Barn Decorating Hacks: Cheap Ideas for Holiday Spirit

There’s something magical about walking into the barn during the holiday season. The crunch of frost under boots, the smell of hay mixing with pine, and that soft golden glow of lights strung around stall doors all create a feeling that goes beyond riding or chores, it feels like home. Horse people spend countless hours in the barn, so why not make it festive? Decorating doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity, a pinch of resourcefulness, and maybe some repurposed supplies you already have tucked away, you can transform your barn into a winter wonderland that both you and your horses will love.

Decorating with What You Already Have

The beauty of barn decorating is that it doesn’t need to be perfect or Pinterest-worthy. The goal is to add warmth and joy to a place you already cherish. Horses may not care about whether the wreaths match or if the garland is symmetrical, but they absolutely pick up on the good energy that comes from people smiling and enjoying their time in the barn. A barn full of laughter, lights, and the scent of holiday cookies is a barn that feels like family. And the best part? You can achieve that spirit without spending a fortune.

One of the easiest ways to bring holiday cheer into the barn is by reimagining what you already have. Old ribbons from horse shows can easily become decorations when you cluster them into rosettes on stall doors or string them into garlands. Those ribbons that have been collecting dust in tack trunks suddenly get a second life as festive accents. Show saddle pads that are a little too worn for the ring can be washed, folded, and stacked artfully in holiday colors to create a display corner. Even feed sacks, especially the ones with seasonal designs or bright colors, can be cut, cleaned, and repurposed into wrapping paper or banners.

Lighting That Transforms

Lighting is another barn hack that goes a long way in creating holiday magic. Twinkle lights instantly transform the mood of any space. While fancy string lights can be pricey, you don’t need to buy new. Raid your attic or check the clearance bins at local hardware stores for last year’s leftovers. Even mismatched strands look charming in the barn, especially when wrapped around beams or draped over stall doors. Solar-powered lights are an especially good option for barns without easy access to outlets, and they often go on sale during the fall. An inexpensive extension cord or two and you’re in business. And for safety’s sake, LED strands stay cool to the touch and are less risky around hay and shavings.

Rustic Wreaths on a Budget

Wreaths are a holiday staple, but store-bought versions can cost a small fortune. Luckily, the barn and yard provide plenty of raw materials to craft your own. Fallen branches from pine trees, a little twine, and a spare halter can come together into a rustic wreath in under an hour. You can weave in leftover show ribbons or tie on old polo wraps in festive colors for extra charm. Even if you’re not particularly crafty, simple is beautiful—one big loop of greenery hung on a stall door with a red bow is enough to spread cheer. For those who want to skip greenery altogether, a circle of braided baling twine, dressed up with ribbons, can double as a quirky, horsey take on the traditional wreath.

Dressing Up Stall Doors

Stall doors are the perfect canvas for holiday spirit. Each horse’s space can be dressed up in a way that reflects their personality. A goofy gelding might get a jingle bell tied onto his nameplate, while a princess mare could sport a glittery bow. Cheap ornaments from the dollar store can be zip-tied to bars or hung with baling twine, adding sparkle without fear of breaking. For a truly personal touch, consider making DIY name plaques for each horse using scrap wood, paint, or even chalkboard signs that can be erased and reused year after year. Horses may not appreciate the flair, but their owners and barn mates will smile every time they walk down the aisle.

Fabric Fixes for Festive Flair

Holiday fabric is another budget-friendly barn hack. A yard or two of plaid flannel can be cut into strips and tied onto stall bars like garland. Old scarves or fleece remnants can be knotted into braids to make colorful trims. If you’ve got old saddle pads that are past their prime, try sewing or gluing fabric scraps onto them to create holiday-themed wall hangings. Fabric is often cheap at thrift stores or clearance bins, and since barns are casual spaces, it doesn’t need to look polished, it just needs to be bright and cheerful.

Adding Holiday Scent

Don’t underestimate the power of scent in creating a festive mood. Barns already smell wonderful with hay and leather, but adding subtle holiday aromas can make the space feel extra cozy. A pot of simmering apple cider on a small hot plate in the tack room fills the air with sweetness and warmth (just remember to unplug it before you leave!). Pinecones sprayed with a bit of cinnamon oil or cloves tucked into orange peels can act as natural air fresheners without costing much. Just keep anything scented horse-safe and placed out of reach, no one wants a curious gelding snacking on your decorations.

Making It a Community Event

Community spirit is what makes barn decorating truly shine. Organize a low-budget “stall decorating contest” or “stocking decorating contest” where each boarder or rider gets creative with what they have. It doesn’t need to be competitive; the real fun is walking down the aisle and admiring the mix of silly, sweet, and sentimental ideas people come up with. Some barns even host decorating parties—potluck snacks, Christmas cookies, and a few rolls of tape go a long way when everyone pitches in. It’s less about who makes the prettiest stall and more about creating memories with barn friends.

Including the Barn Pets

Another festive hack is to use your barn pets in the decorations. Barn dogs can wear thrifted holiday bandanas. Cats can be the stars of photo ops with tiny Santa hats (if they tolerate them, of course). Even chickens or goats in the barnyard can get little bows on their coops. The photos alone will be priceless, and posting them to social media helps share your barn’s holiday spirit with the wider community.

Safety First

Safety is always a priority when decorating barns, so it’s worth noting that horse-safe choices are key. Avoid tinsel, glass ornaments, or anything small and shiny that a curious horse might chew on. Stick to sturdy materials like fabric, wood, or plastic that can withstand a nibble or two. Hang decorations high enough that horses can’t grab them, and check that cords and lights are out of reach. The good news is that most of the cheapest decorations are also the safest. Also, keep fire safety in mind!

Extending Spirit Outdoors

Holiday decorating doesn’t have to be limited to the inside of the barn. Outdoor touches can be just as fun. Old pitchforks or wheelbarrows can be turned into rustic displays with a little greenery and ribbon. A worn-out saddle can become part of a holiday vignette when paired with pine boughs and a lantern. Even your fence lines can get in on the fun with strands of garland or simple bows made from burlap strips. The best part is that these outdoor displays give everyone who drives up to the barn an instant holiday welcome.

Horses as Part of the Fun

Horses themselves can become part of the decorating fun, and it doesn’t have to involve expensive costumes. Old polos in red and green make instant holiday leg wraps. A retired bridle can be decked out with bells. Simple fleece saddle covers in festive colors turn everyday tack into holiday flair. Riders love snapping photos of their horses dressed for the season, and the memories often last longer than the decorations themselves.

Glitter, Sparkle, and Playfulness

If you want to add a little sparkle to your holiday barn vibe, glitter spray or fabric paint can transform otherwise plain items into seasonal showpieces. A boring old bucket becomes a candy cane bucket with a little red-and-white paint. Baling twine braided with tinsel-like ribbon becomes a sparkling garland. Even plain saddle pads or wraps can get a temporary holiday upgrade with safe, washable embellishments. 

Joy Over Perfection

The most important hack of all is remembering that decorating is about joy, not money. A barn decorated with homemade crafts, recycled ribbons, and laughter in the air will always feel more festive than one lined with expensive store-bought décor. Horses don’t judge your wreath-making skills, and your barn friends will likely appreciate the effort more than the aesthetic. The magic is in the creativity and the togetherness.

Remember

Barns are more than just places to ride, they’re second homes, sanctuaries, and community hubs. Taking the time to decorate them for the holidays reinforces that sense of belonging. Whether you’re braiding baling twine into garlands, hanging up old ribbons, or simply draping a string of mismatched lights across the aisle, you’re creating a space that celebrates the season and the people (and animals) who share it.

So grab a box of hand-me-down decorations, raid your tack trunk for supplies, and let your imagination run wild. You don’t need a big budget to make your barn sparkle for the holidays. You just need a little time, a little creativity, and the willingness to embrace the joyful messiness of barn life. At the end of the day, holiday spirit is about the warmth we bring into the barn, not the money we spend making it pretty. And if your decorations make someone smile on a cold winter night or create one extra memory with your barn family, then they’ve already done their job.

And do not forget to share your festive decorations with the THQ community!