You’re about to discover the most creative Christmas garland ideas that’ll transform your home into a festive wonderland this holiday season.
From simple DIY projects using materials you already have to stunning store-bought options you can customize, these garland ideas work for every style and budget.
Whether you’re decorating your mantel, staircase, or even unexpected spaces like bathroom mirrors, you’ll find fresh inspiration that goes way beyond basic evergreen branches.
01. Modern Paper Fan Display
Credit: Annie Sloan
You’ll love how bright pink and Kelly green create an unexpected modern twist on traditional Christmas colors.
Try hanging vibrant pink paper fan garlands against a bold green wall to instantly energize your holiday space. This contemporary color combo brings a playful, uplifting vibe that breaks all the traditional red-and-green rules in the best possible way.
02. Layered Maximalist Style
Credit: @homesteadcitydwelling/ Instagram
Why settle for one garland when you can layer three different styles for maximum visual impact?
Mix neutral-toned garlands in varying textures to create depth and warmth on your mantel. You can easily recreate a luxe leaf garland by attaching gold paper leaves to sturdy chain or thick string for that custom designer look without the price tag.
03. Piano Top Holiday Display
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Your upright piano offers the perfect blank canvas for creating a magical holiday vignette that guests will adore.
Start with a lighted green garland as your base, then layer in miniature Christmas trees, colorful ball ornaments, and house-shaped votives. The combination of lights and varied heights creates a captivating display that brings your piano to life.
04. Fresh Cranberry Strands
Credit: The House That Lars Built
Create a stunning low-waste garland by threading fresh cranberries onto sturdy string using a large needle.
This timeless technique gives you gorgeous pops of red color while staying eco-friendly. Try draping double strands from your mantel’s center point for an elegant, cascading effect that feels both traditional and surprisingly modern at the same time.
05. Traditional Cabinet Topper
Credit: Design byCourtney St. John Studio/ Photo by Brent Bingham
That awkward space above your kitchen cabinets becomes festive focal point with a lighted garland display.
Fill the gap between your cabinets and ceiling with evergreen garland, then embellish it with red-and-black checkered bows for classic holiday charm. The lights add warmth to your kitchen while the bows bring that cozy, traditional Christmas feeling you’re craving.
06. Moody Bedroom Window Accent
Credit: Most Lovely Things
Transform your bedroom into a cozy retreat by draping simple garland with golden fairy lights around your window frame.
This works especially well in rooms with dark walls, where the soft glow creates an intimate, moody atmosphere. You’ll love how the twinkling lights reflect off the walls and create the perfect ambiance for relaxing winter evenings.
07. Headboard Decoration Alternative
Credit: Brexton Cole Interiors
Skip the traditional mantel and drape fresh or faux evergreen garland directly across your tufted headboard instead.
This unexpected placement gives your bedroom an instant holiday makeover that feels both elegant and inviting. Add small white berries throughout the garland for a fresh, winter-inspired look that complements any bedding style beautifully.
08. Asymmetrical Modern Look
Credit: @lemonleafhomeinteriors/ Instagram
Break away from perfectly centered displays by letting your garland spill dramatically down just one side of your fireplace.
Layer your evergreen base with chunky wood bead garlands and tasseled strands to add volume and texture. This asymmetrical approach feels fresh and contemporary while still maintaining that cozy holiday warmth you want in your living spaces.
09. Farmhouse Staircase Layers
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
You’ll achieve that coveted farmhouse look by layering multiple undecorated garlands along your staircase railing.
The dimensional effect from mixing different garland styles creates visual interest without feeling cluttered. Try piling extra garlands into a vintage sleigh or wooden crate at the base of your stairs for an adorable whimsical touch that ties everything together.
10. Book Page Star Garland
Credit: Inspired By Charm
Create charming handmade garland using materials you already have sitting around your house right now.
Punch out stars from old book pages and shiny gold paper, then attach them to simple string with craft glue. A star-shaped hole punch makes this project go much faster, and the mix of vintage paper with metallic accents gives you that perfect handcrafted feel.
11. Fa La La Letter Banner
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
Add instant playfulness to your mantel with oversized letters spelling out your favorite holiday phrase.
Cut large letters from sturdy cardstock and string them up to create a “Fa La La” banner that brings lighthearted joy to your space. This works beautifully in maximalist farmhouse settings where you’re layering multiple decorative elements for that collected-over-time look.
12. Paper Flower Elegance
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
White paper flower garlands paired with matching wreaths create an absolutely ethereal holiday atmosphere in your living room.
Style your mantel with brass candlesticks and white taper candles to enhance the farmhouse elegance. Whether you purchase ready-made flowers or craft your own, this monochromatic approach feels sophisticated and surprisingly fresh for the season.
13. Simple Ivy Draping
Credit: Annie Sloan
Real or faux ivy vines create instant mantel garland with minimal effort required on your part.
Enhance your ivy base with colorful taper candles, ornaments, and a tall potted plant for added height and drama. Hang black-and-white-striped stockings to complete this elegant traditional look that feels polished without being overly fussy or complicated.
14. French Door Frame Accent
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Frame your French doors with long green garland draped all around the door frame for maximum festive impact.
This treatment works especially well in dining rooms where you want to create a special atmosphere for holiday gatherings. The garland draws attention to your beautiful architectural features while making the entire room feel more intimate and celebration-ready.
15. Wall Art Enhancement
Credit: Design byGordonDunning/ Photo by Emily Followill
Add unexpected holiday charm by draping garland over your existing large framed prints or photographs.
This surprising element elevates your regular wall decor into something special for the season without requiring any new purchases. You’ll love how the greenery softens the hard edges of frames while adding organic texture to your walls throughout the holidays.
16. Nostalgic Letter Display
Credit: Inspired By Charm
Bring sentimental charm to your staircase garland by pinning vintage Christmas letters or postcards along its length.
Use wooden clothespins to attach old holiday correspondence for a nostalgic touch that tells your family’s story. This personalized approach makes your entryway feel warm and meaningful while showcasing treasured memories from Christmases past.
17. Dehydrated Orange Slices
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors
Layer orange slice garlands over bushy evergreen bases to bring gorgeous pops of warm color to traditional spaces.
You can dehydrate your own orange slices or purchase them pre-made, then string them together with needle and thread. Pair this with green velvet stockings for an elegant, updated traditional look that feels both fresh and timeless at once.
18. Natural Bedroom Draping
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
Decorate your white iron headboard with draping natural garland and a string of vintage bulb lights for farmhouse charm.
Add a matching wreath above the bed to create cohesion in your holiday bedroom design. This combination brings cozy warmth to your sleeping space while maintaining that relaxed, effortless vibe you want in your most personal rooms.
19. TV Wall Decoration
Credit: Ursula Carmona ofHome Made By Carmona
Don’t let your TV wall stay bare during the holidays when you can easily drape festive garland around it.
Pine cone-studded green garland looks especially striking against dark painted built-ins or accent walls. This approach brings holiday vibes to your family room without interfering with your screen or making the space feel cluttered and overwhelming.
20. Clay Swan Ornaments
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Create unique DIY garland using swan-shaped cookie cutters to make custom clay ornaments that nobody else will have.
Form the shapes, poke holes with toothpicks before baking, then paint and string them together with coordinating ribbon. Add a few feathers to each swan’s body for extra texture, or layer multiple garland styles together for a maximalist display.
21. Scandinavian Minimalist Style
Credit: Annie Sloan
Layer simple string lights with green-and-white paper or felt leaf garland above your bed for cozy Scandinavian vibes.
This minimal approach complements chalk-painted wood paneling and simple linen bedding beautifully. Cut ovate shapes from felt or paper and attach them to sturdy string for an easy DIY version that matches your minimalist aesthetic perfectly.
22. Kitchen Island Centerpiece
Credit: Design byMel Bean Interiors/ Photo by Laurey Glenn
If your kitchen island has room to spare, transform it into a festive focal point with full garland treatment.
Drape evergreen garland along the island’s length and embellish it with ornaments like shiny gold Christmas trees. This brings holiday cheer right into the heart of your home where you spend so much time cooking and gathering with loved ones.
23. Dramatic Magnolia Leaves
Credit: Design byGordonDunning/ Photo by Emily Followill
Create show-stopping drama on your sideboard with a voluminous magnolia leaf garland that commands attention.
Mix some of those gorgeous magnolia leaves into white flower bouquets for coordinated centerpieces that tie your whole dining room together. This elegant approach works perfectly for formal holiday entertaining when you want to seriously impress your guests.
24. Bookshelf Top Display
Credit: Design byEmily Henderson/ Styling by Emily Bowser / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
The top of your freestanding or built-in bookcases offers prime real estate for holiday garland displays.
Add candles and ornaments to your garland for an easy festive look that doesn’t require rearranging your books. Decorate lower shelves with house-shaped votives, golden reindeer statues, and stockings to create a cohesive holiday picture throughout your living room.
25. Shiny Mylar Pompoms
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Make a bright and merry mantel display with DIY pompom garland crafted from shiny Mylar paper.
This project comes together quickly and adds playful sparkle to your holiday decor without breaking your budget. The metallic sheen catches light beautifully and brings that festive energy you want in your main living spaces during the season.
26. Bathroom Mirror Layers
Credit: Sarah Jane Christy
Don’t forget your bathroom when decorating for Christmas—it deserves festive touches too!
Layer faux cedar garland with vintage silver bead garland around your dark wood mirror for custom elegance. This unexpected decoration brings holiday cheer to a space that often gets overlooked, making your entire home feel cohesive and thoughtfully decorated throughout.
27. Trailing Front Entry
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Create organic flow from your front door down to your walkway with lighted garland that trails along naturally.
Frame your red front door with lighted evergreen garland and complement it with a generous pine swag tied with ribbon. This welcoming treatment greets guests with holiday cheer before they even step inside your beautifully decorated home.
28. Open Shelf Styling
Credit: Annie Sloan
Restyle your open kitchen shelving for Christmas with bright red berry garland that pops against neutral dishware.
Embellish shelves with vases of holiday greens, tea lights in champagne coupes, and green pottery for warmth. This approach brings festive touches to your kitchen without requiring you to pack away all your everyday items or completely redo your displays.
29. Colorful Oversized Beads
Credit: Annie Sloan
Hang colorful oversized beaded double garlands above your bed in shades of red, white, and green for festive flair.
Match your garland colors to the rest of your holiday decor by choosing beads in your preferred Christmas color scheme. This bold approach works especially well in maximalist spaces where you’re embracing pattern, color, and abundant decorative elements throughout.
30. Printable Sweater Banner
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Try a kitschy printable Christmas sweater garland that kids will absolutely love decorating with you.
This easy DIY project works perfectly for decorating shelves or children’s rooms during the holiday season. Have fun letting kids decorate each sweater with markers, colored pencils, and stickers to create personalized garland that showcases their creativity and enthusiasm.
31. Wild Natural Elements
Credit: Annie Sloan
Mix green and red branches with berries of varying types and heights to create a stylized, slightly wild garland.
This approach uses natural elements in an artful way that feels collected from nature rather than perfectly manicured. The varied textures and organic shapes bring authentic outdoor beauty inside while maintaining that sophisticated designer look you’re after.
32. Front Door Frame Welcome
Credit: Finding Lovely
Drape natural garland around your front door frame to complement the rest of your porch Christmas decor beautifully.
Use the same greens on your garland, wreath, and flanking planters for a cohesive look that feels intentional. This coordinated approach makes your entrance feel polished and welcoming while showcasing your attention to detail and design sense.
33. Half Mirror Garland
Credit: The Merrythought
Crown the top of your bathroom mirror with a minimalist half garland made from holiday branches for cozy charm.
Decorate your DIY garland with dehydrated orange slices for a handmade look that feels personal and warm. This simple treatment adds just enough festive touch to your bathroom without overwhelming the space or interfering with your daily routines.
34. Arched Opening Frames
Credit: Pine and Prospect Home
Line your door frames or arched openings between adjoining rooms with green garlands to create homey, festive flow.
This treatment works especially well in open-concept homes where you want to define spaces while maintaining visual connection. The garland frames create natural transitions between rooms while adding that warm holiday feeling throughout your entire first floor.
35. Ball Ornament String
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Give random ball ornaments from years past new purpose by transforming them into a simple DIY garland.
This project helps you use up those mismatched ornaments sitting in storage while creating something fresh and cohesive. String them together on sturdy ribbon or fishing line for a custom garland that costs you nothing but a little time.
36. Felt Light Bulbs
Credit: Lia Griffith
Make a Christmas garland from cozy felt material that you can bring out year after year as a new family tradition.
Create colorful felt Christmas light shapes that can be sewn or glued together for durability. Cut out letters by hand or use a Cricut machine to spell festive messages, then move this versatile garland from room to room throughout the season.
37. Custom Painted Ornaments
Credit: Annie Sloan
Choose your own Christmas color palette and hand-paint simple ball ornaments to match your unique style perfectly.
String your custom-colored ornaments along your staircase garland for a personalized designer look. This approach lets you create exactly the color scheme you want rather than settling for whatever mass-produced options are available at stores.
38. Oversized Paper Holly
Credit: The House That Lars Built
Make a grand statement on your large staircase with an oversized DIY paper holly and berry garland.
This whimsical project uses simple elements to create major visual impact in your entryway. The oversized scale feels playful and unexpected while still maintaining that classic Christmas aesthetic that never goes out of style or feels too trendy.
39. Table Runner Alternative
Credit: Urbanology Designs/Matti Gresham Photography
Create an easy modern centerpiece by running an extra-long garland down the center of your bare wood table.
Zig zag it around candlesticks or let it run straight down the middle, then allow it to puddle nonchalantly on the floor. This relaxed approach feels effortlessly elegant and works beautifully for both casual family dinners and formal holiday entertaining.
40. Textile Texture Mix
Credit: @homesteadcitydwelling/ Instagram
Layer textile-based garlands made from fabric or yarn to add cozy texture to your evergreen mantel display.
Mix neutral pompom garlands with multi-colored ball garlands for playful dimension. This combination works especially well with whimsical holiday displays featuring Santa hats, gnomes, and other fun elements that bring joy and personality to your space.
41. Pastel Glass Ornaments
Credit: Lovely Indeed
String glass ornaments onto twine to create a simple DIY garland with a modern twist on traditional colors.
Try soft pastel colors instead of classic red and green for a contemporary look that feels fresh and unexpected. You can customize this project using any ornament shape or color palette that suits your existing decor and personal style preferences.
42. JOY Message Display
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Layer a simple evergreen garland with twinkle lights and pair it with a bright colorful JOY sign for uplifting vibes.
The combination of soft greenery, twinkling lights, and a bold message creates the perfect balance of cozy and cheerful. This approach works beautifully on mantels where you want to spread holiday joy while keeping the overall look clean and uncluttered.
43. Wood Bead Boho Style
Credit: Lovely Indeed
Make a DIY wood bead garland for light, modern boho-style Christmas decor that feels relaxed and natural.
Use wood beads in various sizes with baker’s twine for quick and easy assembly. This versatile neutral garland works on trees, coffee tables, and holiday tables, plus you can repurpose it throughout the year for any occasion or season.
44. Fresh White Room Accent
Credit: Bria Hammel Interiors/ Brooke & Lou
Decorate an all-white room with a simple green garland to create fresh holiday vibes without overwhelming your minimalist aesthetic.
Drape evergreen garland along your bedroom window curtain rod for subtle seasonal charm. This understated approach brings just enough Christmas feeling to your space while respecting the clean, serene atmosphere you’ve worked hard to create.
45. Bronze Bell Rustic Charm
Credit: @homesteadcitydwelling/ Instagram
Add rustic garland strung with bronze bells to your maximalist mantel layered with natural evergreen garlands.
The metallic shine from the bells adds dimension while the vintage feel brings cozy warmth to your display. This combination of natural and metallic elements creates visual interest and that collected-over-time look that makes spaces feel authentic and personal.
46. Bathroom Sink Greenery
Credit: @milkandhoneylife/ Instagram
Place a rustic wood plank covered in natural green garland with foraged pine cones near your vintage bathroom sink.
Layer several shorter garlands or branches so they overlap to create the illusion of one longer piece. This adds just enough Christmas decor to complement your beveled mirror and vintage fixtures without overwhelming your small bathroom space.
47. Multi-Directional Drama
Credit: Craftberry Bush
Create dramatic impact on your mantel with multi-directional garland that includes both horizontal and vertical elements.
Mix in pine cones, berries, and embellishments for moody holiday elegance. Add volume to faux garland by layering it with fresh greens or berries for a fuller, more luxurious look that appears much more expensive than it actually is.
48. Advent Calendar Function
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Create an advent calendar garland that serves as both functional countdown and festive decoration you’ll use yearly.
A simple star garland delights kids of all ages and works beautifully on leaning ladders, mantels, or walls. This dual-purpose decoration adds value by serving a practical function while contributing to your overall holiday decor scheme throughout December.
49. Deconstructed Bathtub Surround
Credit: @s.u.s.a.p/ Instagram
Don’t be afraid to cut up your garland to fit non-linear spaces like a bathtub surround or multi-level shelving.
Fill in your romantic holiday bathtub display with pillar candles, twinkle lights, and a black wire lantern. Add bathtime drinks and snacks for the ultimate self-care moment that feels like a luxury spa experience right in your own home.
50. Supersized Contemporary Garland
Credit: Design byMel Bean Interiors/ Photo by Laurey Glenn
Create a maximalist modern Christmas mantel in your contemporary formal living room with a supersized garland framing your fireplace.
Embellish with lights, bows, faux flowers, and ball ornaments in varying sizes and finishes. This abundant approach celebrates the joy of the season while making a bold design statement that showcases your confidence and personal style.
51. Flat Fireplace Solution
Credit: Mindy Gayer Design Co./ Photo by Vanessa Lentine
Give your flat modern fireplace warm holiday vibes with Christmas garland made of greens and voluminous magnolia leaves.
Drape the garland in a casual, asymmetrical way to make it feel relaxed and cozy rather than stiff. This approach softens the hard lines of contemporary fireplaces while adding organic texture that brings warmth to minimalist modern spaces.
52. Peripheral Room Lining
Credit: Brexton Cole Interiors
Give your living room an instant holiday makeover by lining the periphery with matching fresh or faux garlands.
Drape coordinating garlands on your mantel and across the backs of dressers, consoles, and other furniture pieces. This cohesive approach creates flow throughout your space while making the room feel completely transformed for the season without major effort.
53. Bay Window Frame
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Drape a long green garland around your bay window frame to create a festive frame for your large Christmas tree.
This treatment makes a bold statement in your holiday living room by drawing attention to your beautiful architectural features. The garland acts as a natural frame that enhances both your window and your tree while tying the entire display together beautifully.
54. Traditional Popcorn Strands
Credit: Inspired By Charm
Add nostalgic, handmade charm to your Christmas decor with a DIY popcorn garland that brings back childhood memories.
Layer it with green garland decorated with red ball ornaments to embellish your tree or staircase beautifully. This timeless technique costs almost nothing but creates that authentic vintage Christmas feeling that makes the holidays feel special and meaningful.
55. Outdoor Patio Doors
Credit: Design byMel Bean Interiors/ Photo by Laurey Glenn
Decorate your outdoor living space for Christmas by hanging festive garlands above your patio doors.
This extends your holiday decor beyond your interior spaces and makes your backyard feel ready for entertaining. Your outdoor areas deserve the same festive treatment as your indoor rooms, especially if you’ll be hosting gatherings in covered patio spaces.
56. Window and Hoop Wreath
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Pair a window frame garland with an oversized half hoop wreath to make large banks of windows feel cozier.
The combination of lighted garland and dramatic wreath creates warmth in rooms with lots of glass. This layered approach adds visual interest while softening the hard edges of windows and making your living room feel more intimate during winter.
57. Ceiling Height Installation
Credit: M Starr Design
In rooms full of windows with limited wall space, hang your Christmas garland at ceiling height using a sturdy ladder.
Leave decorations off for a clean look, and fasten it securely with nails or temporary adhesive wall hooks. This unexpected placement brings holiday cheer to challenging spaces while keeping the garland safely out of the way where it won’t fall.
58. China Cabinet Crown
Credit: Design byKibler & Kirch/ Photo by Lucy Call
Drape magnolia leaf garland on top of your china cabinet to highlight your collection of Christmas tree plates inside.
Create cohesion throughout your maximalist dining room by using the same magnolia leaves on garlands and wreaths. This coordinated approach makes your formal dining space feel intentionally designed rather than randomly decorated with whatever you found on sale.
59. Freeform Eucalyptus Bunches
Credit: Annie Sloan
Keep your sweeping staircase simple with a freeform garland made from bunches of eucalyptus and berries tied to the banister.
Add upside-down leaf bunches and a matching wreath to fill out the space for cohesive elegance. This organic approach feels effortless and natural while still making a major visual impact in your grand entryway that welcomes guests beautifully.
60. Botanical Cascading Display
Credit: Casa Watkins Living
Create a botanical Christmas garland for vibrant, boho-style vibes that bring nature indoors in unexpected ways.
Mix wintergreens with pothos plants for a cascading garland that adds dramatic nature-inspired beauty to your mantel. This maximalist living room approach works perfectly if you love plants and want to incorporate your green thumb into your holiday decorating style.
61. Velvet Ribbon Accents
Credit: Finding Lovely
Add elegant finishing touches to minimalist green garland with luxurious velvet ribbon tied at equally spaced intervals.
Knot the ribbon rather than tying it into bows for a more minimal, contemporary look that feels refined. This simple addition elevates basic garland into something special while maintaining the clean aesthetic you want in your staircase and entryway spaces.
Final Thoughts
You’ve just explored 61 amazing ways to transform your home with Christmas garlands that go far beyond the basic mantel treatment.
From DIY projects using cranberries and popcorn to sophisticated magnolia leaf displays, there’s truly something here for every style and skill level.
Pick your favorite ideas and start creating those magical holiday moments that make your house feel like the warm, festive home you’ve always dreamed of this Christmas season.
