Celebrations Holidays & Occasions Winter Holidays

6 Ways to Hang a Garland Without Damaging Your Walls

Festive holiday garland hanging on the wall above a door

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

A festive garland is one of the best ways to bring holiday cheer to the interior and exterior of your home. There's nothing like the smell of a fresh evergreen garland or the magic of the soft glow of a pre-lit one.

While it's a fun way to deck the halls, repairing damage caused to the walls when hanging the garland is not quite as much fun. To avoid patching up large nail holes and having to repaint, we're here to share six clever and discreet ways to hang a garland without damaging your walls.

From self-adhesive hooks to fishing lines, scroll down for tips and tricks to hang your garland without a power drill, hammer, or nails.

  • 01 of 06

    Self-Adhesive Hooks

    Evergreen garland hanging around a kitchen window

    Finding Lovely

    Using self-adhesive hooks is one of the best ways to hang a garland without putting any holes in your walls. 

    Self-adhesive hooks come in various sizes that can hold different amounts of weight. Be sure to purchase hooks that are large enough to hold both the weight and the size of the garland branches.

    Self-adhesive hooks work on multiple surfaces, from drywall to tile, therefore they'll work just as well on a wall around your door frame as they will on the tiled backsplash surrounding your kitchen window.

    • Use multiple hooks to secure the garland, placing one on each end as well as several mid-points throughout the length of the garland to support its weight.
    • If the garland is too thick to rest on the hook, you can use fishing wire to tie a loop around the garland, then place the loop on the hook.
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  • 02 of 06

    Fishing Line

    Evergreen garland hanging above a kitchen window

    @milkandhoneylife / Instagram

    Hanging a fresh evergreen garland above your window is a great way to add a natural festive element to your home. Instead of using nails and a hammer to attach it, consider using a fishing line.

    There are two main benefits to using a fishing line—it's made from strong nylon that doesn't easily snap, and it's transparent, so it's not visually distracting. 

    • Tie loops made out of fishing line onto your garland and hang them on a curtain rod, self-adhesive hooks on the wall, or really any other sturdy spot.
    • Alternatively, tie fishing line hoops directly to the window frame or hardware if possible.
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  • 03 of 06

    Floral Wire

    Evergreen garland hanging around a door frame

    @modernhousevibes / Instagram

    A garland made of evergreen branches and decorated with whimsical white snowflakes creates a playful holiday feel. If you only have small self-adhesive hooks that aren't large enough to tuck the garland around, floral wire is a great trick. Inexpensive and usually green, it will blend in seamlessly with the garland.

    • Make sure to use wire cutters to cut your floral wire to size, as you could easily damage your scissors if you tried to use them. 
    • Using the wire, tie loops around the garland branches and use those to hang the garland off the hooks on the wall. Nobody will ever notice and if the garland is artificial, once it's time to take it down at the end of the season, leave the loops on for next year.
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  • 04 of 06

    Clear Hooks

    Red bead garland hanging on kitchen backsplash

    @kirsten.diane / Instagram

    A cranberry garland, whether strung from fresh cranberries or made from red beads, adds that warm touch of red that's synonymous with the holiday season. However, unlike a garland made from bushy greenery that makes it easy to conceal a hook on the wall or loops made from green floral wire, this type of garland doesn't conceal the tool you use to hang it.

    • Use clear self-adhesive hooks that will disappear against the background to give the appearance that your garland is floating on the wall.
    • Be sure to choose the proper size to make sure your clear hooks will support the garland and keep it securely in place.
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  • 05 of 06

    Zip Ties

    Garland hanging above a bed in a bedroom

    @homestead.city.dwelling / Instagram

    Incorporate holiday cheer into every inch of your home—including the bedrooms—by hanging a garland above the bed.

    Similar to the floral wire, zip ties are a great way to attach your garland to the wall. 

    • Either tie loops onto the garland using zip ties and hang those off hooks on the wall or if there is artwork hanging on the wall above the bed, take it down for the holiday season. 
    • If the existing nails in the wall are positioned at the correct height for the garland, hang the zip tie loops directly off those nails.
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    Garland Hanger

    Evergreen garland around exterior door

    @lemonleafhomeinteriors / Instagram

    A fresh green garland around the front door is the best way to welcome guests to your home during the festive months.

    • If you don't want to damage your exterior door frame or siding, consider purchasing a garland hanger that's specifically designed to hold a garland around a door.
    • Usually made from a decorative metal, a garland hanger fits around and attaches to the top of the door. It provides a frame to loop your garland through to secure it without any power tools or a hammer.

Best Methods for Hanging a Garland by Location

Not all garland hanging sites are created equal. Here is a quick guide to help you determine the best way to adapt your garland to different spots around the house. 

  • On the steps: Use fishing line and weights to keep a garland nicely draped down the front steps.
  • On the mantel: Drape your garland carefully on top of the mantel and use fishing line and hidden nails to keep it in place.
  • Above the kitchen cabinets: Secure a garland on top of kitchen cabinets by attaching it to self-adhesive hooks on each corner of the surface, adding additional hooks as needed depending on the width of your cabinetry.
  • On the banister: Attach your garland with floral wire and tie with ribbon for a decorative touch that will also help to keep it in place in this high-traffic area. 
FAQ
  • How far should a garland hang over the mantel?

    How far a garland should hang over either side of the mantel is a matter of personal taste. You can trim a garland to fit the surface of the mantel. Or let it drape down one or both sides for an asymmetrical or waterfall effect. You can let your garland drape as much or as little as you like, from just over the sides to puddling on the floor for a casual modern look. 

  • How do you safely hang a heavy garland?

    You can safely hang a heavy garland using a combination of methods, from self-adhesive hooks to zip ties, fishing line, floral wire, or dedicated garland hooks. When using hooks, be sure to distribute them throughout the length of the garland to accommodate its weight. And always check the packaging to, be sure you have selected a hook that can bear the weight of your garland.