Looking for modern small christmas tree decorating ideas that don’t need a whole corner of your living room? Think trailing bows, tiny lights or a simple gold star.
These pictures include tabletop trees, wall displays and a few larger trees with details you can borrow for a smaller version.
You can keep things simple or go all out with ornaments. I especially love the little trees with just lights.
There are also colorful bows and shiny silver decorations if you want something a bit more dressed up.
Small Christmas Tree Ideas Worth Saving
brown bows and evergreen branches
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous brown bows. This is a branch arrangement rather than a whole tree, with the stems showing through a clear vase. I love how the long ribbon tails fall past the greenery.
Try the same loosely spaced bows on a little tabletop tree if you want to borrow the look.
white ornaments and a basket
How pretty is this white and green combination? The tree has little white baubles, a hanging star and a tall brown basket around its base.
Keep your gift wrapping white with black ribbons if you want to follow the whole display. That large white star beside the tree is such a cute extra touch.
a little tree with no ornaments
Don’t want to add lights or baubles? No problem! This little tree is lovely just as it is, sitting in a gray pot on a green block.
I love the pinecones and loose greenery at the bottom. Try a few beside your pot rather than hanging anything on the branches.
champagne ornaments and frosted branches
If you love a fully decorated tree, there’s plenty to borrow here. This is a large floor tree, not a small one, with pale gold ornaments, frosted-looking sprays and lights tucked throughout.
For a smaller version, I’d choose a few pale gold baubles and shorter sprays. You can keep that same color combination without copying the size.
black baubles and open branches
Black Christmas ornaments? I am obsessed with this combination. The round baubles and little pleated shapes look so good against the green branches, with a black pot underneath.
This floor tree is larger than a tabletop option. Try the same black-on-green palette on a smaller tree and leave some branches bare.
a skinny entryway tree
Short on floor space but still want a tall tree? This narrow one sits beside the front door with pale ornaments, bows and little lights.
The pointed brown star is my favorite part. A similarly slim tree could work in your entryway too, as long as it leaves the door and walkway clear.
pink baubles and colorful stars
How cute are those pink ornaments? This fuller floor tree mixes them with yellow and blue stars, gold-colored baubles and a tall pink topper.
You don’t need a tree this size to try the colors. Pick pink baubles and a few little stars for your mini version.
I’d keep the blue patterned wrapping around the base too.
just lights and a tall basket
If you are looking for something simple, this one is for you. Little golden lights are the only decorations on the branches, with a white lining peeking over the tall basket.
There’s no topper here either. I’d leave it that way and let the uneven branches show.
an oversized red bow
That red bow is definitely the star of this tree! Its long tails hang over branches decorated with orange slices, pinecones and dark red baubles.
The pictured tree is large, but the bow idea works as inspiration for a smaller one. Choose a shorter ribbon so the tails don’t cover your entire little tree.
tiny bows and a silver star
This tabletop tree may just be one of my favorites here. I love the tan bows mixed with red and gold-colored baubles.
The white puff-shaped decorations are so cute between them.
There’s even a little heart ornament and a sparkling silver star. Save this one if you want a small tree with lots to look at.
a geometric wall tree
Don’t want branches taking up space on your console? This black tree-shaped wall decoration gives you a different option.
The open outline is filled with angular lines and dotted with lights.
I’d skip extra ornaments on this one. Those shapes are already worth showing off.
a snowy console tree
This little snowy-looking tree is so pretty beside the framed Christmas sign. It doesn’t have hanging ornaments, but the red berry branches and greenery across the table give the display plenty of color.
Try a small gift with a green bow beside your tree to follow this arrangement. If you add candles, keep them well away from the greenery.
pink and red mini trees
Who says you have to choose just one little tree? These pink and red decorative trees look adorable grouped above the greenery.
I especially love the tall blush tree beside the bright red one. Repeat those colors with a few baubles below if you want to pull your own mantel display together.
tiny lights on a potted tree
If you like keeping the decorations minimal, save this one. A fine strand of lights winds around the narrow-leaved greenery, with a tan cover around the pot.
You really don’t need a topper for this look. I’d keep the branches free of ornaments and give the little lights all the attention.
two trees at different heights
I love this little pair of trees. One sits on a covered stand while the other stays on the floor, both in brown baskets with golden lights.
Try this arrangement if you have two small trees you want to display together. A few loose baubles at the bottom are a pretty alternative to decorating every branch.
a lattice tree with bows
This is such a fun alternative to a traditional tree. The pale crisscross frame holds red baubles, fruit-shaped ornaments, little greenery sprigs and long ribbon bows.
Read also: 20 Preppy TV Stand Decor Ideas With Color, Bows and Pretty Details
The red bow at the top is my favorite detail. If you try a similar wall display, leave a few of the diamond-shaped spaces empty so you can still see the frame.
folded trees and round ornaments
How cute are these little folded tree ornaments? They’re shown gathered in a bowl with pleated round decorations in green, gray, mustard and brown.
This isn’t a decorated tree yet, but it’s a lovely color palette to borrow. I’d hang a few of these shapes on a small tree and skip the shiny baubles.
a bare tree on a red stool
This one leans more rustic than modern, with a sparse little tree in a pale bucket and a chipped red stool underneath. The small bearded figures make the display especially playful.
For a simpler take, keep the raised tree and choose just one figure beside the bucket. You can leave the branches bare like these.
silver stars and dangling icicles
If you are looking for a small tree with plenty of sparkle, then this one is for you. There are shiny silver baubles, long icicle-shaped ornaments and bead strands between the branches.
I am in love with that big starburst topper. Keep the white covering around the base if you want to follow the same silver-and-white look.
a gold star and bare branches
Last but definitely not least, we have this simple little tree with a gold-colored star. I love how the lights sit around the base on the cabinet instead of covering the branches.
The tree casts such a pretty shadow on the wall. I’d leave the ornaments off this one and keep that lovely open shape.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella