Just because you live in an apartment the size of a postage stamp doesn’t mean that Christmas decorations go out the window. You just have to be a little clever. DIY Christmas decorations for small rooms can even look better than grand-scale ones because you are forced to be picky and not just throw up everything you own.
Here’s the thing. Small spaces get overwhelmed quickly. One too many baubles and your lounge starts to look like a Christmas shop exploded. But get it right? Proper magical.
Start With What You’ve Already Got
Before you head out and splurge on new decorations, consider what’s already in your home. There’s the key to DIY Christmas decorations for small rooms on a budget. Chances are, you have some great stuff that can work brilliantly with very little faff.
Empty bowls from your kitchen? Fill them with ornaments. Spare ribbon? Twist it around door handles and wall lights. Old picture frames? Slip in some colourful wrapping paper or old Christmas cards behind the glass. Done.
The trend for 2025 is paper decorations anyway. Hand-cut snowflakes, honeycomb ornaments, and paper chains are massive this year. They’re cheap. They take up zero space. And they look brilliant hung from ceilings or strung across windows.
The Tree Situation
You’re thinking, “But I don’t have room for a tree!” Yeah, you do. You just can’t have a six-footer taking up half your living room.
Tabletop trees are your friend. Stick one on a console table, windowsill, or even your dining table. They don’t eat up floor space, and you can still decorate them properly. String some fairy lights on them, and you’ve got that Christmas tree glow without losing half your room.
Pencil trees work too. They’re skinny enough to tuck into corners. Or get a half tree that sits flat against the wall. Sounds mental, but they’re actually brilliant for narrow spaces.
Can’t manage a tree at all? Make one. Seriously. Arrange fairy lights on your wall in a triangle shape. Or stick strips of washi tape or ribbon in a tree pattern. Hang ornaments on it. Nobody says a Christmas tree needs to be an actual tree.
Paper Chain Renaissance
Paper chains are having a proper moment. TikTok and Instagram are full of them. They’re the breakout craft of Christmas 2025, apparently.
Cut strips of coloured paper. Loop them together. Hang them across doorways or along walls. Your kids can help make them. Or you can make them yourself whilst watching telly. They cost basically nothing, and they look brilliant.
You can use leftover wrapping paper, magazines, or even pages from books you were going to chuck out anyway. Mix colours for a rainbow effect or stick to traditional Christmas colours. Either works.
Easy DIY Christmas Decorations for Small Rooms That Don’t Look Homemade
Some DIY decorations are straight-up screeching, “I made this in Year 3 art class.” These don’t.
Dried citrus garlands look gorgeous. Slice oranges or lemons thinly. Dangle them in the oven at 175°F for four to six hours. Let them dry completely. String them up with twine or ribbon. String it up on your tree, around your mantelpiece or along a window. They smell amazing, too.
Paper stars are all the rage this year. You can order them ready-made and build on what they offer. Or Waldorf stars, which turn out to be surprisingly easy once you get the hang of folding. Hang them from the ceiling at varying lengths to get those instant winter wonderland vibes.
Use Your Walls and Windows
When you’ve got no floor space, go vertical. Walls and windows are prime real estate for small apartment Christmas decor ideas.
Hang a wreath with ribbon. Not just on your front door. Hang one on a mirror, over a picture, or on a window. Wreaths take up zero floor space and add instant festivity.
String fairy lights around door frames or along the top of walls. The soft glow makes everything feel Christmassy without adding clutter.
Stick paper snowflakes to windows. Dead easy to make with just paper and scissors. Kids love making them. They look brilliant backlit by streetlights at night.
Simple Christmas Decoration Ideas at Home for Surfaces
Every flat surface is a chance to add a bit of Christmas without going overboard.
Windowsills are perfect for small decorations. A few miniature nutcrackers. A little bowl of pinecones. Some battery-operated candles.
Coffee tables need Christmas, too. Stack a few books and put a small decoration on top. Maybe a ceramic reindeer or a candle.
Side tables can hold a small vase with evergreen branches you’ve nicked from the park. Chuck in some fairy lights for extra sparkle.
Also read: The Best Materials for Your First Home Renovation
What to Avoid
- Don’t buy massive decorations. That light-up reindeer might look brilliant in the shop, but it’ll dominate your entire lounge.
- Don’t go for every colour at once. Pick two or three colours and stick with them. Red and gold. Green and white. Blue and silver. Whatever suits your space. Too many colours make small rooms feel chaotic.
- Don’t forget to edit. After you’ve put up all your decorations, walk around your space. If something feels cluttered or busy, take a bit away. Space lets your favourite decorations shine. You want cosy, not cramped.
The Lighting Trick
Here’s a pro tip: lighting matters more than decorations. A small room with loads of fairy lights and candles feels magical. A small room with loads of decorations but poor lighting just feels cluttered.
String fairy lights everywhere. Around mirrors. Along shelves. In vases. Behind furniture. The more twinkle, the better.
Battery-operated candles are brilliant because you can stick them anywhere without worrying about fire hazards. Cluster a few on a tray for a proper festive glow.
Making It Work
DIY Christmas decorations for small rooms are about making the most of your space. Use what you’ve got. Go vertical. Keep your colour palette simple. Add loads of lights. And edit ruthlessly.
Your small flat can look properly festive without feeling like you’re living in a Christmas shop. It just takes a bit of thought and the willingness to skip the massive inflatable Santa.
And honestly? Small spaces done well often look better than big spaces overdone. Less really is more at Christmas. Well, except for fairy lights. You can never have too many of those.