Try this space saving Christmas tree idea: a plywood tree! It’s the perfect Christmas tree alternative idea for small spaces. You’ll love how easy this DIY tree is, and how many ways there are to make it your own!

I’ve spent so many Christmases in teeny tiny apartments, with hardly any room for a tree. Sometimes we shoved one in a corner, sometimes we just got a miniature tree and called it a day.

But I wish I would have thought of this little space-saving holiday project years ago! We have more room in our home now, but I’m still planning on using this cool Christmas tree alternative in the kids’ room to decorate and spread some Christmas cheer!

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Space Saving Christmas Tree Idea

If you have a small space but want to decorate for the holidays, I can’t recommend this idea enough. It’s particularly great if you have a wall area where you can lean the plywood Christmas tree so that you can see and enjoy it.

Four Reasons to Love This Christmas Tree Alternative

There are so many reasons to love this DIY space saving Christmas tree!

It’s affordable! For the cost of some plywood or pressed board, some tape, and a sample can of paint, you can make your very own.
It’s reusable. I love the fact that it’s reusable year after year. And if you end up moving to a dwelling with more space, you can still use it as fun holiday decor.
It packs away flat. You could slide this behind your couch, behind your clothes in the closet, or even beside the refrigerator! It takes up no space to store.
It’s completely customizable. You can cut the plywood to your own specifications, mix up the color, and try new patterns within the tree.

Christmas Tree Themes to Try

Since we’re on the topic of Christmas trees, I rounded up some of my most popular Christmas tree theme posts to inspire you! If you’re here for a space saving idea or a Christmas tree alternative, there are some great small options in the list below.

Supplies You’ll Need

Materials

¼” thick plywood or MDF, cut to four feet by three feet
Painter’s tape
Two shades of paint
Scissors
Craft knife
Yard stick
Paint roller
Paint roller tray
Drop cloth

A couple of notes on supplies!

In most hardware stores, you can ask for your materials to be cut for you on site. So if you don’t have a saw at home, be sure to ask for your plywood or MDF to be cut at the store. It’s a big help!

You don’t need much paint for this project, so you can get away with just purchasing a sample can. They’re usually just a few dollars and you can choose any color from the swatches at your local paint store.

How to Make This DIY Plywood Christmas Tree Alternative

Make Time: 2 Hours Plus Drying Time

Start by taping out your tree shape on the board. Measure how tall and wide you’d like it, and smooth on the painter’s tape to outline the shape. Smooth the edges of the tape to ensure that no paint seeps underneath.
Roll on a coat of your first paint color. This color will be the color of the stripes on your tree. Be sure the paint is even and covers all of the wood. Allow this coat to dry completely. You may need to repeat this step if your first color doesn’t have thorough coverage.
Tape out your geometric design on the tree. For the stripes, we cut strips of the painter’s tape in half longways so that they’d be thinner. Arrange the stripes on the tree, being careful to keep a consistent distance between each stripe.
Once the tape is all laid out, smooth down the edges of each stripe. Add your final coat of paint in the second color. The second color will be the main color of your tree.
While this coat is still wet, carefully remove your tape. This is my favorite part! It’s like taking a cake out of the oven — you finally get to see the results of your work. Peel away slowly, being careful not to pull away any paint with the tape. I highly recommend Scotch Painter’s Tape with EdgeLock for super crisp edges.

Decorate and Enjoy

Stand back and admire your super-cool, space-saving Christmas tree! I’m going to string some twinkle lights around ours and have a few gifts there to keep it cozy.

It’s such a fun, unexpected, modern twist on a classic! And the best part — when you’re done celebrating, you can tuck it away in the back of your closet for next year.

If you try and love this DIY, be sure and rate it below! xoxo

Christmas Tree Alternative: Plywood Christmas Tree

Yield: Plywod Christmas Tree

Active Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate

Estimated Cost: $30

Try this space saving Christmas tree idea: a plywood tree! It's the perfect Christmas tree alternative idea for small spaces.

Materials

Plywood or MDF
Painter's tape
2 shades of paint
Pencil

Tools

Paint roller
Paint tray
Yard stick

Instructions

Start by taping out your tree shape on the board. Measure how tall and wide you’d like it, and smooth on the painter's tape to outline the shape. Smooth the edges of the tape to ensure that no paint seeps underneath.
Roll on a coat of your first paint color. This color will be the color of the stripes on your tree. Be sure the paint is even and covers all of the wood. Allow this coat to dry completely. You may need to repeat this step if your first color doesn't have thorough coverage.
Tape out your geometric design on the tree. For the stripes, we cut strips of the painter's tape in half longways so that they'd be thinner. Arrange the stripes on the tree, being careful to keep a consistent distance between each stripe.
Once the tape is all laid out, smooth down the edges of each stripe. Add your final coat of paint in the second color. The second color will be the main color of your tree.
While this coat is still wet, carefully remove your tape. This is my favorite part! It's like taking a cake out of the oven -- you finally get to see the results of your work. Peel away slowly, being careful not to pull away any paint with the tape. I highly recommend Scotch Painter's Tape with EdgeLock for super crisp edges.

Notes

In most hardware stores, you can ask for your materials to be cut for you on site. So if you don't have a saw at home, be sure to ask for your plywood or MDF to be cut at the store. It's a big help!

You don't need much paint for this project, so you can get away with just purchasing a sample can. They're usually just a few dollars and you can choose any color from the swatches at your local paint store.

This post was originally sponsored by 3M. This post also contains affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission should you make a purchase via one of these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you as always for your support!