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Our homes can be put under a lot of stress when we’re decking the halls. After the holidays are over, thick garlands, hefty strands of lights, dazzling decorations, and enormous Christmas trees may leave behind obstinate messes and ugly damage.
The last thing you need during this busy season is the hassle and expense caused by damaged floors, chipped wall paint, or damage caused by a fire or excess water.
Start by hanging or displaying all of your decorations in a safe, damage-free way to preserve your home this Holiday season. When it’s time to take them down, work gently and deliberately.
These holiday decoration ideas will show you how to make your home seem festive and bright without making a huge mess or permanently damaging your floors, walls, windows, furniture, and other surfaces.
- Keep your Christmas Tree Off the Floor.
Your beautifully decorated Christmas tree can cause serious damage to your floors if not properly cared for. The tree stands that support these massive evergreens, which are often made of hard plastic or metal, can create lasting indentations in carpet or scratch hardwood and other types of flooring.
To help prevent this, place your tree inside a wide, robust basket or use a piece of plywood as a base under the tree stand to redistribute the weight and protect your floors and/or carpets. For a festive disguise, cover the plywood with a tree skirt or wrap it like a present. Place a non-skid pad underneath the tree to prevent scratches on other types of flooring. Choose a waterproof material that will protect your floors from water and sap if you have a real tree.
- Don’t Use Nails to Hang Decorations.
Avoid using nails or screws to hang decorations, since they leave unattractive holes. Instead, use self-adhesive, removable hooks or hanging strips, such as those from 3M’s Command brand, that securely affix to the wall and can be simply removed.
Always use hangers that are rated for the weight of whatever you’re exhibiting, and clean the wall or other surface carefully before applying your decorations to guarantee good adhesion.
Keep in mind that duct tape, double-sided tape, and other sticky items that aren’t suited for use on walls should never be used. These might be difficult to remove, leaving a sticky residue or peeling paint behind, and they rarely have the strength to support what they are supposed to anyway.
- Secure Garlands with Care
Garlands can be quite heavy, especially if they’re embellished with decorations, pine cones, ribbon, and other embellishments. Consider simply snaking the garland across the top of the mantle to avoid the need for additional reinforcement when decorating your fireplace.
Grab some clear fishing line and enough self-adhesive hangers to support the garland’s weight if you prefer it draped across the front of the mantel. Attach the hangers to the top of the mantel’s surface, rather than across the front, for more strength, and loop the fishing line through the garland to hang. The hangers will be less stressed as a result, and your garland will be less likely to fall.
Decorating the stairs? Consider using zip ties to secure the garland to the banisters without hurting the railing.
- Prevent a Post Holiday Glitter Bomb
Glitter lends a festive touch to ornaments and other holiday decorations, but the effect is less attractive months later when you’re still picking sparkles out of your carpet. Seal your dazzling baubles with a clear sealant before hanging them on the tree to avoid spilling glitter all over your house. In a pinch, a spritz of hairspray will suffice. Before decorating, allow to dry completely.
- Use Caution When Decorating Windows.
Never use nails or screws directly around windows to hang wreaths or other decorations, as this can allow damp or cold air to pass through the frame. Tape, stickers, and anything else that will leave a sticky residue should also be avoided.
Use hooks that attach to the glass for a simple, damage-free hanging option. Another alternative is to use self-adhesive, removable hooks to fasten your decoration above the window frame, then hang it with clear fishing line.
- Minimize Holiday Fire Hazards
The more holiday decorations you have, the merrier, but all that greenery and adornment might be a fire hazard.
Make sure all electrical lines are in good working order before plugging in your lights, and don’t overload circuits to reduce the chance of a house fire this season. Never leave an open flame unattended, and whenever possible, use flameless candles. There are lots of wonderful flameless candle options available, and they are much safer for kids, pets and clumsy adults to be around.
Keep your tree, as well as any other combustible decorations, away from heat sources like fireplaces and heaters. A dry tree is more likely to catch fire, so check the water level every day to make sure it has plenty to drink if you have a real tree. After the holidays are over, dispose of your tree as soon as possible.
Need some last minute holiday home organization and/or decorating help? We can help. Book an appointment here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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