No matter how small, you can always deck the hall
Decadent Christmas decor that transforms your home into a cheerful winter wonderland is not reserved for homes with sprawling living rooms and towering fireplaces. On the other hand, maximizing your small living room space can be tricky enough before pulling out the boxes of garlands, wreaths, ornaments, and twinkle lights. Here’s how to decorate a small living room for Christmas with 12 can’t-skip decorating tips.
Set the room’s tone by exploring your small space Christmas tree ideas—from placement and height to the color scheme. Yes, a small tree can leave room for more decor, but it's not always the best call. A thin, mid-sized tree with lots of trimmings can make a big impact and cut out the need for excessive decor elsewhere. The perfect Christmas tree for your space may require a bit of furniture shifting for the next several weeks. Don’t feel like navigating all the options? Leave it to a professional Christmas tree decorating service, who will know exactly how to maximize the wow factor.
A small living room doesn't mean a cavernous one. Adding decor pieces like wreaths, hanging garlands, or lights above eye level will make the space feel larger. Use your vertical space by hanging garlands over the entranceway to the room, Christmas cards on a string on the wall, or small wreaths at the tops of windows. Tall candlesticks, holly branches, and holiday statues work well on high bookshelves, cabinets, or mantles. And if you have particularly high ceilings, consider hiring a professional to hang your Christmas lights this year.
Speaking of lights, we all know how brightening small spaces can be the key to tricking the eye into thinking it’s larger. Before you go Christmas-light-crazy, however, consider the balance. If you tuck your tree into one corner, balance the light display with a light-covered garland on the other side. Remember the center of the room—not just the walls, doors, and mantles. Place lights or light-up decor in displays on coffee tables to bring the cheer closer to the couch.
There's no need to break the bank with string lights either—consider ways to save money on Christmas lights this year in the initial purchase and on your utility bill.
Too many colors in a small living room can look hectic if you're not careful. Instead, choose neutral-hued Christmas decor and balance it with a few bold pops of red, green, gold, or even a color more outside the box, like purple or blue. Your bold choices will stand out against the tan, white, or off-white garlands, stockings, or white lights that act as a simple backdrop. When in doubt, book a consultation with a local holiday decorating specialist to get on the right track.
For holiday season enthusiasts, there's a fine line between staying practical and making your home look like a holiday decor store. Remember that you must be able to use your living room for the next two months without worrying about stubbing your toe on a Rudolf statue.
Place your decor in areas that will not stop you from moving through your daily routine or hosting friends. Make a clear pathway through the room and keep high-use surfaces clear. Keeping this in mind will also make cleaning easier before your holiday party, even if you call in the local cleaning pros.
Wreaths are not sequestered to the front door. Fresh or faux wreaths can add a natural burst of color to a small living room, especially when hung on the mantle, off the side of a bookshelf, or even placed in the center of a table with lights. Choose one eye-catching wreath to balance with the tree or several mini wreaths to spread throughout the room.
Invite your year-round decor to the party by adding Christmas covers to your throw pillows with a matching festive throw blanket. Not only will the extra color match your space, but it will also add to the coziness we all crave in the winter. Major redecorations like these, especially before the influx of guests, are also an excellent time to call a local upholstery cleaner for a fresh start.
Bookshelves are the answer to showing off seasonal decor in a small living room. If you don't have a mantle or central decorating space, consider hanging stockings and tall winter arrangements around your favorite book titles. As is always the case with organizing bookshelves, keep it simple and balanced so you don't tip into a cluttered look.
Decorating with mirrors is already your best friend in small spaces—they brighten up dark rooms and bounce color from wall to wall. Give your mirrors extra Christmas attention by attaching mistletoe, a sprig of holly, a string of lights, or some colorful garlands to the top of the mirror. You can also place decor in front of a mirror (like on a mantle or bookshelf) to double the impact of the trimming.
The benefit of a small living room is that you're one step ahead of the game for creating a cozy winter-ready space. Since you're in the heart of the season of lights, swap out your candlesticks and scented jar candles with the colors of your holiday scheme. Also, there's no need to opt for real flame if you're concerned about fire safety in a small room. Many modern faux candles now flicker, dim, and even change colors while mirroring the look of the real thing.
Did you inherit your grandparents' vintage ceramic tree or a Christmas village from your childhood? Small room Christmas decorating often comes down to creating a few focal points. Instead of spreading your decor across the room, highlight these heirlooms in a specific space, as you did with the tree. Place it on a side table, coffee table, or a faux fireplace to show off its importance.
Give your guests some Christmas decorating ideas for small spaces by making the room about them, too. Spruce up the bar cart, hang your holiday cards, and leave festive candies within arm's reach of the coffee table. Gathering loved ones in spaces large and small is at the heart of the season, so prep for the holiday hustle and bustle from the moment you start decorating.
