how to decorate your home for diwali

How to Decorate Your Home for Diwali.

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.

November 04, 2019

how to decorate your room with paper

How to Decorate Your Room with Paper.

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.



Things You'll Need.

Colored cardstock.

Patterned scrapbooking paper.

Tissue paper.

Cupcake liners.

Poster putty or foam mounting tape.

Glue.

String.

Scissors

November 20, 2019

how to decorate a mandir on janmashtami at home

How to Decorate a Mandir on Janmashtami at Home.

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.

Januari 14, 2020

how to decorate your home with a fall theme

How to Decorate Your Home With a Fall Theme.

The iconic colors and smells of fall evoke feelings of coziness and warmth. Whether you live in a location that goes through the four seasons or not, preparing your home for the fall means incorporating the crisp scents, warm colors and all-around comfort of shorter days and longer nights. Create an oasis of the season with a few simple touches both inside your home and out.

Method 1 Incorporating Fall Colors.

1. Gather leaves and pine cones. Collect leaves, branches and pine cones from your backyard or a nearby park. Individual leaves and branches surrounding battery-powered candles on a tray or charger plate is a subtle but beautiful accent. You can also press dried leaves flat and arrange one or two in a picture frame. For a more dramatic centerpiece, cut medium- to large-sized branches with changing leaves and place them in a large vase.

As fall progresses, the leaves that change color vary so you can continue to collect different hues and patterns throughout the season.

If you don’t live in an area that experiences fall, purchase fake pine cones, branches and leaves to reuse each year.

There are endless ideas to decorate with dried leaves and branches. Use your creativity!

2. Buy decorative pumpkins, gourds and squash. Decorate your dinner table, sideboards and coffee tables with pumpkins and squash of all sizes. Add some dried wheat, dried Indian corn and fall-themed ribbons to create an entire centerpiece or focal point. Place the pumpkins, gourds or squash on a fall table runner or in cylindrical vases with vines or branches. Accent these festive centerpieces with votive candles.

Buy carving pumpkins early in the season to use as decoration for the fall, and then carve them when it comes time for Halloween.

Yellow, green and purple squash can double as decoration before you prepare it for a meal.

3. Add baskets to hold seasonal items. Place kindling or pine cones to throw in the fire in a basket near the fireplace. Baskets can hold seasonal soaps, lotions and tissue in the bathroom. Use a large bushel basket to hold extra blankets near the sofa. A basket by the front door can be a holder for umbrellas.

4. Add throw pillows and blankets. Find accents in colors like gold, crimson, red, orange, vermilion, tan, beige and maroon. Arrange seasonal pillows and throws by layering colors and adding in a few patterns and textures. Pick patterns and textures with similar shades to keep the arrangement cohesive.

Work from the outside of the sofa and move inwards as you arrange.

To save some money, buy pillow covers that you can put on the pillows you already have.

Don’t be afraid to add in extra large pillows or odd shapes to mix up the look.

5. Drape fabric in fall colors over your window covers. Don’t worry about purchasing new curtains or drapes for the season, but instead purchase a large piece of fabric that you can drape across the curtain rod for a cozy touch.

Make sure that the fabric lays evenly on both sides.

6. Put up fall wallpaper. Before installing, wipe down the wall you are planning to cover and let it fully dry. Unroll the wallpaper and place a few heavy books on the corners to help flatten the curled edges. Cut the panels of paper according to the space you have and lightly mark the wall with a pencil where the edges of the panel should go. Stick the paper to the wall and smooth out any creases and bubbles.

Temporary wallpaper makes it easy to switch out your look for each season.

Peel and stick wallpaper typically runs for less than $50 a panel.

Be sure to measure the space you plan to cover carefully before purchasing the wallpaper panels. Consider purchasing more than you need to be sure you have enough.

Ask a friend to help. The process is much easier with two sets of hands.

7. Add new rugs near your doors. Large rugs can change the look of a room but are pricey, so you can just focus on switching out rugs near your home’s entryways, in the bathrooms and under the kitchen sink.

Instead of purchasing Halloween or Thanksgiving rugs, consider purchasing fall themed rugs to keep all season.

Method 2 Making Your Home Smell Like Fall.

1. Buy fall candles. Look for spicy, sweet and harvest-oriented scents like cinnamon, pumpkin spice and apple. Light a candle to spread the scent throughout a room, and the natural light of the flame can help add to the coziness of your home.

Avoid lighting too many candles at once so that the scent doesn’t become too overpowering.

Always blow out candles before leaving the room in which they are located.

2. Boil cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove. To make a simmer pot, fill a medium sized pot with water and turn the stove on high. After bringing the water to a boil, let it simmer and add in the cinnamon sticks. Add in orange rinds, apple peels, vanilla, anise or nutmeg as well. Keep the water simmering for hours.

You may need to add extra water every 30 minutes or so. Keep an eye on the water level.

Use a crockpot to simmer the water all day long without much hassle.

These simmer pots are primarily for scent and shouldn’t be consumed.

3. Light a fire. Add kindling and a couple of logs near the back of your fireplace and use a large lighter to get it started. Use a fire poker to keep the flame going evenly. Cover it with a metal grate.

Make sure you clean your fireplace before each season.

Be sure to crack a window or door so your home doesn’t get too smoky.

Never leave a fire unattended.

4. Cook a hearty meal. Dishes centered around root vegetables and squash are warm, filling and nourishing and can make your home smell like heaven. Chili, stews, casseroles and other baked one-pan dishes are comforting and can be modified to fit your specific tastes and diet. Cook with fall spices like cinnamon, turmeric, rosemary, ginger or paprika.

Method 3 Decorating Your Home’s Exterior.

1. Buy a fall wreath for your door. Purchase a wreath with wheat, squash, nuts in shells, apples, etc. – any fruit or vegetable harvested in your area at this time. Weave in fall-colored ribbons, braid, lace, etc. to spice up the wreath.

2. Plant fall mums. Purchase fall mums at a local grocer or garden center already potted or plant them in your own pot. Colors of burnt orange, deep red and warm yellow are ideal.[8]

If you live in a hotter climate, look for mums with a higher heat tolerance.

Mums can also be planted in the ground.

These flowers bloom for weeks and add eye-catching pops of color.

Mums can be planted as annuals and live for more than one season. Consider planting them in the spring or summer.

3. Add hay bales and corn stalks. Few things scream fall more than hay bales and corn stalks. Adore your home’s front door or front porch with these items. Put an equal amount on each side of the door.

Consider adding fall ribbon or using these piece together with other decorative items, like flowers, rustic wood or an outdoor rug.

Corn stalks are narrow making them ideal for small front porches.

4. Incorporate rustic elements. Reclaimed wood screams fall, so think old ladders, rocking chairs, pallets and more to your porch, front yard or backyard. Old pallets can be used as planters for herbs or flowers.

Tips.

You don’t have to change out your entire home’s decor, adding accents to a neutral palette can make a big difference.

Use fall as an opportunity to clean your entire home. While spring cleaning might be more commonly known, fall is a great time to start with a clean slate as the time spent inside your home grows longer during this season.

Fall is a great time to experiment with baking and cooking and will make your home smell like heaven.

Desember 27, 2019

how to decorate ganesh murti at home

How to Decorate Ganesh Murti at Home.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that honors the Hindu deity Ganesh. Each year, at the culmination of the festival, Ganesh murti, or idols, are immersed and dissolved in water. To make your own murti, sculpt a natural clay, such as terracotta, into the form of Ganesh. Create a makhar, or a throne, for the idol, then adorn it with craft jewels, flowers, colorful fabric, and candles. Throughout your home, celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with decorations such as diyas, strings of lights, and beautiful door hangings.

Method 1 Making Your Own Ganesh Murti.

1. Sculpt the murti with natural, biodegradable clay. Immersing murti in water sends Ganesh, who has resided in the idol to listen to your prayers, back to his heavenly abode. Terracotta clay and other natural choices will dissolve during the immersion ritual. Not only is this consistent with the ritual’s spiritual meaning, it’s better for the environment.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, hundreds of thousands of idols may be immersed in a single city. Idols made of materials that don't dissolve, such as plaster of Paris, pollute the bodies of water in which they’re immersed. In some areas, laws require Ganesh murti to be made of natural clay.

Furthermore, undissolved idols are often removed from bodies of water, gathered into piles, and destroyed, which disrespects Ganesh.

2. Roll out 3 large balls of clay for the body, base, and head. Make the balls roughly the same size between 1/3 and 1/2 of the height you want the idol to be. For instance, if you want a 9 in (23 cm) idol, make each large ball about 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in diameter. Squish the first ball between your palms to make a flat, 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick circular base, then blend the bottom of the ball for the body onto the base.

After smoothing the ball for the body into the base, attach the ball for the head onto the body. At this point, it should look a bit like a snowman sitting on a flat circle, with the joints between the clay balls blended together.

Dab your fingers in a small cup of water to moisten the clay and make it more pliable.

If you have trouble keeping the sculpture stable, insert a toothpick halfway into the top of the ball for the body. Then place the ball for the head onto the body; the other half of the toothpick goes into the head. The toothpick acts like a frame and holds the 2 balls of clay together.

3. Make 2 long cylinders for the legs. Roll 2 pieces of clay into 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) long tubes with diameters of about 1 1⁄2 in (3.8 cm). Then attach 1 end of each tube to the rear and bottom of the body to form the legs. Bend the legs so they curl around the front of the body in a sitting position, then smooth 1 end of each leg to the back of body to form the hip joints.

Remember that toothpicks or small sticks can help you attach the body parts to each other if you have trouble keeping the idol stable.

4. Attach the arms and the trunk to the idol. Make 2 more 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tubes with 1 1⁄2 in (3.8 cm) diameters. Attach 1 end of each one to the top of the body to make the arms. Roll a final 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tube with a diameter of about 1 in (2.5 cm), and blend it into the front of the head for the trunk.

With wet fingertips, smooth each of these joints. Blend the arms where they meet the body to make shoulders, and smooth the clay all around where the trunk meets the face.

Pinch the ends of the arms to slightly flatten them into hands. Bend one arm upward at the elbow and wrist so the palm faces forward to represent a mudra, or a symbolic hand gesture. Position the other arm so its palm faces up.

5. Sculpt an object associated with Ganesh for your murti to hold. Make a ball of clay about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) in diameter. Mold it into a symbolic object associated with Ganesh, such as rope or uneaten sweets, and place it in the upward facing palm. To make a rope, simply roll the small ball of clay into a long, thin cylinder. Next, curl it into a loop and place it on Ganesh's palm.

Make uneaten sweets by dividing the clay ball into 3 or 4 smaller balls, then place them in the upward facing palm.

6. Blend the ears onto the head. Make 2 balls about 1 in (2.5 cm) across, then squish each one between your palms to make smooth, flat ears about 2 in (5.1 cm) and 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick.

Place the ears on the sides of the head, then blend the joints between the ears and the head.

7. Add the tusks and a crown. Place 2 small tusks on either side of the trunk, then make a crown by stacking 2 or 3 clay cylinders about 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter and 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) thick on top of the head.

Ganesh has a broken tusk, so make one about 1 in (2.5 cm) long and the other about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) in length. Both tusks should be tubes about 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick, and the longer one should taper to a point.

Get creative and make small balls and other shapes to adorn the crown with jewels.

8. Draw eyes and markings with a toothpick and safety pin. With the point of the toothpick, draw small eyes above and on either side of the trunk. Then add the Aum symbol to the forehead with the pin. Even with the pin, it might be tough to draw the symbol so small, but just do your best.

You can also make lines to add details to the crown, ears, belly, and other body parts. Visualize Ganesh or look at an image, and fine tune the murti until you’re happy with your representation of the deity.

The idol will be immersed and dissolved in water, so there’s no need to bake it or otherwise set it.

9. Use vegetable-based pigments if you choose to paint the murti. Painting the murti is optional; many people now prefer the natural look of an unpainted clay idol. If you do paint it, go for natural, vegetable-based paints instead of metallic or chemical-based products.

Vermilion, which is a deep red, would be a good color choice. It's associated with Ganesh and religious festivals.

Vegetable-based paints are eco-friendly and won’t harm the body of water in which you immerse the murti. In some areas, idols are required to be unpainted or colored with non-toxic pigments. Search online for your city's government website to check your local ordinances, or look for newspaper articles on regulations related to Ganesh Chaturthi.

Things You’ll Need : Terracotta clay, Toothpicks, Small cup of water, Sculpting blade (optional), Vegetable-based paints (optional), Paintbrush (optional).

Method 2 Creating a Ganpati Makhar.

1. Cut out a cardboard circle that’s larger than the murti. Trace a circular object, like a plate, over the cardboard as a guide. Just make sure it’s large enough to be a suitable backdrop for the murti. Cut out the circle using scissors or a utility knife.

The circle will be a backdrop, so it needs to be bigger than the murti. For instance, if your idol is 8 in (20 cm) tall, make the circle at least 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) in diameter.

If you’d like, decorate the circle’s perimeter with small scallop shapes, triangles, circles, or any design you find pleasing. Use your imagination! Cut designs directly into the circle’s edge or cut out shapes and glue them around it.

2. Create a base by cutting designs into a cardboard box. Choose a cardboard box that’s at least 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wider than the idol's base; a shoe box would probably work well. To add visual interest, cut decorative arches, triangles, or other designs into the bottoms of each side. Again, get creative and come up with designs that you find beautiful!

If you're using a box without a lid, cut a piece of cardboard to fit the opening, then paste it over the top. This part of the makhar is the base or platform upon which Ganesh will sit.

3. Paint the circle and base or cover them with colorful paper. Choose vibrant paints or construction paper to color the makhar. Sky blue or pale turquoise would work well for the circle and top of the base, as the murti would stand out well against a light color. Ganesh enjoys the color red, so that’s a good choice for borders and other details.

If you’re using construction paper, cut the paper to fit the circle and the base’s sides and top. Use a glue stick to attach the paper to the cardboard.

If you’re painting the cardboard, allow it to dry for 6 to 8 hours before decorating it with craft jewels and beads.

You won't be immersing the makhar in a body of water, so it's okay if you use paints and other craft items that aren't biodegradable.

4. Glue beads and craft jewels to the cardboard. Using a hot glue gun, place large, colorful jewels around the edge of the circle and perimeter of the base. Create patterns around the larger jewels with rhinestones and other smaller ones. Then glue jewels and chains of beads around the platform’s edges to create a decorative border.

Leave most of the circular backdrop blank; just make a jeweled border about 1 in (2.5 cm) thick around the circle’s perimeter. If you’d like, glue a few beads or rhinestones to the backdrop here and there to make stars.

5. Attach the circle to the base and stabilize the joint with cardboard. Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) long to secure the circle to the platform. Hold the bottom edge of the circle on one side of the platform. Then place the cardboard rectangle on the back of the makhar so it overlaps the joint where the circle and base meet. Once you’ve lined up the pieces, glue them together with the hot glue gun.

Hold the circle to the base for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the hot glue to set. Give it 30 to 60 minutes to completely dry.

Since it’s on the back of the makhar, the cardboard piece that holds the circle to the base won’t be visible. Although it won’t be seen, you can still paint it or cover it with colorful paper if you’d like.

Things You’ll Need : Cardboard box, Utility knife or scissors, Hot glue gun, Craft jewelry, Craft beads, Paint (optional), Paintbrush (optional), Construction paper (optional).

Method 3 Decorating Your Home.

1. Hang colorful dupattas around the makhar. Use thumbtacks to secure the dupattas, or colorful scarves, to the wall behind the makhar. After hanging the dupattas, place a small table in front of the wall, and set the makhar on the table.

If you don’t have dupattas, use lengths of any colorful fabric.

Place the murti on the makhar after you’ve set the table in place.

2. Adorn Ganesh and the makhar with flowers. Scatter flowers on the table around the makhar, and place vases with flowers on either side. Weave together a small garland of flower, ribbon, or paper, then place it around Ganesh’s neck.

Remember that Ganesh is fond of the color red; red hibiscus flowers are often used to adorn Ganesh idols. Erukku flowers and banana leaves are also associated with Ganesh.[20]

3. Place diyas, candles, and strings of lights around your home. Diyas are oil lamps that are lit during puja (prayer) and are typically made of brass. Place a diya by the makhar, and light it before you perform puja to Ganesh. No Hindu festival is complete without light, so decorate your entire home with candles and strings of LED lights to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.

Your decorations can be as ornate as your budget and time allow. If you’d like, simply place diyas and votive candles around your home. You can also go all out and run strings of light all around doorways and the edges where walls meet the ceiling.

4. Welcome family and friends with vibrant door hangings. Purchase store-bought beaded door hangings, or make your own. You could tie and hang long strands of beads from the craft store, or string together ribbons, flowers, and lights. Hang your decorations on your entrance and, if you'd like, on doors throughout your home.

Use thumbtacks or small nails to attach your door hangings to the top of the door or jamb.

Wind chimes could also make an interesting addition to your door hangings.

Tips.

Remember the murti is part of a spiritual ritual. You should show reverence and contemplate Ganesh while making the idol.

While making your own murti is an act of devotion, you can also purchase store-bought idols and thrones. Keep in mind it's best to choose eco-friendly options.

Warnings.

Be careful when using sharp blades or a hot glue gun. Do not touch the tip of the glue gun while it’s hot. Allow it to cool completely before putting it away.

Avoid leaving lit candles or diyas unattended.

Januari 13, 2020

how to decorate your home

How to Decorate Your Home.

A new home is a blank canvas. you get the opportunity to transform each and every room into a personality filled space that you'll adore. Whether you're tired of your old space or you're moving into a new one, decorating it is imperative to adding coziness and charm. Try changing up large aspects of your home along with incorporating small details, for the best results.

Method 1 Making Big Changes.

1. Paint your walls. If you live in a rented space, this might not be an option for you. However, if you’re able to, painting the walls in your house can be one of the quickest ways to freshen up the look and add a bit of interest. Choose a color that complements your personality and fits your space. If you’re bubbly and fun, consider a golden yellow or bright green. Calm and collected? A shade of gray or blue might be more your pace. Paint isn’t permanent, so feel free to experiment with colors until you find a look you love!

Don’t be afraid to try several colors spread throughout your home; although you don’t want many different bright colors, painting each room a different color is totally appropriate.

Although it’s not as in style as it used to be, you can apply wallpaper on an accent wall to add a bit of pattern, if you want. There are even wall decals that act like wallpaper but are removable, if you’re afraid of the permanence of it.

If you’re not ready to paint one whole room (let alone your house!), try adding an accent wall. This is when you paint just a single wall in a room, typically one that gets a lot of attention, a bright or cheery color that matches your décor.

2. Try out new furniture. Furniture is arguably the most important aspect of decorating; if you’re short on furniture or have been using the same pieces for many years, consider bringing some new furniture into your home. Choose comfortable pieces in colors and styles that match your personality. Don’t be afraid to try something other than what the store model has set up; furniture that truly shows your personality will fit in your space better than boring floor model furniture you pick up because it is on sale.

Don’t be afraid to buy used furniture from thrift stores; it is easy to repaint and reupholster these to match your space.

Mix and match furniture rather than using only matching sets; you’ll end up with a more unique look, and probably save some money in the process.

3. Use decorative storage. Whether you’re incredibly organized or a bit of a hoarder, nearly everyone has stuff that needs to go into storage. Rather than shoving it under a bed or in the back of a closet, try using decorative storage instead. Look for ottomans that store things in their hollow centers, entertainment centers with doors, and large bookshelves and hutches to hold your knickknacks. By using storage that’s attractive, you kill two birds with one stone.

Cover shoeboxes in fabric or spray-paint store-bought storage crates to create sophisticated solutions to your storage problems.

Book cases can be used to store nearly anything, aside from books. Consider placing one in your kitchen to hold dishes or in your living room for assorted decorations.

When you buy new furniture, look for pieces that have hidden storage available.

4. Refurbish old furniture and accents. If you don’t have enough money to buy new furniture for your apartment, give your current furniture a makeover. In a kitchen or bathroom, try painting the cabinets a new color or staining them. Use cheap fabric to reupholster your couches or chairs, and try a stain on your floors to change the color. Wood accents (on edges of furniture, the windowsills, trim, doors, etc.) can be painted or stained a bold new color. If nothing else, try moving your furniture into new locations and see the difference it makes on their appearance.

Method 2 Adding Decorative Details.

1. Hang up some artwork. Nothing does more for a space than filling the walls with artwork, prints, and posters. Choose a selection of artwork and prints in complementary colors and themes; think nature photography, paintings, concert posters, favorite quotes, etc. Head to a local thrift store or the clearance rack of a department store and pick up some picture frames that match the sizes of your artwork. Then, hang your prints all over your home. A bare wall is a boring wall, so try to have at least a few large pieces and a few small pieces of art displayed throughout your house.

Keep in mind that you can paint your picture frames to match your artwork or furniture.

You can purchase incredibly cheap prints of famous paintings online, making it easy to add lots of art to your home.

2. Add your favorite pictures/memories. To make your house truly idiosyncratic and appealing, add framed photos of your favorite memories, trips, people, and locations. You can print large photographs from different experiences throughout your life to hang as centerpieces on your walls, or you can print small versions to place in standing frames around your house. People will love seeing your home filled with your favorite pictures, and you’ll always have good things to be reminded of while you sit and relax.

You can find cheap picture frames for your photos at thrift stores, which can then be painted to match the interior of your house.

Try hanging your photographs with assorted artwork in your home in a gallery display. This will allow you to showcase lots of your favorite pieces at once, and add a more personal touch than just paintings might do.

3. Add floating shelves. Floating shelves are small rows of shelves that are attached directly to your wall, allowing you to hang prints and photos around them.[5] These are great for placing small decorative items and knickknacks on. Add glass bottles/vases of flowers, trinkets, things you’ve collected from your travels, and other pretty things to the shelves that match your interior decorating. These are also a great way to showcase art and photos without filling your walls with holes to hang them up.

Floating shelves are great for decorating a bathroom and allowing you to store towels and the like with a small amount of space.

Try using floating shelves in your kitchen to store cookbooks and pretty glassware/china.

4. Use creative lighting. Generic light covers and shades may come with your home, but they typically lack interest and personality. Mix up your lighting by purchasing new, more decorative options. Look for items to work as your primary light source that match the general style of the room, but that aren’t too bold. Small interesting lamps can be interspersed throughout your home to add light and flare to your style. If you’re interested in DIY, you can purchase old lamps and shades from a thrift store and spray paint or cover them in fabric for a fresh new look.

If you’re using multiple lights in one room, try to vary the sizes, colors, and shapes of the lamps (unless they’re a matching set).

You can never have too much light, so don’t be afraid of using several light fixtures in a single room or a small area.

5. Hang up some new curtains. Curtains are one of the most underused style tools in decorating a home. With just a bit of carpentry work, you can install curtain rods and add lovely curtains that match your furniture perfectly. Look for curtains that have plenty of color or pattern to brighten up your room. If you’re working in a space you’d like to keep dark (like a bedroom), you can add room-darkening curtains or drapes in dark hues to block out light. If you’re trying to make a space look bigger, add light colored and textured curtains.

6. Look for matching rugs. The purpose of rugs is dual in nature: cover up unattractive or dirty flooring and add interest and pattern to your floor. Look for rugs to fill up the empty spaces in your home; these will make your house seem full of furniture even when it's a bit bare. Find rugs in colors and patterns that match your décor (or go with it; too much ‘matching’ might look boring). You can also arrange furniture on a rug. There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug. Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several!

You can purchase cuts of carpet and have them finished to create your own rug for your home, for cheap.

There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug. Rugs can be places in nearly every room of your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, so don’t be afraid of getting several!

All on: The rug is large enough to place all of the furniture legs on top of it.

All off: If you have a small room, keeping all legs off the rug is a great cost-effective choice.

Front on: Put just the front feet of all your seating pieces on the rug.

Tips.

Try adding interesting details like houseplants, or changing out doorknobs, or decorating doors for subtle changes that make a difference.

For a cheap option look into ways to decorate with paper.

Desember 07, 2019

how to decorate for a birthday party at home

How to Decorate for a Birthday Party at Home.

Birthday parties at home are great fun and don’t have to be much work. If you’re lacking inspiration, pick a theme to help you choose decorations. Be creative and embrace the party-spirit as you decorate. Use streamers, garlands, balloons, and food to transform your home into a party zone.

Method 1 Creating a Theme.

1. Decorate your home with rainbow colours for a young child's party. A rainbow theme is a fun and easy way to style a party. Use as many colours as possible to create a rainbow feeling. Where possible, arrange the colours in the order of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).

Use different coloured balloons and streamers to add colour to your home.

Purchase disposable plates and cups that have rainbow pictures on them.

Use chalk to draw rainbows on the driveway.

2. Display jungle decorations for a kid’s birthday party if they love animals. Animals are incredibly popular with kids making them a great choice for decorations. Choose decorations that have animal patterns, such as leopard or tiger print. Decorate the cake with a picture of an animal.

A safari party or a zoo party are also great animal themes.

Place plants in hanging baskets to create a jungle feeling.

3. Create a monochromatic theme for an elegant affair. Pick a colour and use it to create a monochromatic theme. If it is a child’s birthday, let them choose their favourite colour, or pick classy colours such as black, gold, silver, or white. Purchase decorations that are all the same colour.

For example, have a pink tablecloth, pink balloons, pink streamers, and pink cups.

4. Use the birthday guest's favourite movie as a theme for a fun, film-inspired party. This theme works well for any age group. Pick a favourite movie and choose decorations that relate to the film. For example, if you choose a football movie, hang football memorabilia on the walls, have a football game on the television and make a ball-shaped cake.

If you choose a children’s movie, look for disposable cups and plates that have pictures of the characters on them.

5. Create a royal theme if the birthday guest loves royalty. This theme is a fun and easy choice for both adults and children who love to dress up. Tell the party guests to come dressed in their favourite royal costume. Consider buying crowns for all the party guests to wear. Choose balloons, streamers, and tableware in royal colours; silver, blue, purple, and gold are great options.

Consider watching a prince or princess movie in the evening.

Method 2 Decorating for a Young Child’s Party.

1. Purchase disposable tableware that fits your theme. Choose tablecloths, napkins, cups, and plates that are related to your theme. For example, if you're hosting a jungle-themed party, pick plates, cups, and napkins in various animal prints.

Purchase disposable tableware from a party supplies store

2. Hang up lots of streamers to create a festive feeling. Streamers are a cheap and easy way to decorate your house for a party. Cut lengths of streamers that are the height of the door and use sticky tack to attach them onto the top frame of your front door. When children enter your home it will feel like the party has already started. Alternatively, use sticky tack to hang lengths of streamers from the ceiling to create a fun atmosphere. Be creative!

If your children want to be involved, let them choose what colours to use.

Purchase streamers from a party supplies store.

If you are hosting the party in the backyard, wrap streamers around the tree and hang them from branches.

If you are having a rainbow themed party, use lots of different coloured streamers. If you are having a monochromatic theme, use streamers that are the colour of your theme.

3. Use bright coloured food on the table as decorations. Place brightly coloured foods, such as watermelon, grapes, chopped carrots, fairy bread, or cake with bright icing on the food table to add colour to the party. Place different coloured foods next to each other to create contrast. For example, place red watermelon besides green rock-melon, and yellow cake. Children will be drawn to the bright colours.

If the weather is good, consider having the food table outside. This will save your floors from getting dirty from dropped food or drink.

Assemble the food in a rainbow shape if you are having a rainbow themed party.

4. Hang a pinata up to set a party atmosphere. Pinatas are a great way to create a fun and colourful focal point to a room. Purchase a pinata that fits with your theme and fill it with treats. Tie the pinata to an exposed ceiling beam or a ceiling hook. Try to hang the pinata somewhere central in room so that children won’t hit the wall when they try and open it.

Purchase a pinata from a party supplies store.

5. Set up a pin the tail on the donkey display. This is a great way to decorate a wall and is also a fun party game. Choose a display that fits your theme. For example, if you are having a princess party, you could choose a pin the crown on the princess display. Attach the pin the tail on the donkey display onto a blank wall or fence. Keep a blindfold on hand for when it’s time to play the game.

Buy a pin the tail on the donkey display from a party supplies store or get crafty and make one yourself.

Method 3 Choosing Decorations For a Party.

1. Place blankets and pillows on the ground to create a picnic look. Picnic style seating is a popular and trendy look. Ask guests to bring a picnic blanket or use your own blankets. Even if the party is inside, this can still create a fun, picnic atmosphere. Place pillows on the blankets and around coffee tables to help encourage people to sit down.

Avoid using your favourite pillows in case they get food on them.

This isn’t the best option if you’re hosting a formal party. However, if you’re hosting a casual gathering, this idea will work a treat.

2. Blow up lots of balloons to create a festive atmosphere. Join clumps of 6 balloons together to create feature pieces. Hang these up on curtain rails to give a festive feeling to the house. Another option is to secure a string from one end of the room to the other and tie the balloons along the string. If you feel creative, sprinkle colourful confetti into clear balloons to create an elegant look.

Purchase balloons from dollar stores, grocery stores, or party supply stores.

Pick a colour scheme for your party, such as black and gold, and purchase balloons of those colour

Avoid using balloons for young children’s parties as the popped balloons will be a choking hazard.

If the birthday guest is turning a significant age, purchase a helium balloon with their age printed on it.

3. Hang up a photobooth backdrop. Guests love to take pictures at parties to remember the night by. Hang the backdrop in a well lit area where the guests will linger throughout the party. The living room and the courtyard often work well. Choose a backdrop that fits the theme of your party. For example, choose a sparkly gold backdrop if you are having a royal or monochromatic theme.

Purchase a photobooth backdrop from a party supplies shop or get creative and make your own. If you decide to make your own, consider hanging streamers, tinsel, paper chains or ribbons on the wall.

4. Hang up decorative lights to create a party atmosphere. Lights are a great way to set the mood for a party. Hang festoon lights or fairy lights in the trees, from the rafters, or over exposed ceiling beams. If you don’t have any decorative lights, ask a friend if you can borrow theirs or hire some from a party supplies store.

If possible, use LED lights as these won’t burn party guests if they accidentally touch the bulbs.

Tips.

Try not to stress too much about the decorations. People will be excited to see their friends and will enjoy celebrating, regardless of how the decorations look.

If you're lacking inspiration, invite a few friends over to help you decorate.

Desember 27, 2019

how to decorate for a birthday party at home

How to Decorate for a Birthday Party at Home.

Birthday parties at home are great fun and don’t have to be much work. If you’re lacking inspiration, pick a theme to help you choose decorations. Be creative and embrace the party-spirit as you decorate. Use streamers, garlands, balloons, and food to transform your home into a party zone.



Method 1 Creating a Theme.

1. Decorate your home with rainbow colours for a young child's party. A rainbow theme is a fun and easy way to style a party. Use as many colours as possible to create a rainbow feeling. Where possible, arrange the colours in the order of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).

Use different coloured balloons and streamers to add colour to your home.

Purchase disposable plates and cups that have rainbow pictures on them.

Use chalk to draw rainbows on the driveway.

2. Display jungle decorations for a kid’s birthday party if they love animals. Animals are incredibly popular with kids making them a great choice for decorations. Choose decorations that have animal patterns, such as leopard or tiger print. Decorate the cake with a picture of an animal.

A safari party or a zoo party are also great animal themes.

Place plants in hanging baskets to create a jungle feeling.

3. Create a monochromatic theme for an elegant affair. Pick a colour and use it to create a monochromatic theme. If it is a child’s birthday, let them choose their favourite colour, or pick classy colours such as black, gold, silver, or white. Purchase decorations that are all the same colour.

For example, have a pink tablecloth, pink balloons, pink streamers, and pink cups.

4. Use the birthday guest's favourite movie as a theme for a fun, film-inspired party. This theme works well for any age group. Pick a favourite movie and choose decorations that relate to the film. For example, if you choose a football movie, hang football memorabilia on the walls, have a football game on the television and make a ball-shaped cake.

If you choose a children’s movie, look for disposable cups and plates that have pictures of the characters on them.

5. Create a royal theme if the birthday guest loves royalty. This theme is a fun and easy choice for both adults and children who love to dress up. Tell the party guests to come dressed in their favourite royal costume. Consider buying crowns for all the party guests to wear. Choose balloons, streamers, and tableware in royal colours; silver, blue, purple, and gold are great options.

Consider watching a prince or princess movie in the evening.



Method 2 Decorating for a Young Child’s Party.

1. Purchase disposable tableware that fits your theme. Choose tablecloths, napkins, cups, and plates that are related to your theme. For example, if you're hosting a jungle-themed party, pick plates, cups, and napkins in various animal prints.

Purchase disposable tableware from a party supplies store

2. Hang up lots of streamers to create a festive feeling. Streamers are a cheap and easy way to decorate your house for a party. Cut lengths of streamers that are the height of the door and use sticky tack to attach them onto the top frame of your front door. When children enter your home it will feel like the party has already started. Alternatively, use sticky tack to hang lengths of streamers from the ceiling to create a fun atmosphere. Be creative!

If your children want to be involved, let them choose what colours to use.

Purchase streamers from a party supplies store.

If you are hosting the party in the backyard, wrap streamers around the tree and hang them from branches.

If you are having a rainbow themed party, use lots of different coloured streamers. If you are having a monochromatic theme, use streamers that are the colour of your theme.

3. Use bright coloured food on the table as decorations. Place brightly coloured foods, such as watermelon, grapes, chopped carrots, fairy bread, or cake with bright icing on the food table to add colour to the party. Place different coloured foods next to each other to create contrast. For example, place red watermelon besides green rock-melon, and yellow cake. Children will be drawn to the bright colours.

If the weather is good, consider having the food table outside. This will save your floors from getting dirty from dropped food or drink.

Assemble the food in a rainbow shape if you are having a rainbow themed party.

4. Hang a pinata up to set a party atmosphere. Pinatas are a great way to create a fun and colourful focal point to a room. Purchase a pinata that fits with your theme and fill it with treats. Tie the pinata to an exposed ceiling beam or a ceiling hook. Try to hang the pinata somewhere central in room so that children won’t hit the wall when they try and open it.

Purchase a pinata from a party supplies store.

5. Set up a pin the tail on the donkey display. This is a great way to decorate a wall and is also a fun party game. Choose a display that fits your theme. For example, if you are having a princess party, you could choose a pin the crown on the princess display. Attach the pin the tail on the donkey display onto a blank wall or fence. Keep a blindfold on hand for when it’s time to play the game.

Buy a pin the tail on the donkey display from a party supplies store or get crafty and make one yourself.



Method 3 Choosing Decorations For a Party.

1. Place blankets and pillows on the ground to create a picnic look. Picnic style seating is a popular and trendy look. Ask guests to bring a picnic blanket or use your own blankets. Even if the party is inside, this can still create a fun, picnic atmosphere. Place pillows on the blankets and around coffee tables to help encourage people to sit down.

Avoid using your favourite pillows in case they get food on them.

This isn’t the best option if you’re hosting a formal party. However, if you’re hosting a casual gathering, this idea will work a treat.

2. Blow up lots of balloons to create a festive atmosphere. Join clumps of 6 balloons together to create feature pieces. Hang these up on curtain rails to give a festive feeling to the house. Another option is to secure a string from one end of the room to the other and tie the balloons along the string. If you feel creative, sprinkle colourful confetti into clear balloons to create an elegant look.

Purchase balloons from dollar stores, grocery stores, or party supply stores.

Pick a colour scheme for your party, such as black and gold, and purchase balloons of those colour

Avoid using balloons for young children’s parties as the popped balloons will be a choking hazard.

If the birthday guest is turning a significant age, purchase a helium balloon with their age printed on it.

3. Hang up a photobooth backdrop. Guests love to take pictures at parties to remember the night by. Hang the backdrop in a well lit area where the guests will linger throughout the party. The living room and the courtyard often work well. Choose a backdrop that fits the theme of your party. For example, choose a sparkly gold backdrop if you are having a royal or monochromatic theme.

Purchase a photobooth backdrop from a party supplies shop or get creative and make your own. If you decide to make your own, consider hanging streamers, tinsel, paper chains or ribbons on the wall.

4. Hang up decorative lights to create a party atmosphere. Lights are a great way to set the mood for a party. Hang festoon lights or fairy lights in the trees, from the rafters, or over exposed ceiling beams. If you don’t have any decorative lights, ask a friend if you can borrow theirs or hire some from a party supplies store.

If possible, use LED lights as these won’t burn party guests if they accidentally touch the bulbs.



Tips.

Try not to stress too much about the decorations. People will be excited to see their friends and will enjoy celebrating, regardless of how the decorations look.

If you're lacking inspiration, invite a few friends over to help you decorate.

Februari 08, 2020

how to decorate your home gym

How to Decorate Your Home Gym.

Contrary to popular belief, home gyms are not just for the wealthy, famous or well-off. Home gyms can be for anyone! There is no need to buy top of the line, high priced home gym equipment if you cannot afford it. You can build a great looking home gym room even if you are on a budget. Check these steps to find out what are the main aspects that you have to cover in order to build a functional and comfortable room for your home workouts.

Steps.

1. Choose the right equipment. Before decorating, take into consideration what type of workouts will be pursued there. Define your fitness or weight loss goals and go from there. Defining your goals will help you to find out what types of equipment do you need. If your main goal is to build or pump your muscles, then you will need some strength training equipment. If you want to lose some weight, then you will need to look for cardio training equipment. If you want to build a fully functional home gym, then you will need both types of equipment. Whatever you decide, please do not forget to check the size of the equipment, as it has to fit in your home gym room.

2. Choose the right flooring. A home gym would not be complete without proper flooring. Vinyl or rubber tiles are best in a home gym. These tiles cushion the impact on the joints during high intensity workouts. If vinyl or rubber tiles are not an option, carpet or laminate flooring works also. However, home gym equipment is heavy, so if you decide to put carpet or laminate, be aware that it can be damaged. Also, some equipment can slide on laminate floors during high intensity workouts, and you have to prevent that. Be sure to either protect the floor, or find something to put underneath the equipment. Home gym mats are a good option for this.

3. Choose the right colors. A bright, happy room full of colors is more encouraging, than a gloomy, colorless room full of gym equipment. Colors in a home gym should be energizing, bright and colorful. And think about the size of your home gym. If your home gym is in a small space, dark colors are not recommended. Putting dark colors here makes that space seem like more of a dungeon than a fun home gym. Also, take into consideration what type of exercises are being done in that certain space. For example, if this room is going to mainly be used for weightlifting, consider a blue hue. Tranquil blues send a chemical from the brain to the rest of the body calming or soothing it. Weight Lifters lift more in a blue room. Blue is also known to increase productivity and suppress an appetite.

4. Personalize your home gym room. Bring in plants, candles, motivational posters or pictures of your family. Putting up pictures of your family may be something to keep you going. Family can be one of the most inspiring things to a person. Anything that is considered inspiring should be in your home gym. This is to be a place of inspiration and hard work. Find something that inspires you to work harder.

5. Other Décor Ideas for Your Home Gym. It may be an option to put a mirror on the wall to watch themselves improve as they work out. Write inspirational sayings and put them up on a wall or mirror; somewhere where they will be seen and inspire. Make it personal as well, adding goals on a whiteboard or a piece of paper taped up on a wall. Perhaps add a stereo or television to your home gym. If there is something distracting enough to take one’s mind off a workout, that workout might become easier or might pass by faster causing them to continue. Hydration is another important part of working out, so perhaps adding a small refrigerator stocked with bottled water or sports drinks would be a good idea. Also, adding clock to your home gym can help keep track of workout times.

Do not create a home gym alone. Bringing in family is a great way to get everyone involved and may encourage the rest of the family to get fit, stay active and spend more time together. If small children are part of the equation, then add a set, specifically made space just for them, so then they can work out alongside their family. Friends are another great group to get involved. Working out with friends is a great motivation tool for workouts. Friends encourage each other to push one’s limits. Perhaps even get everyone to join as a team for a competition, such as, an obstacle course, triathlon, or group running. The most important thing to remember is to have fun creating this home gym. It should not be a grueling process; it should be fun and exciting.

6. Finished.

Desember 19, 2019

how to decorate a teenage girls bedroom

How to Decorate a Teenage Girl's Bedroom.

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.

Desember 07, 2019

how to decorate your room for christmas

How to Decorate Your Room for Christmas.

Do you love Christmas? Are you interested in spicing up your room for the holidays this season? Well then this article is just perfect for you! Read below to find out how to decorate your room for Christmas!

Part 1 Adding Trees, Lights, and Garlands.

1. Add a Christmas tree. Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes, but a smaller one might look more proportionate in a bedroom. You might also want to get a fake tree as opposed to a real one. They are less likely to shed leaves and do not need to be watered.

Add a small craft tree if you have some desk or shelf space. Art and crafts stores often sell mini versions of Christmas trees, ranging between 8 and 12 inches (20.32 and 30.48 centimeters). You will also find mini lights and ornaments in the same area.

Get a 2 to 4 foot (0.61 to 1.22 meters) tall tree if you have a larger room or not a lot of furniture. You can stand the tree on a small table, a stool, or even a crate to give it extra height.

Get a "pencil" tree if you have a small room or a lot of furniture. Pencil trees can range from 3 to 9 feet (0.92 to 2.74 meters) tall, but they can be as narrow as 8 or 20 inches (20.32 or 50.8 centimeters). They don't take up a lot of space width-wise and are perfect for corners.

If you yearn for that pine-scent, consider hiding a few real pine branches in your tree. You can also use a pine-scented spray as well.

2. Hang pine branches if you don't have room for a tree. If you don't have much floor space, you can hang pine branches from the ceiling in the corner of your room. You can also dress up these branches with mini battery-operated Christmas lights, tinsel, and ornaments. It might be a good idea to use plastic ornaments instead of glass ones, however.

Make sure to thoroughly rinse the branches so you don't bring home any insects.

3. Drape some pine garlands around your room. You can even decorate the garland with mini battery-operated Christmas lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Great places to hang such garlands include above your bed, over your window, around your ceiling, and draped over your bookshelves.

4. Decorate your tree, pine branches, and pine garlands. Find some ornaments, lights, beaded garlands, and tinsel. Drape these around your tree, pine branches, or pine garland. If you are hanging your branches or garlands, consider using plastic ornaments instead of glass ones.

Mini Christmas ornaments might look better on pine garlands. You can find them in art and crafts stores, in the same section that sells mini/craft Christmas trees.

If your tree is less than 3 feet (0.92 meters) tall, use mini battery-operated Christmas lights. The plug-in lights might be too long for smaller trees.

5. Hang up some tinsel. If you can't find any (or don't like) pin garlands, you can hang up some tinsel garlands instead. Great places to hang them include above windows and around ceilings. If you use tape to hang the garlands up, be sure to use clear tape. It will be less visible.

6. Put up some Christmas lights. Great places to hang up lights include above your bed, over your shelves, and around your window. You can get ones that plug into an outlet or battery-operated ones. If you use tape to hang up your lights, try to use clear; it will be less visible on your wall.

If your room has white walls, try to get Christmas lights with white wires instead of the traditional green ones. They will blend into your walls better and clash less.

Unless you are putting them up in your window, avoid getting blinking or flashing lights; those can be very distracting after a while.

Consider matching the lights to your room and decorations. For example, if your room has a lot of cool colors, try getting blue or clear lights. If your room has a lot of warm colors, try getting white or multi-colored lights.

Consider putting "icicle" style lights in your window.

Part 2 Bringing the Festive In.

1. Switch out curtains, blankets, bedspreads, and pillowcases. You don't need to use curtains with Santas and snowmen on them, but red ones might look more festive than pink ones. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Use colors such as red or green. Darker shades might look better than brighter ones.

For a rustic cabin feel, switch out your throw or blanket for a cozy quilt or sweater/knitted blanket. Anything made from plaid flannel will also work.

Make an easy sweater pillow by slipping a square-shaped pillow inside a bulky sweater and tying the sleeves in the back.

2. Buy scented candles, wax melts, or potpourri. If you can't put up a lot of decorations, you can still make your room feel more festive by bringing in scented candles, wax melts, or potpourri. You don't even have to light candles; many scented candles are potent enough on their own. If you are getting candles, consider displaying three different-sized ones on a red, green, gold, or silver candle charger/plate. Listed below are a few Christmas scents:

Gingerbread, Peppermint and Candy Cane, Winter Wonderland, Fireplace, Pine, Spruce, Balsam, and Cedar

3. Bring out snow globes, nutcrackers, and figurines. Shelves, dressers, and desks are great for displaying trinkets such as snow globes, nutcrackers, and figurines. If you already have some on your shelves, consider switching them out for Christmasy ones instead. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

If you like nature, put up some pine tree or reindeer figurines.

If you are religious, put up figurines related to the Nativity.

If you like the classical look, put up a snowman, a Santa Clause, or even a nutcracker.

If you don't want to put away any of your existing decorations, consider decorating them instead. For example, if you have a figurine of a cat, try putting a little Santa hat on it.

4. Hang some decorations from your window, shelves, or walls. If you don't have a lot of room for a tree, you can hang small decorations using thread or clear thread/fishing line instead. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Candy canes and jingle bells can be slung over doorknobs or strung from ribbon.

Christmas cards can be clipped to yarn, jute cord, or ribbon using wooden clothespins.

Christmas stockings can be tacked to your wall using nails or thumbtacks/pushpins.

Ornaments, plastic icicles, and snowflakes (plastic or paper) can be suspended from thread. They'll look delightful against a wall or window.

5. Set up a Nativity or Christmas Village scene. If you like to collect things, setting up a Nativity or Christmas Village scene on your desk or dresser can be just the thing for you. You'll have lots of fun buying figurines and arranging them. You can find them at most arts and crafts stores.

You can also make a Nativity scene at home using popsicle sticks, straw, and wood or clay figurines.

6. Spray some fake frost onto your windows. Try to spray the frost towards the bottom corners of your window to make it look more realistic. Fake frost usually comes in a spray can, like spray paint, and washes off your window with soap and water. They are great for those who don't get snow for Christmas.

7. Make your own Christmas decorations. Not all Christmas decorations have to be store-bought. Homemade ones can have their charm too. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, or just like to be crafty, you can make some of your own decorations and display them in your room. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Find some pinecones outside and paint them with acrylic paint or glitter. Display them on your windowsill.

String cranberries and popcorn into thread to make garlands.

Make some paper chains using construction paper.

Cut out some paper snowflakes from white printer paper.

Make a gingerbread house and display it on your dresser or desk.

Cut out some letters from glitter paper to spell "Merry Christmas" and tack them to your wall.

Part 3 Finding Inspiration.

1. Choose a color scheme that matches your existing room decor. Many color schemes inspire Christmas, but not all of them might work with your room. For example, if your room has a lot of pink and white, the traditional red and green might clash. Red and white might be more suitable. Here are some common Christmas color schemes to get you started:

Red and green : Red, green, and white/gold : Blue and white/silver : Blue, white, and silver : White/ivory and gold : Red and white/gold : Green and white/gold.

2. Decide on a theme. Sometimes, having a set theme can help you choose which decorations to put up. It can also help your room look more unified and less cluttered. As with colors, choose a theme that matches your room. For example, if your room has a lot of heavy, Victorian-era furniture, a rustic or nature theme might clash. Themes that are more Victorian or ornate might work better with your room decor. Here are some common Christmas themes to get you started:

1900s, Charles Dickens, Victorian era, and Vintage inspired

Rustic, woodland cabin-inspired, with lots of gingham, knit, wood, and burlap

Nature, with lots of snow, pine trees, pinecones, reindeer, and woodland creatures

Traditional/classic with lots of red and green, snowmen, and Santa Claus

Fancy/royal with lots of silver or gold, ornate scroll patterns, and lots of rich brocade

Winter wonderland, with lots of blue, silver, and white, snow, snowflakes, icicles, and pine trees

3. Go window shopping. Look at how stores step up their displays. If you see any you like, try to copy them. Take pictures, write down what you see, or make a quick sketch. You don't have to copy the display exactly; you can just use elements from it, such as silver ornaments and glittery snowflakes.

You can also get ideas from a nature walk as well.

4. Consider having some background noise while you work. If you have a laptop, radio, or TV in your room, consider playing some Christmas music or a Christmas movie. They might inspire you or get you into the Christmas spirit.

5. Work with your existing room decor. Sometimes, what you already have in your room might inspire your Christmas decorations. For example, if your room has a lot of wooden furniture in it, you can decorate it with some rustic Christmas decorations to make it look like a cozy, woodland cabin.

Keep the size of your room in mind. If your room is very small and cramped, it might not be a good candidate for a Christmas tree. Some pine garlands, however, would be perfect for it.

6. Look around your room for blank spaces. If you don't know where to start decorating, take a look around your room. See if there are any blank spaces or surfaces, and start decorating there. For example:

Is there a bare wall in your room? If so, consider decorating it with some paper snowflakes or Christmas cards.

Is there a blank corner on your desk or dresser? What about on your shelf? These places are great for displaying mini trees, figurines, and scenes.

Curtain rods and doorknobs are great places to hang decorations from.

Windows are great places to hang decorations, such as lights and ornaments, from.

Tips.

Some decorations need to be hung up. While some are light enough to be taped (such as tinsel), others will need hooks and nails (such as pine garlands). If you live in a rental unit, you might need to keep this in mind.

Keep your decorations proportionate. The smaller your room is, the smaller decorations you should use.

Less is more. It is easy to get carried away and over-decorate. If your room starts to look garish and cluttered, you might need to put some decorations away.

Consider decorating just one part of your room, such as a dresser top or a window.

Clean your room before you decorate it. Vacuum the floors and dust the shelves. Once you put up your decorations, it will be difficult to clean.

Try to keep your color scheme and theme consistent.

If you can't decide on a theme you could just do red and white.

Warnings.

Avoid hanging tinsel and paper too close to lamps, TVs, computers, heaters, and other electronic devices. These can heat up quickly and create a fire hazard.

If you have cats and are planning on putting up a tree, consider using plastic ornaments instead of glass ones. Most cats will knock over a Christmas tree at some point in their lives and break a couple of ornaments.

If you have pets, make sure that you hang your decorations where they can't reach them.

Be sure to rinse any pine branches before bringing them into your room, or you may also bring in a few six or eight-legged "guests."

Desember 07, 2019