5 Affordable Ways to Decorate Your Tiny Home for the Holidays

In a larger house, a mini Christmas tree might not be the most impressive choice. But in a smaller space, mini trees — and tiny decor in general — can look cute without taking up too much of your floorplan. Consider stacking your tree on a tabletop or stool to make it look larger than it is, and adorn it with small ornaments or string lights the same way you would with a full-size fir. You can even fill the space underneath your tree with origami boxes that look like wrapped presents or sparkly pipe cleaners bent into stars.

Remember that a little greenery goes a long way. If you’re not in the mood for a tree (even a small one), get crafty and make a rosemary wreath (it makes your home smell nice, too!) or create your own pine bough arrangement for a windowsill or shelf.

Think of your walls as vertical floors that you can decorate without making your space seem small or cluttered. This includes walls, windows, shelves and more. For Thanksgiving, consider cutting leaves out of colorful card stock and threading them together with twine. You can hang them from the ceiling or along the wall for a pop of autumn colors, or stick them to your windows.

Similarly, ditch the three-dimensional tree this year and instead mount one to your wall with pine garlands and flexible hang tabs — you can still drape string lights, ornaments and mini pendants over the branches. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, you can easily hang Menorah ornaments from removable Command hooks on your wall.

Even existing items on your walls can be used as a base for creative decorations. Have a large mirror in your bathroom? Jazz up the frame with red-and-gold ribbon, poinsettia branches and wreaths.

You probably got rid of unnecessary belongings before moving into your tiny house, so getting a ton of new items that you’ll only use for a few months of the year isn’t the smartest move. Instead, consider repurposing existing items in your cupboards or closets to use as tiny house decorating ideas. Wrap cinnamon sticks around a candle with twine and set it on a platter to get your house smelling like a fresh-baked treat, or paint pine cones and let them dangle from a ribbon on your front door. You can even turn one of your Mason jars into a gratitude jar with handwritten notes of what you’re thankful for, or turn them into candle holders.

Keeping an extra velvet pillow case or an under-the-bed chunky knit throw for fall and winter has a minimal storage footprint but can make adding a holiday vibe to your house a cinch. Swap out your spring and summer textiles with cozy textured blankets in a range of late-year colors: orange, yellow, and brown for fall; or white, olive, and burgundy for winter. Adding strategic pops of color in the center and corners of your room — whether it’s by throwing a blanket or scarf over the edge of a chair or painting Manzanita branches gold and propping them up in a Mason jar — can shift the spirit of your entire space. Little details can make a big difference in the mood, too: for instance, natural tree slices can make great coasters for everyday use.

Finding space for objects in a tiny house can be a bit like playing Tetris. Take a glance through your room and pay attention to any overlooked spots that could use a festive pop. Is there a gap between your sofa and the wall that can fit a floor vase? Can you add any gourds or baubles to the top of your fridge or cabinets? If you have a staircase or ladder, do you have extra tinsel garlands you can hang from the balusters or handrail? Considering stowing items less used in the fall or winter to clear up room for holiday decor.

If you’re pressed for space and don’t have room inside your tiny house to store your winter decorations, consider renting a storage room with SmartStop Self-Storage. We offer a variety of affordable, state-of-the-art options around the U.S. and Canada to meet your storage needs, with no long-term contracts or strings. Keeping a storage unit for excess goods means that you can securely store any unused seasonal items without having to worry about cluttering your own space — giving you the opportunity to fill your tiny house with things that you actually want. Visit our blog to learn more about tiny house ideas and the smarter way to store your household items!