9 Creative Christmas Trees for Small Spaces
If a lack of space is making you forget the decor altogether, try these Christmas tree options on for size instead
Just because your living space is small, that doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on Christmas cheer this year. There are plenty of alternatives to a 2-metre-tall fir tree that takes over your already compact living room – and with these styling, decorating and craft ideas, you may be surprised by how easy it is to get in the festive spirit. We’ve collected 9 unusual options ideal for limited space, from small potted trees and cuttings to quirky DIY alternatives.
2. Sweet music
Here’s another mini tabletop tree, this time with a clever DIY twist. Grab a small fallen branch and place it in a pot of your choosing; fill the pot with dirt or florist’s foam to keep the branch in place.
Next, have a fossick through a secondhand book store to find a suitable tome or two. Christmas poetry or sheet music for Christmas carols would work a treat for this. Tear the sheets out of the book and peg them onto your branch’s twigs.
Stylist’s tip: If you’re using newer books, dip the pulled-out pages in cold black tea to add a vintage effect to your display.
Here’s another mini tabletop tree, this time with a clever DIY twist. Grab a small fallen branch and place it in a pot of your choosing; fill the pot with dirt or florist’s foam to keep the branch in place.
Next, have a fossick through a secondhand book store to find a suitable tome or two. Christmas poetry or sheet music for Christmas carols would work a treat for this. Tear the sheets out of the book and peg them onto your branch’s twigs.
Stylist’s tip: If you’re using newer books, dip the pulled-out pages in cold black tea to add a vintage effect to your display.
3. Timber DIY
The beauty of this timber cut-out tree is not just that it’s compact, but also that it can be leant against a wall with not even a hook required. The ease of this setup makes this a great choice for renters.
You can pick up an old timber crate from a shipping yard, and simply cut the wood into shape – or some hardware stores will do it for you. Complete the look by decorating the tree in your chosen style.
Bonus tip: Lime wash the timber, or buff it with white beeswax for super Scandi style.
The beauty of this timber cut-out tree is not just that it’s compact, but also that it can be leant against a wall with not even a hook required. The ease of this setup makes this a great choice for renters.
You can pick up an old timber crate from a shipping yard, and simply cut the wood into shape – or some hardware stores will do it for you. Complete the look by decorating the tree in your chosen style.
Bonus tip: Lime wash the timber, or buff it with white beeswax for super Scandi style.
4. Natural beauty
While we’re on the subject of foraging for materials to upcycle, why not get outside and grab a long branch to prop up as a minimalist tree. This will maximise the height of your space without spreading out into the rest of the room.
Another advantage of a branch tree is that there are no messy pine needles to clean up. And you won’t need to store the branch for next year – just pop it in your green waste bin, as you can easily pick up another one.
Stylist’s tip: Pink and green are great colours for a natural scheme. Macrame some bunting for decorations to complete the natural, homespun look.
See more of this country Christmas home
While we’re on the subject of foraging for materials to upcycle, why not get outside and grab a long branch to prop up as a minimalist tree. This will maximise the height of your space without spreading out into the rest of the room.
Another advantage of a branch tree is that there are no messy pine needles to clean up. And you won’t need to store the branch for next year – just pop it in your green waste bin, as you can easily pick up another one.
Stylist’s tip: Pink and green are great colours for a natural scheme. Macrame some bunting for decorations to complete the natural, homespun look.
See more of this country Christmas home
5. Beach bum
Here’s an easy and inexpensive idea for fans of beach style. Gather twigs together in a bunch of your chosen size, then tie them together with florist’s wire. Next, think outside the square for decorations – put a star to the side or on the wall, rather than balancing it on top. Hang lights behind the tree as a back light.
Here’s an easy and inexpensive idea for fans of beach style. Gather twigs together in a bunch of your chosen size, then tie them together with florist’s wire. Next, think outside the square for decorations – put a star to the side or on the wall, rather than balancing it on top. Hang lights behind the tree as a back light.
6. Tabletop twigs
Fill a vase with twigs for a sweet Christmas centrepiece. Hang natural decorations, such as feathers and shells, on the branches, just like bowerbirds do.
Stylist’s tip: Keep the branches as uncluttered as possible, so that diners can still see through your display to the person sitting opposite. If you don’t have access to fallen twigs and branches, these can be bought through all good florists.
Fill a vase with twigs for a sweet Christmas centrepiece. Hang natural decorations, such as feathers and shells, on the branches, just like bowerbirds do.
Stylist’s tip: Keep the branches as uncluttered as possible, so that diners can still see through your display to the person sitting opposite. If you don’t have access to fallen twigs and branches, these can be bought through all good florists.
7. Washi wishes
Got a spare patch of wall space? Then you might want to consider sticking your Christmas tree to the wall. All you need to do is cut strips of washi tape, making each strip longer than the one before. Stick them to the wall from top to bottom in ascending lengths, then add a star on top.
Make an ombré Christmas tree mural
Got a spare patch of wall space? Then you might want to consider sticking your Christmas tree to the wall. All you need to do is cut strips of washi tape, making each strip longer than the one before. Stick them to the wall from top to bottom in ascending lengths, then add a star on top.
Make an ombré Christmas tree mural
8. Pared-back classic
If you can’t resist a traditional tree, and won’t compromise on the size of it, the best thing you can do is to keep the colour scheme to a minimum. This way it will be less likely to dominate your compact space. Select two or three colours for decorations, max.
In this space, red complements the colour of green, making the perfect Christmas contrast. White sits nicely as a neutral colour to reflect the light in the small room. When you select your colour scheme, consider the existing colour palette of the room and work with these colours, so the eye is calmed.
If you can’t resist a traditional tree, and won’t compromise on the size of it, the best thing you can do is to keep the colour scheme to a minimum. This way it will be less likely to dominate your compact space. Select two or three colours for decorations, max.
In this space, red complements the colour of green, making the perfect Christmas contrast. White sits nicely as a neutral colour to reflect the light in the small room. When you select your colour scheme, consider the existing colour palette of the room and work with these colours, so the eye is calmed.
To pare it back even further, make the tree all about the tree. Pick a pot that’s the same colour as the wall and your tree will appear to be floating. This also creates the illusion of more space. Fine garlands or tiny lights complete the look.
9. Plant cuttings
There really is no space too small for a Christmas tree. Place tree cuttings in a vase or jam jar and display this pint-sized portion on your side table or benchtop. Add a handful of mini decorations to the branches and place a shorter ornament next to it to make the ‘tree’ seem larger.
There really is no space too small for a Christmas tree. Place tree cuttings in a vase or jam jar and display this pint-sized portion on your side table or benchtop. Add a handful of mini decorations to the branches and place a shorter ornament next to it to make the ‘tree’ seem larger.
Here, holiday greenery and handmade accents add a festive note to a kitchen bench.
Stylist’s tip: If your tree is small, extend the look via your decorations. Make the most of a blank wall by hanging cards and garlands; a perfect backdrop for selfies on the day!
Stylist’s tip: If your tree is small, extend the look via your decorations. Make the most of a blank wall by hanging cards and garlands; a perfect backdrop for selfies on the day!
A gold candle standing to one side brings out the metallic accents in this mini fireplace tree, building on the sense of muted glamour with very little effort.
See more of this festive Aussie mantelpiece
TELL US
Have you found a clever way to squeeze a Christmas tree into your home? Post your photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
Fake or Fir: The Great Christmas Tree Debate
10 Christmas Trees of a Different Kind
What’s Your Christmas Decorating Style?
See more of this festive Aussie mantelpiece
TELL US
Have you found a clever way to squeeze a Christmas tree into your home? Post your photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
Fake or Fir: The Great Christmas Tree Debate
10 Christmas Trees of a Different Kind
What’s Your Christmas Decorating Style?
Sponsored
For a super simple, sweet and tiny option, you can’t go wrong with a potted mini tree. Most florists and garden centres sell them in a variety of pots. The trick here is to concentrate your decorating efforts on more than just the tree itself.
Display the potted tree on a tabletop and decorate around it to make a festive vignette. Hang a garland with words from your favourite Christmas carol, layer on some fairy lights and pin up some of those gorgeous Christmas cards for a joyful look.
See more photos of this festive rental