As an apartment renter, decorating for the holiday season can seem daunting. With limited square footage, piles of presents, and an abundance of décor, you have to be flexible with how you choose to deck the halls. However, with a few of our space-saving style tips, you’ll be on your way to spreading the Christmas cheer without sacrificing additional space.
Determine your holiday style
If not correctly paired together, heaps of seasonal decorations in small living spaces look like clutter rather than holiday cheer. Choosing a holiday décor theme helps create a merry and cohesive look for your apartment. There are festive styles available that suit everyone:
- Rustic winter wonderland — Give “rustic chic” a chance by playing with natural elements and a color palette inspired by an enchanting snow-capped forest. Natural pine wreaths, exposed wood, lush, white faux fur throws, and flickering tea lights will set the scene for the season. Add a vintage sled wrapped with garland to emphasize this charming winter wonderland theme.
- Layers of ice-white, ivory and eggshell — You’ll be dreaming of a white Christmas throughout December. A snowy white tree adorned with warm twinkling white lights, spilling over with ivory ornaments, and champagne statement pieces will be the perfect centerpiece to your apartment. Add a cozy, cream-colored chunky-knit throw blanket or dress a console table with a shimmering white table runner and a brass menorah. If you like to play with various textures, translucent elements, best of all, glitter, this theme is for you.
- Frosty blue hues—Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas, festive blue color schemes are taking this holiday season by storm. Nothing says “let it snow” like frosty shades of aqua and sapphire. Thread a few pieces of navy-blue satin ribbon through a strand of natural garland from a fir tree. Add a few brass accents for a bold contrast.
Deck the walls
Fill your empty walls with an array of joyful possibilities that won’t cut into your seating space. Holiday-inspired gallery walls are all the rage this season. Adorn the bare walls of your apartment with holiday cheer with a variety of photos, wreaths, and frames wrapped with bows to get your place into the holiday spirit. For a more straightforward approach, place a strand of garland or a festive banner close to the ceiling.
Opt for a space-saving pencil tree
It seems as if it’s impossible to display a Christmas tree in your apartment without compromising on square footage. Consider a pencil tree for your merry abode. These tall and narrow trees have a far smaller wingspan than its fluffier cousins and take up significantly less space. For a tree with the same grandeur of those in the windows of department stores, load on all the ornaments, ribbon, tinsel, and garland you can fit. The glory of your Tanenbaum will have all your guests singing, “oh Christmas tree!” all season long.
Set the balcony aglow
Strands of white Christmas lights wrapped around the rungs and rails of your balcony could do the trick. But, don’t be afraid to step outside the box when decorating your apartment’s balcony this holiday season. If your veranda is covered, enclose your outdoor space by draping a curtain of twinkling lights from the awning for an enchanting style. Glowing icicles and snowflake lights will also transform your apartment’s balcony into an LED wonderland.
Flaunt festive fauna
From iconic pine needles to always-elegant poinsettia flowers, this season is full of spectacular flora and fauna. Replace the runner of your dining table with brass candlesticks and a lush strand of fresh pine or fir garland. If you’re looking for a vibrant pop of color, swap your houseplants for a set of stunning poinsettias in plant stands.
Swap out your living room accessories
Trade out your everyday living room accessories for seasonal pillows covers and cozy throw blankets. These snuggly decorations are perfect for nestling on the sofa while visions of sugar plums dance in your head. Choose fabrics like cotton linen and flannel for a rustic, Christmas tree farm appeal or opt for solid pillow covers with green and red pompoms affixed for a playfully modern look. Whatever your theme is, there is a cuddly accessory not only to match your holiday theme but also keep you warm this winter.
Make your doorway merry and bright
Step into the holiday spirit without using any precious space in your apartment. By adding a festive doormat, the doorstep will wish your guests with season’s greetings. Layer your doormat and a few weather-friendly Christmas trees atop a small plaid outdoor rug for an utterly polished appearance.
Make your own mantel
Chances are, your apartment doesn’t have a fireplace where you can hang your stockings by the chimney with care. Don’t skip stocking stuffers this season, however. This obstacle allows experimenting with creative alternatives. If a countryside Christmas is the theme of your holiday decor this year, play-up the rustic charm with natural wood accents. Find a sturdy branch to display on an empty wall where your cable knit stockings will be eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival.
Hang ornaments from lighting fixtures
Design the perfect statement piece for your apartment using only a fishing lure and a few lightweight plastic ornaments. Loop the translucent string around a chandelier or a hook from the ceiling to create an enchanting floating effect. From glittering snowflakes to shimmering spheres, this simple trick will draw attention to all the right places in your apartment.
Light some candles
Certain scents trigger incredibly vivid memories and take us back to days of yore. Perhaps the aroma of fresh-baked cookies reminds you of baking cookies with your siblings on Christmas Eve? Maybe a wood-burning fireplace transports you back to the December days spent in a snowy cabin in Vermont? Whether you chose a warm vanilla scent or the smell of an evergreen forest, find a candle that takes you back to the days of yore.
The most wine-derful time of the year
You don’t have to have large décor pieces or extravagant displays to get into the spirit. Spruce up your bar cart with a candy cane striped hand towel, tree-shaped bottle stoppers, or snowflake coasters for a little holiday cheer. Dress your wine bottles in miniature cable knit sweaters, Santa suits, ribbon, and pompoms for a festive touch.
Set the tune
‘Tis the season to keep your favorite holiday movie’s soundtrack on repeat. Make a playlist with cheerful songs from the past like “Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” and “The Chipmunk Song” to set an ambiance filled with child-like excitement. If you’re hosting a holiday cocktail party, play a few swanky melodies such as “Hanukkah Lovin’,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Baby Its Cold Outside.”
No matter if you’re celebrating in San Diego or Northern California, you’ll find the perfect apartment to fill with holiday cheer at one of our communities.
