Christmas garland ideas – 12 creative ways to display this festive decoration throughout your home

A garland is a traditional Christmas decoration that can be styled in a whole range of ways to uplift your home during the festive season. Beyond the expected arrangements on mantelpieces and staircases, garlands can be used more creatively for a stylish display.

Here, we explore some of our favorite ways to decorate with Christmas garlands, to give you some useful ideas for your own home. Whether you prefer a pared-back approach to Christmas decor ideas or something more statement, these ideas have you covered.

From living rooms to entryways, a Christmas garland can go a long way in setting a festive feel to your home – read on for some stylish ideas that are simple to recreate.

Christmas garland ideas – 12 creative ways to display yours

Fresh Christmas foliage is always our first choice for Christmas garland ideas because of the natural scent and texture they will bring to your home's interior, however, if you don't fancy making a Christmas garland yourself, faux will do just as well.

1. Add a festive touch to your front door

If you love outdoor Christmas decorations or are searching for Christmas door decor ideas specifically, why not consider a garland draped over the door? It can create the perfect festive welcome over the holiday season.

Whether this is feasible or not will depend on your specific front door, but if you have a porch, it may present the perfect opportunity to decorate with a garland, elevating your Christmas porch decor.

We love the look of this rustic garland which acts as the focal point for this cottage's entrance, teamed with a smaller and more understated Christmas wreath to complete the look.

2. Decorate your stairs

Of course, Christmas stair decor ideas will probably spring to mind first when you consider where to drape your garland – and they are perfect for making your home feel festive and welcoming.

Simply wrap a garland – or multiple garlands depending on the size of your staircase, around your handrail or your baluster. In this period home, the original oak staircase is decorated with pine and clove-studded dried oranges; establishing a traditional look that feels perfectly in keeping with the style of the space.

3. Add a garland to your Christmas table

A garland can add beautiful greenery and texture to your Christmas table – and it is as simple as laying the garland in the center of your table space, as shown with the Lulu and Georgia Handmade Olive Branch Garland above.

Or, rather than purchasing a faux garland, you can craft one fairly easily by arranging festive cut stems down the center of your dining table and adding smaller elements such as dried orange slice decorations and pine cones, depending on how minimal or maximal you wish to go.

4. Decorate your mantelpiece

One of the most popular places in the home to decorate with a garland is on a Christmas mantel. As a fireplace is often the most central and main focal point in a room, uplifting this space with pretty mantel decor will only make this feature more inviting and stylish for the season.

In this cozy living room by Layered Lounge, the garland is adorned with on-trend bows and warm-toned lights, which together with the mantel decor and hung wreath on the wall make the fireplace the star of the room.

5. Uplift furniture

The beauty of a Christmas garland is that it can be hung or placed pretty much anywhere. From drinks trolleys to sideboards and shelving, they are ideal for uplifting everyday pieces of furniture with a joyful festive accent.

Here, the garland is displayed at the top of the wardrobe, adding a festive feel to the colorful bedroom. Although it may be an unexpected way to display a Christmas garland, it's a good option if you don't have a fireplace or live in an apartment without a staircase, since these are where a wreath would typically be displayed.

6. Choose a garland with twinkling lights

Unite festive foliage with your indoor Christmas lighting ideas and opt for a garland that features cozy, twinkling lights – ideal for outdoor Christmas light ideas, too.

'Christmas garlands are a great way to make a home feel extra special for the holidays. As well as mantels and stair rails they look great on window sills, closets and dressers. Mix in some fresh greenery and some string lights for a wonderfully cozy feel,' says Mark Winstanley, chief creative officer at The White Company.

We love this Pre-Lit Norway Garland from McGee & Co., with the subtle lights giving a festive glow, wherever you choose to display it.

7. Opt for enduring faux foliage

The beauty of a faux Christmas garland, such as this Fresh Juniper and Noble Fir Garland from Anthropologie is that they are easy to handle and display and can be re-used every year for festive decorating.

'A garland really is a staple when it comes to holiday decorating, and the best thing about a faux one is that you can use it year after year. I think they look lovely wrapped around staircase banisters or draped over a mantelpiece, but there are also lots more creative ways you can use them around the house too,' says OKA’s co-founder, Sue Jones.

8. Coordinate your garland with your existing decor

For a coordinated look that is in keeping with your existing decor and personal style, choose a garland that shares the same color palette as your room color ideas. While Christmas color schemes typically favor reds and greens, that doesn't mean that's the only option for your garland display.

In this entryway, the blue paintwork is the standout design feature, and the Christmas garland has been layered with oversized blue striped bows to continue this color palette. This ties together the room and ensures that the garland doesn't look out of place, but rather in alignment with the existing decor.

9. Swap the foliage for an alternative garland

Traditionally, Christmas garlands are crafted from real foliage and flowers, but as years have gone by, there are so many different wonderful designs to choose from – and they're not all faux foliage either.

Paper garlands, like this Paper Concertina Garland from Terrain, can be used year after year, and create a more understated look than a traditional foliage garland. Alternatively, dried orange garlands are another way to go if you're looking to switch things up this year, suggests interior designer Darla Bankston May:

'Decorate with traditional holiday methods like crafting a citrus garland. Not only does it add a nostalgic and charming touch to your home, but it makes for a fun, hands-on holiday activity. The citrus fills your space with a refreshing, natural aroma that enhances the festive atmosphere.'

10. Add a garland to the ceiling

Looking for an unexpected place to display your Christmas garland? Instead of the traditional mantel or staircase, why not opt for the ceiling? If your home features ceiling beams, as seen here, they provide a welcome opportunity to get creative with your garlands.

Another similar place to display your garland is on internal doorways, giving a festive and welcoming entrance from room to room. If you're not sure where to start, walk through your home and look out for unexpected places you could display your garland – you may be surprised by what you come up with.

11. Go for an oversized garland

If you want to make a statement with your Christmas garland, consider going for a dramatic, oversized version. As seen here, this rustic garland sits on the mantel and acts as the room's focal point. This would be an especially good idea if you aren't putting up a Christmas tree, or have your tree in another room but still want the space to ooze festive charm.

'A garland is the perfect addition to a blank wall in the living room, for example, creating a beautiful festive canopy from which you can layer lots of jewel-toned decorations. I'd use baubles of different sizes and add some fairy lights for a real modern statement,' explains Sue Jones.

12. Take your Christmas garland to the floor

Another slightly unexpected way to display your Christmas garland this year is on the lower edging of your staircase. Although garlands are typically displayed on the tops of banisters, taking it lower down can work well if you have a wide staircase. This will leave your handrail clutter-free which can serve practical benefits, whilst still providing just as much of a festive display.

In this home's stairwell, the simple foliage garland runs from top to bottom, creating an unexpected and stylish look for the holidays.

Shop Christmas garlands

Whether you choose to display your Christmas garland traditionally around the fireplace mantel or more unexpectedly on furniture, you can be as creative as you like for a stylish and festive feel throughout your home.