A Space Saving Christmas Tree Idea that Converts for Year Round Use After the Holidays

By Brittni • posted on 11/17/2020

Who doesn’t love a clever space saving Christmas tree idea? And this one converts to a memory board for year round use after the holidays!

Space-Saving DIY Christmas Tree Idea that Converts for Year Round Use

Last year, I got so many holiday cards from friends and family in the mail, I didn’t know what to do with them all….my fridge isn’t magnetic (gasp) but I didn’t want to throw them away.

So, this year, I’ve come up with a way to display all those holiday cards (and other stuff – like prints, notes, etc that I want to keep handy) on a geometric bulletin board of sorts, that easily converts back to a non-holiday inspired shape after Christmas is over.

Holiday vibes with a pastel twist

Space-Saving DIY Christmas Tree Idea that Converts for Year Round Use

For the Christmas tree version of this project, I’m storing all of my holiday cards, tinsel tassels that I whipped up, color blocked ornaments (an upcoming DIY), and pop-y prints.

And for the geo year round option, I’ve included art prints and magazine clippings that I’ve collected these last few months, along with more prints from my own images.

Want to make your own space-saving Christmas tree?

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own…

How to make a space-saving Christmas tree that converts for year round use

Materials Needed for Alternative Christmas Tree

  • compact circular saw (or table saw)
  • sandpaper block or power sander (I use this one)
  • plywood (size will vary based on desired size of finished project)
  • paint (I recommend flat or eggshell house paint)
  • paint brush
  • pencil
  • straight edge or yard stick
  • velcro
  • greeting cards, prints, notes, etc for the finished board

DIY space-saving Christmas tree idea

How to Make a Space Saving Christmas Tree

1. Start by mapping out a large triangle shape on plywood with a pencil and a long straightedge or yard stick.

DIY space-saving Christmas tree idea

DIY space-saving Christmas tree idea

2. Clamp down the plywood, using table clamps to keep the board secure while cutting. Make sure that the areas that you are cutting are a safe distance away from the table edge that the board is clamped to. Next, make the cuts with a saw. Then use a power sander or a sandpaper block to smooth the edges.

Painting a space-saving Christmas tree (DIY idea)

3. Once the plywood is free of debris, it’s ready to paint. I used a paint and primer in one to save time. Apply 1-2 coats of paint, let dry in between coats.

DIY space-saving Christmas tree idea

4. While waiting for the paint to dry, cut a long rectangle (mine is 4 inches wide and 30 inches long) from the scrap wood leftover from step #2. This will be the tree trunk, that the tree rests on. And paint the tree trunk the same color as the tree.

DIY space-saving Christmas tree idea

5. Once all of the paint has dried from steps #3 and 4, attach the tree trunk to the back of the triangle tree with several strips of heavy duty velcro. If you don’t want to reuse the triangle portion after the holidays are over, you can skip the velcro and use wood glue instead.

DIY space-saving Christmas tree idea

6. Add clips or hooks with velcro or wood glue, if desired and you’re good to go. Add greeting cards (the card designs I chose are Joyful, Merry and Bright, and Wonderful Life) using tape or clips, alongside photos, notes, etc.

How to make a space-saving Christmas tree that converts to a geometric shape for year round use

Then, when the holiday season is over, remove the tree trunk by un-velcroing it, and hang the triangle on it’s own, by attaching a couple of saw tooth picture hooks to the back, like these.

Space-saving Christmas tree idea (DIY tutorial)

Mood board inspiration

How to make a space-saving Christmas tree that converts to a geometric shape for year round use

Holiday vibes in pastels

DIY space-saving Christmas tree that converts for year round use

Photography Amelia Tatnall Lawrence 
Styling Brittni Mehlhoff

What do you think? Do you like this DIY best as a holiday project? Or for year-round use? Would love to hear your thoughts.

15 comments | Click here to reply

[…] are over, you can remove the bottom portion (a.k.a. the trunk) and turn your tree into an everyday bulletin board. Pretty cool, […]

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[…] the end of last year (right around the time I made the space-saving Christmas tree), I had a bunch of old projects printed and sent to the […]

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That is an awesome idea! I should have seen this earlier when my kids were asking for a tree in their room!

Frank

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Thanks Tania.

Brittni

Hi! Really like the idea, seems space saving for all the little Christmas cards or kids’ projects that are done over the year and you want somewhere to put it up without being in the refrigerator. I like it!
Thanks!

-Tania
http://taniagonzalez.me/

Tania Gonzalez

[…] 2. Space Saving Tree by Paper & Stitch […]

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Thanks Team Gillis.

Brittni

Christmas trees like this must be made popular. It is a modern one but still you can make it suit with the Christmas vibe.

Team Gillis Realtor

Thanks Jessica. I love how the color came out too. 🙂

Brittni

This is such a nice idea! I love the shade you picked to paint the tree x

Jessica — NinetyCo

Jessica

Thanks Michelle. 🙂

Brittni

I absolutely love the idea, it looks fantastic!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

Michelle

Thanks John!

Brittni

really amazing DIY idea. It is obviously a nice addition to your decor. thanks for sharing

John Cooper
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