How To Hang A Garland Around Your Front Door: 7 Expert Tips
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Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
There is nothing quite like having a front entryway completely framed by beautiful and festive garland. A thick wreath of greenery, light, and baubles is the perfect way to welcome anyone into your home during the holidays. If you have ever wanted to have a stunning garland entryway, we have expert tips to get you started.
Hanging a large garland around a high-traffic area might seem daunting and intimidating, but it is very simple. Here are seven expert tips on hanging a garland around your front door in time for the holidays.
Preparation
Before you get started, you will need to gather a few things. This job will take a couple of hours and requires basic supplies to get you started.
| Time: | 1 – 2 hours |
| Complexity: | Basic |
- Garland
- Hooks (6-9)
- Floral wire or fishing line
- Decorations (optional)
- Scissors
The 7 Tips on How To Hang A Garland Around Your Front Door
1. Use Removable Adhesive Hooks
The easiest way to hang garland is to use removable adhesive hooks. Adhesive hooks are affordable, come in many configurations, and can be added and removed without leaving any marks or damaging your door or siding. After the season, you can easily take the adhesive hooks down, but they are strong enough to hold garland for weeks.
You will need multiple adhesive hooks to frame your front door completely for the best results. You should use two to three hooks across the top of the door and two to three hooks on either side of the doorway. If you do not use enough hooks, your garland might not hold its shape, or you could put too much weight on individual hooks if you plan to hang ornaments from the garland.
Some doors are larger than others—the larger the door, the more hooks and garland you will need. The largest entryways measure 3 ft. x 8 ft. in size. Average doors measure 2 ft. 8 in. x 6 ft. 8 in. That means the largest doors are considerably larger than typical entryways.
2. Use Hooks That Match Your Door or Siding
If you plan on using permanent hooks, make sure that you buy fasteners that are designed to work with your door or siding. Some hooks are designed for wood siding, vinyl siding, and cement siding. If you do not use the proper hooks for your siding, you could damage your house.
The same thing goes for your door. There are many types of front doors, including wood and composite. You should hammer any hooks into the body of your door with the proper fasteners for the job. These hooks are more permanent but carry more risk during installation than adhesive hooks.
3. Use Floral Wire
One of the best ways to give your garland strength and shape is to use floral wire. Floral wire can help shape your garland and secure it to the hooks after you have everything looking the way you want it. Floral wire can be purchased at most craft stores and is an invaluable resource for hanging, shaping, and securing garlands to a front entryway.
4. Use Fishing Line
Another common material that you can use instead of floral wire is fishing line or nylon line. The fishing line is strong, translucent, and easy to tie. Those are some of the best qualities to have for the line you will use to secure your garland.
5. Start in the Middle and Work Outwards
It is best to start in the middle of the garland and work outwards. The ideal place to start is in the center at the top of the door. Move outwards in equal measure from the center. This ensures that your garland will remain even on both sides. If you have three hooks along the top, you should do the center, right, and left hooks before moving downwards on either leg.
If you do not start from the middle, you risk having an uneven garland where the legs are not the same length. If you want your garland to hang or flow in a certain way, starting from the center guarantees you will get the look you desire.
6. Secure Your Garland to Each Hook
The best way to ensure your garland is strong and will last the holiday season is to firmly secure it using floral wire or fishing line. If you do not secure your garland to each hook, it will sag over time. You could be at risk of bumping your garland out of place as you enter and leave your home. If you experience windy conditions, the garland could blow away.
After placing your garland into the hooks, you should take lengths of wire or line and tightly wrap the garland to the hooks. Go around the body of the garland and the hook. Wrap tightly, tie the line off, and trim the excess.
The result will be a strong garland that will not lose shape or fall out of the hooks as time passes. You can also use zip ties instead of floral wire.
7. Decorate After the Garland Is Secure
If you plan to decorate your doorway’s garland, you should do it after it is installed and secured. It is much easier to decorate the strand after it is secure rather than trying to decorate it while it is on the ground and then trying to hang and secure it with the decorations in place. Decorating after you hang the garland allows you to get an accurate placement of each decoration for the best possible appearance.
There are numerous ways to decorate your garland. You can add Christmas lights or ornaments. You can also spruce up your garland with spray-on glitter or snow or tie in ribbons, bows, or tinsel.
Conclusion
These tips and tricks will help you install the perfect garland around your front door. A shapely garland is a classic holiday touch that is sure to resonate with you and your family throughout the holiday season. Hanging the perfect garland is simple, and the results will be breathtaking when you decorate it with ribbons, ornaments, or holiday lights.
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Featured Image Credit: Jackie Ramirez, Pixabay
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