Decorating Ideas for Small Apartments

Source: renters.apartments.com ~ Author: Erica Wacker

When you live in an apartment, it can be hard to replicate the Christmas decorations you grew up with, from the Christmas village on the mantle to the lights on the bushes outside to the six-foot tree in the corner of the living room. But even if your space is small, there are lots of ways to fill it up with holiday cheer. Here’s our list of space-saving alternatives.

Instead of a Christmas tree: Hang tree-like garland from the doorways. The garland can be purchased with lights already attached; all you need to do is hang it up and plug it in. You can even add ornaments, paper snowflakes or a homemade string of popcorn. If you’re set on a tree, look for a table-size version that will fit on an existing end table or kitchen table.

Instead of a Christmas village: Why not make your very own gingerbread house? You can still put a light inside and display it on your dining table or mantle (if you have one). Plus, having decorations you can eat is even more fun.

Instead of lights outside: Hang them inside, of course! Wrap them around banisters, string them over the windows, or use them to create a “tree” on your living room wall (make sure you use tape that won’t damage the walls or have permission to use nails). You can also swap out some of your regular light bulbs with red and green ones for added effect.

Instead of decorating the mantle: Unless you’re one of the lucky ones with a fireplace in your apartment, chances are you don’t have a mantle from which to hang your stockings with care. Put up or use an existing single shelf as a makeshift mantle. To display your Christmas cards, hang them from the ceiling on a string going across the room. If you live with roommates, have each person put a stocking on their bedroom doorknob and buy each other small gifts to put in them.

Instead of presents under the tree: Wrap your existing artwork in wrapping paper and ribbon, then hang them back up on the walls. This is an easy way to add Christmas cheer to your space without taking up any additional room.