Christmas Lights for Apartments: 10 Renter-Friendly Ideas (No Drilling)
Renting an apartment or condo does not mean you have to skip Christmas lights. You just need lights that do not need nails, drilling or an outdoor outlet. Here are 10 renter-friendly Christmas lighting ideas that go up in minutes and come down without a single mark on the walls.
Quick picks: for windows, the suction-cup window lights; for no outlet nearby, the battery-powered pearl tree; for the biggest wow, the snowflake projector.
Window lights you can see from the street
Suction-Cup Christmas Window Lights (CA$22.99)
The easiest renter win. These battery-powered LED shapes (Santa, reindeer, stars, bells) stick to the glass with a suction cup, so there are no nails, no tape and no cords. Mix a few shapes for a window that glows from the street. Shop now →
Star & Moon LED Curtain Lights (CA$29.99)
Drape them over a curtain rod or the top of a window frame and you get a whole wall of twinkling stars with 8 lighting modes. Choose the USB version if your outlets are far from the window. Shop now →
Small trees for small spaces
LED Pearl Tree Touch Light (from CA$37.99)
A tabletop "tree" of 108 tiny firefly lights that runs on batteries or USB, so it works on a bookshelf, desk or entry table with no outlet nearby. Tap the base to switch it on. Shop now →
LED Spiral Christmas Tree Lamp (from CA$33.99)
At about 33 cm tall, this minimalist spiral tree gives a studio or one-bedroom the Christmas-tree feeling without giving up floor space. Shop now →
Big effect, nothing to hang
Christmas Snowflake Projector (from CA$24.99)
The biggest effect for the least effort. Point it at a wall or ceiling and the whole room fills with moving snowflakes. Nothing to hang, and it packs away in a drawer in January. Shop now →
LED Ribbon Bow Fairy Lights (from CA$16.99)
A wired ribbon with tiny LEDs woven in. Tie it into a big bow for your apartment door wreath, a railing or the top of a mirror, and the glow is built right in. Shop now →
Soft glow for shelves and nightstands
Nordic LED Flameless Candle Lantern (CA$19.99)
Many leases ban real candles. This lantern gives you warm candlelight on a windowsill or dinner table with no flame and no wax, so it is safe around kids and pets too. Shop now →
Ceramic Christmas Village House Lamp (CA$34.99)
Line up a few little houses on a shelf or windowsill and you have a glowing Christmas village that takes up less space than a shoebox. Shop now →
Merry Christmas 3D LED Night Light (CA$24.99)
A clear acrylic panel that looks three-dimensional when lit, with a gnome, tree or reindeer design. A soft holiday glow for a bedroom or nightstand. Shop now →
Snowy Village LED Night Light Kit (CA$29.99)
A cozy evening project: build a little snowy town, then enjoy it as a bedside light all season long. Shop now →
Renter-friendly lighting tips
- Use what is already there. Curtain rods, door hooks, railings and bookshelves hold lights without any new holes.
- Pick battery or USB where outlets are scarce. A small power bank can run USB lights on a shelf far from the wall.
- Choose flameless candles. They give the same cozy glow and are usually the only candles allowed in rentals and dorms.
- Layer warm white. Two or three warm-white sources around a room look cozier than one bright colourful string.
Christmas delivery dates
We ship across Canada and the United States, and most orders arrive in 7–14 business days. Order by December 1 to have everything before Christmas. See our shipping and returns page for details.
Want more ideas? Read our guide to Christmas decor for small spaces or browse all our Christmas decor and lights.