Simple Festive Touches For Your Hallway
The festive season does not need to mean clutter or last minute panic. A few simple, reusable touches in your hallway and living spaces can carry the mood of the season without taking over your home, in Malta's mild winter evenings or otherwise.
A wreath that outlasts the season
Instead of a real wreath that sheds leaves across the hallway tiles, spray paint a plain mirror or picture frame in a colour you love, then wind some fairy lights around it to hang on the door. It takes an afternoon to put together and can be stored flat once the season ends, ready to reuse year after year. This is a particularly good option for apartment entrances in Malta, where space for seasonal storage is often limited and a bulky real wreath is simply impractical.
FEJKA artificial plant, wall mounted/in/outdoor Wax plant, 25x25 cm
IKEA PS 2026 wall decoration, set of 3, green light blue/yellow
IKEA PS 2026 wall decoration, green, 25 cm
IKEA PS 2026 wall decoration, set of 3, pink red/blue
FEJKA artificial plant, wall mounted in/outdoor/foliage, 25x25 cm
IKEA PS 1995 clock, blue, 48 cm
Guide guests from the front door
A narrow Maltese hallway can still feel welcoming with a little direction. Lay out a trail of fairy lights in the shape of an arrow leading to a soft basket where guests can drop coats, bags and phones. A netted storage unit by the door can be cross-stitched with wool into a simple tree shape, turning a practical piece of furniture into part of the decoration, and keeping the entrance tidy when the house is full of visitors.
Candlelight without the mess
Battery operated LED candles give the warmth of real flame without the dripping wax or the worry of an open flame near curtains and dry decorations. Group a few different heights and styles together in clear glass vases along a windowsill or sideboard for an easy festive glow that works in any room of the house. For a window display, hang a bare branch from string and attach a few small ornaments, giving height and interest without needing a full tree.
SNÖRPTRÅD LED table decoration, battery-operated brass-colour, 9.5 cm
KNÖLTÅNG LED table decoration, battery-operated white, 5.5 cm
SNÖSISKA LED table decoration, battery-operated house/ceramic white, 16 cm
HJULMÖJA LED table decoration, glass/battery-operated greyish-black, 80 mm
HJULMÖJA LED table decoration, glass/battery-operated white, 76 mm
SKATGÅS LED tealight kit, with charging tray white, 29x11 cm
A starry glow for the bedroom
Bring the festive mood into the bedroom with star shaped paper pendant shades hung from the ceiling on a cord set, positioned over the bed rather than above a dining table. Switch off the main lights in the evening and let the soft glow of the stars take over for a relaxed, cosy atmosphere that suits quiet winter nights in from the humidity of summer. It is a gentle, long lasting touch that works well beyond the holiday period too.
Neutral textiles and self sufficient blooms
Rather than committing to a strict seasonal colour scheme, choose soft textiles in neutral tones with a couple of coordinating shades for depth, stored in an open basket within easy reach of the sofa. For the table, skip cut flowers that fade quickly and place a few bulbs in clear glass vases such as the TIDVATTEN or BERÄKNA designs, topped up with water. Once they have flowered, store the bulbs somewhere dark and plant them again in spring.
BERÄKNA bowl, clear glass, 26 cm
BERÄKNA vase, clear glass, 18 cm
BERÄKNA vase, clear glass, 30 cm
BERÄKNA vase, clear glass, 45 cm
BERÄKNA vase, clear glass, 15 cm
Maltashopper brings these IKEA pieces to homes across Malta and Gozo, so these easy, reusable touches can settle into your hallway without any last minute rush.