How to Decorate Your Home for Christmas at the Very Last Minute.
Sometimes the best laid plans for Christmas go awry and you haven't decorated the house before Christmas arrives. Changed travel plans, sudden illness, busyness at work, a full-on season of events, etc. are all reasons for why you might not have gotten around to doing it yet. Don't despair - you can still have a wonderful Christmas time.
Steps.
1. Don't give up or collapse in a heap. The fact that you haven't had the decorations out as long as the Smiths next door and the Jones over the road just doesn't matter. The intent is to do it now, for Christmas, even if it's Christmas morning. Forgive yourself the hard year or season that you've had and use this last-minute decorating as a cathartic release of tension and a precursor to making a new start for everything from hereon in.
2. Seek the tree only if there is time and it doesn't cause too many challenges or stress. Here is a list to run through quickly to see what will work in the time you have left:
Fresh tree: You might be able to find a tree at the last minute. Only get one if doing so will not cause major disruptions. They'll often be bargain priced by this time as the sellers realize their last sales rather than losses.
Artificial tree: If getting a fresh tree is too hard, think about hopping into a store that is still open late and grabbing an artificial one for what will likely be a reduced price.
Already have tree: If you already own an artificial tree, use that instead. Get it out!
Tree substitute: If you don't have one and you can't get one, what about substituting the umbrella tree that usually sits in the corner unobtrusively doing nothing? Nothing says you can't use a tropical plant instead of a fir tree! Or find a beautiful branch with twigs and decorate it à la Swedish tradition - red and white is ideal for this.
3. Keep the decorating simple but effective. Go for bold rather than for quantity. Prefer tinsel, bead chains, paper chains and some large baubles over a lot of finicky stuff that will take ages to unwrap and put up. Little and lots creates stress; big and few makes it simple.
4. Put out all your Christmas cards. Put a string across the room and hang or pin them to the string. Instant Christmas decoration!
5. Stick a wreath on the front door. If you have one, pin it up. Let the neighbors know that you're home for Christmas after all and you're celebrating it too.
6. Put on Christmas carols while you work. Decorating and cooking the meal go much more smoothly if you play the music and start the Christmas atmosphere.
Tips.
Keep last minute Christmas cooking simple. If you're doing Christmas at the last minute, forget the difficult stuff. Go for roasted vegetables, roasted meat, fresh bread, a wonderful salad, and delicious drinks such as wine, sparkling grape juice, spiced hot drinks, apple juice (the cloudy variety) and eggnog. Consider buying ready-made goodies from the supermarket or gourmet store as a treat; it's Christmas after all and it is time to pamper your sanity as much as doing the traditional things. If you don't have time for traditional, just roll with it.
If you're still feeling miserable, go and volunteer at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter for Christmas. That'll make you realize what you have got this Christmas.
Things You'll Need.
Decorations - less is best.
A tree or a tree substitute.
Wreath.
Christmas cards and a piece of string or yarn, some pegs/clothespins.
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.
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.
If you have jewelry that you no longer want, or that is broken, you can easily use it for home decoration. Earrings can be used to make magnets or added as charms to a mobile. Necklaces can be framed or used on items like lamps. Other miscellaneous items can be used for things like candleholders and doorknobs.
Method 1 Using Earrings.
1. Make magnets with old earrings. If you have old earrings that are broken, or ones you don't wear anymore, you can turn them into magnets. Simply buy magnet backs at a local craft store. Small disc magnet backs work best for this project. Superglue the magnet backs on your earrings and then place them on your fridge to spruce up your kitchen.
You should use pliers to remove any wires or backs that are still on the jewelry.
This works best on larger jewelry. Small earrings, like gold balls, may look awkward glued to a magnet back.
2. Add an old earring to a decorative box. If you have any larger earrings, these can be glued to a decorative box. If you have a decorative box sitting out on a mantel or elsewhere in your home, it may look a little dull. Try to add a little extra decoration by super-gluing an earring to the box.
If you have a lot of earrings you no longer use, glue a lot of them to a decorative box. You can try to make a design, like a heart shape, or simply scatter jewels all over the front of the box.
3. Use old earrings as charms for a mobile. If you have a mobile hanging in your home, enhance it with earrings. Earrings can be glued or tied to the strings of a mobile. They can also be glued to hanging pieces of a mobile to give them extra flare. Earrings can make a run-of-the-mill mobile sparkle in your home.
For example, if you have a mobile of the sun, moon, and stars, superglue shiny earrings to the hanging pieces. This will make the cosmos shine a little.
4. Add earrings to the ends of a table runner. If you have a fabric table runner and earrings with the wire still in place, you can add some fringe to the edge of your runner. Take a series of old earrings and feed the wire end through either end of the runner. This will give your runner a fun, somewhat bohemian fringe.
If you don't have a table runner, but do have a lot of old earrings, consider springing for a inexpensive fabric runner at a department store. A somewhat dull runner will be brightened up if you decorate it with earrings.
5. Frame old earrings. Stop by a local department store or art store. Pick up some picture frames that have backs wrapped with linen. Then, remove hooks and wires from old earrings with pliers. You can then hot glue the earrings onto the linen, creating fun, decorative frames with old earrings.
You can also use other old items, like old postcards or birthday cards, on the back of your linen if the earrings dull on their own. You can make a fun collage using picture frames, old jewelry, and other supplies.
Method 2 Decorating with Necklaces.
1. Use a necklace chain on a lamp. If you have a lamp that turns on and off when pulling a chain, you can spruce up the chain with an old necklace. You can try weaving an old necklace around the existing chain to attach it. You can also snip off most of the existing chain with pliers, leaving only a small end sticking out, and then glue one end of the necklace to the end of the old chain.
Use industrial strength glue to secure the necklace to the chain. This will work best.[7]
2. Make a chandelier using broken necklaces. Stop by a local thrift store, craft store, or department store. Get a large, circular ring, such as a wire ring you would use for a sewing project. You can then make a chandelier by stringing old necklaces around the ring. Attach some wires or strings to hang the object from your ceiling when you're done.
Some necklaces can be tied to the wire ring. However, things like gold and silver chains will probably need to be glued.
3. Wind old pearls around a vase. Pearls can make an elegant decoration, and look particularly striking on a vase. Remove pearls from their existing string and insert them into light-gauge wires. You can do this by cutting off any snaps or holders on the edge of the string of pearls. Then, remove the pearls with your fingers. Wrap the wire around a vase for an attractive embellishment.
4. Frame old necklaces. Cover the back of a picture frame in decorative cardboard from a craft store. Then, hang an old necklace over the cardboard, so the pendant hangs halfway down the frame. You can then frame the cardboard and hang up your new decoration in your home.
Make sure to pick decorative cardboard that matches the color of your necklace.
Method 3 Making Use of Miscellaneous Items.
1. Embellish dull Christmas ornaments with pieces of shattered jewelry. If you have jewelry that's shattered or broken, you do not have to throw it away. You can glue pieces of, say, a shattered brooch or pendant on a plain Christmas ornament, like a plain white bulb. This adds some glimmer to an otherwise dull ornament you can then hang on your tree.
2. Superglue large pieces of jewelry onto doorknobs. Old brooches and large pendants work best here. You can simply use superglue or industrial strength glue to secure these items to doorknobs in your home. This gives doorknobs a little extra beauty.
Smaller pieces, like bits of earrings, can be glued to tiny knobs, like the knobs of cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom.
3. Pin old brooches on white lampshades. If you have any white lampshades in your home, they can look a little dull. You can embellish them by pinning old brooches onto them. If you have lots of brooches, but no white lampshades, lampshades are cheap to buy at most department stores.
4. Stack bracelets to make candle holders. You can wrap old bracelets around candle holders. You can also glue together a stack of similarly sized bracelets and slip them over existing candleholders. This can spruce up plain glass candleholders in your home.
Things You'll Need : Old jewelry (necklaces, earrings, brooches, etc.), Super glue, Industrial strength glue, Picture frames, Pliers, Magnet backs.
If you have jewelry that you no longer want, or that is broken, you can easily use it for home decoration. Earrings can be used to make magnets or added as charms to a mobile. Necklaces can be framed or used on items like lamps. Other miscellaneous items can be used for things like candleholders and doorknobs.
Using Earrings.
Make magnets with old earrings. If you have old earrings that are broken, or ones you don't wear anymore, you can turn them into magnets. Simply buy magnet backs at a local craft store. Small disc magnet backs work best for this project. Superglue the magnet backs on your earrings and then place them on your fridge to spruce up your kitchen.
You should use pliers to remove any wires or backs that are still on the jewelry.
This works best on larger jewelry. Small earrings, like gold balls, may look awkward glued to a magnet back.
Add an old earring to a decorative box. If you have any larger earrings, these can be glued to a decorative box. If you have a decorative box sitting out on a mantel or elsewhere in your home, it may look a little dull. Try to add a little extra decoration by super-gluing an earring to the box.
If you have a lot of earrings you no longer use, glue a lot of them to a decorative box. You can try to make a design, like a heart shape, or simply scatter jewels all over the front of the box.
Use old earrings as charms for a mobile. If you have a mobile hanging in your home, enhance it with earrings. Earrings can be glued or tied to the strings of a mobile. They can also be glued to hanging pieces of a mobile to give them extra flare. Earrings can make a run-of-the-mill mobile sparkle in your home.
For example, if you have a mobile of the sun, moon, and stars, superglue shiny earrings to the hanging pieces. This will make the cosmos shine a little.
Add earrings to the ends of a table runner. If you have a fabric table runner and earrings with the wire still in place, you can add some fringe to the edge of your runner. Take a series of old earrings and feed the wire end through either end of the runner. This will give your runner a fun, somewhat bohemian fringe.
If you don't have a table runner, but do have a lot of old earrings, consider springing for a inexpensive fabric runner at a department store. A somewhat dull runner will be brightened up if you decorate it with earrings.
Frame old earrings. Stop by a local department store or art store. Pick up some picture frames that have backs wrapped with linen. Then, remove hooks and wires from old earrings with pliers. You can then hot glue the earrings onto the linen, creating fun, decorative frames with old earrings.
You can also use other old items, like old postcards or birthday cards, on the back of your linen if the earrings dull on their own. You can make a fun collage using picture frames, old jewelry, and other supplies.
Decorating with Necklaces.
Use a necklace chain on a lamp. If you have a lamp that turns on and off when pulling a chain, you can spruce up the chain with an old necklace. You can try weaving an old necklace around the existing chain to attach it. You can also snip off most of the existing chain with pliers, leaving only a small end sticking out, and then glue one end of the necklace to the end of the old chain.
Use industrial strength glue to secure the necklace to the chain. This will work best.
Make a chandelier using broken necklaces. Stop by a local thrift store, craft store, or department store. Get a large, circular ring, such as a wire ring you would use for a sewing project. You can then make a chandelier by stringing old necklaces around the ring. Attach some wires or strings to hang the object from your ceiling when you're done.
Some necklaces can be tied to the wire ring. However, things like gold and silver chains will probably need to be glued.
Wind old pearls around a vase. Pearls can make an elegant decoration, and look particularly striking on a vase. Remove pearls from their existing string and insert them into light-gauge wires. You can do this by cutting off any snaps or holders on the edge of the string of pearls. Then, remove the pearls with your fingers. Wrap the wire around a vase for an attractive embellishment.
Frame old necklaces. Cover the back of a picture frame in decorative cardboard from a craft store. Then, hang an old necklace over the cardboard, so the pendant hangs halfway down the frame. You can then frame the cardboard and hang up your new decoration in your home.
Make sure to pick decorative cardboard that matches the color of your necklace.
Making Use of Miscellaneous Items.
Embellish dull Christmas ornaments with pieces of shattered jewelry. If you have jewelry that's shattered or broken, you do not have to throw it away. You can glue pieces of, say, a shattered brooch or pendant on a plain Christmas ornament, like a plain white bulb. This adds some glimmer to an otherwise dull ornament you can then hang on your tree.
Superglue large pieces of jewelry onto doorknobs. Old brooches and large pendants work best here. You can simply use superglue or industrial strength glue to secure these items to doorknobs in your home. This gives doorknobs a little extra beauty.
Smaller pieces, like bits of earrings, can be glued to tiny knobs, like the knobs of cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom.
Pin old brooches on white lampshades. If you have any white lampshades in your home, they can look a little dull. You can embellish them by pinning old brooches onto them. If you have lots of brooches, but no white lampshades, lampshades are cheap to buy at most department stores.
Stack bracelets to make candle holders. You can wrap old bracelets around candle holders. You can also glue together a stack of similarly sized bracelets and slip them over existing candleholders. This can spruce up plain glass candleholders in your home.
Things You'll Need.
Old jewelry (necklaces, earrings, brooches, etc.).
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).
Home decorating doesn't have to be expensive. You probably have many ordinary items that can find new life as decorations. So before you donate or dump anything, look at it with a creative eye. There might just be a way it can become part of your beautifully unique home.
Method 1 Using Garbage for Decor.
1. Make a lighted garland with old yogurt cups. A cute garland can be made with 10 empty yogurt cups of the same size. You'll also need gold acrylic paint, small paint brushes, a string of Christmas lights with 50 lights, thick ribbon, tulle netting, and an X-acto knife. You can get these supplies at a craft store.
To start, clean out the yogurt cups. You should also remove any plastic seals around the cups. Use the acrylic paint to paint the bottom halves gold. You may need to paint in two layers to get the color to stand out.
Cut about 80 strips of ribbon and tulle netting into 6 by 11.5 in (15 by 29 cm) strips. Alternating between and tulle netting and ribbon, tie bows along the wires of the Christmas lights.
Use the X-acto knife to cut a small "x" in the bottom of each yogurt cup. Push a yogurt cup through every fourth light. When you're done, you can hang your garland up in your home.
2. Create a jewelry holder with a wine bottle. If you have a clear wine bottle laying around, don't throw it away. You can make a jewelry container from the bottle. This can be a nice gift for yourself, or for a friend who wears jewelry. You'll need acrylic paint in your chosen color, gorilla glue, and an old salad plate.
Clean the wine bottle and remove any labels. Then, pour some acrylic paint into the bottle and swirl it around until the inside is painted. Add more paint if necessary. When the inside is roughly evenly coated with paint, pour the excess paint back into its original container.
Coat the bottom of the wine bottle with gorilla glue. Then, glue it to the salad plate. Set aside to dry for a day and then use your creation as a jewelry holder.
Once it’s dry, drape necklaces and bracelets around the mouth of the bottle.
3. Use newspaper or magazine pages to make a lampshade. If you subscribe to a magazine or local newspaper, tossing old papers may account for a lot of your waste. Instead of discarding old magazines or newspapers, use them to cover an old lamp. For this craft, you'll need a lampshade, old newspaper or magazine pages, Mod Podge, and a foam brush.
Use some scissors to vertically cut the newspaper or magazine pages into 1 inch (2.5 cm) strips. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the lampshade. From here, apply the newspaper or magazine pages in strips until they cover the lampshade. Smooth out the paper as you go and trim any excess paper from the edges of the lamp.
When the lamp is covered, you should apply another layer of Mod Podge. This will give it a smooth, clean finish.
4. Glue rope around tin cans to make storage containers. With some twine, yarn, or braided or sisal rope and empty aluminum cans, you can make cute storage containers. Any kind of old can will work. You will also need a hot glue gun, scissors, and a plastic lid. You can use a plastic lid from something like a nut can as long as the diameter of the lid is at least 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) larger than the diameter of the can.
Begin at the bottom of the can. Apply a layer of glue around the can. Loop the rope around the can. Hold it in place until it’s dry. Then, apply another layer of glue around the can. Loop the rope up further, holding it in place, and let it dry. Keep going until you reach the top of the can and then cut the rope at an angle and glue the end to the edge of the can.
Take the plastic lid and apply glue all around the edge. Tie the rope around the edge and hold it in place until it’s dry. Circle the rope inward towards the center of the can, gluing it down as you go. When you reach the center, cut the rope off at an angle.
Method 2 Making Use of Old Kitchen Supplies.
1. Make cupboard handles with an old spoon and fork. If you have a spoon and a fork you no longer use, you can make a cute set of cupboard handles for your kitchen. At a craft or hardware store, get 4 aluminum screw posts. You should also get bonding glue. You might need to bend the utensils to get them to work for this project.
On one end of the fork, use the bonding glue to attach a screw post to the flattest area. Do the same with the spoon. Then, add another screw post to the other end of both utensils, making sure the screws are level with each other. Set the spoon and fork aside in a safe place to dry for 20 minutes. If you want, you can spray paint the new handles for a pop of color.
Remove the existing handles from a cabinet in your kitchen. Screw your new spoon and fork handles into the cabinet. You may have to drill new holes in the cabinets to correspond with the new handles.
2. Use a mason jar as a soap dispenser. Mason jars that once contained jams can be repurposed as soap dispensers for your bathroom. You will need to purchase a speed steel drill bit, which goes for about $10 at a hardware store, to do this craft. You'll also need a soap pump. You can use the pump from an old lotion bottle or buy a pump at a craft store.
Mark the center of the mason jar's lid. From there, drill a hole in the lid big enough to feed the soap dispenser pump through.
Fill the jar with soap. Screw the lid back on. You should now be able to pump soap through the mason jar.
3. Turn old glassware into fun display domes. If you have any old glasses, particularly stemless wine glasses, you can create cute display domes. Tumblers and canning jars also work well. Using an adhesive glue, glue a small decoration on the bottom of each glass. The decoration is up to you. You can purchase small figurines at a craft store, or use old knick-knacks from around your house.
You can place these domes over a variety of objects. You can use old figurines, photographs, or any other tiny item you'd like to display. Leave the domes in areas on the house, like a buffet table, for display.
4. Stamp gift wrap using wine corks. If you're making crafts around the holidays or a loved one's birthday, you can make a cute decorative wrapping using wine corks as stamps. You'll need some kind of craft paper or solid colored wrapping paper, an x-acto knife, acrylic paint, and glitter.
If you want to do a snowflake pattern, use the x-acto knife to carve 4 small triangles into the cork. If you want to simply use a dot design, leave the cork alone.
Wrap your gift in the kraft paper or blank paper. Then, dip the cork in the paint. Use scrap paper to blot off excess paint. From here, stamp your pattern onto the gift. Then, sprinkle the paint with some glitter. Let the package dry, and then decorate with a bow and ribbon as you wish.
Method 3 Making Crafts with Old Clothes.
1. Use a mitten to make a seasonal penguin doorstop. If you have an old mitten, you can use this to make a seasonal penguin doorstop. You will need an old black mitten, a needle and thread, a sewing machine, felt in orange, red, and white, Ziplock bags, 2 cups (~434 g) of sand, as well as a pair of sewing scissors.
Turn the mitten inside out. Sew closed the thumb opening and then turn the mitten right side out.
Take your white felt and cut an oval shape out of it, about half the length of the mitten. Sew it onto the mitten, a few inches below the top of the mitten. Cut a triangle shape out of the orange and sew it just above the top of the oval. Cut out 2 small circles, position them toward the top of the mitten as the penguin's eyes, and then sew on the top.
Fill your Ziploc bag with sand and close it. Place this inside the mitten with the bag pointing upward. Then, sew closed the opening of the mitten.
Cut a long strip of red felt and cut frays into the edges. Tie this around your penguin's neck as a scarf.
2. Make a pillow with an old shirt, quilt, or blanket. Pick out an old shirt, quilt, or blanket you no longer use, as well as a pillow that's in need of a cover. You can make a beautiful pillow out of this old fabric.
Trace out the shape you want. You aren’t limited to a square shape, and in fact a small circular throw pillow may work best. You can use a pen or pencil to draw around the edge of the pillow on either side of the shirt, quilt, or blanket.
Cut out your shape using sewing scissors.Then, pin the pieces together. You want the sides that will be the outside to be facing toward each other. This way, the seams will be invisible.
Sew seams along 3 edges and three-fourths of the fourth edge. When you're done, turn the fabric right side out.
Stuff polyfill stuffing, which you can buy at the craft store, through the hole that you left in the one edge. Make sure to stuff the pillow until you can’t really fit anything else.[9]
When your pillow is completely stuffed, sew the open edge shut.
3. Make a planter with an old pair of boots. Sturdy boot shafts work best for this project, but they aren’t essential. You can also use old rain boots. If there are holes in the soles or cracks in the rubber, that’s actually perfect, because you want them to drain a bit. The boot will look great on a porch or deck, especially if it is a bright color or pattern.
Drill a few holes in the sole. This is only necessary if the boots are still watertight. Make small holes and just enough to provide some drainage.
Put something heavy in the bottom. You can use gravel, pebbles, or anything else that will anchor the boot while still allowing it to drain.
Fill each boot about halfway with potting soil. Place one flower or plant in each boot. You can use practically anything that doesn’t require a lot of room for its roots.
Top up the potting soil. Don’t bury the roots too deep, especially if they tend to be shallow for that particular plant. You want enough to protect them.
Having a shelf in your living room is a great way to add extra style to one of the busiest rooms in your house. You can use it to hold books, of course, but you can also show off some of your favorite family photos, interesting objects, and even seasonal decorations. The trick to making the design look deliberate is to include some of the same colors from the rest of your living room décor, then to arrange the objects in a way that shows them off!
Group small stacks of books together. If you’re decorating a whole bookshelf, of course, you can include as many books as you can fit. However, if you’re only decorating a single shelf, you might want to be more selective about the books you choose. You could pick books that you love to read over and over, or if you prefer, you could opt to display books with bindings that match your décor.
For an elegant display, include a collection of leather-bound volumes.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your arrangement! You can display some books with the front facing outward, especially if they have interesting cover art. You can also stack some books horizontally and some vertically.
Take dust covers off of hardcover books to make them look less busy.
Buy old books from a thrift store that you don’t want to read to use just as decoration.
Make the shelf feel more personal with framed art or pictures. A framed picture is a great way to add your personality and design style to a shelf. You can either lean the art against the wall and anchor it by placing small, heavy objects in front of it, or you can hang it just above the shelf for more security.
Photos of your family and loved ones will add a lot of warmth to your living room.
You could also opt for art that reflects your design style, like pop art if you love bright, bold colors, or a simple line drawing if you prefer a more understated look.
You could even create a gallery wall by hanging a variety of pictures above the shelf. Then, decorate the shelf with small objects that mimic the colors or shapes in the pictures.
Lean a large frame against the wall and later smaller ones in front to create a relaxed style.
Use sculptures, vases, and found objects to mix up the shapes on the shelf. A shelf that only contains square and rectangular objects isn’t as visually appealing as one that has a variety of shapes. Instead, it’s best to mix up the size and shape of the items you display together. Use your shelf to show off cool objects like vases, globes, bookends, or sculptures.
Try to use your imagination when you’re thinking of items that you can put on the shelf. Some of the coolest designs feature unexpected touches, like a glass bowl full of acorns in a rustic living room, or a brightly-colored vase that adds a pop of color to an otherwise subtle color palette.
Look around your house for objects you don’t use anymore and use them as decorations.
Include colors that reflect the design of the rest of the living room. To make the shelf feel cohesive with the rest of your living space, look around and pick out a couple of colors that you can repeat on the shelf. This might be a color from your curtains, carpet, or rug, or it might be a color in a piece of artwork that you’d like to bring out more.
For a modern look, opt for monochrome colors, like all-white. However, don’t be afraid to add in a graphic pop of color!
For a more traditional look, opt for warm, dark woods, and rich colors like burgundy and gold.
If your style is more rustic, look for lighter woods and natural colors like forest green.
Fill up your shelf with color or use one bright object to make your room pop.
Use boxes and trays to hide clutter. You may need to use your shelf to store items like loose papers, phone chargers, or other small objects that are functional but unattractive. If that’s the case, keep the items close at hand but out of sight by hiding them in pretty boxes or magazine holders. This will help keep your clutter contained, but you’ll still be able to easily reach your objects when you need them.
You can also group small objects like paperclips or coins together in small bowls or on trays.
Look for boxes that are decorative and nice to make your display look more purposeful.
Add green plants to bring a touch of nature into your living room. Houseplants are a great way to add natural beauty to your home, and a living room shelf is a perfect place to display them. Choose a plant that’s well-suited to the amount of natural sunlight in the room, and consider the size of the plant and how it will fit with the scale of the shelf.
For instance, if you have a narrow shelf, you could display a cactus in a small container.
If you don’t want to take care of a plant, use faux greenery instead.
Tip: You can still have plants, even if there’s not a lot of natural light in your living room. Look for low-maintenance plants like a succulent, pothos, or lucky bamboo.
Display seasonal decorations if you enjoy celebrating various holidays. A living room shelf is one of the best places to display your holiday decorations. Whether you love keeping freshly-cut flowers in the spring, you need a place to display your menorah at Hanukkah, or you can’t celebrate Christmas without your dancing Santa, use your shelf to show off your holiday spirit!
By changing the decorations throughout the year, your shelf will always look fresh!
