The key to decorating a tiny home for the holidays is the same as living in one: less is more.
But don't worry, you won't look like a Scrooge if you rein in the lights and wreaths.
"A little Christmas goes a long way in a tiny house," says Jennifer Perkins, a lifestyle blogger who has decorated model homes for TexZen Tiny Home Co. in Austin, Texas.
Here are five ways tiny house owners get ready for the holidays:
Spend little:
Owners of tiny homes, which are often built on trailers and measure less than 600 square feet, don't have to invest in more than a box of Christmas décor to deck out their wee spaces. Jenna Spesard, who traveled the U.S with her tiny house and now lives part-time in it in Washington state, typically buys a few second-hand decorations for the season, and come January, donates them to Goodwill instead of storing for the next year.
Go vertical:
There aren't very many large surfaces in a tiny home, and what little does exist is usually reserved for everyday chores like cooking or drying dishes. Instead hang garlands around doorways, wreaths on doors and seasonal signs on the walls.
Right-size your tree:
Artificial trees come in all sizes including skinny, pencil trees and ones made to tuck into a corner. Set trees on tables already built into the house to give them height, Perkins recommends. In past years, Spesard has created an outline of a tree on the wall with lights and ornaments, or bought a small potted tree that she planted later in the spring.
Swap out:
Instead of adding decorations, consider switching out everyday items with holiday-themed ones. For instance, swap out coffee mugs, kitchen canisters and throw pillows for festive ones. That way, you won't clutter up the teeny space.
Light it up:
One of the quickest ways to create a festive tiny home is with twinkling lights. White lights can do double-duty and be used for patio lighting in warmer months, Spesard says.
The best part? A few go a long way, so you avoid the frustrating tradition of untangling lights. "You can do the whole house with just four strands," Spesard says, "and it still looks like the Griswold's Christmas."
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