Artificial Christmas Trees for Small Spaces

How to choose an artificial Christmas tree

Start with the spot where the tree will stand. A narrow shelf or windowsill suits a mini tree under 9 in (23 cm). A dining table, console or mantel has room for a tabletop tree around 16 to 18 in (40 to 45 cm). A floor corner or porch can take the Pop-Up Pine at 47 in (120 cm).

Next, decide if you want light. Some trees here have warm white LED lights built in. The Tabletop Pine Light, the Pop-Up Pine and the Snow Flocked Tabletop Pine with Light all glow on their own. The Glow Star Mini Tree has a star topper with a built-in light and runs on batteries, so no cord is needed. The other trees are unlit, which leaves room for your own string lights or small ornaments.

Finally, think about how many trees you want. Single trees work well as a focal point. Sets like the Mini Fir Collection and the Sisal Snow Mini Tree Pack give you many small trees to spread across a room, a table runner or a windowsill.

Sizes and measuring

Measure your space before you buy. Height is the main number to check.

Mini trees run from 2 in (5 cm) to 8.5 in (21.6 cm). The Sisal Snow Mini Tree Pack holds 24 trees at 2 in (5 cm) tall and 0.9 in (2.2 cm) wide. The Glow Star Mini Tree comes in 6.3 in (16 cm), 7.1 in (18 cm) and 8.3 in (21 cm). The Mini Fir Collection has 12 trees at 4.5 in (11.4 cm), 6.5 in (16.5 cm) and 8.5 in (21.6 cm). The Woodland Snowflake Tabletop Tree stands 7.5 in (19 cm) tall.

Tabletop trees run from 16 in (40 cm) to 18 in (45 cm). The Tabletop Pine Light is 16 in (40 cm) tall. The Snow Flocked Tabletop Pine and the Pine Bundle Trio are each about 18 in (45 cm) tall.

Floor and porch trees are larger. The Pop-Up Pine is 47 in (120 cm) tall and weighs 2 kg (4.4 lb).

Leave a little clearance above the topper for a star or bow. On a shelf, check the base width too, since a pot base or wooden base needs flat space.

Materials and finishes

Each tree uses a different material, and that changes the look.

PVC branches give a full, classic pine shape. The Tabletop Pine Light uses PVC with a woven basket base. The Snow Flocked Tabletop Pine uses plastic branches with flocked snow for a winter look.

Bristle brush needles give a finer, vintage feel. The Mini Fir Collection uses bristle brush needles on wood bases. The Glow Star Mini Tree uses green bristle branches on a white base. The Sisal Snow Mini Tree Pack uses sisal brush needles on a wooden base, with frosted, bristled branches and snow-flocked tips on every branch.

Painted wood suits a clean, modern table. The Woodland Snowflake Tabletop Tree is smooth painted wood with metal hooks and a snowflake print on each tier. It comes in green, white or yellow.

Bendable wire helps you shape a branch. The Pine Bundle Trio has a bendable wire stem core with feathery green needles on every branch, sold as 1, 2 or 3 bundles.

Care and storage

Artificial trees need little upkeep. Dust them with a soft cloth or a brush attachment on low suction. For flocked and frosted trees, use a light touch so the snow stays in place.

Store trees in a box or bag away from heat and direct sun. Keep the shape by wrapping branches loosely or by standing small trees upright in a bin. Bendable wire stems on the Pine Bundle Trio can be reshaped each season.

Battery trees like the Glow Star Mini Tree are easy to place anywhere, since there is no cord to route. Remove batteries before long storage.

Styling small trees

A single tabletop tree works as a centerpiece. Add a small tree to a guest room, a home office or a kitchen counter for a quiet touch of the season.

Sets are handy for grouping. Line up the Mini Fir Collection along a mantel, or scatter the Sisal Snow Mini Tree Pack across a holiday table. The Woodland Snowflake Tabletop Tree comes in three colors, so you can mix green, white and yellow on one shelf.

For a fuller look, pair an unlit tree with a short string of lights. For a quick setup, choose a pre-lit tree and plug it in or switch it on.