Glow Up Challenge Using Christmas Decor To Transform Dull Corners

Every home has them—those forgotten corners that seem too awkward to decorate, too dim to use, or simply too uninspired to draw attention. But what if you could breathe new life into these neglected spaces using something already in your seasonal arsenal? Enter the glow up challenge using Christmas decor: a creative, low-cost, and surprisingly effective way to elevate your interior aesthetic—not just for the holidays, but year-round.

The idea isn’t to leave tinsel on your bookshelf in July. Instead, it’s about borrowing the magic of holiday decorating—lighting, texture, layering, and intentional ambiance—and repurposing those elements into timeless design strategies. With a little imagination and some strategic reuse, Christmas decor can be the spark that transforms lackluster corners into statement zones.

Why Christmas Decor Works for Permanent Glow Ups

Christmas decorations are engineered for impact. They’re designed to catch light, create warmth, and evoke emotion—qualities every room should have, regardless of season. Think about it: fairy lights mimic candlelight, garlands add vertical interest, ornaments introduce color and shine, and candles soften harsh lighting. These aren’t holiday-specific tools; they’re foundational design elements disguised as festive flair.

Interior designer Mara Thompson puts it this way:

“Holiday decor teaches us how to layer light and texture without clutter. The best living spaces borrow from that philosophy all year long.” — Mara Thompson, Interior Stylist & Author of *Everyday Elegance*

The glow up challenge leverages these principles by encouraging homeowners to treat their Christmas inventory not as temporary trimmings, but as modular design components. By focusing on adaptable pieces—especially lighting and structural accents—you can temporarily stage a corner during the holidays and then refine the concept into a permanent feature.

Step-by-Step: The 5-Day Corner Glow Up Challenge

This structured five-day plan turns your unused space into a luminous, intentional nook. Whether it's beside the staircase, behind the sofa, or in a hallway dead-end, follow this timeline to achieve visible transformation.

1. Day 1: Assess & Clear
   Identify the corner. Remove any clutter, outdated furniture, or unused items. Clean the walls and floor. Take a “before” photo.
2. Day 2: Borrow From the Holiday Bin
   Pull out battery-operated string lights, small LED candles, faux pine garlands, mirrored trays, metallic ornaments, and any decorative baskets or boxes used for gifting.
3. Day 3: Layer Light & Texture
   Begin with lighting. Drape string lights along the wall or around a shelf. Place LED candles on a side table or windowsill. Use a garland to frame the base of a mirror or drape it over a bookshelf edge.
4. Day 4: Add Purpose & Personality
   Introduce function: a small chair for reading, a plant stand, or a mini console. Incorporate non-holiday elements like books, framed photos, or a woven blanket—but arrange them with holiday-level intentionality.
5. Day 5: Refine & Reimagine
   Step back. Does the space feel inviting? Replace overtly festive items (like Santa figurines) with neutral counterparts (a white ceramic vase, a silver-toned sculpture). Keep only the elements that enhance mood and design.

Tip: Use double-sided tape or removable adhesive hooks to secure lights and garlands without damaging walls.

Creative Ways to Repurpose Common Christmas Decor

Most holiday decor is retired after January 6th, but many pieces have second lives in everyday interiors. Here’s how to give them one.

• Fairy Lights: Wrap them around curtain rods, drape over headboards, or coil inside glass vases for ambient bedside lighting.
• Mirrored Trays: Use as entryway organizers for keys and wallets. Their reflective surface amplifies light in dark hallways.
• Faux Pine Garlands: Cut into smaller sections to line floating shelves or mantlepieces. Pair with neutral books and stone objects for a rustic-luxe look.
• Ornaments: Hang clear or metallic baubles from ceiling hooks above a dining nook for subtle sparkle. Or place matte-finish balls in a bowl as a coffee table centerpiece.
• Gift Boxes (Decorative): Store remotes or craft supplies inside. Stack them under a console table for hidden storage with style.
• LED Candles: Group three on a tray with a small plant for a calming nightstand setup. No fire risk, constant glow.

The key is editing. A red velvet ornament may scream Christmas, but a frosted glass ball whispers elegance. Choose pieces based on form, finish, and function—not theme.

Checklist: Build Your Year-Round Glow Up Kit

After the holidays, curate a “design reserve” from your Christmas haul. This checklist helps you identify which items to save—not for next December, but for ongoing home improvement.

1. ☐ Battery-powered string lights (warm white preferred)
2. ☐ At least 3 LED flameless candles
3. ☐ Faux greenery garland (unadorned or lightly berried)
4. ☐ 5–7 neutral-toned ornaments (silver, gold, ivory, black)
5. ☐ One mirrored or metallic tray
6. ☐ Decorative gift boxes in cohesive colors
7. ☐ Removable mounting hardware (hooks, clips, putty)

Store these in a labeled bin marked “Ambiance Toolkit” rather than “Christmas.” That mental shift makes reuse more likely.

Do’s and Don’ts: Avoiding the Festive Trap

The goal isn’t to live in a perpetual winter wonderland. It’s to extract design wisdom from seasonal decorating. This table outlines smart practices versus common missteps.

Do	Don’t
Use warm-white lights to soften dark corners	Use multicolored blinking lights outside of holiday periods
Repurpose garlands as textural shelf liners	Leave full wreaths on doors after January
Incorporate metallic finishes for subtle shine	Display themed figurines (elves, snowmen) beyond the season
Layer lighting at multiple heights	Rely solely on overhead lighting in transformed corners
Edit ruthlessly—keep only what enhances the space	Overcrowd the area with too many borrowed elements

Real Example: From Forgotten Entryway to Cozy Reading Nook

Sarah K., a teacher from Portland, had a narrow corner near her front door that collected coats, shoes, and mail. During the 2023 holiday season, she participated in an online glow up challenge and decided to experiment.

She started by clearing the area and painting the wall a deep navy. Then, she added a slim secondhand bookshelf. For the holiday phase, she draped warm string lights around the top shelf and hung small gold ornaments from the sides. A faux pine garland ran along the bottom shelf, mingling with wrapped gifts.

After New Year’s, instead of packing everything away, she removed the gifts and ornaments. She kept the lights (now wrapped around trailing ivy), replaced the garland with dried eucalyptus, and added a cushioned stool and a small lamp. The result? A quiet reading spot that guests now consistently compliment.

“I realized the magic wasn’t in the Christmas stuff,” Sarah said. “It was in the light, the layers, and finally giving that space a purpose.”

Design Principles Behind the Glow

The success of this challenge lies in applying core interior design concepts through accessible materials. Here’s what’s really happening beneath the surface:

• Light Layering: Christmas decor excels at adding ambient and accent lighting—two layers often missing in functional rooms.
• Vertical Emphasis: Garlands and hanging ornaments draw the eye upward, making low ceilings feel taller and narrow spaces wider.
• Reflective Surfaces: Mirrors, metallics, and glass increase perceived brightness in poorly lit areas.
• Intentional Clutter: Unlike random accumulation, holiday displays are curated. Applying that curation mindset year-round prevents mess while allowing personality.

These aren’t advanced techniques—they’re simple shifts in perspective. The glow up challenge works because it forces you to see overlooked spaces as canvases, not afterthoughts.

FAQ: Your Glow Up Questions Answered

Can I do this in a rental without breaking lease rules?

Absolutely. Focus on non-permanent solutions: battery lights, removable adhesive hooks, freestanding shelves, and floor-based greenery. Nothing requires drilling or painting unless you choose to.

What if I don’t own Christmas decor?

You don’t need a full collection. Start with one string of warm fairy lights—available inexpensively at most stores year-round. Add a small plant and a textured throw. The principle of layered ambiance matters more than specific items.

Won’t it look strange using Christmas items in summer?

Only if you leave the obvious symbols. Neutral metallics, soft lighting, and greenery are seasonless. A gold ball in a bowl reads as modern decor, not holiday kitsch. Edit out anything thematic, and keep what elevates the atmosphere.

Conclusion: Make the Glow Last Beyond the Season

The glow up challenge using Christmas decor isn’t about extending the holidays—it’s about stealing their best secrets. Light creates mood. Texture adds depth. Intention transforms neglect into care. When you approach your home with the same attention you give during December, every corner becomes an opportunity.

This isn’t a one-time project. It’s a mindset shift: seeing potential where others see dead space. Start with one corner. Use what you already own. Let the warmth of holiday styling inspire a more thoughtful, inviting home all year long.

🚀 Ready to start your glow up? Pick a dull corner tonight, pull out one strand of lights, and drape it with purpose. Share your before-and-after story online with #YearRoundGlow—because great design shouldn’t have an expiration date.