Infuse your modern small space with festive cheer! With a few simple steps, it’s a cinch to decorate for the holidays without overcrowding a small apartment. Plus, since closets can be tight in smaller homes or apartments, none of these require a ton of rest-of-the-year storage.
Shop fresh. Instead of stocking up on ornaments and decorations that require storage, adorn your space with live greens that can be disposed of (or composted) at the end of the season. A small tree can sit atop a side table or coffee table and look merry and bright draped in tinsel. Wrap doors or fireplaces with evergreen garland. Bonus: Your small space will smell festive with the fresh greens!

Flower power. Pots of poinsettias scattered around a room add festive pops of red. Intersperse arrangements with bunches of holly – and don’t forget to hang a sprig of mistletoe! Or, if you have pets, since poinsettias and holly are toxic, choose animal-friendly bouquets in festive colors to split into colorful vases and place around your space.

Be unconventional. No desire to sweep up pine needles? Skip the tree and use unique materials to create holiday cheer. Fill a glass dish or a large vase with colorful ornaments. Pull out rarely-used serving pieces – like that cake plate – and top with glittery candles. (Those you can DIY, too!)

Twinkle, twinkle. One of the easiest ways to decorate without taking up any space: twinkle lights. Purchase removable hooks and place them a couple feet apart along your ceiling, around doors or fireplaces, or even circling mirrors or wall art. String lights across the hooks and feel that festive cheer! Hint: LED lights last longer than traditional bulbs and many come with a battery pack, eliminating the need for ugly, dangling cords.