This 'no-nails' Christmas garland hack is perfect for sprucing up unexpected spots – here’s how to replicate it

When we decorate for Christmas, shower curtain rods are probably the last thing we think to pull out of storage. 

However, a festive Christmas garland hack circulating on social media is making us rethink how we spruce up our spaces for the holidays, with a trick for hanging garlands in archways sure to make any home cozy for Christmas. 

This is what Interior designers think of the trend, and how to replicate the look for yourself.

The 'no-nails' Christmas garland hack

This Christmas styling trick is simple, all you have to do is wrap garland lengths around an extendable tension pole such as a shower curtain pole, and place it up high in an archway or open doorway. Basic, but incredibly effective: 

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‘The latest curtain rod garland trend has gone viral for good reason,’ begins Audrey Scheck, interior designer and founder of Audrey Scheck Design. ‘We love this clever hack of using a tension rod for hanging garland around doorways without damaging your walls, solving a common Christmas decorating pain point.

To achieve this look, Audrey recommends building up the garland to create a fuller, more dramatic appearance using several pieces of garland in varying lengths to wrap the tension rod. 

‘The goal is that you have enough garland to completely conceal the rod, making it appear as if the garland isn’t wrapped around anything at all,’ she explains. ‘Layer in eucalyptus leaves and twinkle lights to enhance the look of your Christmas decor.’

If desired, you can also use this niche as another opportunity to incorporate the other big Christmas trend of the season – velvet bows, tying them neatly amongst the foliage.

Audrey Scheck

With more than a half-dozen years of experience in remodels and renovations, Audrey Scheck leads Audrey Scheck Design, a full-service interior design firm based in Austin, Texas.

Cherie Lee, interior designer and founder of the eponymous design studio agrees that the trend is certainly one to give a go this season, adding that it's the perfect way to add some impactful Christmas foliage while also ‘striking a balance between creating a visual stunning atmosphere and ensuring the safety of both the decorations and the people using the space, especially if you have excitable children running around a space.’

One thing Cherie does urge us to consider, however, is the risk of overloading the pole. While you want a bushy, dramatic look, you also do not want it to come toppling down on your head unexpectedly:

‘A non-fixed pole is unlikely to be able to withstand much weight. We would certainly avoid breakable ornaments,’ she says. ‘Also consider what your wall is made of, using a pressurized method of pressing a weighted rod against a wall could leave impressions on the plasterboard or crack the plaster when the rod is removed.’ 

Cherie Lee

Cherie Lee heads the team at CLI, taking creative lead on all projects. She works closely with her team of designers and project managers who ensure the smooth implementation and delivery of stunning homes.

FAQs

All in all, this is a certified favorite among both designers and our editors who can see this trend becoming a staple Christmas door decor idea for years to come. ‘Whether you hang these around your home or use this trick to decorate a front porch for Christmas, this is a great accessible approach no matter if you are looking for rustic Christmas decor, or are aiming for a quiet luxury Christmas,’ concludes Millie Hurst, Solved section editor for Homes & Gardens.