Christmas Tree Alternatives for Small Spaces

Traditional Christmas trees are lovely—but they’re not always practical, especially in smaller homes, condos, or coastal spaces. Between limited square footage, open-concept layouts, curious pets, and embracing the laid-back Florida Keys lifestyle, a full-size tree doesn’t always make sense. And that’s okay. This isn’t a Christmas movie in Vermont (even though that would be pretty dreamy at this time of year) it’s island living. Here in the Florida Keys, we decorate with sunshine, creativity, and a little flexibility.

Whether you’re looking for alternative places to put a Christmas tree or non-traditional Christmas tree ideas (or both!) here are festive, space-saving, Keys-approved options that bring holiday cheer without sacrificing too much (or any) floor space.

Alternative Places To Put A Christmas Tree

Balcony or Patio
If you have a balcony, screened porch, or patio, this is one of the best alternative spots for a Christmas tree, especially in warm climates like South Florida. Outdoor-friendly trees with twinkle lights feel magical at night and free up valuable indoor space. Just make sure the tree is weighted and weather-safe – tropical breezes can be sneaky.

Entryway
A slim or pencil-style Christmas tree in the entryway makes a big first impression without taking over your living room. It’s festive, welcoming, and perfect for small homes or condos where every square foot counts.

Kitchen or Dining Area
For homes where the kitchen is the heart of the action, adding a small or narrow Christmas tree here brings instant holiday spirit. It’s a fun option if you entertain often—or if you simply like something cheerful to look at while cooking (or pouring wine).

Home Office
With so many people working from home, adding a Christmas tree to your home office is both practical and festive. A small tree near your desk adds seasonal joy during long workdays and makes video calls feel a lot more cheerful. Productivity, but make it merry!

Tabletop
If you really want to save space or you just don’t want a massive tree (no judgement here!) tabletop trees are a great choice. Perfect for condos, boats, RVs, home offices, or secondary living spaces, they’re compact, charming, and just festive enough to check the “holiday décor” box without overwhelming the room.

Non-Traditional Christmas Tree Ideas

Wall-Mounted Christmas Tree
Wall Christmas trees made from string lights, garland, or ornaments are ideal for small spaces, apartments, or rental homes. They take up zero floor space and are easy to get creative with. Bonus: this is such a fun activity to get the kids involved in – they get to create a cool art piece and you can kick your feet up and relax while they do it. Win win!

Palm Tree
Living in the Florida Keys? Decorating a palm tree instead of a pine is practically a rite of passage. Wrap lights around a real or faux palm and add coastal ornaments for a tropical Christmas tree that fits the environment beautifully. Don’t live in a tropical place? You can totally do this with an indoor potted palm as well. I used to go full tropical vibes even when I lived in Canada, so go on and live your best beachy vibe life!

Driftwood or Ladder Christmas Trees
Driftwood Christmas trees or ladder-style trees offer a coastal, minimalist alternative to traditional trees. They’re stylish, easy to assemble, and perfect for beach homes or island-inspired interiors. Now that I’m talking about it, I kind of regret not doing this myself. Maybe next year…

Ornament Displays Instead of a Tree
Look, there is absolutely no rule book out there stating that you MUST have a tree or else feral elves will come after you. Some of us just don’t want to live inside that box, amiright? If you want Christmas décor without a tree at all, ornament displays are a great option. Fill glass bowls, hurricane vases, or trays with ornaments, shells, greenery, or lights and place them throughout your home for a subtle but festive look.

The Big Takeaway

When it comes to holiday decorating—especially in coastal areas like the Florida Keys—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best Christmas décor is what works for your space, your lifestyle, and your version of holiday joy. Whether that means a palm tree wrapped in lights, a wall-mounted tree, or a tiny tree next to your laptop, the goal is simple: make it feel festive without making it feel crowded.

Because if your December includes sunshine instead of snow shovels… you’re already doing something right.