Nothing says Christmas like a full, vibrant Christmas tree. But what about in New York City, where apartment life means floor space is at a premium? Who’s got the room to spare for a temporary fixture that, while wonderful, will only be around for a few weeks? Luckily for us, designer, DIY expert and Lowe’s partner Monica Mangin has plenty of ideas for how to create the most festive tree you’ve got room for — even if, well, you don’t have room for one. Read on for her best tips for holiday decorating and Christmas trees for small spaces.
Christmas Trees Made Just for Small Spaces
“A lot of people who live in small apartments don’t put a tree up because they think they don’t have the space,” Mangin tells StreetEasy. “But that’s not true! If you’re creative enough, there’s always space for a Christmas tree.” There are plenty of great artificial tree options that are specifically made for small spaces, she continues. “Even if you have just a little bit of floor space, Lowe’s offers tons of artificial trees that are ‘slim’ for just this purpose. You can get away with as little as three feet wide and still have a full-height tree.”
Manhattan Studios & 1BRs Under $1M Article continues below
Decorating a Slim Christmas Tree
With a slim tree, Mangin recommends keeping the decorations simple so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. “Less is more in this case,” she says. “A homespun tree with a mishmash of ornaments is probably going to be way too much for a slim tree. I suggest going with a theme — I’m loving vintage, modern and coastal — and choosing just a few coordinating ornament styles with a simple garland to tie it all together.”
What About a Tabletop Tree?
If there’s not an inch of floor space to spare in your apartment, never fear: That’s what tabletop trees are for! “These come in a variety of shapes and sizes to sit on all different types of furniture,” Mangin says. As with slim trees, don’t overdo it on the decorations — but don’t go too minimal either, or you run the risk of veering into Charlie Brown territory. “Try using just enough lights to get the twinkle effect,” she says.
If All Else Fails, Go for a Wreath
We know what you’re thinking: sometimes, especially in a studio apartment, even one more piece of surface clutter will send things over the edge. It’s OK! “If you really don’t have room for a tree, a wreath is a great alternative,” Mangin says. “You can go real or artificial. If you want to think of your wreath as a true substitute for a tree, you can incorporate ornaments, lights and more, or keep the decoration simple — think just a bow or a ribbon.” Splurge on one wreath for each door — or even one on a window, with sun streaming through by day and twinkling lights beyond it after dark — and you’ll never notice there’s no tree in the apartment.
Happy holidays!
More Christmas Tree Content on StreetEasy
