Retailers have been creating awe-inspiring shop window installations at Christmas time for years. Now, we are all doing the same at home! And why not?! A festive window display is a pleasure to arrive home to on a dull winter’s day.
The first step, of course, is to have beautifully stylish windows to dress (we can help you with that), then let your imagination run free! These are our favourite ways to make your windows look wonderful and welcoming this festive season…
Faux snow is the way to go
The sad reality is that here in England, a white Christmas is a rarity. So as the saying goes, ‘fake it ‘til you make it’! There are a number of fake snow sprays on the market, and we think they look just great in the corners of windows. The secret of realistic-looking faux snow is to just spray it along the bottom of each frame and build it up in the corners. When it comes to removing, use a window cleaner spray and paper towel in a circular motion, and never attempt to scrape it off as you risk causing permanent damage to the glass.
Hang a snowflake window garland
Whilst we’re talking snow, another favourite Christmas window installation which is easy to recreate at home is handmade snowflake garlands. Embrace your inner child, fold squares of paper into six or eight and get snipping! Then use some clear fishing line to tie them and white tack to hang them. Your unique paper creations will look lovely in windows of all shapes and sizes. Consider mini ones for a busy realistic snow flurry effect or mix up the sizes and shapes for a stylish, modern look. Best of all, they cost just pennies and give us something to do on dark winter evenings!
Decorate with decals
Window stickers or decals come in thousands of designs and are readily available from garden centres and online stores. You can go kid-friendly and colourful with Father Christmas, elves, snowmen and reindeer. Or tone it down with tasteful silhouette townscapes, baubles or snowflakes. Whilst a little costly, the best thing about window decals is that most are reusable year after year. What’s more, they are self-adhesive and relatively mess-free.
Make your windows twinkle
Why not light up the season with a cheery window display of fairy lights or candles!? Candelabras or hanging icicle lights, lanterns or light-up stars. Whatever lights you choose to decorate your windows with, you are sure to add a welcoming glow and a wonderful focal point to the room. Battery-operated fairy lights are widely available and save having to run wires over to the window. Battery packs can be tucked out of sight behind a windowsill decoration, or behind the curtains. Another great idea is setting up any mains-operated lights on a timer so that they switch on ahead of you getting home from work! (We’re feeling warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it!)
Go green with a garland
There’s something magical about bringing luscious greenery into the home at this time of year, and it needn’t be confined to mantelpieces and stair bannisters! A garland, whether real or fake, can look wonderful framing the inside of your window. Likewise, wreaths needn’t be reserved just for our front doors. They can look fabulous hung central on a window interior. Alternatively, how about a miniature Christmas tree in your window? These work perfectly for deep window sills, and are ideal for rooms too small or busy for a full-size tree.
Not feeling so cosy?
If despite all your best decorative efforts, you are still not feeling cosy, it could be down to draughty windows! Heat loss through windows, doors and glass-roofed conservatories can be chronic. If you’re sensing a chill, chances are your house has room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency. Read our article to learn how to audit your home and implement changes that will save you money in the long run.