Go Small With Your Tree

A full-size Christmas tree can easily take over a small living room. Instead, try a tabletop tree, a slim pencil tree, or even a wall-mounted tree made with lights or garland. These options give you the holiday look without eating up floor space.

You can still add ornaments and a star on top, just on a smaller scale.

Stick to a Simple Color Theme

Too many colors can make a small space feel busy. Pick one or two main colors and build your decorations around those. White and gold feel clean and bright, while red and green give a classic holiday look.

Keeping colors consistent helps your apartment feel calm and put together.

Use Vertical Space

When floor and table space are limited, look up. Hang wreaths on doors, string lights along walls or shelves, or use hooks to hang ornaments and stockings. Vertical holiday decorating draws the eye up and makes the room feel taller rather than crowded.

Light It Up (Softly)

Lighting makes a big difference in small spaces. String lights, LED window candles, or small lamps with warm bulbs can instantly make your apartment feel cozy. Avoid overly bright or flashing lights, which can feel overwhelming in tight rooms.

Decorate What You Already Have

Instead of adding new furniture or large decor pieces, dress up what you already use every day. Wrap a garland around a mirror, add holiday pillow covers to your couch, or place a festive runner on your table. These small touches bring in the holiday spirit without adding clutter.

Choose Multi-Purpose Decorations

Look for items that do more than one job. A decorative basket can hold blankets and holiday decor. Festive storage boxes can hide everyday clutter while still looking seasonal.

When decorations have a purpose, your space stays tidy and useful.

Keep Tables and Counters Clear

In small apartments, flat surfaces fill up fast. Pick one or two spots for holiday décor, like a coffee table centerpiece or a small display on a shelf. Leaving the rest of your surfaces clear helps your home feel open and comfortable.

Add Holiday Scents Instead

Not all decorating has to be visual. Simmer pots, or plug-in scents with smells like cinnamon, pine, or vanilla can instantly bring holiday vibes without taking up space.

Edit as You Go

If a room starts to feel crowded, take a step back. Removing one or two items can make everything else stand out more. Simple holiday decorating often feels warmer and more inviting than going overboard.

With a little planning, your small apartment can feel festive, cozy, and welcoming all season long. It’s not about how much you decorate, but how thoughtfully you do it.

The post Small Apartment Holiday Decorating Ideas That Don’t Feel Crowded appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Here’s how to get your space guest-ready and holiday-perfect!

1. Start with a Clean Slate

Before any decorating or baking begins, give your apartment a good cleaning. Focus on high-traffic areas, like the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum floors, and don’t forget those often-missed spots like door handles and light switches.

If you’re short on time, a quick tidy-up goes a long way. Clear clutter from counters and tables, stash items in storage bins, and light a fresh-scented candle to instantly make your home feel more welcoming.

2. Create a Cozy Atmosphere

The holidays are all about warmth and comfort. Layer up soft blankets, add a few decorative pillows, and switch on some warm lighting. A string of fairy lights or a glowing lamp can instantly create that festive glow.

If you have guests staying overnight, make sure the guest area feels special too. Lay out clean sheets, extra blankets, and a place for their suitcase or belongings. Even a simple basket of toiletries, like travel-sized shampoo, lotion, and toothpaste, can make them feel cared for.

3. Plan the Flow of Your Space

If you’re entertaining, think about how guests will move through your apartment. Rearrange furniture if needed to create more seating or open up space. Set up a snack or drink station so guests can help themselves while you handle the finishing touches in the kitchen.

For small apartments, vertical space is your best friend. Use wall hooks or coat racks to keep jackets and bags organized and out of the way.

4. Add Holiday Touches

You don’t need to go overboard with decorations, just a few festive accents will do the trick. A holiday wreath on the door, a small tree or tabletop arrangement, or even a simple centerpiece with candles and greenery can instantly bring cheer.

Choose a holiday scent to fill the air, like cinnamon, vanilla, or pine. It’ll tie everything together and make your home feel extra inviting.

5. Stock Up on Essentials

Think about what your guests might need during their stay. Stock your bathroom with enough towels, tissues, and toilet paper. Make sure you have extra snacks, drinks, and coffee for the morning after.

And if you’re cooking, prep what you can in advance. That way, you can spend more time enjoying the company and less time stressing in the kitchen.

6. Don’t Forget the Little Details

Small gestures can leave the biggest impression. Add a handwritten welcome note, play some soft holiday music, or leave a few chocolates on the coffee table.

These tiny touches show your guests that you’ve thought of everything, and that’s what makes a stay feel truly special.

Hosting holiday guests in your apartment doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of planning, some cozy details, and a warm heart, your space can become the perfect little holiday haven.

After all, it’s not about how big your place is, it’s about the love and joy you fill it with.

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Go Big on Window & Door Decor

If you can’t paint walls or hang heavy things, your windows and front door are your best friends. Think removable window clings, fake cobwebs, or a spooky wreath. They set the Halloween mood right away without leaving behind nail holes or damage.

Use Removable Hooks & Tape

Avoid hammering nails into walls or doors. Instead, grab some renter-friendly options like Command hooks or double-sided tape. They work great for hanging string lights, lightweight decorations, or fake bats without leaving marks behind.

Light It Up (Safely)

Candles look spooky, but open flames can be a big fire hazard. Instead, use battery-powered LED candles, fairy lights, or pumpkin lights. They give off the same eerie glow but are way safer, especially if kids or pets are around.

DIY Decor That Doesn’t Damage

Get creative with things you already have! Cut out paper bats and tape them to walls, drape a black sheet over a chair for a “ghost,” or fill jars with water, food coloring, and plastic eyeballs. All fun, all temporary.

Don’t Block Pathways

If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, make sure walkways are clear. No cords across the sidewalk, no decorations that could trip someone in the dark. Safety first means everyone has a good time.

Keep Pets in Mind

If you’ve got furry friends, keep decorations out of their reach. Cats love to climb and dogs love to chew, so skip anything with dangling strings, real candles, or small pieces they could swallow.

When in Doubt, Ask Your Landlord

If you’re planning anything big, like hanging a large decoration outside or attaching something permanent, just shoot your landlord a quick message. Better safe than sorry.

Renting doesn’t mean you can’t go all out for Halloween. With removable hooks, clever DIYs, and a little planning, you can transform your space into a spooky, renter-friendly haunt. Keep safety in mind, and you’ll be set for a fun (and deposit-safe) Halloween. 🎃

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Add Warm Textures

Start with the simple stuff, blankets, pillows, and rugs. Think chunky knit throws, faux fur, or plaid flannels. These not only look inviting but also keep you cozy when the temperature drops.

Layering textures instantly makes a room feel warmer.

Switch Up the Colors

Summer may be all about bright and fresh hues, but fall calls for earthy tones.

Deep oranges, rich browns, olive greens, and mustard yellows are perfect. You can bring these colors in through pillow covers, table runners, or even candles.

Bring in Seasonal Scents

Fall isn’t just about what you see, it’s also about what you smell. Scented candles, essential oils, or simmer pots with cinnamon, cloves, and oranges can make your apartment smell like autumn magic.

Decorate with Nature

Nature provides the best fall décor. Small pumpkins, dried flowers, pinecones, or even branches in a vase can instantly bring in that autumn vibe. They’re simple, affordable, and seasonal.

Adjust the Lighting

As days get shorter, cozy lighting makes all the difference. Swap harsh white bulbs for warm, soft ones. Add a string of fairy lights or a couple of lanterns to give your space a calm, inviting glow.

Don’t Forget the Kitchen

A bowl of seasonal fruit like apples and pears or a jar of cinnamon sticks can double as décor and snacks. Even swapping to mugs with fall designs can make your daily coffee or tea feel extra comforting.

Final Tip: Transitioning your apartment for fall doesn’t have to mean spending a lot. A few thoughtful swaps can transform your space into a cozy retreat where you’ll actually look forward to curling up on the couch.

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1. Incorporate Warm Colors

Autumn is all about rich, warm colors like deep oranges, rusty reds, mustard yellows, and earthy browns. You can easily incorporate these hues with throw pillows, blankets, and rugs. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns, as long as they stick to the autumn color palette.

2. Add Seasonal Scents

Nothing says autumn like the comforting scents of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and apple cider. You can introduce these aromas into your apartment with essential oil diffusers or even by simmering a pot of water with cinnamon sticks and orange slices on the stove.

 3. Use Natural Elements

Bring a bit of the outdoors in by decorating with natural elements. Pinecones, acorns, and branches can be arranged in a bowl as a centerpiece, or you can scatter them across shelves and coffee tables.

Adding a few small pumpkins or gourds can also bring that autumn feel into your space.

4. Layer Up with Textiles

As the weather cools down, layering your space with cozy textiles is a must. Swap out your lighter summer throws for chunky knit blankets and add soft, textured pillows to your couch. You can also drape a plaid or flannel blanket over your armchair for that classic autumn look.

5. Light it Up

Autumn evenings call for warm, soft lighting. Consider swapping out bright white bulbs for warm-toned ones, or add some fairy lights around your windows or headboard.

These are a great way to add a soft glow, making your space feel extra cozy and inviting.

6. Switch Up Your Wall Art

One easy way to transform your apartment for autumn is by changing out your wall art. Look for prints with autumnal themes—think forests, leaves, or cozy cabin scenes. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even press some colorful leaves between glass frames for a DIY touch.

7. Decorate Your Entryway

Don’t forget to add some autumn charm to your apartment’s entryway! A fall-themed wreath on your door, a welcome mat with a seasonal design, or a few potted mums by your doorstep can make your home feel inviting right from the moment you walk in.

8. Set a Cozy Table

Even if you’re not hosting a big dinner, setting a cozy autumn table can make every meal feel special. Use placemats in fall colors, a runner made of burlap, and perhaps a simple centerpiece of small pumpkins or a vase of dried flowers.

9. Add a Touch of Whimsy

Autumn decor doesn’t have to be all about seriousness. Add some fun with quirky touches like pumpkin-shaped pillows, a garland of faux leaves, or even a cute autumn-themed mug for your morning coffee.

10. Create a Reading Nook

Autumn is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. Create a cozy reading nook by setting up a comfortable chair or a floor cushion in a corner, adding a warm blanket, and placing a small table nearby for your tea or coffee.

By making a few simple changes, you can easily transform your apartment into a warm, inviting space that celebrates the beauty of autumn. Happy decorating!

The post Decorating Your Apartment for Autumn: Simple Tips to Cozy Up Your Space appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Start Decorating Your Door

Welcome your guests by hanging a holiday wreath on your front door. The door is the first thing a guest see upon entering your apartment, and showcasing your personality through it is an important factor. You could buy a ready-made one, or craft your own wreath. Maybe add a giant bow, or some battery-operated lights to make it look even more jolly.

And don’t forget your bedroom and bathroom doors, too! Just remember to use command strips or hooks instead of creating tiny holes in your doors to avoid any potential lease violations.

Set Up The Table

Utilizing your tables are a great way to save up some space. A festive centerpiece could be the center of the show combined with mini Christmas trees and a bowl of ornaments and pine cones with beautiful poinsettias. You can easily customize the decors in your table according to the kind of holiday that you celebrate. Easy and a certified space saver!

You can also add ornaments on top of your shelves, bedside tables, and dressers. Why not display family photos and holiday cards to showcase family traditions?

Use Festive Colors

There’s no easier way to showcase the holiday spirit than by using festive colors. Reds and greens are definitely in this season, but golds and silvers also rock. Blue and silver is also popular for Hanukkah. You can either choose one color and start a theme like a winter wonderland, or combine all of them to showcase the full holiday spirit.

Some more easy holiday decorating ideas include swapping your throw pillows with holiday themed ones, creating colorful countdown calendars, and using holiday themed towels. Add even more colors to your place by changing your beddings, adding throw blankets, holiday mugs, curtains, and garlands!

Try Non-Traditional Christmas Trees

Having a Christmas tree is definitely a staple in all holiday decors, but if a real giant tree couldn’t fit in your apartment, then it’s time to look at your other options. If you have the floor space, try smaller and slimmer trees. Keep in mind that fresh trees require extra care and effort to maintain, and they may become a fire hazard in the future.

Instead of using fresh trees, you could invest in smaller faux trees, or if you don’t have enough space, go for table top Christmas trees! They are small, cute, and you don’t have to care for them at all. You can buy 1 or 10 and place them all over your apartment.

If you think faux trees are still not for you, you can always add fairy lights to your houseplants or even hang mini ornaments. Another option is to hang a wall tree. If you are into painting, why not try to paint your own tree?

Get Cozy In Your Balcony

You can easily transform your balcony and create a cozy space. The easiest way to do this is to add some string lights. This way you would still be able to use the floor space, and at the same time share the holiday cheer to your neighbors! Make it cozy by placing some fluffy cushions and comfy blankets. You can also set up a hot chocolate corner for your guests, and light some holiday scented candles.

Don’t have a balcony? Don’t worry! You can always add lights and garlands on your windows. Use your window sill to display ornaments and garlands that match your chosen holiday theme.

Hang Christmas Stockings

Here’s another idea to save floor space, hang your stockings! If your apartment doesn’t have a fireplace, then try utilizing your bookshelves or bare walls. Stockings had been a cute Christmas décor tradition from our childhood, and it’s a lovely addition to make your space feel homey.

Don’t forget to consider the size of your stockings so as to not overwhelm the size of your apartment. And, of course, use holiday colors!

Play Some Holiday Music

Playing holiday music on repeat can easily lift up your mood and bring in the holiday spirit. And you don’t even need to waste any space for it! Choose upbeat ones while you decorate your space to get you in the zone, or play classic ones over a tea party in your newly decorated balcony.

Following these holiday decorating ideas will surely help make your apartment feel festive without sacrificing so much space. Easily deck the halls with boughs of holly and add cheer into your space in a safe way.

The post 7 Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas for your Apartment appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

A Mini Garden

Taking care of houseplants can be therapeutic and can help contribute to our overall wellness. Plus, they give us as a brief escape from our busy lives. Whether you are working at home or in the office, taking care of plants allows you to take a moment and recharge with nature.

You can also plant herbs that you can use in your own meals. Start with small pots with holes at the bottom, fill them with soil, and plant your chosen herbs.

If you think you don’t have enough space, go for hanging pots! Not only are they space savers, they can also add some color to your décor. However, before you get excited with all the planting, you have to make sure this doesn’t violate any of your apartment policies.

A Reading Zone

Having a quiet reading nook is the perfect place for a quick getaway from all your daily activities. And it’s very simple to assemble. Just get your comfy chair, fluffy cushions, and your favorite blanket.

Don’t forget to add your personal touch, like a stack of your favorite magazines or some scented candles, to make it feel more homey. This setup is ideal especially if your apartment balcony is facing away from major roads.

A Tea Place

There’s nothing like a nice view while enjoying a cup of tea with friends, right? Your apartment balcony could  be the perfect place to have your own tea room and invite guests over. Take out some comfy chairs, some pillows, a small table, and call your friends over.

And don’t forget to serve your favorite cup of tea and other refreshments! Arrange your plants around the space to have a little tea party or maybe small work meetings.

A Cozy Nap Area

If you love taking naps in the afternoon, then you’re going to love napping on your balcony. You can either install a hammock or place some cushions and blanket at the floor. You can also hang some fairy lights for a cozy feel and make it a perfect place for stargazing! Lastly, take out your rug and put lots of comfy pillows to start a great nap.

An Outdoor Barbeque

Barbeque weekends are not just for people with backyards, you can also do it on your apartment balcony! Start by getting some barbeque grills that you can attach to your balcony railing and invite your friends over for barbeque weekends! Of course, like the mini garden idea, make sure this doesn’t violate any of your apartment policies.

A Personal Place

Your apartment balcony can also be a private personal space just for you to enjoy. Use it to stretch in the morning, or for afternoon yoga. Make it look magical by adding candles to small glass jars, and watch as they light up your small space. Add your favorite scented candles, and get a glass of wine or beer.

After a long and tiring day, you deserve to just chill and relax in your own cozy place. And whatever you decide to do with it, as long as it has your personal touch, it will surely improve your overall lifestyle and create lasting memories.

The post Enjoy Your Apartment Balcony With These Easy Tips appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Impress your visitors, whether family or friends, by the cleanliness and fresh scent of your apartment. There are a lot of ways to do this. Make your apartment smells fresh by following some of these simple tips shown below.

First, Remove Smelly Objects

Removing smelly objects may take some time because you might need to put on your detective hat. But this is important because your apartment will never smell great if you don’t get rid of the sources of odors. You can follow all the other tips only to have your place stink up quickly again.

Some examples of smelly objects to look for and eliminate are damp laundry sitting around, dirty upholstery, leftovers in the fridge, your oven or microwave that hasn’t been cleaned in months, and, of course, trash cans that need emptying.

Your apartment will definitely smell better once you take care of these things!

Now Let The Fresh Air Come In

One of the easiest and fastest ways to improve the air quality in your apartment is to let clean, fresh air come in through open windows. It is a known fact that when old, stale air mixes with the fresh new air, the new air always takes over.

For best results, open several windows in different rooms, ideally facing different directions if possible, to get some natural air flow started. No wind outside? No problem! Put a desk fan or box fan by a window. If you set up one to blow out, that will pull fresh air in through all the others. Or, if you have ceiling fans you can use these to start air movement which will help pull the fresh air in.

It may not be the best idea to open all your windows during winter time, but winter air is often very fresh. Just a few minutes will definitely make a difference in making your rooms smell fresh and clean.

Candles, Air Sprays, Plug-ins

Sometimes you may have to resort to covering up bad odors. In this case you can use candles, plug-ins, air sprays, or even incense. These products can be quite helpful in making your apartment smell better.

If you use several of these, make sure to choose scents that compliment each other. You don’t want to overwhelm your senses, or those of your guests, by mixing too many strong perfume smells. While a little fragrance can be nice, too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing.

Also keep in mind that covering up smells is not a good long-term solution. You might get used to the mix of a scent covering an odor, but guests might come in and still easily detect the odors until their sense of smell fatigues.

Use Your Oven For Baking

It is always a good idea to greet guests with the smell of delicious, home-baked food. Some baked goods are like comfort smells. Examples include chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin pie, birthday cake, and even a fresh loaf of bread. Any of these will make your apartment smell amazing!

On the other hand, there are some smells you might want to avoid when expecting guests. Garlic and fish can be overpowering smells. Bacon can be another. Of course if you have invited guests for dinner and these are part of the menu, all will be forgiven. But even then you might want to consider mixing in some pleasant smells. Cinnamon can enhance the freshness by putting some sticks in a slow cooker or mulling some wine. Of course any of the baked items mentioned above will help too.

Never underestimate the power of freshly baked goods to make the smell of your apartment inviting.

Make Your Own Potpourri

Creating your own potpourri is really easy! No need to dry any flowers. All you need to do is boil water and throw in some things have have a nice pleasing smell. Some examples that you can use are spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks, a few orange peels can be nice, and, of course, a few drops of essential oils.

Feel free to mix and match to create your ideal fragrance. The steam from the pan will lift the smells from the water into the air of your apartment.

If you want a similar experience in another part of your apartment, you can use the bathtub as an option. Add a couple inches of hot water along with a few drops of a scented oil. Just be careful to rinse well when you’re finished to remove the oils from the tub. You don’t want to create slippery situation.

Well that’s it for now. Try some of these tips to help improve the smell of your apartment. You’ll like it and so will your guests.

The post How to Make Sure Your Apartment Smells Fresh appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Make Your Apartment More Spacious

Make your apartment feel more spacious by matching your curtain color to the color of the wall. Doing this will blend the colors together creating an unbroken line making the apartment area look larger. Adding vertical lines on the walls or curtains can make a low ceiling seem higher.

You can also change the way you install your curtain rods. Install the curtain rods a few inches below the ceiling instead of putting them directly above the window frame. This way, the viewer’s attention will be drawn upward. And that makes your windows seem taller. The same idea goes with the window’s width. Install each end of the rods a few inches further away from the left and right sides of the frame. Doing this will give the illusion of an expanded width.

Another option to make a small space appear larger is to use light colors like gray or white on the walls and on the floor. Doing this makes the space brighter and that makes it seem bigger too.

Organizing Your Apartment

An effective yet simple way to decorate your apartment is to get furniture that includes storage areas or compartments. For example, you could get a coffee table that has shelves underneath it, a buffet that can store books, blankets, and other various items, or an entertainment system with drawers and doors.

If you are looking for ways to save money, you can often find furniture pieces like these with reasonable prices at a resale shop or even Goodwill. Regardless of where you get them, it is important to make the most of your living space and organization is key. Secret hiding places can help. 🙂

Making Your Apartment Lively

Add personality and color to your space by using decorations such as paintings, plants, pictures, and knick-knacks. House plants are also great for cleaning the air in your place while providing color to the surroundings. Various plants, cacti, and other small succulents are inexpensive and they can really add life to your apartment. Cacti and other succulents are also low maintenance because they do not require frequent watering.

Do you collect pictures from your vacation and trips? Print them out and have them framed. These can be used as fun décor hanging on your walls or standing on tables. Photographs make your place alive while at the same time reminding you of your fond memories.

Another creative way of decorating your walls is with canvas paintings.  You can easily buy them online, in stores, or better yet create your own special artwork.

And finally, you can make your apartment more lively by displaying knick-knacks you may have collected from your past. Decorating with antiques and personal treasures is an excellent way to personalize your apartment.

Now it’s your turn. Try out a few of these tips to turn your apartment into your home.

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Flameless Candles

These are a simple and safe way to introduce both October and November holiday’s to the outside of your apartment. Perfect for standing solo in lanterns, candle holders, and pumpkins alike. Avoiding any concerns with actual flame, candle wax damage or staining, and exterior sprinkler heads is just an added bonus. In addition, these always look gorgeous inside window sills all throughout December too.

Pumpkins

Nothing says autumn is finally here quite like pumpkins. If you’re looking for a cost effective way to spice up your patio or balcony, pumpkins are a must have décor item. Try buying pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, the uglier the better. Fill a bowl on your outdoor table with small pumpkins as a centerpiece. Toss in different colors like white with sage green, and a little orange. Pumpkins add versatility to your outdoor space, no matter which ones you choose. So have fun with it!

Apartment renter note – make sure you’re checking your pumpkins regularly, and dispose of any that start rotting.

Outdoor Pillows

Decorations are fun, but they’re even better when they’re functional. The chillier it gets, the more we all embrace fall as the season to start snuggling for warmth. Now is the time to whip out and layer cozy throw pillows.

Select traditional prints like dark red, mustard yellow, or plaid. For an intimate outdoor patio or balcony, choose different textures and add a few neutral tones to add more warmth. Since this space is an extension of your apartment home, the inside of your apartment will feel more comfy with this added view too.

Decorating your apartment can be a great mood-booster for yourself, and also for your neighbors. We hope you try out some of our outdoor fall decorating ideas and can’t wait to enjoy them with you while visiting our different Southeastern Wisconsin communities!

The post Apartment Friendly Outdoor Fall Decorating Ideas appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.