With the holidays and the end of the year fast approaching, many of you are probably beginning to put up some festive decorations. Afterall, a little extra holiday cheer goes a long way in brightening both your living space and your spirits. But what if you're a renter? Nailing things to the walls and doors may not be the best idea and you may be dealing with a limited amount of space in which to decorate.
But never fear! Sweyer Property Management has come up with 10 great decorating tips for renters that can turn your space into a beautiful holiday wonderland without breaking the rules or your budget.
Tree, Lighting, and Wreath Alternatives
If you celebrate Christmas, you know one of the staples of decorating for the holiday is finding the perfect tree. But, if you live in a small space or a rental, a 10-foot tall, freshly cut Douglas fir may not be the best option - besides the amount of space that natural trees take up, they're also quite messy. So, what other options do you have at your disposal? We're glad you asked!
1. Do you already have houseplants? Stringing some lights around those makes a great alternative to a traditional tree. If plants aren't your thing, you can always hang lights from curtain rods or even display them around the tops of your interior walls. If you choose to go this route, be sure to choose LED lights as they produce less heat and use command strips or a similar product to hang the lights as these will be much less likely to cause damage.
2. Create a display with "candles". No, please don't create a holiday inferno, that wouldn't be very "good will towards all mankind", but rather purchase some battery-powered flameless candles. With these, you open up tons of options in regard to your display. Do you have a fireplace that isn't operable? Arranging some flameless candles in front of it and stringing lights around the mantle makes a beautiful, inviting holiday display without having to worry about fires.
3. If you'd rather not deal with a real tree but still would like some authentic greenery, live wreaths are a great option. You can of course purchase these or make them yourself. For those of you who are all about avoiding pine needles and sappy fingers, artificial wreaths can be easily purchased or made and will last for years to come. If you'd like to make your own, you can take it any direction you'd like - painted foam, burlap and ribbon can all be used to make stylish wreathes.
4. Collect some fragrant plants - things like pine, eucalyptus, cedar- and place them in vases around your home. This will create a subtle holiday look while filling your home with the natural scents of the season.
Decorate to Fit Your Lifestyle
If all of the above sounds like kind of a pain, there are plenty of other ways to be festive without changing your living space much at all.
5. Put out some festive throw pillows or blankets in the color scheme of whichever holiday you're celebrating. These items won't get in the way and are still useful on sofas and chairs throughout the season. They are also a great way to do some truly minimalist decorating if that's your style.
6. If you have some free shelf or table space, making small displays for those areas is another convenient way to get in the holiday spirit without making a mess. Create an arrangement of some holiday cards, small ornaments or other decorations on a table or use some holiday mementos and lights to create small, festive displays throughout the home. These things will add a nice holiday touch without overwhelming your space with clutter.
7. Really lacking space on the floor and the walls? Then it's time to go up! Consider hanging some lights or paper decorations from your ceiling to add a festive touch to your home that won't get in the way of your day-to-day activities (remember to use command strips or something similar here!).
8. Another great way to get into the spirit of the season without dragging a bunch of extra stuff into your home is to use scents. Pick up some seasonal candles like cinnamon or peppermint and light them (carefully!) when you want to get into the holiday spirit. These, along with the scented plants we mentioned above, will give your home an inviting holiday aroma.
Missing Family This Year? Find Ways to Make Them Feel Closer
Unfortunately, many of us will be forgoing our usual family celebrations this year in the name of safety. So, if you won't be spending the holiday season with loved ones, there are some ways to make them feel closer besides attending holiday parties via Zoom.
9. Create a photo display of loved ones. Some may even opt to create a photo tree or card tree. If you have that unused fireplace we talked about earlier, creating a photo display there is also a great choice. Simply get a piece of corkboard or whatever you have handy and display your photos. To give it a holiday touch, use some LED lights and greenery around it to truly make it feel like your loved ones are surrounding you even if they cannot be there physically.
When in Doubt…
10. Talk to your landlord or property manager. If you have questions about what you are and aren't allowed to do as far as decorating, this is the best place to start. The last thing you want to do is setup a gorgeous holiday display only to be told you have to take it down. Or worse - your display could end up causing property damage that you'll be responsible for when you move out. If you're renting in a community association, there may be rules pertaining to how you can decorate outside your home - if you don't have a copy of those rules, ask for one.
If you're interested in learning more about our property management services and how we can help protect your investment, please reach out to our team of experts today.
Sweyer Property Management has exhibited continuous growth throughout the Wilmington, Leland and Hampstead areas while maintaining an excellent Google+ rating for customer service. To inquire about the company’s full-service management services or to take a tour of homes for rent in the area, visit them online at WilmingtonForRent.com.
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