String lights are a relatively inexpensive purchase that can really add to the atmosphere of your room or home. They can soften the ambiance of a room, highlight certain features, or add a magical touch to an otherwise normal space. There are many ways you can arrange your lights, including doing things like wrapping household items or writing out a message with them. You can also make DIY decorations, like a festive vase lamp or flower lights. You can even incorporate string lights into existing decor by wrapping seasonal items with them or tying colored ribbons in between bulbs.
Steps.
1. Cover branches or twigs in string lights. Even on a quick walk in the park or nature, you'll likely find a few branches or twigs with character. Bring these home and clean them lightly with a damp rag and warm, soapy water. Allow the branch to dry, then:
Use a hanger (like an adhesive hook or nail) to mount the branch to a wall. Alternatively, you could stand your branch up in a corner, in a coat rack, in a large vase, or so on.
Wrap the branch in string lights to create a natural, unique, and inexpensive home string light decoration. You may want to hold lights in place with hot glue or a sturdy staple.
2. Make a wine bottle string light lamp. A simple wine bottle string light lamp can be made by feeding the loose end of your lights into the bottle until it is full. Keep the plug on the outside of the bottle so you can plug it in when you're finished.
You can create different colors in your bottles by mixing different colored lights to the bottle. You can also add tissue paper or a transparent, glossy kind of wrapping paper to the bottles to create this effect.
Short string lights with battery packs are excellent for making this kind of craft. Your local craft or hardware store should carry these kind of lights.
Another option is to drill a hole through the bottom of the wine glass or even cut it off entirely and feed the string of lights through the bottom.
3. Make small shades for string lights. Paper cups with theme designs on them are perfect for making string light lamp shades. Use a utility knife to cut a small X into the bottom of the cup. Push the light through the X-slit to attach the paper cup shade in place.
Only use LED lights with this craft idea. Incandescent lights can generate enough heat to become a fire hazard near paper products.
You can further dress up your cups by gluing paper with interesting designs to the outside of the cups.
4. Mix string lights with trinkets in a glass vase. This is a great way of making a festive lamp for a special occasion. Frequently, this design uses Christmas ornaments mixed with string lights in a vase, but you can add whatever you please. Some examples of festive lamps you might consider making include.
Easter eggs and miniature rabbits mixed with lights.
Shamrocks, gold coins, and other St. Patrick's Day trinkets with lights.
Fabric in the color of your home team, a home team pennant, other small home team paraphernalia, and lights.
Be careful not to place the string lights next to anything that could melt or catch fire, such as tissue paper or chocolate candies.
5. Create DIY flower lights. With a pair of scissors, cut cupcake wrappers in the shape of simple flower petals. You might want to flatten the wrapper first and use a pencil to trace a flower petal design. After that, use a utility knife to cut a small X in the center of the petal design.
Gently Insert a light into each X-shaped slit in the center of your cupcake wrapper petal design.
By layering two petal cutouts and pushing a single bulb through both, you can add an extra pop of color to your lights.
LED lights should be used for this design. Incandescent string lights may generate enough heat to catch paper on fire.
6. Make giant candy lights. Acquire semi-transparent, shiny wrapping paper or a sturdy, colored cellophane like material. Cover a section of your string of lights with a cylinder of this paper and tie off the ends with twist ties. You may need to bunch up the paper at the middle to give it the appearance of a giant, lit up hard candy wrapper.
Avoid using incandescent lights for this idea, as they may generate too much heat and melt the paper or cause it to catch fire.
7. Craft a light buddy from a milk jug. This is a great craft for kids. Take a clean, empty milk jug and use markers to draw a face onto the front of the jug. Feel free to add more features to your light buddy, like string for hair at the top of the jug, buttons for eyes, and so on. Then insert string lights into the jug. Be sure to leave the plug end accessible.
Most special features can be added to your light buddy with hot glue or a suitable general purpose glue.
Warnings.
Always use hot glue with caution. It becomes very hot, and can burn you if used improperly or without proper supervision.
Avoid leaving the lights plugged in for too long because it is a fire hazard.
Check to make sure that the lights you are using are appropriate for where you want to use them. Some are meant for indoor use, while others are for use outdoors, and you can use some lights indoors and outdoors.
Things You'll Need.
Adhesives and hangers (like tape, glue, adhesive hooks, nails, etc.), Branches or twigs, Cupcake wrappers, Glass vase, Markers (for drawing on the milk jug), Milk jug, Paper cups, Pencil, Scissors.
String lights are a relatively inexpensive purchase that can really add to the atmosphere of your room or home. They can soften the ambiance of a room, highlight certain features, or add a magical touch to an otherwise normal space. There are many ways you can arrange your lights, including doing things like wrapping household items or writing out a message with them. You can also make DIY decorations, like a festive vase lamp or flower lights. You can even incorporate string lights into existing decor by wrapping seasonal items with them or tying colored ribbons in between bulbs.
Cover branches or twigs in string lights. Even on a quick walk in the park or nature, you'll likely find a few branches or twigs with character. Bring these home and clean them lightly with a damp rag and warm, soapy water. Allow the branch to dry, then:
Use a hanger (like an adhesive hook or nail) to mount the branch to a wall. Alternatively, you could stand your branch up in a corner, in a coat rack, in a large vase, or so on.
Wrap the branch in string lights to create a natural, unique, and inexpensive home string light decoration. You may want to hold lights in place with hot glue or a sturdy staple.
Make a wine bottle string light lamp. A simple wine bottle string light lamp can be made by feeding the loose end of your lights into the bottle until it is full. Keep the plug on the outside of the bottle so you can plug it in when you're finished.
You can create different colors in your bottles by mixing different colored lights to the bottle. You can also add tissue paper or a transparent, glossy kind of wrapping paper to the bottles to create this effect.
Short string lights with battery packs are excellent for making this kind of craft. Your local craft or hardware store should carry these kind of lights.
Another option is to drill a hole through the bottom of the wine glass or even cut it off entirely and feed the string of lights through the bottom.
Make small shades for string lights. Paper cups with theme designs on them are perfect for making string light lamp shades. Use a utility knife to cut a small X into the bottom of the cup. Push the light through the X-slit to attach the paper cup shade in place.
Only use LED lights with this craft idea. Incandescent lights can generate enough heat to become a fire hazard near paper products.
You can further dress up your cups by gluing paper with interesting designs to the outside of the cups.
Mix string lights with trinkets in a glass vase. This is a great way of making a festive lamp for a special occasion. Frequently, this design uses Christmas ornaments mixed with string lights in a vase, but you can add whatever you please. Some examples of festive lamps you might consider making include:
Easter eggs and miniature rabbits mixed with lights.
Shamrocks, gold coins, and other St. Patrick's Day trinkets with lights.
Fabric in the color of your home team, a home team pennant, other small home team paraphernalia, and lights.
Be careful not to place the string lights next to anything that could melt or catch fire, such as tissue paper or chocolate candies.
Create DIY flower lights. With a pair of scissors, cut cupcake wrappers in the shape of simple flower petals. You might want to flatten the wrapper first and use a pencil to trace a flower petal design. After that, use a utility knife to cut a small X in the center of the petal design.
Gently Insert a light into each X-shaped slit in the center of your cupcake wrapper petal design.
By layering two petal cutouts and pushing a single bulb through both, you can add an extra pop of color to your lights.
LED lights should be used for this design. Incandescent string lights may generate enough heat to catch paper on fire.
Make giant candy lights. Acquire semi-transparent, shiny wrapping paper or a sturdy, colored cellophane like material. Cover a section of your string of lights with a cylinder of this paper and tie off the ends with twist ties. You may need to bunch up the paper at the middle to give it the appearance of a giant, lit up hard candy wrapper.
Avoid using incandescent lights for this idea, as they may generate too much heat and melt the paper or cause it to catch fire.
Craft a light buddy from a milk jug. This is a great craft for kids. Take a clean, empty milk jug and use markers to draw a face onto the front of the jug. Feel free to add more features to your light buddy, like string for hair at the top of the jug, buttons for eyes, and so on. Then insert string lights into the jug. Be sure to leave the plug end accessible.
Most special features can be added to your light buddy with hot glue or a suitable general purpose glue.
Warnings.
Always use hot glue with caution. It becomes very hot, and can burn you if used improperly or without proper supervision.
Avoid leaving the lights plugged in for too long because it is a fire hazard.
Check to make sure that the lights you are using are appropriate for where you want to use them. Some are meant for indoor use, while others are for use outdoors, and you can use some lights indoors and outdoors.
Things You'll Need.
Making DIY String Light Decorations.
Adhesives and hangers (like tape, glue, adhesive hooks, nails, etc.).
Branches or twigs.
Cupcake wrappers.
Glass vase.
Markers (for drawing on the milk jug).
Milk jug.
Paper cups.
Pencil.
Scissors.
Semi-transparent, glossy wrapping paper (or similar colored cellophane material).
Backlit mirrors add a decorative ambiance to any room’s décor. You can backlight a mirror for your home by finding a mirror and LED light strips, attaching the lights with some careful measuring, and connecting them to a nearby power source. You’ll also need some materials from a home improvement store to get started on this fun project.
Part 1 Choosing a Mirror and LED Strips.
1. Obtain a floating mirror. There will need to be space between the mirror and the wall in order for your lights to shine from behind your mirror. A floating mirror is installed with the right amount of space behind it; you can shop for a floating mirror in department stores or online.
Floating mirrors come with the necessary hardware and instructions to hang them away from your wall.
2. Buy spacers if you want to use a non-floating mirror instead. If you choose to use a mirror you already have and it’s not a floating mirror, create space behind your mirror by installing either spacers or mounting bars. To use mounting bars, take measurements of your mirror and buy mounting bars at your local hardware store to fit behind your mirror. Or, create spacers of your own by using small pieces of wood that are even in width.
Glue the mounting bars or spacers to the back of your mirror using glass glue, silicone-based glue, or an all-purpose super glue.
The goal of this step is to have your mirror lay 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) away from the wall. Any way that you are able to achieve this, without the spacers being seen from the front, is fine.
3. Measure the circumference or perimeter of your mirror. With a tape measure or ruler, measure the circumference or perimeter of your mirror about 2 in (5.1 cm) away from the mirror’s edge. You want to be away from the edge so that the lights are not easily seen behind the mirror when they are attached.
To measure the circumference of a round mirror, start at a point 2 in (5.1 cm) away from the mirror’s edge at the top and measure to a point 2 in (5.1 cm) away from the bottom. Use a calculator to multiply this number by pi, or 3.14.
To measure the perimeter of a rectangular mirror, measure all 4 sides of the rectangle starting and ending at points 2 in (5.1 cm) away from the corners. Add all of these measurements together.
Write down the final number of your measurement. This is the length of LED strip you will need to backlight your mirror.
4. Choose warm white 12V LED lights for a subtle effect. Warm white 12V LED lights are popular for backlighting and are versatile. You will get good light from behind your mirror but it will not be overwhelmingly bright.
Choose this option for a practical backlighting in the bathroom so you can see better when you’re shaving or applying makeup.
LED light strips can be purchased at home improvement stores and online.
Image titled Backlight a Mirror Step 55
Go with ultra-bright or colored LED strips for a modern look. If your backlit mirror is mainly decorative in purpose, you have the choice of buying an ultra-bright LED strip or strips that change color. Try matching colored strips to the décor in your room for a chic look.
Choose this type of LED strip for a hallway, living room, or bedroom mirror as an eye-catching decoration.
6. Obtain a power source cable that's compatible with your LED strip. Some LED strips may come with plugs included, but if yours do not, you’ll need a connection between the strip and your outlet. Inquire about power source cables for your voltage of lights at the home improvement store where you obtained your LED strip.
If you’re not experienced with determining appropriate voltage for your cable, an employee should be able to help you find a matching wiring to attach to your lights for after you’ve secured them to your mirror.
Part 2 Attaching Lights to Your Mirror.
1. Flip your mirror over and place the end of your LED strip at your starting point. Flip your mirror over so the back is facing up. Without removing the adhesive backing from the LED strip, place one end of your strip at a point 2 in (5.1 cm) away from the edge like you did when you were measuring.
2. Pinch the LED strip into a peak at the corners if your mirror is rectangular. Your LED strip has spaces in between the actual lights and connecting pieces of each component. For a rectangular mirror, choose the open space closest to where you made your first mark, and pinch the strip into a diagonal peak to form a 90-degree turn in your strip.
Repeat this process for your other 2 corners so that your strip now will fit nicely behind your mirror on all sides.
Remember to try to keep your strip about 2 in (5.1 cm) away from the edge on all sides.
3. Make accordion folds in your strip for gentle curves if your mirror is circular. Your light strip has open spaces between each lighting component along the strip. Choose an open space and make 2 consecutive folds, 1 forward fold and 1 backward fold, so that the strip begins to curve in the direction of the mirror.
Continue doing this around the entire circumference of the mirror so the lights can lay evenly about 2 in (5.1 cm) in away from the edge of the mirror.
4. Glue your folds into place with super glue. Whether you folded your strip for a rectangular or circular mirror, you’ll need to keep your folds in place with super glue. Add a small dot of super glue into each fold you made and press the fold firmly for about 10 seconds, or until it holds on its own.
5. Remove the adhesive backing from your light strip and attach it to your mirror. Once your lights are shaped to fit behind your mirror, you can remove the adhesive strip on the back and begin pressing them down into place. For the places where you made folds, simply snip the adhesive backing with scissors on both sides of the fold.
Be careful to press the light strip onto where you intended; if you have to rip it back up, the adhesive may be ruined and you’ll have to glue the strip down instead.
Part 3 Installing Your Mirror.
1. Connect your lights to your power source cable. If you have remaining length in the end of your LED strip, clip it with scissors in a location that will allow you to attach the wires from your power source while still being hidden behind the mirror. Attach the wires from your LED strip to the wires for your plug with crimp-on wire connectors, which are available at most hardware stores.
You have the option of soldering your wires together instead of using wire clamps if you are experienced with soldering and have the proper equipment. Remember that soldering will be permanent, as opposed to wire clamps which you can remove if you ever want to switch out your LED strip for a different type of light.
2. Hang your mirror close to an outlet to manually plug it in. When your lights are attached and connected to a plug, you can hang your mirror so that the plug reaches your nearest outlet. Rehang a previously used mirror using the hardware that you used on it before, or hang a new mirror using the hardware that it came with.
You’re all ready to plug your mirror in and enjoy the backlight effect you created.
3. Consult an electrician to control your lights from a wall switch. If you want to be able to turn your lights on and off with the rest of the lights in your room, you’ll need to speak with your electrician. They can instruct you in drilling a hole in the wall behind your mirror to run a transformer into the existing circuits in the room, or they may offer to do the job for you.
Tell your electrician that you’ve created a backlit mirror and you’d like to connect it with rest of your circuits for whatever room that it’s in.
Things You’ll Need.
Floating mirror or spacers to attach to a non-floating mirror.
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated every autumn in the northern hemisphere and every spring in the southern hemisphere. It usually falls between mid-October and mid-November. Celebrations may involve family feasts, colorful decorations in homes and temples, and prominent displays of light. Making or buying festive illuminations and decorations for your house is a great way to decorate your home for Diwali.
Adding Festive Decor to Your Home
Clean your home thoroughly before you decorate. Dust, sweep, do the laundry, clean all the rooms. It's customary to thoroughly clean your home to help welcome the Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and fortune, during the celebrations. Diwali also marks the start of the new year, so getting rid of old clutter and negativity feels like a fresh start for many.
Many Hindus and even non-Hindus also wait for Diwali to redecorate and paint their walls. To add some extra style without painting the whole house, you might sponge paint your room or just a single wall.
Usually, the guests and relatives are seated in the living room during celebrations. So you can take a little extra care to decorate your living room. Don't worry if your living room is not very big or fancy; having a clean, aromatic and well-lit room does the trick.
Use colored rice, sand, or painted materials to create rangoli. Rangoli, traditional art designs made on the floor during Diwali and other Hindu festivals, are traditionally made of colored granular substances, such as rice or sand. You can buy stencils to make rangoli on your own floor easily, or you can use chalk to draw the design for your own rangoli on the floor. Then use a funnel with a small opening to slowly pour the rice or sand on top of the design.
You can usually buy colored rice or sand at arts and crafts stores. However, you can also create your own colored rice by mixing 1 cup (240 mL) of rice, 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of vinegar, and 10 drops of food coloring in a container, covering the container, and shaking the ingredients together for 2 minutes. Make any pattern of your choice like flowers, the Goddess Lakshmi, a Mandala, etc.
If you’re on a budget or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle, simply paint elaborate designs on cardboard or pieces of wood and lay these on the floor as your rangoli. Make your wooden rangoli more elaborate by placing stones, mirrors, or beads on top of them to enhance the painted designs.
The general purpose of rangoli is to add decoration to your home and to bring good luck for your family. In some parts of South Asia, unmarried young women draw rangoli during the month of Margazhi to welcome the god Thirumal into their home and to hopefully find a husband in the near future.
Hang a colorful toran from your door. Buy and hang up prefabricated toran/bandankar or make your own out of greeting cards, craft paper, glitter, and beads. To keep with tradition, add marigolds or mango leaves to your toran and hang it across the outside of your front door for an auspicious and colorful piece of decor.
Most toran have flowers or leaves on them. However, if you don’t have any fresh flowers, you can also fold paper flowers or [[Fold a Paper Leaf|leaves out of decorative paper, or simply cut pieces of cardboard or craft paper into flower shapes and hang these from the toran.
Beyond simple decoration, toran also serve a religious purpose: they’re used to attract and welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into your home.
Put up Tanjore paintings to brighten your prayer room. Many people take time during Diwali to add decorations to the prayer room in their house and make it exceptionally clean. To enhance your prayer room’s aesthetic, hang vividly colored Tanjore paintings in it and illuminate them with soft lighting.
For a more decorative look, hang paintings that also contain gold, glass beads, or precious gems.
Tanjore paintings are generally used as devotional icons. If you’re hanging paintings, especially for Diwali, they should ideally be compositions of Hindu gods, goddesses, or saints.
Decorate your walls with colorful paintings, murals, and designs. You don’t need to limit your wall decorations to your prayer room. If you have more paintings and murals, hang them on every wall in your house to make every room brighter and more colorful.
If you don’t have any paintings or murals, consider making your own wall decor out of old CDs, newspapers, greeting cards, craft paper, or just pieces of cloth.
Painting traditional motifs and designs on your walls is a great way to add vibrancy and color to your walls, as long as you’re willing to paint over them later!
Add color to your home by hanging garlands of flowers or pompoms. String together colorful bunches of flowers, pompoms, crepe paper art or any other vibrant and lightweight pieces of decor. Then, drape these garlands from the ceilings and across your household items to add a final bit of color to your home.
Any species of flower will do for your garlands, so long as they’re colorful! Get creative and make paper ring decorations and make shapes and patterns on the walls. These are cheap and easy to customize for your decor.
There are some species of flower that are believed to be preferred by certain Hindu gods. For example, Kali prefers red hibiscus, Lakshmi’s favorite flower is lotus, Lord Ganesha enjoys marigold, and jasmine is Lord Hanuman’s favorite flower.
The lotus is a symbol of spiritual liberation and knowledge. The Goddess Lakshmi carries it in her hand.. Make your home more inviting to the Goddess Lakshmi by making lovely paper lotus flowers and placing them near the light display so she sees them clearly.
Illuminating Your Home
Make plain candles festive with pressed flowers. Embed flowers in a plain white candle by placing a small amount of glue on them and pressing them flat against the candle. Then, heat some clear wax in a double boiler to 150 °F (66 °C), dip the candle in the wax for 30 seconds, then dip it into cold water and dry.
You should be able to achieve your desired thickness with 1 dip in the wax. However, you can repeat the process of dipping the candle in the hot wax and then dipping it in the cold water until you achieve the preferred amount of thickness.
Make sure you dip the candle in and out of the wax in a smooth motion to avoid making it lumpy.
The water you use doesn’t have to be ice cold; it just needs to be colder than room temperature.
You can use flowers of any shape, size, or species to press into your candles, so long as they’re colorful! If you’d like your candles to have more religious significance, some examples of flowers preferred by Hindu gods include red hibiscus, lotus, marigold, and jasmine.
Make this activity fun for kids by having them fingerprint a design on your candles.
Draw henna designs onto plain white candles. Use henna paste and a henna tattoo cone to create beautiful, auspicious designs on your candles. Leave the henna designs to dry for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
Your designs can be anything you wish. Traditional henna motifs include flowers, stars, water drops, spirals, and leaves, but feel free to make your own design as well!
Decorate with diyas. Diya oil lamps are a very common decoration during Diwali, used throughout the Indian subcontinent. You can easily buy cheap earthen diyas. Alternatively, you can try using fruit or seashells for easy homemade diyas, as long as they're sturdy. To make your own unique and original diyas, carve out the inside of a piece of fruit and place a candle inside it, or simply put a candle in a large seashell with a flat bottom.
For best results, use a fruit with a rind that is easy to keep together and manipulate, like an orange or an apple.
You can also use prefabricated diyas made of more traditional materials, such as clay or brass. These can be bought at most South Asian grocery stores. Try making oil lamps at home. You can make them colourful and use the scented oil of your choice.
Diyas are very significant in Hinduism; they symbolize knowledge, enlightenment, and one’s submission to a higher power. If you have a special design in mind or are keen to make unique diyas of your own, you can create beautiful patterns on plain diyas with colours, flower, stones or even try using recycled materials.
Create interesting light displays with lampshades and lace candles. You can use traditional string lights that suit your decor, or make your own lampshades. Draw floral patterns, stars, or other designs on the sides of a small cardboard box and cut them out. Then, place the box over a lightbulb to create festive displays of light. Alternatively, wrap lace around a mason jar and place a candle inside to produce a similar effect.
Experiment with different colors and designs of lace to see which best create the atmosphere you’re trying to bring about in your home. For Diwali, colorful lace works best!
If you have access to a colorful cardboard box, use that instead of a plain box to make your lampshade more festive.
If you’d rather not make your own lampshade, there are plenty of prefabricated lampshades with cutouts available online or in home decor stores.
Wrap cinnamon sticks around your candles to spice up your home. Tie a number of cinnamon sticks around a mason jar or glass. Then, place a candle inside the glass and light it. Cinnamon candles not only add a woody theme to your home, but the heat from the candle will also cause the cinnamon sticks to release their fragrance and fill the area with the smell of cinnamon.
If your candle is relatively thick, simply place your cinnamon sticks directly against it and wrap them together with a rubber band.
Hang colorful strings of light bulbs and paper cups. Place colorful paper cups, seashells, or doilies over light bulbs on a string and hang them across the tops of your walls for a dazzling display of light and color. Or, simply opt for colorful varieties of fairy lights and hang these for an easy yet effective light display.
Colorful paper cups and doilies can be purchased at any crafting store. You might also be able to find seashells in crafting stores, although you can also just find them along the seashore.
Place lights inside colored glass bottles or jars to make lanterns. Find any empty glass bottles or jars that are lying around your house, especially ones that are colored, and make sure their interiors are clean. Then, place candles or light bulbs on the inside to make beautiful colored lanterns.
If you have empty bottles or jars that aren’t colored, simply cover them with bright cellophane paper to give them some color. You can also create designs in the paper for added effect.
You can make Mason jar candles and scented candles to fill your home with delightful fragrances.
For the best aesthetic appearance, use Mason jars and glass bottles with unique or elaborate shapes to them.
Bringing natural elements into your interior decorating can help create a relaxing atmosphere. You should consider using natural materials such as rock, brick, sea shells, sea salt, water and wood. You may also want to bring plant life into your home to help freshen the air. To improve natural lighting in your home, you should consider opening your windows as well as using natural mood lighting. By using natural materials, plants and light, you can create a fresh and relaxing interior décor.
Method 1 Using Natural Materials.
Decorate with sea shells. Bring home some sea shells from your next beach vacation or purchase them at a home decorating store. You could use sea shells to make a variety of decorations such as a glass jar with sea shells, a picture frame or a candle holder.
Try creating a glass jar with sea shells. Collect some of your favorite shells and arrange them in a glass jar. Place the glass jar on a mantle place or on top of a shelf. They will remind you of the relaxing smells and sounds of your beach vacation.
Buy reclaimed wood chairs and tables. You can find beautiful furniture made from reclaimed wood. Wood previously used in barns, houses or other architecture is used to make chairs and tables. You can find reclaimed wood chairs and tables at design stores, antique shops or online.
Purchase unfinished wood furniture. You could buy unfinished chairs, tables or other wooden furniture and then apply your own finish. You can find unfinished wooden furniture online or at wholesale shops. Apply natural stains such as linseed oil or paint it to match your color scheme.
You can find unfinished wood furniture at online retailers and some hardware stores. Whereas some retailers are focused on more contemporary designs, other retailers sell very traditional designs. You can also piece together the parts you need by going to specialty retailers for table legs or other furniture components, which you would then assemble yourself.
Put driftwood on your coffee table or mantle place. Search for driftwood the next time you are close to a beach or lake. When you find a nice piece of driftwood, you can cut it to size and then place it on your coffee table to remind yourself of the place you visited.
If it is covered in dirt or moss, you may need to clean it.
You could wrap twinkle lights around the branches during the holidays.
Create a rock terrarium. You could find or purchase some stones and place them in a decorative bowl. You can purchase stones from a home living store or a precious stones shop. If you go on vacation to a rocky beach, you could collect your own stones. Arrange your stones in a small bowl and place it on your dining room table.
Consider wood flooring. Wood flooring is a great option for adding natural elements to your home, especially if you are in the process of renovating. Choose from pine, oak or other hardwood flooring options. You could also add section of wood flooring to a small area of your house. Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood and prefinished hardwood are common options.
Expose brick walls in your house. If you have brick walls, consider exposing them so that you get to see the natural décor of brick. Brick is made from clay, mud and water, which is fired at high temperatures. It has a nice texture and can give a room a very natural feel. You could make an accent wall with exposed brick and then paint the other walls in your house.
If you cannot alter the walls in your home, you could make a brick decoration. For instance, you could purchase a few bricks and stack them in front of a wall or use them to make a bookshelf.
Add a water element to your home décor. Install a slate water wall in one of your rooms to add the soothing feel of a waterfall to your home. If a slate water wall sounds too pricey, consider placing a small water fountain on your deck or on your living room table. You can find water fountains in a variety of sizes and shapes.
You can find water fountains at home décor, online retailers and some larger hardware stores.
Indoor water fixtures range from approximately $200 to $2500.
There are many different types of fountains such as tabletop fountains, fountains that sit on the floor and water fixtures that hang on a wall.
Method 2 Bringing Plant Life into Your Home Décor.
Plant an herb garden in your kitchen. An indoor herb garden will bring the smells and tastes of the garden into your kitchen. It also makes cooking a lot easier. Start by finding a sunny window such as a south or southwest facing window. Place your herbs in small pots on the windowsill and remember to put a saucepan underneath to catch drainage. Enjoy sage, rosemary, basil or other herbs in your kitchen.
Avoid north facing windows for indoor kitchen herb gardens. They do not provide enough light.
Add a spider plant to your bedroom. Spider plants look great in a hanging basket by a window. They have pretty green and yellow stems. They are very easy to maintain. They require bright or moderate amounts of sun.
Water occasionally when they are new and then moderately after one year.
Put a succulent in your living room. A succulent will add a nice flourish to your living room. Consider placing a few succulents on your mantle place, living room table or on side tables. You could make a succulent center piece for your living room table. On another table, you could put glass jars with sand and air plants or succulents on top.
Use cacti in your living spaces. You could place a small cactus on your home office table. If you are more ambitious, you could create a small cactus garden with different sized and shaped cacti in your living room. Play around with the shapes and sizes of the cacti. It might be best to place the small cacti in front of the larger cacti, so you get a sense of depth in your cactus garden.
Get weekly flower delivery. You can purchase a weekly flower delivery service so that you can look forward to fresh cut flowers every week. This is a great option if you live in a rental apartment. Talk to your florist about the kinds of flowers you enjoy and ask about the availability of seasonal varieties.
Method 3 Adding Light to Your Home.
Get more light into your home by opening up the windows. Remove old curtains or replace old windows that don’t let enough light into your house or apartment. With new windows and curtains that let more light into your home, you will feel a lot more connected to nature and the outdoors.
Consider purchasing natural linen or cotton curtains.
Consider the style of curtain you would like to purchase such as sill curtains, which go to the windowsill, or apron curtains that go over the windowsill. Floor curtains go all the way to the floor.
Add windows to your home. You may want to add a few windows to your apartment or house. Consider whether there are any parts of the house or apartment that would offer a nice view of the outdoors such as a pond or a forest. Also, consider what size of window would make sense and the price of the renovations.
Consider purchasing wooden, double-hung windows. This type of window will cost you a bit more up front but should save you money in electricity costs in the long run while adding a natural look to home.
Add a salt rock lamp to your bedroom. Himalayan salt rock lamps are great for mood lighting in your bedroom or living room. They have a soft glow and have a range of purported health benefits. Made from natural sea salts, they are a nice way to bring some natural light into your home.
Use a natural candle holder. You can find beeswax candles and Himalayan sea salt candle holders. Place some candles in natural candle holders in your living room or bedroom for natural mood lighting.
Warnings.
If you have pets or small children, you should avoid certain house plants such as philodendron, pothos, arrowhead, lily, peace lily, dieffenbachia, oleander, caladium, mother-in-law’s tongue and ivy.
A well designed and decorated home has its effects on our mood, personality and even how other people perceive us. It is true that our home is a reflection of our personalities, our preferences, and of course how organized and chic we are. Decorating your place, especially if you are trying to redecorate your entire home or even a single room, can be a daunting task and a big expense. If you tackle it with the right mindset and a concerted approach, you can redecorate your home without breaking the bank.
Steps.
1. Start with small objects. The first and foremost task is to give magnitude to small objects. The greatest changes occur through the presence of small objects. In order to make the home colorful, jovial, complete and spacious, people hang curtains, blinds or paintings. Such things are not time consuming, and by shopping at outlets, thrift stores, and relatively inexpensive home stores, you can make small changes without going out of budget.
2. Use colors that compliment each other. No room requires everything to match, but having colors that go well together can really help the overall impression of the décor.
It doesn't have to be very expensive or laborious to choose color coordinate items. The trick here is to purchase neutral furniture which goes with different color schemes.
If a piece of furniture has an odd color, paint it and swathe with sealant. It does not only save the paint, but makes the furniture look new as well. In several cases you will have to spend as little as $30 to make an old piece of furniture look new.
3. Change the bedding. It seems like a small feature, but it is true that bedding makes a room more tidy, perfect and organized. You spend almost one third of your precious time in the bedroom. On a tight budget, the new wall paint and eye-catching bedding make a great difference. If your budget allows, purchase your desired bed which can fit in the bedroom properly.
4. Manage the chaos. One of the easy-to-manage and budget-oriented tips is to control the mess. If you have purchased the best products and decoration pieces, but they aren't arranged well, they'll be less impressive. Avoid clutter. The unnecessary things can be sold online.
De-clutter your space to give a smart look. Organize your mail, deal with dirty clothes and organize anything that's lying around. Plan to spare 10 minutes after dinner for this task.
5. Maximize free space. More floor area can give a broad view of the room. The room seems larger and can become more luxurious as well. On the other hand, a reduced amount of floor space can make a room seem unappealing, smaller and cheaper.
6. Paint your walls. Consider having a creative accent wall, too, with a different color or decorative elements. A lick of paint can make a room seem like new. Excessive use of pictures can make a wall (and room) seem cluttered; however arranging a wall painting, a small beautiful shelf or a family photograph gives a personal touch.
7. Align picture frames in a systematic order. Whenever you add a wall hanging, position it at the center of the wall. It should not be too high up or too far down. The middle of the wall and the center area is the best area for hanging striking frames.
8. Use lighting to your advantage. One of the cost effective ways to "redecorate" is to light your house better. Try to avoid incandescent and overhead lights as these are harsh and give an uncomfortable appearance to a room. Room lamps have a diffuse light which gets balanced if lamps are placed on the two sides of the bed. Lamp shades help make a room warm, attractive and pleasant.
9. Add individuality. There is a great difference between a hotel room and your personal room. Your room is personal as it gives a sense of individuality. For example, in your own room, you may have arranged photographs of memorable moments with family members. Moreover, the use of candles, flowers and favorite wall color gives your own rooms a more personal touch. Add the things you like the most in your room. It will give you comfy feeling and sense of individualism.
10. Bring an outdoor touch inside. The natural beauty of spring is a joy. Bring something fresh and natural into your home. Add some plants to your home. House plants make the surrounding fresh and change the mood.
In order to capitalize the outdoor view, hang a mirror diagonally across from your windows. If you are living in a busy or municipal area, add some photographs or paintings of landscapes/nature to your décor.
Question : What is the best way to utilize leftover carpet cleaners other than on carpet?
Answer : Carpet cleaners may be used on other fabrics.
Decorating your mandir on Janmashtami is a great way to celebrate the Hindu festival in your own home. Hang things like flowers, lights, and torans on the mandir, decorating the entryway or edges. Place Lord Krishna idols and other statues inside the mandir, creating a scene or simple decorative pattern. However you choose to decorate your mandir, use bright colors and shiny materials to make your decorations truly stand out.
Method 1 Hanging Flowers and Other Decorations.
1. String flowers along the mandir to add floral embellishments. Use fresh flowers such as yellow marigolds, or opt for plastic or silk flowers that will last for years to come. Line the edges of the mandir with flowers, or hang them across the entryway to make them more of a focal point.
Make your own flowers out of paper and string them on a durable string, if desired.
Use tape or adhesive hooks to attach the flowers.
2. Hang lights in or around the mandir for a twinkling effect. If you have access to a power source, or you have lights that are battery operated, this is a great way to add light to your mandir. Use tape to attach fairy or LED lights across the edges of the mandir, or line the inside of the mandir with lights to create a glowing effect.
Using adhesive hooks is another good way to attach the lights.
3. Display a tapestry or hang drapes to cover larger areas. If you have a festive tapestry you’d like to display, hang it using push pins or hooks so it’s covering the back board of your mandir. Colorful drapes or curtains can be hung from the corners of the mandir, or spread out to cover a section of it if desired.
Purchase curtains or drapes from a market, or use a saree instead.
Hang a tapestry so it's covering the drawers of the mandir to decorate the bottom half.
4. Attach torans to the outer part of the mandir to string them across. Torans look great strung across the top of the mandir, as they make a great focal point. Pick out colorful ones with beaded embellishments or floral decorations, and hang them using tape, hooks, or push pins.
You might also hang a toran along the top of each door of your mandir.
5. Use bright, textured paper to cover the surfaces of the mandir. Hang glitter paper along the back of the mandir or attach crepe paper to the sides of the mandir to create a more festive design. Use several sheets of paper to cover the entire back board or each door, if desired.
Use colors like orange, red, or blue.
Consider making peacocks or flowers out of paper.
Cover the entire back board with glitter paper, or create a design using different patterns for a more intricate look.
Method 2 Displaying Figurines or Objects.
1. Embellish a royal jhula using colorful stones or fabrics. Decorate a jhula that you already have using things like small flowers, pieces of silk, or sequins, or opt to make your own. Create a jhula using cardboard before decorating it and placing it in your mandir.
Decorate the swing with garland or colorful ribbon.
Use glue or tape to help you create the jhula.
Consider painting your handmade jhula for a more detailed design.
2. Display butter pots in your mandir to symbolize the butter thief. If you already have small butter pots, place them in different spots in your mandir for added decor. Decorate them using paint, lace, or sequins to make them stand out even more.
Consider tying a string around each butter pot and hanging them from the door of your mandir if they don’t weigh too much.
Fill your butter pots with pulled-apart cotton balls to create the image of butter spilling out.
3. Create a representation of Vrindavan by placing statues around the mandir. Choose statues of cows, peacocks, small houses, and villagers to place inside the mandir. Decorate with flowers and plants to create a more naturalistic setting to complete the scene.
Arrange the statues and greenery to resemble a real city or village.
Lay pieces of shrubbery on the surface of the mandir to resemble grass and greenery, and place the cows in it to look like they're grazing.
Line village houses in a row with villagers working in their gardens.
4. Decorate a Lord Krishna idol in bright colors and materials. Pick out your favorite Lord Krishna idol and wrap it in shiny materials like silk or metallic fabric. Glue glittering stones onto the idol around its crown to add a sparkly element, if desired.
Cut fabric into strips to create shawls to wrap the Krishna idol in, or glue sequins onto a piece of fabric before draping it around the idol.
If you want to be able to remove the decorations after you’re finished with them, stick to wrapping the idol in fabric or using adhesives that will come off easily.
5. Place flutes around the mandir as a symbol for Krishna’s flute. Decorate your bansuris, or flutes, using peacock feathers, sequins, or sparkly tape. Place the flute, or multiple flutes, inside the mandir to the side in honor of Lord Krishna.
Glue sequins along the flute in a pattern of yellows and greens, or attach small beads to the flute for a more embellished design.
Tips
Consider creating a rangoli design in front of the mandir for a more traditional decoration.
Giving your bedroom a makeover is the perfect way to express your creativity and help you feel happy and relaxed in your own space. Start by updating your walls with a new paint job or colorful prints, then revamp your bed with matching blankets and throw pillows. Bring your furniture into play with bright accessories and organization tools to make your room the perfect reflection of you!
Part 1 Decorating the Walls and Floor.
1. Choose a style and color scheme. For a room that looks cohesive and cool, it’s best to decide on a color scheme and a general style before you start decorating. Choose a color palette that you love, but make sure you won’t get sick of it easily. Also, keep in mind that while your bedroom should be fun and exciting, it should also be conducive to a good night’s sleep. You can find inspiration online, using sites like Pinterest, by reading design magazines, from visiting home goods or furniture stores, or even watching design shows.
Soft, pastel wall colors paired with a brighter floral bedspread and decorations make a room that’s feminine, but not overpowering.
Dark purples and blues coupled with white or cream walls give a gentle, relaxed vibe.
Opt for a sophisticated space with black, white, and gray coloring, plus pops of pink, purple, or blue.
For a bright, tropical look, blend bright pinks and deep oranges with your walls, bedspread, and furniture.
2. Repaint your room to totally change the style. To really transform your space, a new paint job is the way to go. Tell your parents what you envision and talk about some color options. Go with them to buy the paint and offer to help with the painting as well to show your dedication to your project.
Be careful when choosing colors! Although bright shades look great on a paint swatch, they can be overwhelming on your walls. Opt for a more subdued hue to bring a sense of calm to the space. For instance, choose navy blue instead of cobalt blue for a peaceful, warm, color.
If you do decide to go with a bright wall color, balance it out with lighter-colored furniture and blankets. You could use accents of bright color with colorful pillows, blankets, or rugs, or paint just the wall behind your bed a bright hue for an accent wall.
If you can’t repaint your room, don’t worry! You can still decorate it to match your style with wall decorations, blankets, and revamped furniture.
3. Hang a print, decal, or poster on the wall to perk up your room. Even freshly-painted walls can use some extra decorations. Look for adhesive wall decals, framed prints, or posters of your favorite movie or band to brighten up blank corners of your room.
Decals come in many different shapes and patterns. Look for ones with colors and styles that will play off of your wall color and bedspread. You can get decals at home stores or online, especially at craft-focused retailers like Etsy.
Don’t go overboard with your decals—any more than 2 in a small space can look overdone. Stick with 1 large decal, or 2 smaller ones placed separately.
To make a poster look more stylish, put it in a frame or hang it with wire instead of simply taping or tacking it to the wall.
4. Hang up photos or a bulletin board to personalize your wall space. Frame and hang a few of your favorite photos of your friends and family for a homey touch. For even more wall space to decorate, buy a bulletin board and tack up photos, drawings, and mementos.
You can also use a small, magnetic chalkboard or whiteboard to hang photos and scribble notes and thoughts. Or, paint a whole wall or part of a wall with magnetic chalkboard paint. You’ll be able to write messages and put up photos or posters without damaging the wall.
If you don’t like the tan, cork-like look of a regular bulletin board, customize it by spreading a length of colorful fabric over it and taping or stapling the ends to the back.
Decorate the edges of your photo frames with stickers and paint for a look that’s even more you.
5. Get a soft rug and throw pillows to make a lounge space in the corner. Most teen rooms are too small for a couch or comfy armchair. Luckily, you can make your own lounge area in an empty corner by stacking a few big throw pillows on top of a soft rug.
If you have a little extra space, add a small beanbag or a backrest pillow with arms.
To create a cozy reading nook, put a floor pouf and a few cozy pillows in a corner. Add a floor lamp to brighten the space.
6. Add a mirror to make your room look bigger. Hanging a full- or half-length mirror in your room makes it easy to choose a great outfit every morning. As a bonus, a mirror can also make your room look more spacious.
Add a small mirror in another area to check makeup and open up the room even more. Make sure to situate it so that your mirrors don’t reflect each other.
You can put a mirror on the back of your bedroom door, on your closet door, or even above your bed.
7. Hang up string lights to add a soft glow to your room. Ask your parents if they have any extra white string lights and use them to decorate a plain wall or add soft illumination to your room. You can make a design out of the lights or simply string them across a wall with tape and push-pins.
Weave the lights through your headboard to create a soft reading light, or string them around the top perimeter of your room.
8. Hang a lighted mirror garland to add sparkle to a plain wall. To make a lighted mirror garland, drape 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) of mirror garland thickly over a curtain rod that’s 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) long, so that the they hang down towards the floor. Install hooks in your wall and set the rod in them for a flashy, unique wall decoration.
Set your garland next to a window to make it glow. For all-day sparkle, drape 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) of string lights among the garlands.
Ask your parents to help you install the hooks. They should be wide enough to be able to set the pole in comfortably, and will need to be screwed into the wall.
You can buy mirror garlands online or at craft stores.
9. Install hanging shelves to add storage options for a small room. If you’re running out of desk or closet space for pictures, knick-knacks, or books, ask your parents to help you install hanging shelves on your wall. This is a great way to decorate your walls while organizing clutter.
You can buy hanging shelves at a furniture store or make your own with the help of your parents for a fun home improvement project.
As an alternative to a nightstand, place the shelves on either side of your bed.
Part 2 Sprucing up the Bed.
1. Choose a comforter that won’t overwhelm your room. Your bed comforter or duvet is the center of your room, so picking the right color or pattern can make a huge difference! Check home stores, online retailers, and catalogues for one that matches your room’s style and color scheme.
For a luxurious feel, choose a fluffy comforter and layer a throw blanket or 2 on top of the comforter at the foot of your bed. Add a row of throw pillows for a cozy feel.
If your walls are bright or you’re planning on going all-in with colorful furniture, you could try a more subdued pastel or white comforter.
If your walls are white or light-colored, feel free to go for a comforter or duvet that’s brighter or patterned to add a burst of color to the center of your room.
If you can’t get a new comforter or are looking to save money, you can revamp your bed with a few pretty blankets, or even sew a comforter yourself.
2. Move your bed to change your room set-up. Turning your bed the other way or moving it to the opposite side of the room can really freshen up your space. Talk to your parents about scooting your bed against a different wall, or turning it so that it sticks into the middle of the room instead of sitting against a wall.
When deciding where to place your bed, try to put the head against a wall with no pipes running through it, near enough to your window for natural light.
If you’re worried about putting your bed too close to the window, put up some drapes to block out the sun on mornings when you want to snooze a little later.
To create a daybed feel, position one of the long sides of your bed against a wall and line that side with pillows. You can easily relax or study there, then simply move the pillows when you’re ready for bed.
3. Toss fun throw pillows on your bed for a burst of color. Look for pillows that are pretty and comfortable, that match your comforter and walls. Scatter 3-4 of them across your bed for a casual look, or stack them neatly for a style that’s more sophisticated.
Look for pillows in various shapes and sizes that match your room decor.
4. Place an end table at the foot of your bed for more storage space. A storage bench at the end of your bed is a stylish way to store clutter and add an extra, comfy seat to your room. Look for a bench to match your comforter at home stores and online.
For even more storage space, grab some colorful bins at a home store and stash them (and your clutter) under the bed.
5. Try a mounted headboard for a cleaner look that takes up less space. A headboard can push your bed a foot (0.3 m) or more away from the wall, which is a lot of space in a small room. Talk to your parents about getting rid of your headboard, or mounting one on the wall behind the bed to save space and look neater.
As an alternative to a headboard, hang up a wall tapestry or decorative scarf on the wall behind your bed.
6. Hang a blanket over your bed for a relaxed, boho canopy. If you feel too old for the full princess canopy, try lightly draping a thin, patterned blanket above your bed. String it from the ceiling and let it dangle 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) from your pillows for an airy feel.
Part 3 Dressing up Your Furniture.
1. Use a small table as a desk and dress it up with colorful containers. If you don’t already have a desk, look for a small table that will save space and look light and easy in your room. Fit it into your color scheme with colorful accessories like a desk lamp, a pencil cup, bookends, and a digital clock.
Try not to clutter your desk space up with too many knick-knacks, especially if this is a space you’ll use to do homework. All those small items will distract you from your studying.
2. Set out a small, pretty trash can to quickly dispose of clutter. Buy a small trash can online or from a home store, looking for one that matches your overall decor. Place it in the corner of your room for a quick, convenient way to throw away scraps of paper, tags from clothing, or any other bits of waste you have in your room.
If you don’t have much trash, you could use a container you already have around the house, like a basket, as a creative trash can substitute.
Remember to take out your trash at least once a week to keep clutter from piling up.
Don’t use your small trash can to throw away food or anything else that could decompose. This could make your room smell and even attract bugs.
3. Organize your makeup on a magnet board. Buy a magnet board and glue thin fabric over it to match your color scheme. Then, hot glue small, round, strong magnets onto the back of each of your eyeshadow, blush, and bronzer containers. Stick them onto the board to make a cute makeup organizer.
To organize your brushes and liners, glue a few magnets onto an old, small plastic cup. Store your mascara, brushes, and liners inside and stick them on the board.
4. Turn over a colorful trash can to make a simple night stand. If you want to revamp your bedside table, buy a cheap, colorful trash can online or at a large general store. Flip it upside down and set it by your bed for a small, cute table!
Look for a trash can with artful designs or a pretty pattern that will blend nicely with your bedspread and walls. Or, find a plain trash can, turn it upside down, and spray paint it the color you want. Try a glittery gold paint for a fun and bold option.
5. Decoupage dresser drawers with fabric for a splash of color. Cut a sheet of matching fabric to fit your dresser drawer, then wash it and dry it. Brush Mod Podge over the fabric and the dresser drawer and press the fabric onto the drawer one section at a time, smoothing it down with a straight edge as you go.
If you’re using a thin, cotton fabric, paint your dresser drawers white first. Mod Podge makes thin fabrics somewhat see-through, allowing dark colors to bleed through.
To get the process down, try practicing on a small piece of wood first.
6. Paint an old filing cabinet for modern storage space. Ask your parents if they have an old filing cabinet they don’t need anymore and transform it into a unique storage space! Lightly sand the cabinet with some sandpaper, then clean the cabinet and apply 3-4 coats of paint with a roller.
Paint the cabinet with chalk paint and label the contents of each drawer with chalk for extra organization. Or, pick a bright color like neon pink or yellow for a mod vibe.
To clean the cabinet, simply run a wet cloth over it to catch any dust and grime. Let it dry before you paint.
7. Spray paint the bases of your lamps in fun, matching colors. To update an old-fashioned looking lamp, pick up some cans of bright spray paint. Bring your lamp outside, set it on some newspaper, and spray paint it evenly on every side.
Let the lamp dry outside or in the garage for as long as instructed on the spray paint can.
Make sure to remove the lampshade before you spray paint.
8. Create a fashionable dressing area by dressing up a tailor’s mannequin. Pick up a female dress form mannequin at a craft store or order one online. Dress it in a pretty dress and place it in a corner of your room near a mirror or vanity to create a classy “dressing area.”
Go for a dress form rather than a full-body mannequin to save space and give your dressing area a sophisticated, classic look.
Use the dress form to express your creativity. Try switching out the dress form’s outfit based on the season, or put a dress on it to get you excited for an upcoming dance.
If you are decorating for Christmas, you may need some fresh ideas to brighten up your living room! Pick a Christmas tree as the centerpiece, whether you choose a large one to fill the corner or a small one to set on a table. Once you have that up, spread decorations throughout the room, such as wreaths, evergreens, and ornaments to bring joy to the whole space.
Method 1 Putting up a Tree.
1. Pick a live tree for an eco-friendly option with a good scent. A live Christmas tree brings the holiday home for many people with its rich scent and deep green color. When looking at trees, pick a full tree with a strong scent. Look for green all the way to the tips. Try snapping a needle; if it's a pine tree, it should bend without breaking. If it's a fir tree, it should break in half easily if it's fresh.
Make sure to choose one that's the right size for the space. Too big, and it will take over. Too small, and it will look puny. Measure the width and height you need to fill before you go, then measure the trees you're looking at.
This option is environmentally friendly because live trees are raised as a sustainable crop. When you support the industry, you're supporting more trees being planted and producing oxygen.
Noble firs are a popular Christmas tree.
2. Choose a fake tree for convenience and longevity. Pick a tree that's full and fits the space you have. Also, look for convenient features like easy setup or ones that are pre-lit. When it comes to fake trees, it's mostly up to your preference, though higher quality trees will be made of PE or PVC, and when you run your fingers over the needles, you should feel small ridges.
Most Christmas trees aren't recyclable, so if you're concerned about the environment, be prepared to hold on to your tree for a long time. For this option to be more environmentally friendly than a real tree, you'll need to keep it for about 20 years.
3. Place the tree in a prominent spot or window. Try putting it near the front window or to the side of the television. Set it up where you'll be able to admire it often. You may need to rearrange a bit to fit your Christmas tree in the living room. Keep live trees away from heaters or fireplaces, as they can catch fire.
When putting up a a live Christmas tree, cut off the very bottom when you get home before you stick it in water. Put it in the stand and ensure it has plenty of water at all times.
Follow the instructions for your artificial tree. With some, you'll need to put up the trunk then insert individual branches. Fluff them out as you go. With others, it will come in several main sections that you attach at the trunk.
4. Add lights moving from the bottom to the top. Twine the lights around each of the main branches, going up and down the tree instead of around. As you wrap the lights, make sure you are getting them up close to the trunk, as illumination from within gives the best effect. Make sure to hit as much of the tree as you can as you move around it in vertical lines.
Keep in mind that many artificial trees come pre-lit.
Lights come in 2 main varieties, incandescent and LED lights. LEDs last longer and stay cooler, but the warmth of incandescent will help spread the pine tree scent around the room with a live tree. These 2 types come in many shapes and sizes, as well as colors, so pick whatever you like best. Just try to be consistent with what you pick. You'll probably need at least 2-4 strands for an average size tree.
Opt for a wire color that matches your tree.
5. Drape a garland around the tree for a traditional look. Try thin garlands like strung cranberry, beaded strands, or sparkly tinsel strands. Position smaller garlands so they dip from branch to branch. You can also add larger garlands, such as wide ribbon or paper chains. Twine larger garlands around and around the tree, tucking them in a few places but mainly keeping them loose.
6. Choose a color theme or scheme for your ornaments. Try drawing on colors you already have in your room or just pick a color or two you love. You could also pick a theme, like "snow," "candy," or "plaid" to decorate your tree. Of course, your theme could also be "all my favorite ornaments!" A loving mixture of old and new ornaments, handmade and store-bought, can make a lovely tree.
Start with the bigger ornaments. Put your favorites up first in places where they'll be seen the most. Try to hang the other large ornaments at even intervals around the tree, though you can leave the back sparser if it's up against a wall.
Once they're in place, fill in the gaps with smaller ornaments.
Method 2 Adding Decorative Touches throughout the Living Room.
1. Hang your stockings in a prominent location. Stockings make a great homey decoration, and you don't need a mantelpiece to hang them! Opt for fun, personalized stockings or sophisticated designs based on your preference. Simply hang them on an open wall, centering them in the space.
Above the mantel is a great option, too, if you do have a fireplace. Just make sure they are well away from the fire.
2. Place smaller trees around the room in larger living rooms. If you have a big living room, try adding a small tree here or there. Place a 1 to 2 ft (0.30 to 0.61 m) one on a stand in a corner, for instance, or group several 6 in (15 cm) or smaller trees on the mantel.
Think beyond plastic trees. Pick up a small potted rosemary bush, for instance, or try out some stylized trees made out of wood.
3. Scatter evergreens and pinecones around to bring freshness to the room. Even if you don't have a live tree, you can still get that wonderful scent. Purchase or gather some branches and place them in a vase or basket. Toss some pinecones in with the greenery, along with something red, such as apples or cranberries.
If you want your branches to stay fresher for longer, cut off the ends and put them in water.
Try adding an evergreen garland along the mantel or along the tops of curtain rods.]
4. Put up a wreath on the wall for a traditional touch. Christmas is a perfect time for wreaths, and almost anything can be made into a wreath! Create a wreath out of evergreen branches accented with cranberries and white flowers to hang up, for instance.
Alternatively, wrap red ribbon around a foam craft wreath for a quick pop of color.
Get creative! Paint or decorate any round object in a Christmas style, such as a wagon wheel, a bicycle tire, a picture frame, or even the bottom of a bundt pan!
5. Make the room sparkle with metallics and candles. The sparkle of metallic ornaments and the bright flames of candles add warmth to the room. Place silver and gold ornaments in a bowl, for instance, and surround them with candles in a variety of sizes. Hang glittery snowflakes in the windows or along the mantelpiece.
These little touches will add brightness and joy to the space.
Method 3 Creating Themed Looks.
1. Add vases of white flowers to your evergreens for a floral take on "White Christmas." This is a great way to get that "White Christmas" look without snow. Simply tuck vases of fresh or silk flowers in among your evergreens, including placing a vase on the mantel and one as a centerpiece on your table.
Try white tulips or white poinsettias. Add other touches of white, too, such as twirls of white ribbon and white candles.
2. Scatter your favorite holiday figurines throughout the room. Picking one style can help create a cohesive look. For instance, collect Santa figurines and place them all over the room in small groups. However, you can also mix-and-match to your heart's content. Go for a variety, including different sizes. Group smaller ones together and then place a large one by the tree, for example.
You could also try doves, snowflakes, nutcrackers, angels, reindeer, snowpeople, or anything else you fancy!
3. Group odds and ends in greens and reds for a traditional color scheme. While your color scheme doesn't necessarily need to be red and green, an easy way to create a "Christmas" look is to follow this scheme. You can even use things other than Christmas decorations. Just find a variety of items in these colors and set up a display or group them in small bunches around the room.
For instance, if you have a white couch in front of a bookcase, throw green and red pillows and blankets on the couch. On the bookcase, put out green and red items, such as candles, baskets, knickknacks, and decorative plates. Add a few touches that are purely Christmas, such as a small Santa Claus.
4. Create your own Christmas color scheme for a modern take. If bright red and green aren't your favorite colors or they simply clash with your existing decor, opt for your own Christmas colors. For instance, decorate your tree with silver and blue, and then add touches of those colors around the room, such as silver snowflakes, bowls of blue ornaments, and blue stockings.
You could also do a twist on bright red and green, such as a burnt orange and sage green.
Decorating your room can be a lot of fun. While you can always buy premade decorations, you can make ones that are just as nice, but much cheaper at home. From creating wall décor to decoupaging your dresser, there are all sorts of interesting ways that you can use paper. Cardstock and scrapbooking paper will work for most projects, but don't forget other types too, such as tissue paper, cupcake liners, and wrapping paper.
Method 1 Creating Wall Décor.
Tape scrapbook paper together to create a quilted wall hanging. You could hang this over a large window or behind a bed. Gather 16 squares of scrapbooking paper. Overlap the papers by 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) to make a large square. Secure the edges of the papers with double-sided tape. Glue the quilt to a wooden slat, then hang it from your wall.
Choose 2 to 4 different patterns or colors for the paper.
For a more realistic quilt, skip the tape and sew down the seams on your sewing machine with a straight stitch.
Use saw-tooth hangers or ribbon to hang the slat.
Create your own wall decals from paper. This is great seasonal project as you could create leaves for fall, snowflakes for winter, flowers for the spring, and suns for the summer. Use stencils or large cookie cutters to trace shapes onto colored paper. Cut these shapes out, then secure them to your wall with double-sided tape or poster putty.
Your paper can be solid-colored or patterned. You can even use magazine pages!
Simple shapes, such as hearts and stars work well, but you can use more complex ones too. Try snowflakes, reindeer, or bats!
Match the color of the paper to the shape. For example, make stars yellow or blue, and hearts red or pink.
You can put up just a few decals or create a wall mural with them.
Make a sunburst wall hanging by gluing paper tubes together. Gather paper in 2 to 3 different sizes. Roll the paper into tubes, then tape tubes shut. Arrange the tubes side-by-side to create a flat disk or sunburst, then hot glue them together. Hang the sunburst from your wall with thread.
The long edges of the tubes should be touching. How much space you leave in the middle is up to you.
Make a smaller sunburst, then glue it on top of a larger sunburst for a layered design.
For a dramatic effect, create several small sunbursts and hang them on a single wall.
Fold paper butterflies in half, then secure them to your wall. Use a stencil or a cookie cutter to trace butterfly shapes onto colored paper. Cut the butterflies out, then fold them in half along the body to create a crease. Secure the butterflies to your wall with poster putty or double-sided mounting tape.
Rather than folding the butterflies down the center of the body, fold the wings to either side of the body. This will give you more paper to stick to the wall.
Make lots of butterflies in different colors and sizes, then stick them to your wall in a cluster.
For a whimsical vibe, use glitter paint to decorate the butterflies or attaching trailing ribbons to them.
Make some tufted tissue paper wall art. Cut a large shape out of tissue paper. Next, cut tissue paper into 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) squares. Wrap each tissue paper square over the end of an unused pencil eraser, dip it in glue, then press it against your shape. Keep going until you have the entire shape filled with tufted bits of tissue paper, then hang it up with poster putty or push pins.
Keep the shape simple, such as a heart, star, or letter.
You can use more than 1 color of tissue paper. Try 3 shades of the same color for an ombre design.
Work in rows from 1 side of the shape to the other. Make sure that the tissue paper tufts are touching.
Method 2 Making Garlands.
Glue folded butterflies to string to create a 3D garland. This would be a great decoration for a child’s bedroom. Cut butterfly shapes out of paper, then fold them in half to create creases. Hot glue half of the butterflies along the creases to a long piece of string. Flip the garland over, then hot glue the rest of the butterflies to the backs of the first ones so that the wings fold away from each other.
Make sure that you are gluing the folded edges of the butterflies together. This will create a 3D effect.
Make sure that the butterflies are all the same shape. Use a stencil or a craft punch to make them. They should be 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) across.
For a unique look, use paper in various colors.
Sew a garland using simple shapes. Use a large craft punch to cut lots of shapes from colored paper. Stack 2 shapes together, then sew down the middle on your sewing machine with a straight stitch. Stack 2 more shapes, and sew across them as well. Keep going until your garland is the length you want it.
Keep the shapes simple, such as circles or squares.
For a 3D effect, fold each of the shapes in half, so that the papers are pointing away from each other. Do 1 side of the garland first, then the other.
Backstitch when you start and finish sewing so that the stitching doesn't come undone.
Glue paper triangles to string to make a pennant banner. Cut a large triangle from colored or patterned paper. Turn the triangle so that you can see the back, then cover the bottom straight edge with double-sided tape. Drape your string across it, then fold the edge down by 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm). Trim off the excess corners sticking out from behind the folded edge.
Repeat this step to fill your string up with as many triangles as you want.
The size of the triangles does not matter, but they should all be the same.
Hang the garland above your bed, dresser, or window.
If you want to create a banner for the holidays, cut the triangles out of decorative wrapping paper.
Hang mini garlands from a piece of string to use as a curtain. Measure the height of your window, then create 5 to 7 mini garlands based on that measurement. Next, hang a piece of string across the top of your window. Tie each mini garland to that string to create a curtain-like effect.
This will only work with the butterfly and circle style garlands mentioned above. It won't work with a pennant style garland.
Add cupcake liners to string lights to mimic flowers. Fold a green cupcake liner into fourths. Cut a leaf shape into it, keeping it connected at the pointed end, then unfold it to reveal a 4-leaf flower. Next, fold a colored cupcake liner into thirds. Cut an arch into the curved edge, then unfold it to reveal an 8-petal flower. Put the flower on top of the leaves, poke a hole in the center of the stack, then push it onto a bulb of string lights. Repeat this step for each of the lights on your string.
To fold into thirds: fold the cupcake liner into fourths first, then fold it over 1 more time.
You can use string lights with a white cable or green cable. LED lights would work the best. Don't leave the lights on unattended.
Method 3 Decorating Furniture.
Decoupage a desk or dresser. Coat the top of your desk or dresser with decoupage glue. Place a sheet of wrapping paper over it, smooth out any wrinkles, then trim off the excess. Let the glue dry, then seal it with 2 coats of decoupage glue.
Let each layer of decoupage glue dry before you add the next coat.
Feel free to stick with 1 kind of paper or layer different papers for an eclectic look.
Glue paper semicircles in overlapping layers to a lampshade. Choose paper in a light, dark, and medium shade of the same color. Cut enough semicircles from the paper to cover your lampshade. Hot glue the circles in overlapping rows to create a scale effect. Make sure that the light bulb does not get hot enough to start the paper on fire!
Start from the bottom of the lamp and work your way up. Make sure that the curved edges of the scales are pointing down.
Mix-and-match the shades in the same row, or use 1 shade per row to create an ombre effect.
The size of the scales does not really matter, but 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) would be good.
Make paper roses, then glue them to the bottom edge of a lampshade. Cut a large circle out of paper, then cut the circle into a spiral. Starting from the outside, roll the spiral into a coil. Loosen the coil slightly, then hot glue the end to maintain the rose shape. Create enough of these to hot glue to the bottom edge of your lampshade.
Match the color of the roses to your lampshade, or use a contrasting color.
Don't combine this with the scales. Choose 1 or the other.
Line the inside of your shelves with patterned paper. Take everything out of your drawer, then measure the inside. Cut patterned paper to those dimensions, then tuck it into the drawer. Put everything back into the drawer, then close it. This is also a great option for the back of a bookshelf.
Decoupage over the paper to make it permanent.
Use double-sided tape to secure the corners of the paper, if desired.
Use wrapping paper for large drawers, and scrapbooking paper for small drawers.
Overlap and glue large doilies together to make a table runner. Find some large doilies measuring 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm) across. Paint them with watercolors, if desired, then let them dry. Overlap them end-to-end by 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) inches, then glue them down. Keep going until you get the length you want, then set it on top of your dresser.
Make the table runner wider by gluing more doilies to the sides.
You can find paper doilies in the baking section of a craft store.
Tips.
Your garlands can be however long you want them to be. Be sure to tie loops in the ends so that you can hang them up.
Cookie cutters make great stencils. You can also use large, shaped craft hole punches instead.
Part of the fun of Christmas is enjoying the festive holiday decorations. Here are some ideas on how to bring a little Christmas cheer into your home!
Part 1 Decorating Your Home.
1. Make an easy, quick 3D paper snowflake. For an extra wintery effect, use silvery/shiny paper or hang them in your windows.
2. Or, make a classic paper snowflake. Hang them from strings on the ceiling, or tape them on your windows and walls.
3. Make your own Christmas wreath. All you need is a wire hanger and a quick trip to the craft store!
4. For a more modern (and environmentally-friendly!) Christmas wreath, use recycled cardboard. Add embellishments like glitter, ribbons snowy white feathers to dress it up.
5. Make a cute snowman out of a gourd. Use different sizes to make a little snow-family.
6. Make an Advent paper chain. Hang it somewhere visible so you can see the chain get shorter as you snip each day. You Make it by cutting strips of paper then glueing it together.
Part 2 Decorating a Christmas Tree.
1. Give your tree an elegant, classic feel. This article can help you pick a color scheme and decide which decorations will make your tree look perfect!
2. Make tiny 3D Christmas trees. Use them as ornaments for the big tree, or hang them around the house to evoke holiday spirit.
3. Make a popcorn garland for your tree. This classic decoration is a fun, easy craft (and great for kids).
4. Make sparkly snowflake ornaments. Hang them in your windows, or add them to your Christmas tree.
5. Make a mini-tree out of books. Treat the reader in your life to a special Christmas tree, or make one for yourself instead of buying the huge classic version.
Part 3 Decorating Your Yard.
1. Deck out your front yard for the holiday. Use your trees, porch, driveway and windows to lend some Christmas spirit to the neighborhood.
2. Make your outdoor Christmas lights flash to music. You can choreograph them along to one song, or a whole playlist of holiday tunes! (Just be aware of your city's noise ordinances before you begin.)
Tips.
Choose a few permanent outside decorations to use year after year. Examples include a blinking star on your roof, a string of icicle lights across your roof-line or a few light-up reindeer.
Consider having at least one expensive, well-made decoration. Even though it may cost a little bit more money, they're more durable and can be enjoyed longer. These are good things to pass down to children and grandchildren. Austrian crystal decorations are a good example of this.
Every year or so, evaluate your decorations/ornaments. Discard the ones that are broken or those that you no longer want. By doing so, you're freeing up room for a few new decorations and also giving yourself more space to enjoy the decorations that you love.
Be sure to put some Christmas music on while decorating! You want to be in the full Christmas spirit!
Be sure to express yourself when decorating.
Christmas markets, especially European ones, are a great source for gorgeous handmade decorations.
Whatever you do, have fun with decorating. If you have children, let them help you. Christmas is about being together with friends and family.
It might also be nice to buy a fake mini tree to be also to put in the kid's room! Super fun!
Don't buy all your decorations at once. If you are decorating for the first time, buy a few inexpensive decorations. After the holidays, many stores will have drastically lower prices on many items. Buy a few more at this time each year until you feel you have enough decorations. As you get older, you will also get some decorations passed down from family members or decorations from children of your own. If you start off with too many, you may have far too many in the long run and won't have space for them all.
You can decorate for Christmas whenever you want, but think logically. Don't do it in Early-November for example. It defeats the point that Christmas comes once a year by extending it. The best time is between the day after Thanksgiving through Early December.
Warnings.
Use only outdoor rated extension cords for exterior light, and do not try to attach too many lights to one cord.
Be safe when you're hanging lights. If you use a ladder, take care and use it properly.
