Looking for christmas decorations for small apartment spaces that don’t take over the whole room? Think little tabletop trees, bows along the wall and garlands around your favorite mirror.
There’s plenty you can do with a shelf or an empty corner.
You can keep things simple or go all out with red ornaments and twinkling lights. These ideas include small displays plus a few bigger looks you can scale down to fit your own place.
Christmas decorating ideas for your small apartment
little tree and pinecones
We’re starting off strong with this pretty little tree on a round side table. I love the lights against the plain green branches.
The tall clear container of pinecones is such a lovely detail.
Try a pair of flameless candles beside yours, then drape a cream throw over the table edge to follow this look.
red and green chains
How cute is this doorway? The red and green chain loops across the top and trails down one side. Little hanging stars make it even sweeter.
If you want to bring the same colors into the room, add a plaid holiday pillow to your sofa like the one here.
garland with golden stars
I am obsessed with this doorway garland. The red beads and checked ribbon look so pretty tucked among the greenery.
Hang gold-colored stars at different heights across the top if you want that extra decoration. Keep them high enough to leave your doorway clear.
a tree made of lights
No room for a tree beside your seating? This one puts the tree shape right on the wall!
Zigzag lights, red and pink ornaments and a glowing star fill the narrow space beside the daybed.
The gingerbread and candy cane pillows are adorable too. Pick one of those shapes if you want a smaller version of this all-out look.
stockings on a ladder
This is actually one of my favorite ways to display stockings without a mantel. The brown and cream patterns look so cute alongside the hanging stars and heart.
Start with a decorative ladder you can secure in place, then add a little greenery across the top. You could leave off the floor baskets if your corner is tight.
a bookshelf christmas tree
The book lovers are going to love this! Open books form a little tree shape right on the shelf, with a big red-and-black checked bow on top.
The tiny dangling-leg figures and pinecones make the shelves feel festive without moving all the books out.
red bows and tiny lights
Don’t want to go overboard with the greenery? No problem!
This simple swag of red bows and tiny lights is so pretty against the pale wall. I’d keep the long ribbon tails just like these.
a slim entryway tree
If you love a full-height tree but need something narrow, this one is for you. Cream ornaments, pale bows and little lights cover the slim branches, with a large gold-colored star at the top.
The basket at the base is a lovely finishing touch. Just make sure your own tree leaves enough room for the door to open fully.
a festive kitchen tray
Searching for “xmas decorations ideas small apartment”? This festive tray is a lovely place to start. There’s a white vase of greenery, red berries and a tiny glowing house.
I love the red and gold-colored ornaments tucked around the base. Choose a flameless candle for your version so it can sit beside the decorations.
ornaments under an arch
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. Red and silver-colored ornaments hang beneath a garland-covered arch, with lights and red bows all along the greenery.
Try a few different ornament shapes rather than matching every one. Hang your version above head height wherever people walk through.
a christmas balcony
Don’t forget your balcony if you have one! This narrow space has greenery along the railing, ornaments hanging on vertical strings and a tree tucked at the far end.
The red baubles are my favorite part. For your own balcony, choose outdoor-rated decorations and secure everything on the inside of the railing.
white stockings and lights
This is another pretty ladder display, but it’s a little different from the one above. I love the white stockings against the dark green garland.
The small lighted trees and glowing candles carry the decoration down to the floor. Try flameless candles if you’re adding a snowy-looking base like this one.
a little cocoa station
How adorable is this cocoa display? The smiling gingerbread figure and snowman are just too cute together.
Candy canes fill the top tier while a marshmallow jar sits below.
Use a tiered tray to gather your mugs and holiday decorations in one spot. You can skip a few signs if you’d rather leave more room for the mugs.
ribbon and garland wall tree
I love this take on a wall tree. The greenery gets wider toward the bottom, with patterned ribbon running between the rows and red baubles hanging underneath.
A gold-colored star finishes the top. Save this one if you want the ornaments and lights without a freestanding tree.
berries along the table
Give your dining table a little Christmas color with a berry-filled centerpiece. The tall white vase sits above greenery, pinecones and little tree decorations on a cream runner.
That tiny reindeer is my favorite detail. For a smaller table, try just the vase and reindeer on a short tray instead of copying the whole arrangement.
gingerbread and plaid pillows
OMG, how adorable is this gingerbread pillow? The little red bow tie and pink cheeks are so sweet.
Pair one with a red-and-white plaid pillow and a plain red cushion to follow this sofa look. You don’t need to decorate every seat.
mirror garland and red bows
This mirror decoration may just be one of my favorites here. I love the pale bead strands looping through the greenery and those red bows with extra-long tails.
Follow the curve of your mirror with the garland, then let one side hang farther down like this. There’s no need to cover the whole frame.
golden star garland
If you’re looking for something simple with a little color, go with a star garland like this one. The golden-yellow cutouts have uneven points and pale string running between them.
Try hanging yours along a bookshelf or above a desk. I’d keep the slightly different star shapes rather than making them all match.
a mirror full of sparkle
I am obsessed with this decorated gold-colored mirror. The tiny stars and lights look gorgeous through the greenery, with a pale bow hanging from the top.
Little bottlebrush-style trees and a Santa figure fill the surface below. If your console is smaller, choose a couple of those decorations and leave the rest clear.
white bows beside a mirror
Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous tree with white bows. I love the long ribbon tails among the silver-colored ornaments and lights!
The tall arched mirror reflects the decorated branches. This tree needs more floor space than the little ones above, but you could try the same bow-covered look on a narrower tree.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Giulia