Christmas Garland Placement Guide
Published: 06/11/2026
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Before you choose: key things to consider
Length
Measure your space first! A garland that is "too short" is the most common mistake - longer garlands can always be draped over the space. Having an idea of the size of the space available will make it much easier to search for a suitable Christmas garland.
Fullness
Think about how dense you want your garland to be; slim and flexible or lush and full of foliage? A slimmer garland works better on a narrow space, such as a mantelpiece or shelf where other decorations may be present, whereas a fuller garland can work better in larger spaces such as grand staircases or even as a table centrepiece.
Style
Choose a style that matches the rest of your festive decor. Are you aiming traditional look with red berries and pine cones or a rustic feel with mixed foliage? Perhaps you are wanting to add some sparkle with gold or silver touches? You also have the option to add your own lights, and decorate your garland to match your existing décor and the colour palette of your Christmas tree.
Mantelpiece Garlands
A mantelpiece Christmas garland is the focal point of the living room, so it's worth going fuller and more dramatic for impact. To find the perfect length, measure your mantle width plus extra length if you want ends to drape down the sides (as seen on our Waxed Pine Swag Garland). There are many styling options to consider depending on your mantlepiece; straight along the shelf, symmetrical drape, or a modern asymmetric trail to one side.
Floralsilk also stocks plenty of options to turn your mantelpiece into a centrepiece in your home. We recommend weaving through LED lights, adding a few decorations and hanging stockings for a final festive touch.
Staircase Garlands
A staircase garland makes a strong first impression in a hallway. The key is choosing a more flexible garland that wraps and bends easily. To measure, find your banister length, then add 20-30% extra if you would like the garland to droop or wrap around fixings. You can hang your staircase Christmas Garland either wrapped around the banister, or swagged with bows at each spindle. For longer staircases, our 270cm long Super Pine Christmas Garland turns any hallway into a grand entrance. Make sure to keep the handrail useable and secure your garland firmly with ties or ribbon for safety.
Tabletop Centrepiece Garlands
A table centrepiece garland is ideal for Christmas dinner and entertaining family and friends. Here, our top tip would be to keep it low, so that guests can still see each other and chat across the table. Aim for a garland that's the length of the table minus spaces at each end (for squeezing in extra guests!), or one the full length of the table as a "runner".
You can also create a focal point on any tabletop surface, like we have in this image. This adds festive joy to a dull corner with very minimal effort - and decorations can be swapped in and out throughout the season and into January for a more wintery neutral look.
Console Garlands
A great way to dress hallways, landings and living rooms, a console table is often the first thing guests see when they arrive. It works well as a smaller-scale version of the mantlepiece look, which is also ideal for homes without a fireplace. To find the best fit for your garland, measure the console width plus extra if you want ends trailing over the sides, or a shorter length to keep it neatly on the surface. Layer with a mirror, artwork, or Christmas wreath above, and match to the staircase garland for a joined-up entrance hall. We like medium-length slimline garlands here to keep this space as a practical surface in a busy entryway, and for allowing other tabletop decorations to shine.
Finishing Touches
There are a myriad of options when it comes to personalising your garland. We have included some of our favourites below...
