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Renting does not mean skipping Christmas decor. It only means choosing things that come down cleanly in January. The usual fear is paint or plaster damage, and the good news is that almost every Christmas decoration can hang, lean or stand without a single nail.
Here are twelve ideas that keep your deposit safe, plus a few rules that save paint.
Rules that save your walls
- Check the lease first. Some leases limit even removable hooks. A quick message to the landlord is better than a surprise.
- Match the hook to the weight. Every adhesive hook has a limit printed on the package. Stay well under it.
- Clean the surface. Wipe the wall with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before sticking anything on it.
- Wait before loading. Most strips need an hour to bond before you hang something on them.
- Remove slowly. To take off a strip, pull the tab straight down along the wall, not outward.
01Removable hooks for wreaths and garlands
A small removable hook holds a wreath on a wall or a door. Choose a clear one for a glass door and a heavy-duty one for a thick wreath.
02Light clips instead of nails
Clips that hold a string of lights on a wall, a door frame or a window are made for exactly this. Pick the type that matches your light wire. See our Christmas string lights ideas.
03A tension rod for garland
A tension rod fits in a doorway, a window or a shelf opening and holds a garland, stockings or a row of ornaments. It presses on both sides and leaves no marks.
04A leaning ladder for a "tree"
A decorative ladder leans against a wall and holds lights, a garland, small ornaments and gifts. It works as a tree where there is no floor space.
05A mantel without a fireplace
If your apartment has no mantel, a console table or a long shelf can hold the garland and candles. Our Christmas mantel and stocking ideas shows how.
06Window decor with static clings
Window clings stay by static and take off in a second. They are good for a rental with big windows.
07Suction cup hooks for glass and tile
Suction hooks on a window, mirror or tile hold a small wreath, ornaments or a light string. Press them on a clean, flat surface.
08A tabletop or slim tree
A small tree on a table or a slim pre-lit tree in the corner needs no hook at all. See our Christmas tree ideas for a small living room.
09A removable wallpaper or a paper tree
Peel-and-stick decals shaped like a tree or a garland can go on the wall without paint damage. Test a small corner first.
10An over-the-door hanger
An over-the-door wreath hanger, rack or hook uses the top of the door and leaves the surface alone.
11A tray centerpiece
A tray with pine cones, candles and ornaments is easy to put on a table and easy to put away. Flameless candles are safest for a rental.
12A box for putting it all away
A flat storage box for decorations keeps hooks, clips and ornaments in one place, so next year takes ten minutes. Label it with the date.
Taking it all down
- Remove the strips by pulling the tab slowly.
- Wipe the wall with a damp cloth if any residue remains.
- Keep spare strips in the same box as the hooks.
What to skip
Some ideas sound easy but cause trouble in a rental. Skip heavy mirrors or shelves hung on adhesive strips, because they fall. Skip tape on wallpaper or on a freshly painted wall, since it can lift the finish. Skip glue dots on wood or on a stained surface. When a surface is old, textured or flaking, choose something that leans or stands: a ladder, a tray, a tabletop tree or a lantern on the floor.
Before you pay
- Count the weight of each decoration before you pick a hook.
- Buy one extra pack of strips for the replacements.
- Test on a hidden spot if you are not sure about the paint.
- For more on small-space styling, see our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas.
