This post was originally published in 2014. LaTonya is still writing and updates her blog regularly. You should go check it out.
Decorating a small space can be tricky, especially during the holiday season! This is our second year celebrating in our small apartment, and it’s definitely a lot easier than last year. I think when it comes down to it, you’ve got to change your expectations of what Christmas, or any holiday you’re celebrating, is in your mind. Changing your expectations isn’t a bad thing at all. But sometimes with a smaller space, you’ve got to have a bigger imagination and just simply simplify. Â
There are a few things that I’ve learned along the way that I apply when decorating my small space for this wonderful season!Â
1. Try to decorate with more natural pieces and natural tones. When you mix a small apartment and loud festive things, chances are your space will feel too overwhelming. Instead of a chunky store-bought wreath, we decided to make our own using a few branches from our tree. And instead of having a large holiday table centerpiece, I used a vintage lace tablecloth to give our space a more festive feel. Since the tablecloth is white, it keeps the room feeling a bit more spacious. You can use things found outside as a centerpiece as well (It’s also a great way to get the kids involved in decorating).
2. Decorate with smaller, more sentimental decorations. If you’re decorating a small space, it’s best to decorate with things on the smaller end. Try using more lights and less ornaments. All the extra stuff just becomes stuff.Â
3. Don’t be afraid to downsize your tree. Since I have River, and she’s at that age of really developing her own voice and expectations, I want to mold her idea of what a grand Christmas is. Even if we move into a larger space, I don’t want her expecting a huge tree every year. Keeping things small and simple, but still beautiful and fun is important.Â
I am so excited for yet another holiday in our small space as an even bigger family! Happy holidays! –LaTonya
52 Comments
You have a lovely, lovely place! And I love that family of stockings!
I have to comment, even though it’s already the 22nd! I love these pictures, and the eating area is so pretty with the matching/mismatched chairs! I’ve grown up in a small house and for me, the tree has to be small! We have a potted one we keep inside only a few weeks a year, decorate it with two small battery operated lightstrands, and all 10 of our mini ornaments, and we have instant christmas! Your stockings are beautiful. We keep the baubles and lights in a tinbox the rest of the year, little Storage needed. The tree lives in the garden. Our apartment is 44m2, for two people and a cat. It’s huge for us (I mean..we have a room especially dedicated to working from home!!) but friends and family don’t think so.
Great ideas! My family finally got a living room sofa, but that meant we had to get rid of our large tree! Now, we have a “slim” tree that we keep in our living room. Now we can only hang our favorite decorations. I love your tree! I also love your pretty kitchen chairs.
I love the ornaments!
i love the tabletop christmas tree idea! no matter what size space you have i think it’s such a cute idea. when i was a kid, my mom would let us pick out a mini christmas tree to put in our rooms and it’s my favorite holiday memory!
www.waterlilyshop.com
@waterlilyshop
Wow this is so cute! I’m in college so I still live in a dorm, but I will definitely save this tips for a rainy day! Keep up the good work LaTonya!
http://little-miss-cara.blogspot.com
Great ideas! Check out our easy DIY holiday tassel garland tutorial at the Always Me Blog.
http://blog.alwaysmeclothing.com/2014/12/11/diy-holiday-tassel-garland/
I love your style
Love this, what an adorable apartment! It looks so lively and fun, no cramped in the slightest.
I moved countries 6 months ago so we sold all our decorations back in Australia. I’m using red apples, pots of herbs and tea light candles for decoration along with red and white fabric (sans christmas print so it can be used any time of year) for tablecloth and napkin and red paper for some cut outs.
Great!
For small spaces i proposed trees on the wall, very easy using washi tape!
http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es/2014/12/christmas-sweaters.html
Absolutely beautiful. And the message you are sending is simple and beautiful as well. I love the warmth in what you feel when you did this. Beautiful…….
Great post. So useful for so many people who live in areas where they simply do not have a lot of space. Lovely woman and family!
oh where did you get your beautiful daughters top? So cute!
Such a gorgeous post!
VLOGMAS + IPAD MINI GIVEAWAY
I love LaTonya’s collaborations! More please!
Beautiful, festive space! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Oh, I really liked your place! So cute and cosy! Loved the light blue of the chairs. Have a Merry Christmas! xo
This is very beautiful place, small or not, decorated for Christmas or not! I love the brightness and the colors everywhere. Have a wanderful Christmas!
so beautiful! your son is adorable!
xx nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
Super cute! I live in a small apartment and haven’t decorated yet…
great idea!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/trulymagick?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Thanks so much for this post! And wow those teal chairs are so cute!
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Oh my gosh! Is River not the cutest little thing!?
Awesome!!
Thank you Lee! It’s actually Oak in the picture, my son. I also have a four year old name River! Xx
Thanks Kathryn!
That’s actually my son in this picture, I shouod have been more specific. Oak is the baby in the picture. River is my 4 year old!
Xx
No! The ornaments are terribly cute, but they’re from Anthro.
We love them!
Hi Cat!
Yes, that’s one of our issues too. We actually have a storage unit we rent not too far from our house.
Xx
LaTonya
I second the other comments! I grew up in a house, so it’s fun to see all the styling you guys do with the ample space — but now I’m in a big city which means much smaller places! I love LaTonya’s contributions and how creative she is able to get with the space she has. Would love to see more LaTonya, always!
I really love the natural touches & the greenery. Your minimal wreath is just the ticket. It’s got a fresh, fun vibe to it without being overwhelming. :] // http://www.itscarmen.com â–²
Oh em gee your baby is so cute!!!!! As is your apartment 🙂
Love all the little details that give that christmas feel!
http://www.tuskstails.blogspot.com
I love your whole space Latonya! It’s so cozy and bright – two words that don’t often go together. These are great tips. I especially like that you mentioned the importance of changing expectations – you’ve got to make the best you can with what you’ve got!
P.S. River looks ADORABLE!
Kathryn
www.throughthethicket.ca
Adorable space and daughter! River is so cute! Great post.
Such lovely pictures! I love the stockings 🙂
Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
xx
Lovely!
thanks for this! i have a small space that can’t fit a real tree so i JUST posted this: what do you think? http://www.happyasannie.com/2014/12/5288/
I love how subtly festive this is. It’s not in your face CHRISTMAS IS HERE… It’s accepting and embracing the Holliday with grace. 😉
I love the stockings at an angle!
Love your decorations LaTonya! And your baby is sooo cute 🙂 I’m sure you will have a wonderful Christmas in this beautiful home!
xOrsi
http://szkorso.blogspot.ro/
I think my biggest struggle with decorating for my apartment is where on earth do I keep everything when it’s not the holidays? We have almost virtually no closet space…
Anyways, I love your point about decorating with less, more sentimental decorations. I think that’s ALWAYS good advice, no matter the size of your space!
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Such a bright, cheery and cozy space…thanks for the ideas 🙂
I’m also an NYC reader and as much as I love the homes on here, I was so excited to see an apartment!
So excited to see apartment decor on here! I also live in a tiny space and this was so inspiring, and not just the holiday decor but the snippets of her personal decor as well.
I would love to see more apartment staged rooms and decor on here! That would be amazing.
I love your Christmas tree LaTonya! It`s simple, natural and therefore so romantic.
We live in a studio and just bought a tree of similar height and size so you are a great inspiration for me. Thank you for that.
Love this!
love that little wreath!
These are great tips! I love the cute animal tree decorations
xoxo
www.randomindistilling.blogspot.com
I’m dying over how cute your little girl is in that hat. Beyond adorable.
I’m also a fan of the tree’s little critter decorations.
From one of your NYC readers, I LOVED this. More LaTonya please!
La Tonya, did you make those sweet little animal ornaments? I love the outfit on the bunny. 🙂