Apartment-Friendly Holiday Lights
Transforming an apartment into a festive haven can be difficult when you are renting. The unique challenge of decorating while not risking your security deposit can deter residents from truly decking the halls. Well, worry no more!
With these tips, you can avoid the complex installation of festive decor and easily infuse your space with warmth and light.
Fairy Lights
Fairy lights provide a lot of versatility for holiday lighting. They are easy to manoeuvre and are battery-operated, meaning they don’t take up space in your outlets. They can easily be draped over furniture, hung on the walls or placed in jars. Fairy lights are also perfect for adding additional lighting to your other festive decor. Whether it’s in your Christmas village, on your bookshelves or around your snow globe collection, they can enhance every nook and cranny of your home. If you have any railings or poles in your home, wrap a couple strands around them to give it a festive and cozy look. Fairy lights can also be added to DIY projects, like homemade marquee signs.
LED Lighting
Since becoming popular on TikTok, most people have installed LED light strips in their homes. These can be changed to focus on festive colours, like red and green. If you don’t have any, they come in a variety of lengths and can easily stick to walls and ceilings with their adhesive backing. If you’re looking for more prominent lighting, you can grab a strand of LED lights and hang them in your windows, door frames or around your mirrors. LED lights are energy efficient and reduce the amount of heat released when compared to typical incandescent lighting.
If you’re looking for a fun way to decorate your fireplace, mix LED and fairy lights to create a unique festive display in the firebox. They can also be added to items like lanterns to help brighten an entire space.
Curtain Lights
If you’re looking to bring the essence of snow inside without the cold, use curtain lights. These magical lights can be hung on walls and in windows to create a cascading effect. They add a festive charm to any space, are energy-efficient and can be used year-round.
Battery-Operated Candles
To save yourself from a fire hazard, consider grabbing some battery-operated candles. They can be placed anywhere – on tables, shelves, windowsills and decorative holders – and create a cozy atmosphere. They will even help light up a room when the overhead lights are off.
Projection Lights
While driving around the neighbourhood, you may notice projection lights dancing around the exterior of homes. Well, you can bring them inside! These will light up large areas with images of Santa, snowflakes and more. Place them near a wall or ceiling for a festive, hassle-free display.
Use Different Methods for Hanging Lights
As a renter, it is important to hang lighting in a way that matches your aesthetic without damaging your walls. Adhesive hooks, like Command Hooks, are the most popular options as they are inexpensive and easy to install. However you choose to place them, they can be used to create fun displays. If floor space is tight for you, create a tree using light strands on your wall.
A new popular trend for decorating is placing garland and lights on a tension rod and hanging it in open doorways. These are special displays that you can personalize to your aesthetic and help your decor flow from room to room.
If you have poles or bannisters you want to wrap decor around, keep it in place with zap straps and cable ties. They are durable and can hold a variety of decor up for the entire holiday season.
Outdoor Lighting
If you are fortunate enough to have access to a private outdoor space, take your decorations out and decorate the exterior. Many of the lighting options mentioned above – such as fairy lights, candles, LED light strands and projections – can be used on balconies, porches and other outside spaces. If you’re looking for environmentally friendly options, look in your local stores for solar-powered lights. Not only will they reduce air pollution and limit the effects of non-beneficial energy sources, but they will also save you money.
