Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it's time now to turn our minds to the joys of the holiday season. This means making lists and checking them twice, finding the perfect gifts for the ones we love, and of course, transforming our apartments with holiday decor. Norman Vincent Peale, an American minister and author of The Power of Positive Thinking, once said:
"Christmas waves a magic wand over the world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
If you have a big place in your heart for holiday decorations but not-so-much space to decorate, these tips will help you pack the holiday fun into the space that you have:
Dress up your ceilings
Strings of holiday lights are the perfect way to accent the space where your walls meet your ceilings, creating the illusion that the space is almost larger than it appears to the naked eye. Icicle lighting is the perfect accent to small windows in bathrooms or living spaces. Consider using string lights elsewhere in your apartment, too! Spread some holiday cheer in the bedroom by stringing lights across your headboard, or line your main living area with festive string lights to brighten up the space. Don't forget the mistletoe! This must-have holiday accessory takes up very little room and can virtually hang in any (or every!) doorway in your apartment.
Incorporate holiday greenery
If you have the space, tuck a small tree into the corner of your main living area and adorn it with lights, tinsel, and ornaments galore. No room for a tree? No problem! There are plenty of other ways you can incorporate festive foliage into your holiday apartment decor. Use a decorative plate and votive candles in various heights to create a tabletop vignette. Sprinkle a few pine cones and holly around the glassware and you have yourself a miniature holiday shrine!
Utilize all unused space
This means you have to get creative! Think about all of the surfaces in your home that you can tack decor to, from the backs of your dining chairs to the poles of your floor lamps.
If wall space is what you're lacking, get creative with how you use holiday wall decor. Think about all of the decor that doesn't require valuable wall space. Start with those decorations and take up the table and shelf space that you do have. For instance, if a wreath is something you cannot do without, arrange it on a bookshelf or set it on a bar cart. Save what wall space you have to work with for the decorations that are really near and dear to your heart.
Repurpose existing decor
If you have vases on every table surface, swap out your traditional floral arrangements for more holiday-centered flowers! Use sprigs of holly or mistletoe to create a holiday centerpiece.
If your apartment is packed to the gills with photos, consider swapping some of them out for old photos of your friends and family in their best holiday garb. If you don't have a ton of holiday pictures, fear not! Take the frames down and cover them in wrapping paper. This instantly transforms your photos into gifts, making it easy to line your walls with plenty of holiday spirit.
Improvise a mantle
If your apartment doesn't have a fireplace or mantle, you might be wondering where Santa will come in this holiday season. Use a pre-existing shelf anywhere in your apartment as a mantle during the holidays! You can use small pins or double-sided tape to adhere stockings to the edges. Add candles and other small holiday decorations to keep your heart smiling the whole season long. This can also serve as the place where you prop your small (but all-important) holiday decor, like a Christmas tree or Hanukkah menorah.
No matter what holiday you're celebrating this season, keep your apartment festive with these decorating ideas. Remember - you don't have to have a lot of space to spread a lot of holiday cheer.
