Decorating For Christmas In A Small House
This week Claudia is hosting a Linky party for the holiday edition of Defending The Small House, Week 5.
{Living Big In 1010 Square Feet}
As you can see from the photos above, I have clustered all my trees in a corner of my living room.
Tip#1: Just because you have a small space, don’t let that make you think small. Sometimes going slightly overboard with a lot of different-sized trees has the desired effect (or at least it does for me!)
Tip#2: We know that using mirrors in a small space visually enlarges it. So two wreathes in one!
Tip#3: If you want to know how to make such a wreath, tear strips of fabric and wrap them around your wreath. Every couple of wraps, add a small dot of hot glue to adhere the fabric to the wreath. Then decorate as desired.
One of my fav readers, Annette in California, made these cute crocheted snowflakes for me. They just came in the mail. Aren’t they cute in my dining room?
(She knows I don’t know how to crochet and took pity on me. I will freely admit I did hint a bit…)
Thanks Annette! You know I love ya!
Add a little holiday color to your collections. For $5, I was able to decorate my entire mantel of white pitchers with candy canes from Target.
And that was all the money I spent on Christmas decor this year!
And that was all the money I spent on Christmas decor this year!
Use what you have.
Tip#4: Add some sparkle in various places, like this jar. Just by putting some clear marbles into the vignette, it brings about a festive mood.
In the kitchen, I’ve put some ornaments into a dough bowl.
Tip#5: Ornaments can crop up anywhere. In bowls, in pots, or any container. Make it merry in places you haven’t perhaps thought about before. Think outside the box.
I’ve added a little sparkle to my dining room lampshade, simply by draping a star garland loosely around it.
As you can see, I’ve also added some vintage sheet music and nostalgic images to the inside of the glass jar lamp.
As you can see, I’ve also added some vintage sheet music and nostalgic images to the inside of the glass jar lamp.
Isn’t this precious little girl so sweet?
I made most of these decorations last year. Have fun with your imagination for your holiday decorating! I just sit down with paper and such and make it up as I go along.
Tip#6: Utilize Karen’s site, the wonderful person behind The Graphics Fairy blog, to find vintage images to print out and use. She’s a great source for most anything you want to search for.
I’ve used her images for decoupage and all kinds of projects. She always has premium stock and it’s free!
Tip#7: Use a centerpiece, like this poinsettia, for underneath your tree (or in my case, many trees). It doesn’t have to go on your table to make a statement.
Glass cloches are wonderful places to put a Christmas display.
Tip#8: Drape some garlands across bookcases, headboards, any place where they can dangle. To move the eye up and down and all around.
Even Alice the old wash tub got decked out!
You are only limited by your imagination. Let your holiday spirit take flight. Express yourself in whimsical ways. Let the child in you shine.
Happy Holidays to you readers of Defending The Small House!
Now head on over to Claudia’s and see what she has in store for you.
And remember to link up if you have photos you’d like to share of how you spread holiday cheer in your small space.
She’s waiting on you with hot chocolate and marshmallows!
Over and out from 1010 square feet at the little blue house in Tulsa!
Your cozy little house always looks so inviting to begin with – it’s downright festive now! You inspired me to cluster some small trees on the landing of our stairs – photos to come. Glad you’re enjoying the season, Brenda!
The little blue house looks very festive, Brenda! You’ve done a great job of decorating your place. Annette also crocheted some lovely snowflakes! Yay, Annette!
xoxo
Claudia
Your home is looking lovely, Brenda! I thought you were going to mention to “look up” and decorate vertically when you showed the decor on the top of your bookcases. I’ve been doing that quite a bit here, even without the Christmas decor!
I especially like your idea of clustering the trees together. You’ve done a great job of spreading holiday cheer all throughout your little house!
Well, you certenly know how to decorate your little house BIG!!! It’s beautiful and so very festive. Love all of your special touches.
~Debra xxx
capers of the vintage vixens
Always a delight!
I love the layered Christmas decor. Everywhere you look are touches you have added. Oh how I wish I could see it in person.
Your little house looks like it is all ready for Christmas.:) Very festive and pretty.
Have a Merry and Bright one, there with your family.
xoxo bj
Your 1010 sq ft looks mighty big to me! You have quite a knack for decorating. xo
Everything looks wonderful! You are so talented and inventive!~Hugs, Patti
You shared a lot of great tips. I love the candy canes in the white pitchers!
HOW PRETTY! I, too, live in a small house and loved all your great ideas! Merry CHRISTmas Ya’ll from Houston, TX
Hi Brenda! Oh, what a busy gal you’ve been! Your little blue house looks darling! I love all of your trees in one place! That idea would work in anyone’s house! So cute!
Everything is so purdy!
Be a sweetie,
shelia
I love how much thought and care you put into your home…it’s great to come by and “visit”!
Merry Christmas!
I’m bummed because I still can’t see the text of your posts…. am I the only one having this problem? It looks like cream on white background.
Help!
It sure is festive over at the little blue house. I spied those adorable snowflakes before I even read about it. What a nice friend to gift those to you.
Danielle
I am so loving your holiday decorations, Brenda! Everything looks so bright and festive…makes you want to leave it up year round!!
Happy Holidays!
XO,
Jane
Brenda ~ I love all of your trees in the corner of your living room and your decorations are so festive and inviting. LOVE IT ALL
Hi, Brenda
I have one crocheted snowflake, made with a fine cotton, that I bought about 30 years ago. Almost every year since I’ve thought about learning to make some for the tree, even bought a pattern booklet once. Maybe in 2012…
I linked up this week! Thank you for inviting all of us to join in with you and Claudia.
-Karen ❄
I love your house! I have downsized this year from 2000 s.f. to 1100
I think your idea of clustering all the trees together for impact is brilliant!
I look at your pics and miss the holiday colors some..but I know my psyche needs mostly neutrals, so I’ll come visit when I need the color boost OK?
xx
z
Brenda I LOVE your cluster of trees! All your Christmas touches look beautiful! I tried e-mailing you yesterday but it wouldn’t go thru. I found the jute ribbon in Walmart where they keep all there other ribbon. It came in 6ft rolls. Hobby Lobby also sells it but they cut it for you. Martina
Brenda, you are so talented. Clustering the trees together is splendid. The cloche inside a cloche I loved. Thanks for the tip about vintage stock. Merry Christmas.~~Dee
Your house looks great. My daughters old apt was only 400 sq ft. , the new one not much bigger. Nice job with the small space. Happy holidays, Laura
Hi Brenda!
I found you on Claudia’s site. I love this series because I also have a small house with small rooms. My home is 1100 square feet but I do have a half finished basement that adds some much needed space.
Your house looks so interesting with all of your treasures out on display. Sometimes I think I need to put everything away and go the minimalist route until I look at homes like yours. I think all your treasures make your home warm, charming and interesting. Keep up this series!! I’ll head on over to Claudia’s now!
~Sandy
Oh the house is so magical. Have the grandkids been over yet to see it? They’ll love it. These posts you are doing with Claudia are really great. Thank you so much for posting about the snowflakes! I’m glad you like them. they look great up there w/the black bookcases and all the other festive things.
Brenda,
It all looks wonderful. I love how the grouping is practical yet gives the feel of extravagance at the same time.
The colors and textures of the red ornaments in the dough bowl sing to me.
I just love the imagination and creativity you bring to everything you do, Brenda! So many gorgeous ideas here, and such wonderful festive photos too.
Have a happy cosy week in the very festive little blue house!
Helen x
Brenda, your house is always so cheerful looking with the splashes of red so Christmas time at your houses is even MORE CHEERFUL looking!
What a cozy wonderful Christmas you are going to have in your little home this year, Brenda. Everything looks so fabulous.
Laura
I wish I had your talent for layering and seeing how things go together Brenda. One of the hardest things for me is finding much display space in my little house! I try and it just looks a mess. I come here for inspiration and dreaming:>)
Love it!
The cozy house is living large for Christmas Brenda. Love the white pitchers and candy canes and all the cloches. The little girl, in the lamp, is sweet and sad too. Have a happy, happy Christmas. Olive
Love these ideas! I’m a college student in a small apartment, so I put out a few things to make the place a little festive, but finals seriously cramped my decorating style! A few pictures here at my old blog (now defunct as I’ve made the move to blogspot!): http://lechatdoux.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/
Thanks for all the beautiful ideas!
Cassie
This is BEAUTIFUL Brenda! This is pure inspiration for me for another year. I am in love with your white pitchers with the candy canes and the fact that you clustered your trees all in one place. Genius!!!!!
Oh man, did this put me in the festive mood!
hugs from here…
Such a cute idea for your glass lamp! I may have said it before, but I just love all of your lamps!
Nothing to defend your home is lovely. I always enjoy seeing how you have decorated your new home.
You have it prefect for the holidays and I am so glad I was able to come by today and catch up with you. That is something I have been wanting to do for some time now.
I was trying to send you a Christmas card and noticed it was the old address to Tyler. lol
Take care Brenda and keep enjoying your cozy new home
Love
Maggie
Great post! I LOVE your clustered trees, regardless of the size of your house. I’m so impressed that all you spend on Christmas decos was $5. You’ve really used your imagination.
- The Tablescaper
Oh Brenda, your home is so charming and magical! I love how you grouped those trees and all the sweet touches of Christmas around your home… it’s so cozy and inviting!
Hugs,
Jill