• Blog
  • About
  • Shop Our Instagram
  • Weekly Newsletter
  • Contact
  • HOUSE + HOME
    • All House + Home
    • Mudroom
    • Kitchen
    • Dining Room
    • Living Room
    • Bedroom
    • Kids Bedrooms
    • Family and Playroom
    • Office
    • Outdoor Living
    • Woodworking
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • All Life + Style
    • Entertaining
    • Holidays
  • FOOD + DRINK
    • All Food + Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Shop
    • Our Home
    • Window Shades
    • Paint Colors
    • Nick’s Workshop

Nick + Alicia

Lifestyle

December 3, 2020 | by Alicia

Step by Step Guide to Hanging Garland on a Mantel

Whether fresh or faux, garland is a simple and easy way to add texture and a pop of colour to any home during the holiday season. Our step by step guide will share how to create an effortlessly festive look by hanging garland on a mantel.

For many years we didn’t have a fireplace in our home, so come Christmastime we always hung our garland along the stairs. A stair banister is a beautiful alternative (or addition) for garland. 

But before I share my tips for hanging garland on a mantel, I want to talk a little bit about our fireplace. Nick built this fireplace for our living room two years ago and while it’s a beautiful design element for the space it also has an important purpose. It conceals our TV!

We knew a fireplace was exactly what our living room needed, but we didn’t want the TV to be the focal point, so Nick designed this fireplace to hide the TV when not being used (you can read more about the fireplace and find the plans here).  

So because these doors open to reveal our TV I was limited in how we could hang our garland. I really like the effortless look of garland draped along the top of the fireplace mantel, but this just wasn’t an option for us. Instead, we swagged it along the front so that we could easily open and close the doors to our TV. 

Whether fresh or faux, garland is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to add a festive touch to any home during the holiday season.

Step by Step Guide to Hanging Garland on a Mantel

Invest in Realistic Garland

If you’re not using fresh garland, you’ll want to invest in good quality artificial garland. Faux garland has come a long way and there are so many realistic-looking options to choose from. Note: Most garland is now sold out, so make sure you order early next year!

I used a combination of three different garlands to achieve a full look. You can see how adding multiple garlands really helps to create a substantial piece. 

Secure 

When it comes to holiday decorating command hooks are a life-saver. They are inexpensive and don’t cause damage when removed. However, because I swagged the garland on the front of our mantel and the detailing on our fireplace I didn’t provide a flat surface for command hooks I used small eye hooks instead. They will require a little bit of repair after the holiday season, but for us, it was the best way to secure the garland to the fireplace. 

I simply weaved floral wire through the garland and then through the eye hooks to secure. Once secure, fluff the branches of the garland to cover the hook so that it’s not visible. 

Fluff and Shape

Just like a Christmas tree, artificial garland requires some fluffing and shaping to create a natural and realistic look. Once the garland is hung, work your way from one end to the other to ensure each tip is straightened and pointing in the same direction. The garland should look as if it’s falling in a natural cascading effect. 

Accessorize 

Once your garland is in place, you may want to accessorize. Tucking in a few accent pieces like pinecones or berry stems is a simple way to add dimension and interest. We used command hooks to layered our stockings at one end, and hang a strand of vintage-inspired brass bells. It’s a simple touch but adds a festive feel. 

Garland is an easy way to incorporate holiday greenery into your home, it festive and natural without feeling overwhelming.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • Step by Step Guide to Decorating a Beautiful Christmas Tree
  • Printable Christmas Star Garland
    Printable Christmas Star Garland
  • Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Shop the Post

Comments

  1. Jeannie says

    December 5, 2020 at 1:35 pm

    Beautiful! Do you just layer one on top of the other or do you intertwine them? Also, do they all have lights in them? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Alicia says

      December 5, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      Hi Jeannie! Yes, I intertwine them and once they are all intertwined I add lights!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A place to find design inspiration, entertaining ideas and simple recipes. Take a few minutes to learn more about us, shop our favourite things and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

I am so glad we added miniature trees to the girls I am so glad we added miniature trees to the girls' bedrooms this year. They absolutely loved having their very own tree to decorate with their collection of ornaments and handmade treasures.It was a simple and inexpensive way to add an extra dose of holiday magic to their rooms, after all, there is nothing better than witnessing Christmas through the eyes of a child. They truly find such beauty and magic in even the smallest of details. 🎄
This view looks a little bit different this year a This view looks a little bit different this year as we're in the middle of our kitchen renovation. See that little half-wall with the hats, well we've removed it so that we see right into the kitchen now and it's amazing! We've been making great progress, just yesterday our new sink, faucet, and counters were all installed. It's all of these little changes that are making such a big difference. We'll have a few more details to take care of after the holidays, but we're really looking forward to crossing the finish line and sharing it all with you!
I wish our dining looked this tidy at the moment! I wish our dining looked this tidy at the moment! It’s currently under a pile of toys and kitchen essentials. If you’ve been following along with our behind the scenes account, @nick.and.alicia.bts, you’ll know we’re making some big progress on the kitchen. Early next week our window and countertop will be installed, so Nick’s been busy removing our existing counters and sink. It’s so exciting to see it all come together and I’ll be happy to have running water again next week!
Most of our snow has melted, but I'm hopeful we wi Most of our snow has melted, but I'm hopeful we will have a white Christmas this year! I just think everything is a bit more magical when covered in a blanket of fresh snow. ❄⁣ ⁣ Are you team snow or no?
Earlier this week we shared our holiday home tour, Earlier this week we shared our holiday home tour, and now we’re giving you a closer look at the girls’ bedrooms, along with a few helpful tips for decorating kids’ spaces for the holiday season.Do you decorate your little ones’ bedrooms for Christmas?
This year I took my time while decorating our home This year I took my time while decorating our home for the holidays and focused on incorporating simple touches that bring us joy and evoke the spirit of Christmas. Our home feels cozy and inviting, and the girls are loving every minute of the holiday season. 🎅🏼Stop by our blog, nickandalicia.com, to see our holiday home tour, along with new tours added every day this week! Tap to see who joined us yesterday.
Sometimes all it takes is a bow to add a festive t Sometimes all it takes is a bow to add a festive touch for the holiday season! 💙

Join our Newsletter

Copyright ©2021 Nick + Alicia
  • Contact
  • POLICIES + DISCLOSURE