Have you started decking out your home with holiday decor yet? It’s that time of the year to bring out all of your holiday decorations such as Christmas garland and make your home festive for this joyous holiday season. Adorn your Christmas trees with lights and ornaments, while trying to get all of your holiday shopping, baking and cooking done. It is a daunting task, but somehow we make it all happen!
Even if you have already finished all of your holiday decorating by now, there are still plenty of ways to add a few finishing touches. Christmas garland is the perfect way to add a little extra holiday joy to your home. You can opt for faux garland, or get the real stuff from a Christmas tree lot, or even gather clippings from your own property!
Tell Us: Which one of these Christmas garland ideas most inspired you? Let us know in the Comments below!
Where to Put Christmas Garland in Your Home
The best places to hang Christmas garland are the spots your eye goes to first when you walk into a room. Here is where to start, with ideas below for each one:
- Staircase banister: Drape or swag garland along the staircase railing and finish the newel post with a bow (ideas 1, 7, 13 and 24).
- Fireplace mantel: Lay it across the mantel shelf, let it cascade off one end, or hang it above (ideas 6, 18, 22 and 29).
- Doorways: Frame an opening into the dining room, kitchen or hallway (ideas 3, 16 and 20).
- Windows: Outline a large window or bay window to frame the view (ideas 9 and 15).
- Headboards: Trim the bed with garland and string lights for a cozy bedroom (ideas 14 and 28).
- Mirrors and signs: Dress up an entry or hallway (ideas 5 and 19).
- Dining table: Run garland down the center as a dining table centerpiece (idea 12).
- Outdoor fireplace: Bring the look outside to a covered patio (idea 10).
Tips for Sprucing Up Your Home with Christmas Garland
- Layer for fullness. Combine two or three types of garland, such as a faux base with fresh cedar or eucalyptus tucked in, for a full, natural look.
- Measure before you buy. For a draped look on a banister or mantel, plan on about one and a half to two times the length you want to cover.
- Protect your woodwork. Zip ties, floral wire or removable hooks hold garland securely without nails or scratches on railings and mantels.
- Keep it fresh and safe. Spray real garland with an anti-wilt spray outdoors and let it dry before hanging. Keep it away from heat vents and open flames. Near a working fireplace, use faux greenery and LED candles instead.
- Finish with a few favorite details. Pick two or three accents, such as ribbon, pinecones, berries, ornaments or string lights, and repeat them along the garland so it looks pulled together.
1. Garland On The Banister
To create this look, the key is to layer at least two different garlands together to make it look full. Use zip ties to attach the garland to the banister. Next, add extra strands of lights, plugged in at the top of the stairs. The bows are satin. Tie in some pinecones and faux berries from Michaels to finish the look. (Photo Credit: @mytexashouse)
2. Garland And Candlelight
This beautifully draped garland over the staircase banister is finished with some LED candles for evening-time ambiance. (Photo Credit: Julie Blanner)
3. Door Frame Draped Garland
Anywhere with door frames in your home, accent them with garland for a dramatic effect. Here, the dining room door looks elegant, inviting guests in for dinner. To hang garland without nails, try these damage-free Command garland hangers, which hold up to 2 pounds. You can also use three nails on the top of the door frame, leaving a 1/3″ exposed. Nail one into each corner, and the third in the center. Use fresh garland to create this beautiful look, and tuck it in behind each nail. (Photo Credit: Julie Blanner)
4. The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Beautiful garland accents the staircase banister, while a wreath from @afloral finishes the look. The charming sign on the wall is from @harpergrayce. Wrapped gifts on the steps are from Target. (Photo Credit: House Becomes Home Interiors)
5. Under The Mistletoe
Use garland to accent your holiday signs or mirrors around your home. The “Meet Me Under The Mistletoe” sign is from @harpergrayce. (Photo Credit: @desertdecor)
6. Pine Branch Garland
Drape pine branches over your fireplace mantel for a fresh and natural holiday aesthetic. If you chop down your tree, save some trimmed branches, or you can find them at Christmas tree lots, Home Depot or Lowe’s. If you wish to create a more full look, you can also mix in some faux Fraser fir foliage. (Photo Credit: Liz Marie Blog)
7. Garland Trimmed Banister
This gorgeous staircase features garland trimmed along the banister. A beautiful ivory ribbon is tied into bows throughout the garland, creating a touch of elegance. Mini lights add a magical glow. (Photo Credit: Southern Hospitality Blog)
8. Pine and Eucalyptus Christmas Garland
Create the look of fresh Christmas garland in your home by layering faux pine garland with faux eucalyptus. (Photo Credit: Keys To Inspiration)
9. Window Greenery
If you have a large window, why not trim it with some Christmas garland? The look will add a festive touch and further frame the views to outdoors. The beautiful table in the foreground is from Restoration Hardware, while the exquisite flooring is tumbled, antique-gray Carrara marble… how dreamy is this kitchen? So perfect for holiday entertaining! (Photo Credit: House Beautiful)
10. Alfresco Fire
If you have an outdoor fireplace (or even an indoor one), the mantel is the perfect spot for adding some real or faux garland. Since this home is in California, holiday parties can be enjoyed throughout the year. The Blue Ridge cobblestone fireplace features a black firebrick in a herringbone pattern for the firebox. (Photo Credit: House Beautiful)
11. Merry And Bright
This cozy living room layered in neutrals features a pop of color from the greenery of the garland. The fresh garland on the mantel is composed of clipped cedar from the forest mixed with eucalyptus from a neighbor’s tree! (Photo Credit: toni_marianna)
12. Dining Table Garland
Beautiful garland can also be used as a dining table centerpiece for Christmas. Simply drape garland down the center of your table. Freshly clipped cedar branches (or use faux) are mixed with magnolia leaves on top of the table. A pallet box is suspended from above, using glass jars filled with tea lights for ambiance. Garland drapes over the pallet box. You could use this same inspiration for your chandelier over your dining table. (Photo Credit: toni_marianna)
13. Classic Christmas Garland
If you have stairs or a railing in your home, then adding garland is a must. It is a fabulous way to infuse your home with some Christmas cheer! You can opt to use faux garland, which can be found at places such as Walmart, Target, Michaels, or even Etsy. Real garland can also be used, found at a nursery or even clippings from your own backyard! This beautiful garland features silky pink ribbons from Etsy, eucalyptus leaves, and pinecones for an elegant look. (Photo Credit: Monika Hibbs)
14. Garland Dressed Bedroom
Decorate your bedroom for the holidays by trimming your headboard with a beautiful bough of garland. This adds a festive and cozy touch that will keep you feeling warm throughout the winter. (Photo Credit: @lifebyleanna)
15. Classic Garland
This stunning greenery framing the living room window features life-like cedar, sweeping longleaf pine, Douglas fir, Scotch pine, and real pinecones. The red bows add to the classic red and green Christmas aesthetic. (Photo Credit: Frontgate)
16. Cozy Christmas Home
In this cozy mountain home, pine bough garland with string lights frames the doorways for a magical ambiance. (Photo Credit: Mountain Modern Life)
17. Traditional Style Elements
A grand two-story foyer provides a grand first impression. The staircase is adorned with boughs of evergreen punctuated with red berries, striped ribbons, and pinecones. If you look closely, you will see at the foot of the stairs a whimsical woodland creature, greeting visitors. (Photo Credit: At Home in Arkansas)
18. Holiday Mantel
This DIY garland beautifully drapes over the mantel. We love how the stockings and candles create balance. Notice the small grouping of pinecones set on the garland above the stockings? (Photo Credit: @laineandlayne)
19. Use Garland As An Accent
Here, a large leaning gilded mirror gets accented with beautiful garland. This shows how garland can be used just about anywhere in your home to add a touch of festivity. (Photo Credit: The Art of Doing Stuff)
20. Garland Card Display
Fresh garland trims the door frame entry into the kitchen. We love this novel idea of using mini clothespins to clip Christmas cards to the garland. This is a great way to display cards instead of tossing them into a box. (Photo Credit: Nine and Sixteen)
21. Cheerful Foyer
This beautiful Colonial-style home features an elegant garland draping over the staircase banister. The greenery is fresh, but faux could also be used for longevity and yearly use. The seasonal pillows add to the festivity of this old-fashioned Christmas decorated foyer. (Photo Credit: Nine and Sixteen)
22. Deck The Mantel
Instead of the traditional draping of classic garland over the mantel, try hanging it from above. Set on this living room mantel is an arrangement of tulips, paperwhites and hypericum berries. (Photo Credit: Nine and Sixteen)
23. Merry Christmas
This staircase features a festive garland trailing the banister. White ornaments are hung from the garland along with a “Merry Christmas” banner. (Photo Credit: Pinterest)
24. Elegant Christmas Garland
This sophisticated garland is all about tradition. Layers of garland are draped together and secured at various points along the banister. Mini-lights provide a magical ambiance. (Photo Credit: @kristywicks)
25. Romantic Fireplace Mantel
This cozy fireplace features a theme of greenery and natural elements, such as berries and pinecones. The mirror is from Hobby Lobby, while the garland is from @paulmichaelcompany, and the stockings are from Amazon. On the coffee table, the golden deer is from Target! (Photo Credit: @hipandhumblestyle)
26. Christmas Garland Staircase
Natural elements adorn this staircase banister that features plenty of greenery. Pops of black and white mix with warm woods and candlelight for a warm and cozy atmosphere. We are loving the simplicity of this style! (Photo Credit: @hipandhumblestyle)
27. Beautiful Christmas Decor
A beautiful garland accents the living room fireplace mantel. In the foreground, the throw on the ottoman is from Michaels. Notice the chunky knit blanket used as a tree skirt? (Photo Credit: @homeonfernhill)
28. Magical Bedroom Lights
In the bedroom, the garland highlights the bed’s headboard, illuminated with mini-lights. We bet this bedroom looks magical in the evening time! (Photo Credit: @homeonfernhill)
29. Charming Fireplace Garland
This lovely fireplace is adorned with greenery and plaid stockings. (Photo Credit: Nora Murphy via Country Living) Love the plaid pillow on the chair? These plaid pillow covers give a similar look, or you can make a similar one from a throw blanket with this easy DIY plaid pillow tutorial.
Note: For more inspiring holiday decorating ideas, head over to our Pinterest page and check out (and follow) our board “Christmas Decorating Ideas“! Happy decorating everyone!
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