A Chicago Interior Designer Shares Chic and Budget Holiday Decorating Tips

Chicago-based interior designer Caroline Turner is no stranger to decorating an apartment elegantly and on a budget. When we toured her Bucktown neighborhood rental apartment, she shared how she was able to seriously upgrade her fireplace in a way that’s affordable and renter friendly.

When it came to decorating this home for the holidays for the first time, meaning she’d be starting from scratch without an ornament collection or heirloom pieces (like she grew up with), she initially thought it wasn’t worth the trouble or money. Thankfully, she applied her budget-minded design brain to holiday decorating and has shared her tips with Apartment Therapy.

The total budget she spent on holiday decor (starting from scratch, as a reminder) was $200. And, because much of what she splurged on was fresh foliage, she won’t have to worry about storing a ton of decorations when the holiday season is over (a great tip for those in small spaces). These are the items she used and where she purchased them:

• Garland — Trader Joe’s 
• Wreaths — Trader Joe’s 
• Citrus — Trader Joe’s 
• Mini Lavender Tree — Trader Joe’s 
• Holly Berries — Trader Joe’s 
• 5’ Tree — Lowes (she purchased a live tree, but here is an artificial tree from Lowe’s)
• Tree Stand — Lowes 
• Mini String Lights — Lowes 
• Ribbon — Michaels Craft Store (similar)
• Gold Ornaments — Michaels Craft Store (similar)

She also shared some interior designer-approved tips for adding cheer to your home that will work with your existing home decor AND won’t break the bank:

If you’re typically drawn to a monochromatic scheme, use that to decorate for the holidays, too. Add pops of live greenery and some metallic accents and it will feel festive but still right for the space.

It smells amazing and there are no storage requirements after the holidays are over. 

That chest that normally stores books? Use it as a serving bar during the holidays when get-togethers are aplenty. 

This was my first year decorating a place in the city. I always thought because I didn’t have an ornament collection or heirloom pieces (like I grew up with) it wouldn’t be worth it to decorate. Purchase some simple filler ornaments and make or purchase a few special pieces. Each season you will have more and more to work with.

Not every space needs to be sparkly or green and red. A simple wreath or bouquet can make a space feel festive without trying too hard. 

Growing up, my mom would always make arrangements with flowers and foliage she found around our neighborhood. I borrowed this idea to add height to an existing vignette. 

1. Thinly slice citrus of your choice. I used oranges and grapefruits but lemons and limes work, too. 
2. Bake at 200 for four hours flipping halfway through. The thinner the slice the more dry it will become. 
3. Let cool and store in a Ziploc bag until ready to hang. 
4. String ribbon through the middle hole in citrusl
5. Tie a bow.
6. Hang.

Thank you for sharing your home again AND sharing these holiday decorating tips, Caroline! Visit Caroline’s website and Instagram for more inspiration.

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.