Small Space, Big Holiday Cheer: Decorating Your Holiday Home

As the holidays approach, it’s time to start thinking about decorating your home. But for those of us living in smaller homes, it can be a challenge to create a festive atmosphere without feeling cramped. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to decorate your holiday home without sacrificing space.

Our home is an older one-floor New England home. It has only 5 rooms but that doesn’t mean that I skimp on decorating or style!

I’m going to show you how I creatively used every square inch of my living room this year to decorate for the holidays.

One thing that I do in my living room is to break it down into different spaces: main living, walkway, and entryway.

You can also use shelves and bookcases to display your holiday decor, adding a touch of cheer to your living space while keeping surfaces clutter-free.

By choosing decor that is both functional and decorative, you can create a cozy holiday home without feeling cramped or cluttered.

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Decorating Smaller Homes

When it comes to holiday decorating, smaller spaces can present a unique challenge. As someone who lives in a smaller home, I understand this struggle firsthand. However, with a bit of creativity and strategic planning, even the tiniest of spaces can be transformed into a festive wonderland.

One of the first things to consider when decorating a small space is scale. Oversized decorations can quickly overwhelm a small room, making it feel cluttered and cramped. Instead, opt for smaller, more proportionate decorations that won’t take up too much space.

Opt for a slimmer Christmas tree style rather than a full-sized tree so you still have space to navigate your room.

Another key consideration is functionality. In a small space, every inch counts, so it’s important to choose decorations that can serve multiple purposes. For example, I will use a decorative tray to display holiday-themed items for the holidays but can also use it year-round for other items.

Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with your storage solutions. In a small space, storage is always at a premium, I use baskets on the shelf of my coffee table to store extra throw blankets and magazines in my living room to keep it clutter-free.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can create a festive and inviting holiday space that’s perfectly suited to your small home.

Holiday Home Decorating Basics

When it comes to decorating your holiday home, there are a few basics that you should keep in mind. Here are a few of my favorite tips to get you started:

• Keep it simple: When decorating a small space, it’s important to keep things simple. Avoid clutter and stick to a few key decorations that will make a big impact.
• Think vertical: When you’re short on floor space, think vertical. A tall bookcase will bring the eye upward and create the illusion of a bigger space.
• Use lighting to your advantage: Lighting can make a big difference in a small space. Use string lights to add warmth and ambiance during the holidays.
• Get creative with storage: When you’re not using your decorations, make sure they’re stored away in a way that won’t take up too much space.
• Incorporate natural elements: Bring the outdoors in by incorporating natural elements like pine cones, branches, and berries into your decor. Not only will it add a festive touch, but it will also make your space feel cozy and inviting.

In the back corner of my small living room, I have a very tall bookcase. It not only gives me another space for decorating and storage it also draws your eye upward and gives the illusion of a bigger room.

Remember, decorating a small space doesn’t mean you have to skimp on holiday cheer.

Maximizing Space

When decorating a holiday home in a small space, it’s important to maximize every inch of space available. Here is how I make the most of my space:

• Use vertical space: You can also use shelves, tables, or bookcases to display holiday items.
• Keep it simple: When decorating a small space, less is often more. Stick to a few key pieces and avoid clutter.
• Use mirrors: Mirrors can make a small space feel larger by reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space.

In my living room, I set up a small console table with a large arc mirror above it next to the front door to create an entryway area. The mirror makes the space feel grander and reflects light in the room.

Even though my living room is just one room I create smaller “rooms” within it.

By following these tips, you can create a cozy and festive holiday home in even the smallest of spaces.

Choosing the Right Decorations

Color Choices

When it comes to decorating a small space, color choices can make a big difference. I like to stick to a color scheme of two to three colors that complement each other.

This Christmas my color scheme is natural greens, gold, and creams, I’ve also added some black accents for contrast.

In smaller homes, it helps if you carry the same colors throughout your rooms. This helps to create a cohesive look and makes the space feel bigger.

Size and Scale

In a small space, it’s important to choose decorations that are the right size and scale. Oversized decorations can make a small room feel cluttered, while small decorations can get lost in the space. I like to choose decorations that are proportional to the size of the room.

I still want a beautiful space and I am thoughtful with how I decorate each part of my living room to create a cohesive look.

TIP: A slimmer style of Christmas tree works better in a small living room. Make sure to read the descriptions for diameters of artificial trees before buying them to make sure you have the space. If you are buying a real tree grab your tape measure before you head out.

Multipurpose Decorations

When decorating a small space, it’s important to choose decor pieces that serve multiple purposes. You don’t need a million different trays and vases…the same goes for Christmas decorations if you don’t have the space to store them. Be thoughtful when you are purchasing things for your home.

I reuse my holiday decorations in different ways each year to keep my home fresh and new without buying more things that I will have to store later.

This year I took my long dough bowl that I had on my coffee table in the Fall to create a candle arrangement to use on my bookcase in the living room.

The festive swag that I had on my front door last Christmas was toned down and I hung it on an antique mirror in the living room.

That’s it for choosing the right decorations for small spaces. Remember to stick to a color scheme, choose decorations that are the right size and scale for your room, and look for multipurpose decorations.

How I Decorated My Small Living Room

Now let me show you how I put all of my tips together to create this cozy space for the holidays.

For Christmastime, I kept the bones of the room the same. I’m using the same cozy throw pillows that I had in the Fall because the colors work with my Christmas decor since I use lots of natural and organic materials.

For extra glow, I added string lights and battery-operated candles throughout the room, It also creates a cozy feel once the sun goes down.

I kept the Christmas decor simple and not overwhelming in this living room space.

A large pot filled with fresh greens, eucalyptus, and dried starflowers on the coffee table draws your eye and adds another layer of green to the room.

Also, not every accessory in the room is Christmas. On the bookcase, I used pieces that I use year-round like a large secondhand basket, home decor books, and vases.

The table and mirror by the front door create a small entryway area and also give me another surface to decorate.

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My favorite part of the living room was the mantel of the fireplace at the back of the room. I used a combination of secondhand finds and things that I already had to create an eye-catching display for the holidays.

When decorating a small space, it is important to keep things simple and avoid clutter. Focus on a few key pieces that will make a big impact, such as a colorful wreath, a festive centerpiece, or some twinkling lights.

Consider using multi-purpose items and be sure to take advantage of vertical space.

When it comes to color schemes, stick to a few complementary colors that will tie everything together. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and textures, but try to keep things cohesive.

Finally, remember that the holidays are about spending time with loved ones, not about having the perfect decorations. So don’t stress too much and enjoy the season!

xo, Jennifer