Is it possible to mix Mid Century style with Farmhouse style and have it look good? You sure can! Mixing decorating styles is like making soup. Combining the right ingredients and proportions result in something truly magnificent.
Read MoreLove Rearranging Your Small Living Room? Here’s the Furniture You Need to Make Multiple Layouts Work
We learn early on that you can’t fit a square shape into a round hole. Small Living rooms often have the same kind of restraints. Unlike a child’s puzzle, real rooms have more leeway for furniture placement, but that can still make things tough. Planning your furnishings carefully is the key to multiple layout options.
Read More17 Decorating Mistakes to Avoid in Small Spaces
You can avoid adding unnecessary stuff to your small space. The trouble comes from the everything else you don’t think about. Here’s 17 ways to avoid UNCOMMON decorating mistakes that can leave you with frustration and regret.
Read More8 Impactful and Easy Ways to Create that Wow Factor in Any Room
If we dissect what the wow factor is, it becomes clear that what we’re actually after is something surprising. This surprise is the secret weapon that designers rely on to knock our clients socks off. It takes planning and execution to make that kind of impact but, there’s a few easy tricks anyone can do. Here’s how.
Read MoreGot a Room with Opposite Focal Points? Here’s How to Arrange it!
If you don’t have a gravitational pull towards something in a room with opposite and competing focal points, you have a room that feels out of place and unfocused. You don’t know where to look or how to position your furniture.
Read More7 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself About Open Concept Layouts in Small Homes
Few or no internal walls. Some might think, heck yeah that sounds amazing! Others might think, no way, that’s like being stuck in the same room all the time! Is open concept living still right for life in a post 2020 world? Find out.
Read MoreYou Want a Christmas Tree in a Small Room? Here’s 7 Tips to Find the Perfect Spot Fast!
Like most decorating projects, finding the right spot for the Christmas tree is often the first step in the holiday décor planning process.
Having a large room, or a dedicated Christmas tree room, is great but, what if you have a small house and floor space is limited?
Does that mean you can’t have a tree?
No Way!
Sure, a large room with high ceilings, decked out for the holidays is impressive, but you can absolutely make a beautiful impact and have a stunning Christmas tree display even if your room is small.
I’ve got 7 easy and impact filled tips for finding the perfect spot for the tree and how you can make it look just as amazing as any Hallmark movie set!
Plan a Focal Point
When you’re thinking about your focal point, think about how you will use the immediate area.
Will you have enough room for gifts under the tree or close by?
Can you change out the wall décor to enhance your theme or reinforce colors?
Do you want other décor like figurines or special decorations as part of the scene?
As you plan, remember to not obstruct walkways, doors or pathways through your room.
You don’t want to squeeze around the tree in order to enter or exit the room and you don’t want the tree blocking seating areas or the main functions of the room.
For example, if you’re placing a tree in the family room and the main function in that space is watching TV, don’t block the TV.
You also don’t want to put a tree in front of windows if you have to squeeze around it to get through the room.
If you have a fireplace, you certainly don’t want a tree in front of it. That would be a fire hazard and would obstruct the view.
A better spot would be off the side of the fireplace.
Ultimately, For small rooms, placing the tree in the corner will work best.
They’re out of the way but you can still enjoy them.
You might have to get a little creative with your furniture arrangement, but the tree will only be in the space for a short time.
That brings me to my second tip:
Move or Remove Furniture
It may be necessary to bring your furniture in closer together so that you can accommodate a Christmas tree in a small room.
You may need to shift furniture pieces over to create more space.
I did this for the first two years in my small house.
I have a long sideboard that sits below two windows at the far end of my living room.
When I put the tree up, I had to shift the sideboard toward one corner and remove a large potted plant to make the placement work.
You may have a similar scenario in your small room.
Sometimes you’ll have to borrow an inch here or there to make it work.
Go Tall, Not Wide
Whether you go with a live tree or an artificial one, you’ll want to consider the amount of space you have to work with before you bring a tree home.
Measure how much space you have from one corner to any obstruction: doorways, fireplace, built-in units, radiators or any object that cannot move.
For example, I’m planning on putting a tree in my foyer this year and there’s only one spot for it to go.
I have to consider the space between the corner and my front door and the opposite wall to my radiator.
I also need to know the distance from the corner of the wall out to the swing of my front door so I know how wide the tree can be.
The last consideration I have is the height of the ceiling because my ceiling slants down almost 1 foot.
I can’t fit a wide tree in this space, but I’m shooting for the fullest tree I can find.
The way you determine the best size tree is to always have a measuring tape with you when shopping for it.
Bring your space measurements with you and measure the width of any tree you’re considering at it’s widest point.
If you’re getting an artificial tree, many big box stores have the measurements of the trees right on their websites.
Say you found one you like and it’s 32” wide. You have to account for it being 32” deep as well.
Think about the tree as a circle in your space.
If you have 29” from one corner the next before you hit an obstruction, a 32” tree will not fit.
If you can’t accommodate a wide tree, get a tall one.
In other words, don’t put a short, dinky tree in a small space because it will only highlight how small the space is.
Instead, go for the tallest tree that will fit.
If you have a ceiling like mine, you’ll have to negotiate both height and width so that the tree doesn’t stick out too far.
Get a Rotating Tree Base
If you’ve been around as long as me, you probably have a lot of special ornaments you’ve collected over the years.
How do you enjoy as many as possible?
The best way I’ve found is to get a rotating Christmas tree base.
These awesome devices let you decorate the entire tree, front to back, so you have the chance to see all your treasures as it slowly spins around.
Rotating bases work great for trees in corners and small spaces because you don’t have to pick and choose which ornaments to put out, you can have as many as possible because you can use the entire tree instead of just the half that faces out.
Repurpose an Accent Table
Another great way to get height on a smaller tree is to place it on top of a table.
Say you have a round table in the corner. Instead of removing the table for the holiday season, why not use it to add height to a small tabletop height tree?
A 4’ or 5’ tree will look great perched on top of an accent table that is around 28 “to 30” tall.
Using the table where it is will save you from storing it in another room or trying to find another spot for it. That’s more convenient, right?
Go With Multiple Small Trees Instead of One Big Tree
Sometimes a few smaller trees, spread out in a room or in different areas of your home, is the answer to small space challenges.
You might not have a large, open space for a grand Christmas tree, but you might have a few corners or a couple of tables that would fit small trees.
This option gives you the chance to spread out your décor and treasured ornaments in a few different spots as opposed to all in one concentrated area.
Instead of one main tree, you could bring in multiple small trees to decorate.
You could also have a garlands, wreaths, swags, or sprays as the main décor pieces in place of a tree.
Each of these things can give you the chance to spread your décor around and really create a complete holiday home transformation.
Coordinate Color Schemes
Once you’ve got a plan for where the tree or trees will go, it’s time to coordinate your holiday color scheme.
This is the fun part.
I love to use one element as the inspiration for a holiday color scheme.
The easiest way to do this is by using what you already have.
If you have a patterned rug that stays in the room all year, that is a great place to draw inspiration from.
Take the colors for your holiday décor right from the rug. Get fabrics, ribbons, filler ornaments and other décor with those colors to tie it all together.
Keep your palate to 3 colors.
Don’t try to force colors that are outside of the palate because it won’t look pulled together.
For example, if your color scheme is pink and gray bringing in a ton of red and green Christmas décor will not look great.
Instead build on your color theme with additional pink and gray décor.
Last, bring in one additional color like white or turquoise to add a little more interest.
Keep your palate consistent throughout the house and you’ll have a beautiful and thoughtful decorating plan.
There you have it, you’re one step closer to the perfect Christmas tree display for your small room.
To recap,
Plan a Focal Point
Move or Remove Furniture
Go Tall, Not Wide
Get a Rotating Tree Base
Repurpose an Accent Table
Go With Multiple Small Trees Instead of One Big Tree
Coordinate color schemes
How about you?
What are some of your favorite tips, tricks and hacks to make a Christmas tree work in a small space?
I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below.
Join the Fun!
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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.
I’d love to connect with you!
Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.
The 6 Biggest Room Makeover Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid
Do you ever have one of those projects that are way more complicated than you’d expect?
It’s like the universe is putting the kibosh on you and no matter how you try, it just keeps going South?
Planning a room makeover doesn’t have to take a long time and it doesn’t have to stress you out.
In fact, if there is an unusual amount of stress involved, that’s a tip off that one or several of these 6 biggest room makeover mistakes are in play.
Read MoreTop 7 Pros and Cons About Living in a Small House
No matter how you crack it, more stuff is why we have bigger homes.
If you have 4 people in a house, that’s 4 individuals with hobbies, interests, tech, and all the paraphernalia that comes with them.
So, do you think it’s comfortable for a family of 4 to live in 1200 square feet or less?
I love small houses and think that they’re charming and cozy.
If you think yours is cramped and crowded, I’d love a shot at changing your mind.
Don’t get a storage locker for all your extras or ship one of the kids off to grandma’s until college.
Read MoreHow to Choose a Designer: 10 Essential Make or Break Tips to Keep You Sane!
You’ve been kicking around the idea of making a change in your house.
Perhaps one of your rooms needs better function and you’re looking for help re-configuring doorways, closets or moving plumbing and electrical.
Or
You might need help sourcing new furniture because you’re in a new house and your old stuff doesn’t fit or your layout needs tweaking.
There’s a pro for every project imaginable but not every pro is right for every project.
Read MoreNo Fail Lighting Formula and 12 Clever Ways to Light up a Small Room!
Nothing makes a room feel more like a cave than a single light source, especially if the room is small.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a ceiling fixture, floor lamp or table lamp, one light source will highlight shadowy areas and really make the walls feel like their closing in.
The solution doesn’t have to involve installing expensive hardwiring.
You can absolutely achieve a fantastic lighting scheme with a simple formula and a few clever tricks so you can enjoy a properly lit room.
Read More5 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Improve Your Accent Furniture Game
Accent furniture is a piece of furniture that compliments a space.
Literally it is a piece that emphasizes something like a color or style.
Accent furniture adds the punctuation to a room, providing a pause as you peruse the space.
Often, they complete a design; adding that last detail, or filling an awkward corner where nothing else works.
Read MoreThe Magic Picture Hanging Height Formula to Make Your Art Look Incredible!
Have you ever noticed art that just doesn’t look right in someone’s house?
I’ll bet you’ve looked at it and thought, “wow, that’s way too high up!”
Like there’s a ton of space between the floor or whatever is underneath it and it looks weird.
Or worse, if the piece is super tiny and it’s hung so high it’s hugging the ceiling… Ugh!
Nothing ruins an awesome piece of art like an incorrect placement.
I’m definitely not a stickler for EVERY home decorating standard and I’ll be the first to break the rules if I think something will look better another way.
However, some rules, like the right way to hang art, make a lot of sense.
Art looks best when you can appreciate it straight on.
Read MoreCan’t decorate? 5 Quick Ways to Change Your Thoughts So You Can Change Your Space.
Do you believe that what you think can influence your life? If the only word you find to describe your living room is blah, you’re letting your thoughts affect your feelings.
A blah room is uninspiring and dull.
I’ll bet if you felt that way about the clothes you wore, you’d go shopping for some new pieces or accessories to jazz things up, right?
You wouldn’t go years feeling the blahs with your outfits without making some changes.
Why would you live with décor that made you feel that way and expect to feel differently without making changes?
Just like a new outfit, new throw pillows or an area rug won’t change the course of your life, but they can ignite a spark that inspires a revolution in the way you feel about your room.
How you think can about your home will shape your reality.
Read MoreRug Rules. The Right Size Area Rug and Where to Put it in Your Living, Dining and Bedroom
Area rugs can be the impetus for a total room makeover. They help to define a space. They anchor your furniture in your living room. They compose the functionality of your dining table. And, they define and reinforce the aesthetics and functionality of your bed.
The thing about rugs is people often choose the wrong size for the shape and size of their room.
You wouldn’t buy shoes that were 4 sizes too small and expect them to fit comfortably, right?
The same goes for rugs.
Read More5 Critical Ways to Overcome Self Doubt So You Can Make Excellent Decorating Decisions
Choosing furnishings, paint colors or accessories for your house can be a lot of fun.
But if you have difficulty making decorating decisions this process can be torture.
Making decorating decisions is a mental game.
If you’re feeling stuck, it’s critical to get a handle on exactly why you’re procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed with making choices.
If you’re triggered by feeling something’s wrong with you because you don’t love the latest trend even though all your friends are gaga for it, this post is for you.
Read More14 Timeless Sofas for Your Perfect Living Room Makeover
I watched video after video of “here’s how to recognize Mid-Century Modern Sofas” from a handful of novice decorators. What I saw had as much to do with Mid Century Modern sofas as if Abraham Lincoln hitched a ride on a SpaceX rocket for a stroll on the moon.
Yes, quite a few of the videos showed a Mid Century looking sofa, and I’m good with that. I think a reproduction that gives you that look and aesthetic is great. But, don’t tell your audience that a fuchsia tufted Chesterfield loveseat will check the Mid Century vibe you’re wanting.
When you’re planning a makeover with a specific aesthetic, it’s important to understand why a sofa or couch fits into a particular style. It’s also important to know basic terminology for a particular style so you can adequately communicate exactly what you want to a furniture store salesperson or designer.
Read MoreHow to Make Every Inch of Your Small Living Room Count: Furniture Buying, Layout, Wall Color and Décor!
We’re all looking at our small living rooms and wondering how we can improve their layouts or get more functionality out of the space.
In many small homes the living room is where we spend most of our time.
We’re working from home and putting together makeshift offices and homeschooling nooks in living rooms.
And I suspect that we’re probably sick of the way things look, décor, rugs, wall color, etc.
Maybe because they have to be more than just “living rooms” we’re interested in how to get multi-function without sacrificing style.
Read MoreHow 8 Bold Decorating Ideas Will Change the Way You Feel About Your Small Rooms
Little houses usually don’t Have big rooms where you can experiment and close them off until you’re ready to reveal your creativity. That luxury of space doesn’t exist for small homes where the all rooms are literally steps away from the front door.
So, it’s totally understandable to not want to challenge tried and true small space decorating ideas in favor bold, gutsy choices. But, when you think about a bold decorating choice as a way to highlight the good or diminish the bad, then the prospect of embracing that choice isn’t as scary.
Read More20 Incredibly Clever Ways to Decorate with Mirrors in a Small Living Room
Small living rooms can be challenging to decorate. This is especially true if you feel that your room is small and boxy.
If you’ve struggled to make your small living room feel a bit roomier, using mirrors in strategic and creative ways can help to make your space feel bigger and brighter.
Read More