The time has come! It’s the holiday season and everyone in your neighborhood is starting to decorate. But you don’t know where to start! Can you put holes in the wall? What about Command hooks? Can you decorate the outside of your apartment? Don’t fret; we’ve got all the tricks you’ll need to ensure your space is festive and fun while adhering to your lease agreement and without sacrificing your security deposit.
Check Your Lease
The first thing you’ll want to do is check your lease agreement. There’s likely to be some language about what you can and cannot do both inside and outside your apartment. You may not be allowed to make holes in your walls to hang something. Or you may not be allowed to put things other than furniture on your balcony or patio. If you can’t find anything in your lease about this, reach out to your landlord or property manager. They’ll be able to steer you in the right direction. It also shows them that you care about the property enough to check in.
Indoors
Once you’ve gotten instructions from either your lease or someone in management, you can start planning your decorations. Remember that every space can be cheered up with minimal spending, as long as you spend wisely. Instead of real plants, you can get fake ones that can be stored throughout the rest of the year. Buy quality fabrics you can use to spruce up your apartment for the holiday season and weave lights or garlands through your curtain grommets.
Living Room
Bring out the spirit of the season with textiles in your living room. Throw a cozy blanket on the couch and change out pillow covers to add some seasonal cheer to your home. If you’re thinking of investing in a Christmas tree, you may not be able to use a real one. Buying a fake Christmas tree will not only be safer, as the leaves are covered with a fire-retardant mixture, but it will be less expensive in the long run. And make sure you find the perfect spot for it in your living room.
Bathroom
Don’t neglect the bathroom when you’re decorating! You can add some holiday towels, so your guests have something festive to use after washing their hands. Put some fake plants on the vanity, add some scented soaps and lotions, and hang twinkling lights around the mirror. You can even add a frame with a holiday greeting or festive photo on the counter.
Dining Room
When everyone comes over for dinner on the first nights of Hannukah or for the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, you want the space to feel inviting and warm. You can easily do this without spending tons of money. Put out a tablecloth that has the colors of the holiday you celebrate, and coordinate colors with napkins. You can even tie bows around your silverware and glasses for an added touch. Place your menorah or kinara in the middle of the table as the holiday centerpiece.
Outdoors
If you’re allowed to decorate the outdoor areas of your apartment, you’ll want to find the best ways to display your holiday cheer. Whether that means inflatable reindeer or classic white lights, you can personalize your outdoor space this holiday season with minimal output.
Balcony or Patio
Having a private outdoor space is unparalleled. But how to decorate it for the holiday season? Easy! Place poinsettias or a Christmas Tree on your balcony. Line your railings with holiday lights and/or garlands but be sure to keep the lights on a timer so that they turn off early enough to keep the neighbors happy.
Front Door
You want people to know you’re festive right away. What better way than with a wreath? Create your own with objects found around the apartment. Buy a wire frame and DIY your decorations. Add some ribbons, dried or fake plants, and some colorful ornamentations. When it comes to hanging the wreath, make sure you’re not damaging the door itself. Using an over-the-door hook, you can ensure both holiday cheer and the safety of your security deposit.
Get Creative!
There are so many ways to decorate your walls for the holidays without making a dent, literally and figuratively. Washi tape is a colorful way to explore your creativity this season. Missing a mantle? No problem! Tape one out on your wall. You can even tape a fire crackling in the fireplace.
Do you have any empty boxes? Wrap them in brown paper with a colorful ribbon and place them around your home. Turn your books around so that only the ones with the appropriate colors are displayed to liven up your bookshelves. Wrap an inside-facing door with wrapping paper to make a big impact with minimal spending. For something interactive for kids, you can use brown paper on the door and allow them to get out their creativity!
Another creative way to decorate without damaging walls is to get yourself a piece of wood and safely prop it up against a wall. You can find boards at your local hardware store. Then, you can hang anything you want to the board – stockings, wreaths, lights, etc. You can also paint the board in holiday colors, or use an outline to paint a snowman, Star of David, Santa Claus, or any other image. The options are endless, fun, and affordable.
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