Simple Christmas decorating ideas using paper stars

Paper stars have to be some of the simplest, prettiest and most versatile Christmas decorations around. They’re inexpensive to buy, quick to put up, and you can fold them up and store them away to reuse again and again. I’ve been incorporating them into my festive decor for years and I’ve displayed them in all sorts of different ways, so I thought I’d share a few easy yet eye-catching ideas that you can recreate in your own home.

I have a selection of white and black paper stars in various sizes. I got them from Rose & Grey a few years ago, but they have similar ones in stock this year. I’ve also seen lots of great versions at Mon Pote, Tea + Kate and Trouva.

Fireplaces

It’s probably the easiest Christmas idea there is, but paper stars look very effective perched on mantelpieces, particularly if grouped with a couple of candles and other festive touches. If you don’t have a mantelpiece, you could try this on a shelf, sideboard or console table.

In previous years, I’ve hung stars around the mirror above the fireplace, using fine sewing thread and masking tape to suspend them from the coving. It’s a great way to add a bit of impact in larger rooms.

I’ve even been known to place them on the hearth, which creates a sculptural feel. We can’t light our fireplace as the chimney needs repairing, so it was safe for me to do this, but please don’t try this one at home if you have a working open fire!

Walls

Clusters of paper stars are ideal for jazzing up a blank swathe of wall. Last year I hung a trio behind our dining table, as I hadn’t yet bought any prints for the space and wanted to add some interest (you can read more about the table styling as a whole here). This look works best if you use stars of varying sizes and position them at slightly different heights – just use blue tack to stick them in place or, if that doesn’t work, suspend them from above with sewing thread and a bit of masking tape.

A single wall-hung paper star is also a great way to add a subtle festive touch to a bedroom. Here, I’ve positioned one above the bed in our guest room to welcome visiting family and friends.

Windows and doors 

Paper stars work brilliantly in windows, especially as they can be seen from the outside. Again use trusty sewing thread, either tied around a curtain pole or stuck to the frame with masking tape.

Finally, you can hang paper stars against doors – an effective way to add some festive decoration to hallways and landings, and give a hint of the magic that lies within individual rooms. Sticking the thread to the flat top of the door means the tape won’t be visible from eye level.

I’d love to know if you try any of these ideas, so please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram (@thesefourwallsblog) if you share your efforts there!

All photography by Abi Dare