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You do not need a big farmhouse living room to make Christmas feel cozy. A small space can feel festive faster, because a little greenery, a few lights and one good tree go a long way when every corner is close by.
Here are 30 apartment Christmas decor ideas I gathered from decorators, renters and small space bloggers. You will find trees that hang on the wall or sit on a table, ornaments in the windows, kitchen counters and shelves, bedroom touches, card displays and small entries. Most of them need no nails, which matters if you rent. Each idea links to the site it came from, and I added how to get the look at home. For more greenery ideas see our Christmas garland ideas, and if you have a little outdoor spot, our small balcony ideas and Christmas door decorating ideas will help too.
1. A twine and branch tree that hangs on one hook
SaveCredit: Style Curator
This tree takes up no floor at all. Painted black branches are tied together with twine from the smallest at the top to the longest at the bottom, then the whole thing hangs from a single wall hook or over a door. A reader in a 45 square meter apartment made one and wrapped it in lights.
Cut your branches to size first. The top branch on this one is about 25 centimeters and the bottom is about 110. Run two long pieces of twine up each side, knotting below and above every branch, then tie them together at the top. Add fairy lights or a few light ornaments.
2. A washi tape tree on a blank wall
SaveCredit: Arts and Classy
If you rent and cannot put a single nail in the wall, this one is for you. The tree outline, trunk and pot are all made with washi tape, and a string of lights zigzags across it for that cozy glow.
Sketch the shape lightly first, then lay the tape for the outline, the pot and a few diagonal stripes. Washi tape peels off clean when the season is over. Tape on a few paper or glitter circles for ornaments and tuck the gifts underneath.
3. A flat garland tree that saves the whole corner
SaveCredit: Centsational Style
This wall tree looks like the real thing but sits flat. It is made from pine lattice strips with pine garland wired onto each branch, then decorated with lights and ornaments like any tree.
The trunk is a 6 foot lattice strip painted the same color as the wall so it disappears, hung with large picture hanging strips. Five branches are cut at 30, 24, 18, 12 and 6 inches, wrapped with about 9 feet of garland and screwed to the trunk. Battery lights mean no cord across the floor.
4. A frosted branch tree you can lean in a corner
SaveCredit: Pillarbox Blue
Straight branches from the yard become an A frame tree that costs next to nothing. It can hang flat against the wall or stand in a tree stand or even an umbrella stand.
Lay out one long trunk branch, about 5 to 6 feet, then three branches for the A frame and five shorter ones across it. Lash the crossing points with cable ties and garden wire. A dusting of snow spray, a fabric garland and your favorite small ornaments finish it.
5. A little live tree in a basket
SaveCredit: The Merrythought
A small real tree tucked into a wide woven basket looks sweet in a corner, by the door or on a bench. These bloggers have styled theirs this way every year since 2015.
Pick a basket wide enough for the tree stand. Set a shallow basin or an upside down bucket with a bowl on top inside so the tree sits high and spills are caught. Many grocery stores sell small cut trees with the stand already attached, and you just lift it out to water.
6. A potted Norfolk pine on a side table
SaveCredit: A Life Unfolding
A Norfolk Island pine is a houseplant that looks like a tiny Christmas tree. Set it in a pretty planter on a side table and drape it with a light garland, and you have a tree that keeps growing after the holidays.
Living tabletop trees need a cool spot away from radiators and heat vents. Check the soil every day and water when the top inch is dry, but do not let it sit soggy.
7. Tiny potted evergreens along a windowsill
SaveCredit: A Life Unfolding
No table space? Line the windowsill with a few small potted evergreens and herbs. Lemon cypress, a little rosemary and a cone shaped evergreen in mismatched pots give you a mini forest.
Real plants bring the smell of Christmas into a small room. Turn the pots every few days so they grow evenly toward the light.
8. A slim pencil tree tucked beside the sofa
SaveCredit: The Tiny Life
A pencil tree gives you full height and real ornaments while taking up about the footprint of a floor lamp. This one stands in a narrow tiny house living room next to the sofa.
Look for slim trees with a narrow base so the branches clear the arm of the couch. Hang ornaments close to the trunk and finish with a small star on top.
9. Ornaments hanging in a window from a tension rod
SaveCredit: Dans le Lakehouse
This is a great choice for a small apartment with no room for a tree. A cheap tension rod sits inside the window frame, and shiny ornaments hang from thread at different heights so they catch the sun.
Tie a length of thread to each ornament, loop it over the rod and pull the ornament back through. Plastic ornaments are the way to go here. This blogger dropped her glass ones, and with plastic she can still open the window.
10. Glass ornaments on red ribbon in a long window
SaveCredit: Blue i Style
Spring tension curtain rods and red ribbon turn a pretty ornament collection into a window display that neighbors can see from outside. It is also a smart way to show off glass ornaments when little ones make the tree a risky spot.
Double knot the ribbon at the top of each ornament and around the rod, and hang them at staggered heights so they never bump. If a long rod slides down from the weight, a clear adhesive bumper under each end holds it.
11. Mini wreaths on ribbon over the kitchen window
SaveCredit: Craving Some Creativity
Small wreaths hung on red ribbon over a window look cheerful from every corner of a little kitchen. Boxwood, magnolia and cedar are all classic choices.
Damage free adhesive hooks work on cabinets, windows and doors. Stick one above the window frame, tie the ribbon to the wreath and let it hang so it is centered on the glass.
12. A paper bag advent calendar shaped like a tree
SaveCredit: Craving Some Creativity
Twenty four little brown paper bags clipped to the wall in a tree shape make an advent calendar and a Christmas tree in one. It uses almost no space and costs very little.
Fill each bag with a treat or a small note, tie on red twine and a paper ornament, then clip them up. Tiny adhesive strips and clothespins hold them on the wall, or use a cork board if you would rather not stick anything up.
13. A hot cocoa bar on one stretch of counter
SaveCredit: Craving Some Creativity
You do not need a coffee station to have a cocoa bar. A tray on the counter with cocoa, marshmallows, peppermint sticks and striped straws feels like a party every time someone walks into the kitchen.
Keep it all on one tray so it slides out of the way when you need to cook. A red bead garland swagged above the backsplash ties it together.
14. Swap a few things on your open shelves
SaveCredit: Nina Hendrick
Open kitchen shelves only need a few small swaps to look like Christmas. This kitchen kept its everyday shelf decor and added red dishes and mugs, a small winter painting and little red birds peeking out from different spots.
Berry sprigs, a few ornaments and a mini tree or two finish the look. Repeat the same red accents across the room so the whole space feels pulled together.
15. A windowsill swag with lights behind the sink
SaveCredit: Nina Hendrick
The window behind the sink is prime real estate in a small kitchen. Old wooden toy horses stand on a swag of faux evergreen branches and red berries here, with battery lights that twinkle at night.
Any little figures you already own will work, like a nativity, a small village house or a pair of deer. Battery lights mean no cords near the faucet.
16. A corner tray with a mini tree and cocoa jars
SaveCredit: Nina Hendrick
A small wooden board in the corner of the counter holds a mini tree, a jar of marshmallows and a couple of mugs. It is festive but you can move the whole thing in one go.
Corners are usually dead space anyway, so this costs you nothing. Tie a red bird or a little bow on the tree to match the rest of the room.
17. A tabletop tree on a chopping board
SaveCredit: Deeply Southern Home
If you have a peninsula or a small island, a little Christmas tree makes a big impact there. A candle, a small bouquet or a potted poinsettia rounds out the grouping.
Set all three on a large chopping board or platter so you can slide them aside when you need the counter for baking. This poinsettia was a five dollar find.
18. Garland around the kitchen window
SaveCredit: Deeply Southern Home
A strand of garland framing the window over the sink with a couple of red velvet ribbons turns the plainest view into a holiday one. Use faux greenery here, since nobody wants bits of pine in their dinner.
Removable hooks along the top of the trim hold light garland. Let the ends drop down the sides and tie the ribbon tails long.
19. Garland across the headboard
SaveCredit: Rambling Renovators
A garland is one of the quickest ways to bring Christmas into the bedroom. Drape it across the headboard, the footboard or the curtain rod.
Choose faux so pine needles do not fall on your pillow. A standard queen headboard is about 5 feet wide, so a 6 foot garland gives you a little swag.
20. A small wreath on the bedroom door
SaveCredit: Rambling Renovators
Doors are free wall space in a small apartment. A small wreath with a long black velvet bow on the bedroom door looks chic and took this blogger less than five minutes to make.
Hang it with an over the door hook or a removable adhesive hook so the door still closes. Do the same on the bathroom or closet door for a matching look.
21. Plaid throws tucked into the nightstand
SaveCredit: Rambling Renovators
Folded plaid blankets in the open shelf of a nightstand are pretty and useful on cold nights. They add Christmas color without taking up one more inch.
Pick two plaids in the same colors, like red with navy, and fold them so the pattern shows. A tiny brass deer or a mini tree on top of the nightstand finishes it.
22. Garland with lights around a doorway
SaveCredit: Pine and Prospect Home
Framing a doorway with garland and twinkle lights gives you the feeling of a whole decorated room for the cost of one strand. This one has dried orange slices and a frayed velvet ribbon bow.
Hang the garland on small removable hooks at the top corners and partway down each side. Wind a strand of battery lights through it, then wire on the orange slices.
23. A lit thrifted wreath above the window
SaveCredit: Pine and Prospect Home
A small thrifted wreath that cost just a few dollars glows above the window once you weave a string of fairy lights into it. It brings light up high where a small room usually feels plain.
Use a battery light strand with a timer so it turns on every evening without a cord running down the wall.
24. A rosemary wreath with brass bells
SaveCredit: Life on Summerhill
A rosemary wreath smells wonderful and looks delicate on a white wall, a door or a mirror. Brass bells tied on white ribbon make it feel old fashioned.
Wrap rosemary sprigs onto a thin wire wreath form with floral wire, working in one direction. Faux greenery or evergreen branches work too if you want it to last all season.
25. A bench vignette by the door
SaveCredit: Life on Summerhill
If your entry is just a strip of wall by the door, a narrow bench or small console is enough for Christmas. A rug, a small tree in a basket, a plaid blanket and a lantern make it cozy.
Start with the bigger pieces first, then add greenery and the small touches. These same ideas work on a console table or a shoe cabinet.
26. A tiny porch bench with plaid and fur pillows
SaveCredit: Designthusiasm
A tiny front stoop or a covered balcony can still feel like Christmas. A small garden bench piled with tartan and faux fur pillows and a knit throw makes a winter seating spot.
Wool and faux fur feel warm and cozy. Keep pieces like these under an overhang and bring them in before a storm.
27. A flocked potted tree by the front door
SaveCredit: Designthusiasm
One slim flocked tree in an urn by the door is all a small entry or apartment landing needs. The flocking and berries look snowy even when the weather does not cooperate.
Check with your building before you put anything in a shared hallway, and keep the walkway clear. A matching pair works if you have room on both sides of the door.
28. A ribbon and burlap card hanger
SaveCredit: Blooming Homestead
Christmas cards pile up fast in a small place. These hanging strips of lace burlap with jute ribbon running down the sides let you slide photo cards right in.
Cut wide ribbon or burlap to the length you want and hot glue thin ribbon along each edge, leaving gaps the size of a 5 by 7 card. Top each one with a bow or a wooden snowflake. They fold up small for storage.
29. Clip cards to a ribbon on a door
SaveCredit: Thrifty Decor Chick
All you need is a door, some ribbon and mini clothespins. One long strip of candy cane ribbon runs top to bottom and a shorter one goes across, like a wrapped present.
Wrap the ribbon around to the back of the door and secure it there, then clip the cards on as they arrive. The same idea works on a kitchen cabinet, a memo board or a garland.
30. A lantern filled with ornaments
SaveCredit: DIY Beautify
A big lantern stuffed with white and silver ornaments and tied with a plaid bow adds Christmas to a small entry without any floor space wasted. A potted poinsettia beside it adds that pop of red.
Fill the lantern with shatterproof ornaments in two or three colors, then tie a wide ribbon bow around the top. It also looks pretty on a kitchen counter or a bookshelf.
How to decorate a small apartment for Christmas without damage
Removable adhesive hooks and strips come off clean when you follow the package directions, so they are the renter’s best friend for wreaths, garland and lights. Check the weight rating on the package before you hang anything heavy.
Tension rods fit inside a window frame or a doorway and hold ornaments or light garland without a single hole.
Over the door hooks hold wreaths on any door, inside or out, and the door still closes.
Battery lights with a timer skip the extension cords that make a small room look messy and can trip someone.
How to keep a small space from feeling cluttered
Pick one color story, like red and green, or white and natural wood, and repeat it in every room. A small home looks calm when the same few colors show up everywhere.
Go up instead of out. Walls, windows, doors and the tops of shelves hold a lot of Christmas without touching your floor space.
Put away a few everyday things to make room for the holiday pieces, then bring them back out in January.
Apartment Christmas decor FAQ
What is the best Christmas tree for a small apartment? A slim pencil tree, a tabletop tree or a wall tree. Pencil trees give you full height on a tiny footprint, tabletop trees fit on a side table or counter, and wall trees made from branches, garland or washi tape take no floor at all.
Can I have a real tree in an apartment? Many buildings allow them, but check your lease and building rules first. A small live tree in a basket or a potted Norfolk pine is lighter to carry in and out, and keep any live tree away from heat vents and radiators.
How do I hang a wreath without nails? Use an over the door wreath hanger, a removable adhesive hook, or a ribbon tied to a tension rod in a window.
How do I decorate an apartment for Christmas on a budget? Use what you have. Branches from outside, thrifted wreaths, paper bags, ribbon and the ornaments you already own make most of the ideas on this list.
