The Christmas Decor Spacing Trick Designers Use to Avoid Clutter

If you watch designers decorate for Christmas, it’s not that they have better stuff—it’s how they use it. One of the biggest differences is spacing. They leave more room between things than most of us are comfortable with, and that’s why their rooms look calm instead of crowded.

There’s one simple spacing trick you can steal that instantly makes everything look more intentional: the “one hand, two hands” rule.

How the “one hand, two hands” rule works

Think of the distance between pieces in terms of your hand. On shelves and mantels, leave at least “one hand” of space between separate items or little clusters. On bigger surfaces like coffee tables and counters, aim for “two hands” between groups.

It’s not exact. The point is to get out of the habit of pushing everything right up next to everything else. When decor has breathing room, each piece stands out instead of blending into a busy line of stuff.

Use it on mantels and shelves first

The easiest place to try this is the mantel or a main shelf. Start by taking everything off. Put back your greenery or main base first. Then add your taller pieces—candles, trees, lanterns—about a hand’s width apart. Fill in with smaller things if you need them.

Step back. If everything looks like it’s touching, spread it out. If there’s one section that feels too bare, add one more piece or slide something over. You’ll be surprised how little it takes to make it feel full once you stop lining things up shoulder to shoulder.

Apply it to the tree area

The tree corner is where clutter piles up: extra ornaments, random decor, gift bags, extra chairs, and totes that never made it back to the closet. Use the spacing trick there too.

Look at everything within a couple of feet of the tree. If you couldn’t fit your hand or foot between items without bumping them, it’s too tight. Move extra baskets, stools, and small tables out of that zone. The tree itself should have a little halo of space around it, not be jammed into a knot of stuff.

Give coffee tables and counters “parking spots”

On coffee tables and counters, decide where decor can “park” and where real life needs to land. Maybe one corner of the coffee table gets a tray with a candle and small tree, and the rest stays empty for cups and snacks.

If you can’t set down a plate without moving something, your spacing is off. Using the “two hands” rule between decor clusters keeps the surface useful and prevents that messy, everything-all-at-once look.

Remember that less grouped well beats more everywhere

The whole point of the spacing trick is to remind you that you don’t need something in every gap. A few well-placed pieces with breathing room look much more finished than a bunch of cute things squeezed together.

If you feel like you’re “wasting” space, that’s usually a sign you’re used to seeing clutter, not that the room is actually empty. Give yourself a couple of days to live with the extra room. Most people end up liking it a lot better—and so do their guests.