times that she prefers a minimalist holiday look with a glass vase full of Hershey's Kisses. "I think they're cute and festive, and everybody always loves one, so I put those in huge vessels," she says. It creates a feeling of abundance in a small package.

There's no need to go wild in the holiday decor aisle during Black Friday sales. Consider adding little wintery touches to the furniture and decor you already have. This will save space and money during the season. Rather than adding extra pillows, cover your usual ones in cheery, low-cost covers. You'll get a pop of holiday fun without taking up any additional space.

Channel a Christmas farmhouse from your favorite Hallmark movie with this Pack of Christmas Plaid Decorative Throw Pillow Covers in Scottish Tartan. Or keep your space minimal and understated with these Allorry Christmas Pillow Covers covered in classic ivory trees. Just pay close attention to the dimensions of the inserts you already own when shopping for covers. If your holiday budget is extra tight this year, use this DIY trick to turn Dollar Tree scarves into cozy throw pillows. 

Artificial garland full of greenery can look beautiful around your home, but quickly takes up space. Instead of the traditional bulky garland with tree trimmings and lights, consider making your own smaller version. String fruit together for a pop of color and delightful scent, making a just-the-right-size hanging decor piece for your space. 

Dried orange slices make a beautiful garland, adding rich color and texture. Dry out sliced oranges in the oven or a fruit dehydrator. If you're short on time, these Oranfit Dried Orange Slices are a perfect solution. For an even more petite garland, try stringing together fresh cranberries. And there's no need to store it for next year. Simply hang it outside for the birds at the end of the season.

A small, cluttered space can feel suffocating, especially when you're spending more time indoors. To keep your holiday look chic and peaceful, choose one or two themes. Repeat your chosen colors or themes throughout your space to help the entire house or apartment feel cohesive. When your winter and holiday decor is streamlined and pulled together, your space can feel more open instead of overwhelming.

Adorn your tree with red ornaments and complement them with matching stockings for a simplified look. Keep the scale of decor items in mind when working with a small space. Things like mini bottlebrush trees can look cheerful lined up on a windowsill. A bulky, oversized wreath can overwhelm a small room. Instead, look for a charming low-profile one like Haute Decor's Homespun Christmas Wreath. This will keep your space feeling intentional, rather than dwarfed by the decor.