Christmas Tree Ideas for Small Spaces

Every December I stand in the living room holding a tree box and look at the corners like they might have grown since last year. They haven’t. Our 1920 beach cottage was not built for a 9-foot tree.

It turns out it doesn’t need one. Over the years, I’ve filled the cottage with small Christmas trees instead… pencil trees in the corners, little pines in vintage crocks, bottlebrush trees on the kitchen shelves, and a few that are undressed, green and left alone.

Whether you live in an apartment, a tiny house, or an old cottage like ours, here are the small-space Christmas tree ideas that have worked for me.

Looking for tree styling ideas you can scale to any room? I’ve gathered slim trees, tabletop styles, cottage, and vintage-inspired looks in my guide to 30+ Christmas Tree Themes to Inspire Your Holiday Decorating.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. My blog also features other affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my privacy policy.

What Kind of Christmas Tree Is Best for a Small Space?

A pencil Christmas tree is the best choice for most small rooms. It gives you full height in a narrow footprint, usually 20 to 30 inches wide compared to 50 inches or more for a standard tree. For very tight spaces, tabletop trees, bottlebrush trees, and wall-mounted trees add holiday cheer without using any floor space at all.

Quick Christmas Tree Size Guide

Best Christmas Trees for Small Spaces

I have a slight tree problem. I’ve stopped counting how many little trees show up in the cottage each December.

They end up on the kitchen counter, the bathroom vanity, the nightstand, and somehow, I still think I need one more.

1. Pencil Christmas Trees

Discovering pencil trees felt like finding a secret. They’re tall and narrow, so you get the height and sparkle of a full tree without it taking over the room.

I have a few now, from 6 to 7 feet tall, and they fit into corners, entryways, and the gaps between furniture. My favorite is a flocked pencil tree from Amazon that looks so real that people ask if it’s fresh. (Bonus: no needles to vacuum.)

Decorate a pencil tree with lightweight ornaments or ribbon. For more of a presence, set it on a small stool or crate and stack a few wrapped presents around the base.

2. Tabletop and Mini Christmas Trees

If you have a shelf, side table, or dresser corner, you have room for a mini tree.

Tuck one into a galvanized bucket, an old crock, or a weathered wicker picnic basket (one of my favorites).

Grouping two or three trees of different heights makes a small area feel like a little woodland. I love a few faux trees together in a wooden dough bowl or crate.

3. Bottlebrush Trees

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love bottlebrush trees.

Mine seem to multiply every year. I can’t explain it.

They’re perfect for vignettes… lined up along a windowsill, tucked into creamers and ironstone bowls, or set next to a vintage galvanized village.

You can now find bottlebrush trees in colors from soft blush to classic green.

4. Undecorated Christmas Trees

Not every tree needs ornaments. Some of my favorites are completely bare, set in a hanging basket, a woven tree collar, or a rustic crate. Green branches next to vintage ironstone or a strand of fairy lights is often all a small tree needs.

5. Faux Norfolk Pines and Natural-Looking Trees

Faux Norfolk pines have an airy, open look perfect for coastal and cottage Christmas decor. They look right at home in a basket or crock, and their tiered branches show off a few ornaments without needing many.

6. Rosemary Trees

The little rosemary topiaries from Trader Joe’s are one of my favorite December traditions. They smell wonderful, look sweet on a kitchen counter or windowsill, and you can snip from them for cooking.

The other thing I love about these trees is that I can plant them in the garden after the holidays.

Artificial vs. Real Christmas Trees for Small Spaces

I’ve had both. Today’s faux trees are so realistic it’s hard to tell the difference, from the needle texture to the color variation.

Artificial Trees

For small homes, slim artificial trees are the easiest choice.

They work in any room and come flocked, pre-lit, or plain green. And no pine needles in my coffee.

Miss the scent? Tuck a few clippings of fresh cedar or fir into your faux tree, or set a vase of evergreen branches nearby.

Real Trees

If you love a real tree, go small and narrow. Fresh tabletop evergreens and slim-cut firs bring that real-tree scent without taking over the room.

What Is the Best Real Christmas Tree for a Narrow Space?

Fraser firs are the best real Christmas tree for a narrow space. They grow in a naturally slimmer shape than most trees, have sturdy branches for ornaments, and hold their needles well. Noble firs are another good choice for ornament display and needle retention, but they’re fuller, so ask the lot for a narrow one.

Bring your measurements with you. I learned this the hard way. Trees look smaller standing outside surrounded by other trees.

Where to Put a Christmas Tree in a Small House

Measure your floor space and ceiling height before you buy, especially for a pencil or slim tree. Then try a few spots.

Corners

A corner is the easiest place for a tree in a small room. It keeps the walkways clear and doesn’t compete with furniture. Add a basket, a vintage stool, or a few wrapped gifts around it so the whole corner feels finished.

If the corner is dark, set a small mirror behind the tree. It reflects the lights and makes the room feel bigger.

Tabletops, Stools, and Cabinets

Putting a tree up on furniture adds height without using any floor space. I use stools all over the house to lift mini trees just enough to stand out.

Entryways, Stair Landings, Bedrooms, and Bathrooms

A small tree in the entry is the first thing people see when they walk in. A tiny tree on the nightstand, bathroom vanity, or by the kitchen sink brings a little Christmas into rooms that usually get skipped.

How to Decorate a Small Christmas Tree

On a small tree, fewer ornaments look better. Choose pieces scaling with the branches, and leave some green showing.

Small Christmas Tree Ornament Ideas

Mix sparkly, matte, and natural textures so it doesn’t look flat. And if you have dogs (I have two, Jax and Ollie), keep unbreakable ornaments on the bottom branches.

Containers and Tree Stands

In a small home, the container is half the charm. A tree doesn’t have to live in a traditional stand.

Where to Put the Ornaments That Don’t Fit

Downsized your tree? Don’t pack the extra ornaments away. Fill a wooden crate, wire basket, or dough bowl and set it on the shelf, mantel, or coffee table.

You can find more ideas in Simple Ideas for Christmas Decorating on a Budget.

Christmas Tree Alternatives for Small Spaces

If there’s truly no room for a tree this year, these take up little or no floor space.

Wall-Mounted Trees

Shape a string of lights or a garland into a tree on the wall with removable hooks, and add a few small ornaments or paper snowflakes. Or hang a few branches or small shelves in a triangle and set mini ornaments or candles on them. A driftwood tree is a perfect fit for a coastal home.

More Ideas

Small Space Christmas Tree FAQ

Final Thoughts on Christmas Trees for Small Spaces

A small house doesn’t mean a small Christmas. Start with one tree that fits, then tuck a few little ones into the places you’d never expect. By mid-December you’ll be wondering, like me, where to put just one more.

Until next time,

Happy Holidays!

Wait Until You See These Amazing Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas!

White Arrows Home // The Ponds Farmhouse // My Thrift Store Addiction // Down Shiloh Road // Dabbling and Decorating // The Tattered Pew // J Dub By Design // Simply2Moms // Blue Sky at Home // County Road 407 // Shiplap and Shells // Follow The Yellow Brick Home // The Flowering Farmhouse // My Wee Abode // Calypso in the Country // Cottage on Bunker Hill // This is Simplicite