Even when renting, you can have a fully decorated holiday season at home. Whether you are working with a small apartment space, a strict lease agreement, limited storage space, or all three, this guide will give you decorating ideas that are festive, damage-free, and functional.
When decorating for the holidays, especially in a small living space, tailor the decor to fit your lifestyle. Swap out everyday decor such as throw pillows and blankets with holiday-themed decor. To save on storage space, instead of buying new throw pillows, buy festive throw pillow covers to put on your existing pillows. If you have a neutral decor, incorporate brightly colored holiday decorations. The pop of color will make these decorations stand out more, so you can use fewer to feel festive.
If you don’t have a lot of floor space, use the wall! Hang lights and paper decorations from the walls or ceiling. Shelves are also a perfect place for small decorations, artificial greenery, and Christmas cards. An unused corner or room will be the perfect space for larger decorations like a tree.
Speaking of trees who says you even need a traditional tree? Christmas trees are rarely practical for renters. Rather than struggle with a live tree, which requires a lot of cleanup and special disposal, try the following instead:
Purchase live poinsettia plants. Poinsettias are equally as festive as trees and less expensive. A cut tree will last only about five weeks before it begins to die and lose its needles. A poinsettia, by contrast, is a perennial plant that can comfortably live indoors for as long as you choose to care for it. Keep in mind that although not deadly, poinsettias can be toxic if ingested, so keep them out of reach of pets and small children.
You can also decorate your existing potted plants with small lights, ornaments, and garlands for a fun, contemporary look. Not a plant person? Keep it simple and display your favorite ornaments in large, clear vases.
If you don’t have much floor or table space, use festive, patterned washi tape to create the outline of a tree on a free wall. Tape the ribbon in a zig-zag pattern inside the washi tape outline, and hang small, lightweight ornaments from the ribbon.
Instead of a live tree, buy a miniature artificial tree. Miniature pre-lit trees take up less room, sit comfortably on tables, take just minutes to set up, and are often battery-powered, allowing you to place them almost anywhere.
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