DIY Christmas Decorations For Your Apartment
November 17, 2021 8:00 am Leave your thoughtsDiscover easy DIY Christmas decorations that are perfect for your living space. Christmas is rapidly approaching, and it’s time to get your apartment feeling cozier than ever. Decorating for the holidays doesn’t need to be expensive, and you can create your decorations right in the comfort of your home. Plus, making your decorations can be a fun activity to connect with friends and family or spend quality time with yourself!
You don’t have to be a crafty person to dive into the world of DIY decorations. It’s actually really simple! Get ready to feel ultra cozy this season while feeling an extra dose of holiday spirit!
Planning Your DIY Christmas Decorations
Diving into planning your DIY Christmas decorations brings its own kind of holiday cheer. Start by setting a budget. It’s easy to get carried away, but deciding how much you’re willing to spend keeps things in check. Consider using materials you already have or can find at low cost. Whether it’s a winter wonderland, traditional red and green, or something unique, a theme can help unify your decorations and guide your choices, making shopping or scavenging for materials more focused and fun.
Break down your decoration plans into manageable tasks and set deadlines for each. This way, you can enjoy the process without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Start early to allow for mishaps or changes. Remember, the goal is to have fun and infuse your space with holiday spirit, not to stress over perfection.
We’ve prepared 25 creative ideas for you to bring your DIY Christmas decorations to life, ensuring your living space is as festive and personalized as possible.
1 – Christmas Wreath
Creating your very own Christmas wreath is one of the best and easiest DIY Christmas decorations! You can start by purchasing a plain wreath and a bundle of decorations to glue on it. You can decide what type of theme you want to go with and create a specific look!
Many people choose to glue ornaments, pinecones, ribbons, etc., onto their Christmas wreath. Once you have selected your decorations, you can use a hot glue gun to place them on the wreath. Finally, you’ll have a completed wreath that you can hang on your door!
Wreaths, with their circular shape, symbolize eternal life, a tradition that dates back to ancient civilizations including the Greeks and Romans who used them as crowns to represent victory and status.
Consider turning your DIY Christmas decorations into personalized gift ideas, offering a unique and heartfelt present for loved ones.
2 – Sequin Ornaments
Take your ornaments to the next level by adding sequins! Find any ornaments that you want to change, and start by gluing sequins on. You will want to use a hot glue gun, so the sequins stay in place. Once you glue them all around, let them dry, and then you can hang them back on your tree. You can take any traditional ornaments and make them shinier! Give your tree a brand new look with sequin ornaments.
3 – Snowflake Coasters
Get ready for your friends to come over by making a few snowflake coasters. Snowflake coasters are an easy and quick craft! Start by purchasing felt fabric in any color that you want. From here, you will cut the felt material into a snowflake shape.
You could also use white pipe cleaners as an alternative to felt. Once you have your snowflake shape, you can start using them as coasters. Your cocktails will have the perfect place to go during the holiday season!
4 – Winter Floral Boquet
Try a unique spin on a classic home centerpiece! Rather than having a typical flower bouquet on your table, you can create your winter floral bouquet. Go to your local supermarket and find a combination of colors that match the season.
From here, you can arrange the bouquet to your liking! The fresh flowers will bring a fantastic scent into your home. You will also love having an authentic bouquet you made in your space. Use your taste to create something truly magical.
5 – Custom Table Centerpiece
Transform your dining area into a visual feast that echoes the warmth and joy of the season. This project taps into the beauty of natural materials and recycled items, inviting you to create a one-of-a-kind focal point. You could even add a personal touch with ornaments from past Christmases.
The process itself is straightforward. Gather your materials, pleasingly arrange them, and watch as your creation brings smiles and sparks conversations among your guests.
6 – Balcony Light Strands
Lighting up your balcony with strands of lights can transform it into a picturesque holiday haven, offering a cozy glow that’s visible from the outside. This simple yet effective decorating idea enhances the festive mood and brings a touch of magic to your apartment’s exterior.
When choosing light strands, consider varying the colors and styles to match your overall Christmas theme. From twinkling fairy lights to classic white bulbs, the options are endless. Make sure the lights you choose are suitable for outdoor use to withstand winter weather.
7 – Coffee Filter Garland
Try a spin-off of the traditional tree garland! A coffee filter garland is one of the more creative options out there. But, it’s very easy to make with only coffee filters or tissue paper and string. You will use the filters or tissue paper to handcraft flowers.
From here, you can add them to the string and then display them on your fireplace or mantle. The coffee filter activity is the perfect DIY Christmas decoration for kids to make!
8 – Christmas Candles
Are you looking to add a Christmas scent to your home? Make Christmas candles! Watch a candle-making tutorial and learn how you can create your very own. With just a few supplies, you can put together a dreamy smell that you can enjoy all season long. Nothing brings in the Christmas spirit more than a Christmas candle!
9 – Festive Mason Jar Lanterns
Festive Mason Jar Lanterns transform your apartment into a magical holiday retreat without breaking the bank. Starting with a simple mason jar, these lanterns become the embodiment of holiday spirit once you add a few creative touches.
Wrap the jars with string lights or fill them with a battery-operated candle to cast a warm, inviting glow in your living space. For a personal touch, you can paint them in festive colors or glue on sparkles and snowflake designs.
10 – Glitter Ornaments
Glitter Ornaments are one of the most simple DIY Christmas decorations! Shop around for plain glass ornaments that you will be able to open. Once opened, you can pour glitter inside the glass. You can also add clear glue inside the ornament so the glitter will stick to all sides.
Next, you will shake the ornament, so the glitter gets all over! You will now have a glitter ornament that will make a fantastic addition to your tree.
11 – Upcycled Christmas Card Displays
By simply stringing a ribbon across a window or a wall, you can clip or pin the cards in a visually appealing way. This not only showcases the heartfelt messages and designs of each card but also serves as a colorful and unique backdrop that adds warmth to your space.
If you’re feeling creative, arrange the cards in the shape of a Christmas tree on a door or a blank wall, turning your collection into a striking holiday feature.
12 – DIY Advent Calendars
Adding a DIY advent calendar to your holiday decorations turns every day leading up to Christmas into a special moment. This project lets you infuse personal touches into the holiday season, creating anticipation with each day’s reveal. Imagine hiding small gifts, heartfelt notes, or festive activities in each compartment, making the countdown to Christmas a captivating experience for everyone. Whether you choose to craft your advent calendar from scratch or adapt household items into a thematic display, this addition enriches your holiday decor with personal significance.
Originating in the 19th century in Germany, these calendars have transformed from simple chalk lines drawn on doors to elaborate designs featuring windows or doors for each day, hiding treats or messages behind them.
13 – Paper Chain Garland
This simple yet impactful decoration adds a nostalgic and eco-friendly touch to your Christmas decor, appealing to both the environmentally conscious and those seeking to infuse their space with a bit of traditional charm. To start, select papers that resonate with your aesthetic or recycle old magazines, wrapping paper, or even office documents for a unique twist. Cut strips of your chosen material, loop them into interlocking circles, and secure them with glue or staples.
14 – LED Candle Village
The magic starts with selecting LED candles of various sizes to represent different buildings. You can then craft tiny houses from cardboard or purchase pre-made ones, making sure each structure has space to accommodate an LED candle inside. This setup illuminates your village with a warm, flickering light, mimicking a cozy, inhabited town on a winter’s night. Adding this village to your decor brings a magical, serene atmosphere to any part of your apartment, making it a standout piece that captivates and delights visitors.
15 – Handmade Christmas Stockings
Crafting handmade Christmas stockings adds a personal touch to your holiday decor, fitting perfectly into the cozy ambiance of your apartment. This project is versatile, appealing to both beginners and those with more advanced crafting skills. You can choose fabrics and decorations that match your apartment’s color scheme or the overall Christmas theme, making your stockings stand out or blend in beautifully. Adding names, special dates, or favorite holiday motifs using fabric paint, embroidery, or iron-on patches makes each stocking unique.
16 – Wood Gingerbread House
If you’re looking for something a little more detailed, put together a wooden gingerbread house! Using small wooden squares, you can create a small house. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can make a gingerbread house village! From here, you can use paint or any other decoration to make your home complete.
17 – Recycled Bottle Christmas Trees
Gather empty bottles, either clear or colored, to match your holiday theme. Arrange these bottles in a pyramid shape on a sturdy base to ensure stability. Intertwine fairy lights between the bottles for a warm, festive glow, bringing your unique Christmas tree to life. This eco-friendly project enhances your holiday decor and underscores a commitment to sustainability, combining holiday cheer with environmentally conscious living.
18 – Hand-Painted Ceramic Ornaments
Adding hand-painted ceramic ornaments to your holiday decor brings a unique blend of creativity and tradition to your apartment’s festive atmosphere. Starting with blank ceramic ornaments, you can let your imagination run wild with designs, colors, and patterns. Whether it’s painting intricate snowflakes, vibrant Christmas trees, or personalized messages, each ornament becomes a masterpiece that adds a personal touch to your Christmas tree.
19 – Miniature Wreath Chandelier
Adding a miniature wreath chandelier to your apartment’s dining area introduces a touch of elegance and festive spirit without cluttering your space. This DIY project is a brilliant conversation starter, and it also utilizes vertical space, making it ideal for compact living areas. You’ll need a small wreath, lightweight decorations, a secure hook for hanging, and string lights or ribbons for that extra sparkle.
The beauty of this decoration lies in its simplicity and the warmth it brings to your home, creating a cozy, festive atmosphere. Perfect for those who love to add a personal touch to their holiday decor.
20 – Holiday Scented Potpourri
Holiday-scented potpourri is a delightful addition to any apartment during the festive season. It’s a straightforward project that brings warmth and the cherished aromas of Christmas into your home without the chemicals found in store-bought air fresheners. To create your potpourri, gather natural elements like dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and evergreen twigs. Mix them on their own or add small festive ornaments and bits of gold, then place it in an open bowl.
This DIY approach allows for customization to suit your scent preferences and adds a personal touch to your holiday decor. It’s a simple, natural way to enhance the cozy atmosphere of your living space, making it even more welcoming for holiday gatherings.
21 – Festive Throw Pillow Covers
Switching up your living space with festive throw pillow covers is a simple yet effective way to infuse holiday cheer into your apartment. Transform your couch or bed with pillow covers that feature classic Christmas motifs like snowflakes, reindeer, or even a whimsical Santa Claus design.
You can choose to sew new covers from scratch if you’re handy with a needle and thread, or opt for a no-sew option by decorating pre-existing covers with fabric markers, iron-on transfers, or even by attaching felt shapes with fabric glue.
22 – DIY Holiday Door Mat
Personalizing your doorstep with a DIY holiday doormat is like giving your visitors a warm, festive hug before they even step inside. With a plain doormat as your canvas and some paint, you can stencil or freehand designs that capture the essence of the season.
Think snowflakes, Christmas trees, or even a welcoming message like “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity and the immediate impact it has.
23 – Fridge Magnets
Festive fridge magnets offer a simple yet transformative way to bring the holiday cheer into your kitchen. This project is all about turning those everyday fridge magnets into delightful, Christmas-themed decorations.
With just a few supplies like magnetic sheets, holiday-themed stickers, or fabric scraps, and a bit of glue, you can create unique magnets that add a pop of festive color to your space. It’s an excellent opportunity for personalizing your space while making memories, either solo or with loved ones, as you prepare for the holiday season.
24 – Spotlight Your Fireplace
Spotlighting your fireplace can turn it into the heart of your holiday decor, creating a cozy and inviting focal point in your apartment. Start by draping a garland lush with evergreens, twinkling lights, and small ornaments across the mantel for a touch of natural beauty and soft illumination. You can also arrange candles of varying heights to cast a warm glow, enhancing the festive ambiance. Consider hanging your handmade stockings with care, each adorned with personal touches that reflect your unique style.
25 – Repurpose Furniture Pieces as a Holiday Display
Turning old furniture into holiday displays breathes new life into pieces that might otherwise be overlooked. Imagine a rustic ladder adorned with sparkling ornaments, transforming it into a standout piece that not only holds decorations but also tells a story of creativity and sustainability.
Chairs can be more than just seating; with some imagination, they become unique frames for wreaths and lights, adding an unexpected twist to traditional holiday decor. It’s a perfect blend of practicality and festivity, making your holiday setup truly one-of-a-kind.
How To Maximize Holiday Cheer in Smaller Spaces
Living in a smaller apartment or dealing with restrictions doesn’t mean you have to scale back on festive cheer. Instead, think of it as a creative challenge. It’s all about maximizing your available area without overwhelming it. Using materials you already have or can easily get adds a personal touch that feels all the more special.
You can adapt a lot of these bigger projects for smaller spaces. For example, the LED candle village and the recycled bottle Christmas trees can be scaled down to fit on a side table or a windowsill, creating a quaint holiday scene without taking up too much real estate. Garlands can be customized for size and added wherever it suits your home best.
These projects allow you to bring the essence of the holiday season into your home, no matter its size. By focusing on the adaptability of each decoration, you can fill every nook and cranny with festive spirit, proving that creativity knows no bounds, especially when space is limited.
It’s time to make your apartment your favorite place to be this season! Planning ahead? Get our amazing tips on decorating for Valentine’s Day.
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Categorised in: Apartment Living
This post was written by Isabella Housel
Isabella Housel is a passionate and versatile professional writer with a deep love for words and a commitment to crafting compelling content that engages, informs, and inspires. With many years of experience in the industry, she has honed her skills across various genres, from creative storytelling to informative articles and technical documentation.