Small apartment decorating might be the hardest kind of interior decorating there is. When you don’t have much square footage to work with, it’s essential that you use what you have for practical purposes. So once you’ve created a layout and a design that works for you and your space, it’s easy to check off the decorating box and tell yourself you won’t go through the ordeal again. However, who wants to live in a Christmas-cheerless apartment during the holidays? Nobody. You might think you have to go all the way back to the drawing board just because there is no way you can fit a tree in your tiny apartment, but that’s not true. There are several ways to put some Christmas shine on the decor you already have. Scroll through these 12 tips for decorating your small apartment for Christmas.

Of course the first thing that comes to mind as you decorate for Christmas is the tree. Even the smallest apartment dweller can have one! Whether you prefer the real deal or a faux beauty, opt for a small tree that can be displayed on a table or dresser.

Often, bar carts are essential pieces in the small apartments. They allow for easy entertaining and storage all in one. Don’t forget to dress it up with all your gold accents and festive drinkware to create a Christmas worthy corner.{found on hauteofftherack}.

Even small apartments have wall space somewhere. Maybe it’s behind the front door or maybe it’s above your sofa. Wherever your free vertical space is, curate a holiday gallery wall with Christmas movie quotes and carol lyrics.{found on inspiredbycharm}.

Fellow tiny apartment dwellers know that you are lucky if you have the space for a sofa. However even if you only have a bed, you have space for throw pillows. Grab some new glittery covers for those cushions for some serious holiday sparkle.

Do you have a chandelier in your apartment? Head to the local park for some live evergreen branches and dress up your chandelier for Christmas. Even just that small touch above your head will help your space feel more festive.

Do you find yourself throwing away all the Christmas cards you receive simply because you have no room to keep them? Wrap a doorway in a garland and attach your cards with clothespins. Then you can look at those friendly faces all season long.

Small space living makes some kind of shelving a necessity of life. You might have a bookcase or maybe it’s a set of floating shelves but either way, it’s surface space to hang stockings, light candles and display the odd Christmas trinket from childhood.

In a small apartment, even surface space must be carefully curated and decorated with intent. Instead of filling it all up with little houses and trees and nativities, choose one object to collect and use one surface for a holiday vignette. Even such a small decorating spot will have a big impact on the room.

The best kind of decorating in a small apartment is the kind that doesn’t get in the way of your life. Lean a simple wreath on the counter or behind the DVD player. It’s out of the way while adding a touch of Christmas to your corner.

Some people don’t mind the mess of real pine and would rather have the smell in their home. Fill some vases along the windowsill with live greenery for the holidays. Lights or no, it will feel very wintery and let you keep it out until Spring.

Somewhere in your apartment, you have a bed. It might be in another room, it might be folded into the couch or it might be tucked up against the ceiling. Wherever it is, splurge on some bright red sheets to give even your sleeping space a touch of the festivities.

Of course it isn’t Christmas without twinkly lights. No matter how much square footage you have to live in, there is always space for you to string some twinkle lights around your mirror or doorway. Line your cabinets, your TV and wherever else you need to to make your small apartment really feel like home this Christmas.