1
String up Garland Using Thread or Twine
For The Home
Secure multiple garlands to a staircase railing using thread or twine in a neutral color, allowing it to blend in seamlessly. Take note from Christine Higgs of For the Home and tuck in decorative pieces, like mini brass bells, to distract from any visible twine.
SHOP TWINE
2
Opt for Green Zip Ties
Bless’er House
Attach large sprigs to your banister using green zip ties, then snip the ends to prevent visibility. “I prefer this method because they don’t cause permanent damage to my banister, stay in securely in place and I don’t have to worry about tying string or ribbon while I try to hold up the garland at the same time,” writes Lauren Shaver on her blog, Bless’er House.
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3
Try the Viral Curtain Rod Hack
@greenssweethome
Last year, this hack blew up on TikTok. It involves securing a curtain rod in a doorway, archway or between kitchen cabinets. Then, arrange greenery around the rod, using zip ties for support. “As a person who hates putting holes in the wall and loves an easy DIY, this hack was right up my alley,” says Danielle Green of @greenssweethome. “It was super easy to install my garland and I have no issues with the tension rod falling.”
RELATED: You Won’t Regret Trying the Viral Christmas Garland Hack That’s All Over TikTok
4
Use Decorative Twist Ties
The Turquoise Home
Unlike other solutions, fabric-covered ties are pleasing to the eye — so, they don’t need to be diguised or covered up. “They don’t damage my stair rail, they’re easy to use and they look pretty,” write Laura Nickelson on her blog, The Turquoise Home. Also, you don’t have to worry about any scratches on the banister — an overall win!
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5
Hang Command Hooks
Charlotte Lea
Take note from Hema Persad, founder of Sagrada Studio, and frame a doorway with garland. “Garlands are deceptively heavy,” says Persad, who recommends extra-large Command hooks and multiples of them. “Use bows and decor strategically to hide the hooks,” she adds.
6
Rely on Clear Zip Ties
Peltier Interiors
To give garland a natural draped look, use clear zip ties. “Make sure your zip ties are spaced evenly, and that the garland has enough swag in between each one,” says interior designer Amy Peltier. “Then, all you have to do is cover the zip ties with the garland branches or add ribbon.” Once the garland is secure, add as much decor as you want: berries, ornaments, ribbons, pinecones.
SHOP ZIP TIES
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7
Hang Garland Around Fixtures
Janis Nicolay
For a festive touch in this all-white kitchen, greenery is hung over the top of the light fixtures. “Ensure no wires in the garland could scratch the finishes, and use jute string to secure,” suggests Ami McKay of PURE Design. “If you want to use hooks, find the 3M ones that stick and don’t damage the walls.”
8
Layer in Sturdy Ribbons
Spacecrafting Photography
Thick ribbons may not be strong enough to fully secure garland, but they can provide extra support — especially when paired with zip ties or floral wire. For this elegant stairway, interior designer Martha O’Hara goes for rust-colored velvet ribbons.
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9
Wrap the Banister With Floral Wire
Sian Richards
Secure fresh garland down the length of your banister using floral wire, which is typically green to blend in seamlessly. For a touch of personality, tie giant ribbons around it.
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10
Make Use of Spring Clamps
Magdalena Galle Rambe @mittfunkis
Here, blogger Magdalena Galle Rambe (@mittfunkis) uses existing bookshelf lamps as hangers for a spruce garland overtop a bookshelf. She then secures the edges with mini spring clamps, covering them with smaller branches.
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11
Experiment With Thick Twine
Sarah Szwajkos
Here, Sarah Fischer of Sarah & Sons Interiors uses thick gardening twine to secure a garland along a banister. The twine “ensures a strong hold that blends in easily and avoids marring the surface of the banister,” according to Fischer, who also suggests ordering garland in smaller sections.
SHOP TWINE
12
Decorate Mirrors With Floral Wire
Laurie Kilgore Photography
Embellish a vintage-inspired gold mirror with a magnolia garland, as interior designer Stephanie Stroud does here. Use floral wire to slowly secure the garland around the mirror’s decorative trim. You can also add double-sided tape or use Command hooks on the back of the mirror for extra security that isn’t visible.
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13
Hide Your Hooks
SARAH ALSATI
14
Use What’s Already There
Spacecrafting Photography
Suction cups are a great way to hang wreaths from windows, but here the window lock makes a convenient alternative. Interior designer Martha O’Hara uses a red ribbon to display a macramé hoop adorned with a pair of brass bells and cypress greens.
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15
Don’t Be Afraid of Small Nails
Christine Higgs
You may need to use a few nails when hanging garland from the ceiling, beams or on top of cabinets — especially in the kitchen, where loose greenery can be a fire hazard. “Here, I used one nail every 12 inches or so,” says Christine Higgs of For the Home. “Once the season is over and I take the garland down, I will go around with wood filler to fill in holes and touch up paint.”
16
Hang a Wreath With Fishing Line
Style by Emily Henderson; Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
This oversized wire wreath looks as though it’s floating in the air, but in reality, it’s being held by a piece of fishing line. Hang your decor with nearly-invisible fishing line and everyone will wonder how you’ve pulled it off.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
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17
Use Ribbon to Tie Wreaths Together
Mike Garten
It’s simple enough to hang a wreath on the front door with an adhesive hook, but sometimes one just isn’t enough. Go for a sturdy ribbon to tie multiple wreaths together, using a hook for each one if needed.
18
Consider Command Hooks for the Mantel
Stacey Brandford
For a fluffy, heavy garland like this one, use medium or large Command hooks to secure it over the mantel. The best part about a larger garland? It makes it easier to hide the hooks.
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19
Make the Most of a Tension Rod
Edward Haylan//Getty Images
20
Use Ribbon to Secure Chair Wreaths
Mike Garten
Hang mini wreaths on the back of chairs to instantly upgrade the dining room for the holiday season. Find your favorite ribbon — make sure it’s sturdy — and loop it around the wreath and tie the ribbon around the top of the chair. For extra support, you can use a zip tie then cover it with the ribbon.
SHOP RIBBON
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping, where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy. Before joining GH in 2021, she was the digital editor at New York Family, where she was responsible for the website’s content and strategy. Katarina received her bachelor’s degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Washington.
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