Space-Saving Alternatives to a Real Christmas Tree

We don’t all have the luxury of housing an eight-foot Christmas fir in our homes, and even if you do have room, you may not want to deal with the hassle. Regardless, there are so many options out there that won’t leave you feeling cramped in your small space. And need I mention, they won’t leave you with pine needles and sap all over your carpet. If you can forgo the scent of a real tree for something a little more apartment-friendly, these are the projects for you.

(Above) Jump on the fringe bandwagon this Christmas with a stunning DIY from Brit + Co. Combine copper piping and a spool of green fringe into the perfect wall hanging that could easily be mistaken for a pricey Anthropologie find.

Remember all those Popsicle projects you did in preschool? Well, I’m here to tell you that the Popsicle sticks of adulthood are paint sticks. Consider a hanging tree like this one from Curbly made entirely of tinted paint sticks and you won’t have to sweep up pine needles and sap after the holidays.

Plywood was the material of years past, but we still think this DIY modern plywood tree is a great option for when you don’t want the hassle of a large tree. It can easily be painted each year to reflect your changing style. The Merrythought has the tutorial.

For a tiny footprint, go for a skinny dowel tree. With less tree, you’ll have more room for gifts, right? Homey Oh My shows you how to make your own. And if you want a pop of color, try wrapping your dowels in colored yarns or embroidery floss.

Stick to the walls with this string art DIY from My Poppet. Commend hooks placed in a triangular shape make this project very achievable, even for the least crafty.

Peg board is still in right? It is when it comes to this fun alternative tree option. Sugar & Cloth makes a small-scale tree with a peg board cutout and concrete base. The peg holes are great for hanging ornaments, too.

You can recreate this piece seen on French by Design using a painters cloth, black chalkboard paint, and chalk pens. Hang from a wooden dowel, and you’ve got yourself an easy (and quick to disassemble) faux Christmas tree.

If you have access to tree branches and greens, some washi tape, and string lights, you have all the supplies needed for this tree alternative from the Free People blog. Add in some ephemera from the year (or years past) for an extra personal touch.

Take some tips from this office party Christmas tree made entirely of, you guessed it, paper – huge drafting paper to be exact. The great thing about the tutorial seen on Popsugar, is that it can be tailored to the size you prefer. Start with a base of foam core, and use standard printer paper, newspapers, or construction paper to get the same look on a smaller scale.

Lastly is a colorful alternative made entirely out of wood, with a removable “stem” so the tree can serve as a great mood board or greeting card center post Christmas. See the how-to over on the Paper & Stitch blog.