12 Christmas Garland Ideas Beyond the Mantel
12 Christmas garland ideas from real homes: door arches, open shelves, kitchen hoods and homemade dried orange garlands.
Garland is the hardest working Christmas decoration. One long strand of greenery can dress a doorway, an open shelf, a kitchen hood or a whole front entrance.
Here are 12 Christmas garland ideas from real homes in the US, the UK, Australia and Europe. Most of them go beyond the mantel, and a few are homemade dried orange garlands you can make for almost nothing.
12 Christmas Garland Ideas From Real Homes
🎨 Garland colors and textures
1Garland Along Open Kitchen Shelves
View this post by thehouseofsilverlining on Instagram
Photo: thehouseofsilverlining on Instagram
Open shelves are made for garland. This kitchen has a soft strand draped along the shelf edge, so the room feels festive without clutter.
Shelf garland is easy because the shelf holds the weight for you.
How to get this look
- Lay a thin garland along the front of each shelf.
- Let it hang a little over the edge.
- Keep the dishes on the shelves simple.
2A Full Arch Around the Front Door
View this post by rosaliehomeco on Instagram
Photo: rosaliehomeco on Instagram
This front door is framed by a thick garland arch with a matching wreath. It is a big, welcoming statement.
A full arch needs a lot of garland, so join several strands and hide the joins with extra stems.
How to get this look
- Measure up, across and down the door frame.
- Use hooks or a garland frame to hold it.
- Add a matching wreath in the center.
3Garland on a Columned Entrance
View this post by westonfarms on Instagram
Photo: westonfarms on Instagram
Garland wraps around the columns and over the door of this classic entrance, with a wreath in the middle.
Columns and porch posts are perfect for wrapping garland in a spiral.
How to get this look
- Start at the top of each post and spiral down.
- Tie the ends with wire.
- Repeat the same greenery over the door.
4A Rustic Ralph Lauren Style Garland
View this post by juliecowandesign on Instagram
Photo: juliecowandesign on Instagram
This garland is full of pine, cones, berries and plaid. It is inspired by classic Ralph Lauren holiday style.
Mix lots of textures in one garland for a rich, rustic look.
How to get this look
- Start with a pine garland.
- Wire in pine cones and red berries.
- Add plaid ribbon in loose loops.
5A Garland Swag on a Living Room Wall
View this post by sonja_ols on Instagram
Photo: sonja_ols on Instagram
A long garland swag hangs across the wall above the sofa, with a wreath in the middle. Simple and very Nordic.
No mantel? A wall swag gives you the same festive feel.
How to get this look
- Use 2 hooks at each end of the wall.
- Let the garland dip in the middle.
- Hang a wreath where the dip is.
6An Indoor Doorway Garland
View this post by hardwareconcepts_au on Instagram
Photo: hardwareconcepts_au on Instagram
This inside doorway is framed with garland and a big bow at the top. It turns a plain door into a festive entrance.
Doorways between rooms are often forgotten, but they are a lovely spot for garland.
How to get this look
- Use adhesive hooks along the frame.
- Add a bow at the top center.
- Pick a slim garland so the door still opens.
7Garland With Red Baubles on Wooden Doors
View this post by serenlillyweddingandeventhire on Instagram
Photo: serenlillyweddingandeventhire on Instagram
A full garland with red baubles frames these big wooden doors. It looks grand and cheerful.
Red baubles pop against warm wood doors.
How to get this look
- Choose shatterproof red baubles.
- Wire them in groups along the garland.
- Add warm lights for the evening.
8Citrus Garland Over the Range Hood
View this post by hojhome on Instagram
Photo: hojhome on Instagram
A garland with fresh citrus and greenery is draped over this kitchen range hood. It feels fresh and smells amazing.
The range hood is a natural focal point in the kitchen, like a mantel.
How to get this look
- Lay garland across the top of the hood.
- Add dried or fresh orange slices.
- Keep it away from the stove top.
9A Homemade Dried Citrus Garland
View this post by katharinevogel on Instagram
Photo: katharinevogel on Instagram
This garland is made from dried oranges, lemons and limes. It glows when the tree lights shine through it.
Dried citrus looks like stained glass with light behind it.
How to get this look
- Slice fruit thin, about 1/4 inch.
- Dry in a low oven for 3 to 4 hours.
- Thread onto twine with a needle.
10Orange and Cranberry Garland on the Tree
View this post by yammiesnoshery on Instagram
Photo: yammiesnoshery on Instagram
Dried orange slices and cranberries are strung together and wrapped around the tree. It is a classic old fashioned look.
Cranberries add a pop of red between the orange slices.
How to get this look
- Thread 3 to 5 cranberries between each orange slice.
- Use strong thread or fishing line.
- Wrap it loosely around the tree.
11A Natural Tree and Mantel Garland
View this post by lukearthurwells on Instagram
Photo: lukearthurwells on Instagram
A natural tree decorated with dried oranges, and a greenery garland on the mantel next to it. The whole corner feels calm and natural.
Repeat dried oranges on the tree and mantel so they match.
How to get this look
- Use dried orange slices on both.
- Add stockings to the mantel garland.
- Keep other colors to a minimum.
12Orange Garland in the Window
View this post by buenavistafarm on Instagram
Photo: buenavistafarm on Instagram
This family dries orange slices every year and strings them up in the window. The light shines through and makes them glow.
Windows are the best place for dried fruit garland because the light shows the color.
How to get this look
- Hang the garland across a sunny window.
- Use small hooks or tape inside the frame.
- Make a new one each year as a tradition.
Fresh, Faux or Dried Garland?
Each type has its own pros and cons.
Fresh garland
- Smells amazing
- Looks very natural
- Lasts 2 to 4 weeks
- Best outdoors or in cool rooms
Faux or dried garland
- Faux lasts for years
- Dried fruit is cheap and homemade
- Safe with lights
- Add fresh stems for scent
Where to Hang Garland at Christmas
Once you start, you will find garland fits almost anywhere.
- Front door arch or porch posts
- Inside doorways
- Open shelves and cabinets
- Kitchen range hood
- Walls above sofas or beds
- Windows and mirrors
💡 Hana’s tip
Buy one long realistic garland and add cheap faux stems into it. It looks twice as full for a small extra cost.
Quick Garland Checklist
- Measure the space first
- Use hooks or ties, not nails
- Layer textures like cones and berries
- Add warm lights
- Repeat one detail across the room
FAQs
How do you hang garland without nails?
Use adhesive hooks, Velcro, zip ties or a tension rod. They hold well and leave no marks.
How long does fresh garland last indoors?
About 2 weeks in a warm room. Mist it with water to help it last.
How do you make a dried orange garland?
Slice oranges thin, dry them in a low oven for 3 to 4 hours, then thread them on twine.
How do I make faux garland look real?
Fluff every branch, add a few fresh stems and wire in pine cones or berries.
Final Thoughts
Garland can go almost anywhere in your home at Christmas. Pick one new spot this year, like a doorway or kitchen shelf, and you will be surprised how festive it makes the room.
See also my how to hang garland on stairs guide and Christmas mantel decor ideas.
