With apartment dwelling come additional bed linens stuffed under the mattress and storage boxes competing for space in the coat closet. Add in the holiday decorations in December, and suddenly you’re Alice in Christmasland, too big for your own living space.
But ApartmentTherapy.com’s Chicago Executive Editor Janel Laban said holiday decorating in apartments isn’t about adding on. Laban thinks of it more as a “swap.”
“It’s very easy for a space to feel over decorated, (which can) add to your holiday stress,” Laban said. “Actually take away some of the regular decorations before putting stuff out for the holidays.”
After packing away picture frames and other tchotchkes in a box, make room for the Christmas cheer with Laban’s solutions.
Dapper decor: Storage is usually an issue for apartment dwellers, so dress up what’s already there, Laban said. Fill bowls and vases with bulbs or nuts and crackers.
For those who have framed artwork hanging on walls, find some inexpensive holiday-themed art to fit the frames. When the season is over, just store it behind the regular artwork in the same frame.
Similarly, she suggested making or buying festive covers for the throw pillows that are already out. These can also be stored underneath the regular cover.
“You don’t have to go the candy cane route, but maybe a plaid or a stripe, something in more traditional colors you associate with whatever holiday you’re celebrating,” Laban said.
Vertical thinking: If floor space is scarce, just look up, Laban said. Tie ribbons to ornaments and hang them from a chandelier or a light over the table, bookshelves or an armoire.
For a vertical alternative to a Christmas tree, suspend a tree branch from the ceiling and hang ornaments from it, Laban said.
Mirrors and other wall art can also be dressed up by hanging velvet or metallic bows at the tops.
“It really makes the room seem very festive … without having to put more things on your floor,” Laban said.
2-D tree: No room for a Christmas tree? Laban has some 2-D alternatives.
Ikea’s Liamaria Christmas tree canvas is a very duty-free option that can hang right on a wall with a curtain rod, no trimming necessary. It even glows in the dark.
Another option is using Washi tape or another decorative craft tape to create the shape of a tree on a wall. Or, for a rustic, do-it-yourself looking tree, take thin planks of wood, painted or plain, and stack them in a triangular shape against a wall. (Then decorate with your own hand-made ornaments).
“It’s a very 2-D version of a 3-D thing,” Laban said. “As long as you have that shape and a way to affix things to it, it can take the place of an actual tree.”
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