logo
  • Track Order
  • User Profile
  • Favorites
  • Cart


    Shop Sale

    1. Inspiration Home
    2. Lighting and Lanterns Decorating
    3. Apartment Christmas Light Ideas

    5 Christmas Light Ideas for Your Apartment or Townhouse

    Updated last Dec. 13, 2024

    The holiday season is the perfect time to add festive cheer to your living spaces. Whether it’s a tiny apartment or a narrow townhouse, decorating with Christmas lights is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. In this article, we’ll share a few small house Christmas light ideas to help brighten up your home.

    How To Decorate an Apartment for Christmas

    Narrow artificial Christmas tree with lights

    BH Norway Spruce®

    In a few ways, decorating an apartment for the holidays is different than decorating a full house. Apartments are typically smaller, so you’ll likely have less space and a limited layout to work with. You also need to consider accessibility and restrictions such as drilling and painting.

    Use Smaller Decorations

    Look for decorations that don’t take up too much room such as slim Christmas trees, miniature ornaments, and smaller wreaths. tabletop trees on the mantel, side table, or coffee table are also great options.

    Utilize Wall Space

    Consider hanging decorations on the walls if you don’t have enough floor space. If you’re renting and want to avoid damage, use removable adhesive hooks to put up garlands, stockings, and string lights.

    Stick to a Color Scheme

    Choose a color scheme for your decorations and stick to it to make your décor more cohesive. This helps prevent making things look less cluttered and more put together in a small apartment.

    Best Places To Put up a Christmas Tree

    Ideas for Apartment Christmas Lights

    Globe fairy Christmas lights

    Outdoor Globe Fairy Light String

    When hanging Christmas lights for an apartment, it’s important to place them strategically to make the most of the space. Here are a few Christmas light ideas for a small house that you can try:

    Light Up Your Christmas Tree

    If you have an unlit tree, string it up with lights to create a warm and cozy atmosphere for the holidays. Choose clear lights if you like a classic holiday glow or go for multicolored if you prefer a more festive look. Consider a pre-lit christmas tree so you don’t have to worry about manually stringing it up with lights.

    Hang Lights Around Windows

    Use adhesive clips or hooks to hang your Christmas lights around a window. For a standard window, you’ll need about 6 to 8 clips that are spaced 2 to 3 inches apart. It’s best to wait at least an hour for the adhesive to completely set before adding the lights. When they’re set, squeeze the string into the clips starting from the bottom corner then work your way up and down to the other corner.

    Drape Lights Over the Bed

    Create an enchanting and whimsical atmosphere with fairy lights draped over the bed. You can hang them on the wall above the headboard or wind them around the bed frame. Use adhesive hooks or clips for your attachment points, making sure they’re secure and won’t fall off easily.

    Create a Canopy Effect

    Fairy lights, globe lights, and icicle lights are perfect for creating a canopy effect in your dining room or balcony. Measure the space first to determine how many lights you’ll need, then plan the layout. When you install the lights, leave some slack so they can hang in a gentle curve.

    Highlight Decorations

    Use string lights to highlight decorations such as wreaths, gallery walls, or artwork. You can also use fairy lights to add a charming glow to a Christmas village display, bookshelves, snow globe collection, and other holiday décor.

    Apartment Balcony Christmas Light Ideas

    Clear and multicolored cherry light strings

    Cherry Light String

    Outdoor balcony Christmas lights are a fun and festive way to spruce up your space for the holidays. Here are some balcony Christmas lights ideas:

    Classic Clear Lights

    Traditional clear lights are elegant and never go out of style. Wrap them around balcony railings or drape them across the ceiling for a curtain effect.

    Multicolored Lights

    Multicolored lights are playful and festive, perfect for the holiday season. Mix and match different colors to create a dynamic light display.

    Twinkle Lights

    Add extra sparkle to your balcony with twinkling lights. Wrap them around plants and other outdoor décor for a magical effect.

    Icicle Lights

    If you have a covered balcony, hang icicle lights from the ceiling to create the illusion of dripping icicles. Choose clear lights for a classic look or multicolored ones for a more cheerful vibe.

    Light-up Decorations

    Aside from string lights, you can take your balcony décor to the next level with light-up decorations such as snowflakes, reindeer, or wire trees.

    How To Hang Christmas Lights on Apartment Balcony

    Micro LED Christmas string lights

    Outdoor Cascading Micro Led Light String

    Balcony Christmas lights are a wonderful way to add holiday cheer to the space. Before you start, however, make sure to check with your apartment building or local regulations to make sure it’s allowed. Follow these steps to hang Christmas lights on your balcony.

    • Step 1 | Choose Your Lights

      Decide whether to use clear or multicolored bulbs for your apartment balcony Christmas lights. Make sure to only use outdoor-safe lights as these are specially made to withstand elements such as heat and rain.

    • Step 2 | Measure the Space

      Measure the length and width of your balcony to figure out the number of lights you need. It’s a good idea to get multiple sets of lights to ensure you have enough to cover the area.

    • Step 3 | Test the Lights

      Before you even start hanging the lights, test them first and change any broken or burnt-out bulbs. This will save you time and effort later in case you need to replace faulty light bulbs.

    • Step 4 | Hang the Lights

      Attach adhesive hooks or clips to the surface of the area where you plan to hang the lights. Make sure to evenly space them apart to keep a uniform look. Hang the lights from the hooks and secure them in place with tape or putty.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about decorating with Christmas lights:

    What Kind of Light Is Used on a Balcony?

    This varies depending on personal preferences, but it’s generally recommended to use outdoor-rated lights as they’re weather-resistant and can withstand the elements. LED and solar-powered lights are also popular because they’re both energy and cost-efficient compared to incandescent bulbs.

    How To Decorate a Balcony for Christmas?

    Start by choosing a theme such as rustic, modern, or traditional. Next, hang Christmas wreaths, garlands, and lights to spruce up the space, then add other decorations like potted plants and lanterns to tabletops. Consider adding throw pillows, blankets, and rugs to create a cozy seating area.

    How Can I Decorate My Small House for Christmas?

    Use available wall space to hang wreaths, garlands, and other holiday decorations. You can also simply switch out throw pillows for holiday-themed ones. To make it extra festive, hang Christmas lights around windows, mirrors, and doorways.

    How Do You Hang Christmas Lights in a Small Apartment?

    Use adhesive hooks or clips to hang your Christmas lights on walls, windows, or door frames. Space them apart by 2 to 3 inches, then squeeze the wires into the clips starting from one section and working your way to the end.

    How Do You Hang String Lights on a Covered Patio Without Nails?

    Use adhesive hooks, zip ties, or tension rods to hang your apartment patio Christmas lights. Attach the adhesive hooks to the ceiling or walls, then loop the string lights through the hooks. Zip ties can be used to secure the lights to a pergola or other structure, while tension rods can be used to create a frame for the lights and attached to the walls or ceiling of the patio.

    What Are Some Christmas Light Ideas for a Townhouse?

    Outline your roof, windows, and front door with string lights to create a festive light display for neighbors and passers-by. Hang a pre-lit wreath on the door or garlands around the frame to complete the look.

    What Are Some Christmas Light Ideas for a Small House?

    It’s important to be strategic with light placements if you’re working with limited space. Opt for a simple and elegant look with clear lights around windows and doorways. You can also hang string lights over the dinner table for an enchanting canopy effect.

    We hope these Christmas lights ideas inspired you to be creative with your holiday decorations. Click the button below to see our full collection of indoor and outdoor Christmas lights.

    Shop Christmas String Lights

    Learn More About Christmas Lights

    Read these next for more guides and tips on decorating with Christmas lights:

    • Outdoor Christmas Lights Buying Guide
    • How To Hang Christmas Lights
    Back to Inspiration Home

    We use cookies to make using our website easy and meaningful to you, to provide our services, and to better understand how it is used by our customers. These cookies include targeted advertising and social media cookies, and advanced analytics cookies. If you do not want to accept all cookies, click “Manage Cookies.” You can also choose to change your cookie settings anytime you want. To find out more, you can consult our Privacy Policy at any time.

    Customer Support

    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Check Order Status
    • Shipping & Orders
    • Returns & Exchange
    • Warranty
    • Email Preferences
    • Promotion Details
    • Avoiding Fraud
    • Business Sales

    Resources & Ideas

    • Resource Centre
    • Tree Buyer's Guide
    • Blog
    • Videos

    Company Information

    • About Us
    • The Balsam Hill Difference
    • Careers
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy

    Stay Connected

    instagram
    Facebook
    pininterest

    For Expert Advice

    Call 888-626-0965 or Contact Us

    Shop With Confidence

    PayPal
    COPYRIGHT © 2025 BALSAM HILL® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.