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Windows are the best place to decorate in a small home. They take no floor space, they are seen from the room and from the street, and in the dark evenings of December a lit window is the warmest thing on the block.
Choose one idea per window and keep the glass partly clear, so light still comes in during the day. Everything below hangs without nails.
Before you decorate
- Check what the street sees. From outside, lights and big shapes read; small ornaments disappear.
- Leave the window usable. You still need to open it and use the blinds.
- Use cool LED lights. They do not heat curtains and blinds.
- Use removable hooks. Suction cups and adhesive hooks keep the frame and deposit safe.
01A wreath in the window
A wreath hung inside the window, like in the photo, looks good from both sides. Hang it on a ribbon from the curtain rod or on a suction hook in the middle of the glass.
02A curtain of lights
A curtain of warm white lights hung from the rod makes the whole window glow. It is the one decoration that is clearly visible from the street.
03A lit star
A paper or metal star with a light inside, hung in the middle of the window, is a Scandinavian classic. It works in a small window where a wreath would be too much.
04Window clings
Snowflakes, a winter village or reindeer as removable window clings give a full scene with no hanging at all. Kids can put them up themselves.
05A sill display
A window sill fits a small scene: candles, a mini tree and a few houses. Keep it shallow so the curtain still closes.
06Garland on the window frame
Garland along the top and sides of the frame turns a plain window into a picture. Use clear adhesive hooks and add a string of lights.
07Hanging ornaments
A few big ornaments on ribbons of different lengths, hung from the rod, catch the light all day. Use shatterproof ones in case they swing into the glass.
08A tree in front of the window
If there is space, the tree in front of the window is the view everyone remembers from the street. See our Christmas tree ideas for a small living room for slim trees that fit.
09Holiday curtains or tiebacks
Changing the curtain tiebacks for red ribbons or adding a sheer in red or white sets the season with almost no work.
10Outdoor window boxes
If you have window boxes outside, fill them with evergreen branches, pine cones and a short string of solar lights. They last until spring.
A plan by time
- Ten minutes: window clings and a lit star.
- An hour: add a wreath and a curtain of lights.
- A weekend: add garland on the frame, a sill scene and window boxes.
Before you pay
- Measure the window before buying a light curtain.
- Pick lights with a timer so they switch on at dusk.
- Do not cover a window you need for fresh air.
- For more ideas, see our Christmas string lights ideas and Christmas balcony decorations.
