There are so many ways to decorate for the various seasons and holidays. The ideas are truly endless—but there's something so simple yet stunning about adding a beautiful wreath to your front door. It’s such a lovely way to welcome guests and the season ahead.
From the fall foliage adorning the door to decking the halls for the holidays to welcoming the blossoms of spring, there's a wreath for every style and celebration. But there's one thing they all have in common: They need to hung. But do you know how to hang a wreath the right way so it stays put and doesn't do any damage?
To find out the best way to hang a wreath on a door, we chatted with Alfred Palomares, the Vice President of Merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com. Ahead, uncover his expert tips for hanging a wreath to decorate your front door or wherever else you plan to put it, like as mantel décor or in a window.
How to Hang a Wreath on Your Door
First things first! When getting ready to hang a wreath, you have to determine what exactly you're working with. Not all doors (and wreaths) are made equal, so you want to be sure you're using a technique that will provide the best results for your needs.
Know Your Wreath's Weight
Whether you buy a wreath or make your own, be sure to know its weight! That way, when it comes time to buy a hanging mechanism, you know what to look for. "When purchasing a wreath hook, be sure to check how much weight it can hold so this decorative piece will be supported," Palomares says. An easy way to calculate the weight of your wreath is to put it in an empty box, then place that box on a scale. Additionally, measure your door before purchasing a hook to ensure it will fit properly.
Know Your Surface Material
The second key detail when hanging a wreath is the type of door you have. Is it metal, wood, glass, or composite? Knowing this will help you choose a hanging method that won't cause any damage to its finish.
How to Hang a Wreath With a Hook
Palomares says that the easiest and most universal way to hang a wreath on a door is with an over-the-door hook. That way, whether you rent or own your home, you'll be less likely to damage the door in the process. (Some of us have seen what using supposedly reusable sticky hooks can do. Yikes!)
The beauty of over-the-door hooks, which are sold in many different colors and finishes, is that they're designed to fit securely over the top of your door to give your wreath a place to hang. "If the hook doesn't match the door, it can always be painted so that it blends in and does not take away from the beauty of this decorative piece," Palomares says.
Pick Out a Wreath
Farmhouse Wreath
Everyday Wreath
Faux Pumpkin Wreath
Sunburst Pinecone Wreath
Pheasant Wreath
Tricolor Eucalyptus Wreath
The only caveats are that, while most over-the-door hooks are designed for standard front doors and standard wreath weights, not all doors are the exact same depth, and not all wreaths are identical in size.
You can also stick to tried-and-true self-adhesive Command hooks which can be used on a variety of surfaces like finished wood, glass, and metal. On a glass door, where it's more difficult to hide wreath hangers, you might also consider using a clear suction cup wreath hook.
How to Hang a Wreath With Ribbon
If you’re not fond of the way over-the-door hooks look, you can take an old-school approach with ribbon. "To avoid putting holes in the door, tie a ribbon designed with a seasonal color or pattern around the wreath and hang it over the top of the door, making this ornament a true focal point," Palomares suggests. "Be sure to fasten the ribbon to the backside of the door with double-sided tape or sticky tack. Or, even simpler, tie the wreath to a door knocker (if your door has one) to keep it in place."
Other Ways to Display a Wreath
Hoping for more suggestions? "Traditionally, wreaths are hung on the doorway, giving guests a glimpse into the look and feel of one’s home as they arrive," Palomares explains. But he’s quick to point out that that’s not the only way they can be displayed.
Hang it in the window.
Surely you've seen how stunning wreaths look in windows, especially around Christmas. "To secure a wreath in a window, use double-magnetic wreath hooks that are strong enough to lock into each other through glass," Palomares says. "Again, be sure to check the weight of the wreath and how much weight the hooks can hold first."
Display it indoors.
If you rent or live in an apartment building where displaying decorations on the outside of the door isn’t an option, or if you simply prefer to decorate indoors, Palomares says that hanging a wreath above a fireplace, bed, or couch are all great alternatives. “Use a self-adhesive wreath hook to avoid damaging or poking holes in the walls,” he says.
Create a centerpiece.
If the doors and walls are off limits, you still have options. “Be creative and include the wreath as part of a memorable tablescape,” Palomares suggests. “We also recommend placing a candle or lantern in the middle of the wreath for an additional accent. Just make sure to evaluate the back of the wreath and the surface you will place it on. Set it on top of a decorative fabric, such as a table runner or tablecloth to prevent unnecessary scratches.”
Shop Everything You Need to Hang a Wreath
Magnetic Wreath Hanger Hooks
Suction Cup Wreath Hook
Command Designer Hooks
Red Satin Ribbon
Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Over the past 10+ years, she’s heavily covered a range of lifestyle topics, including travel, home, beauty, style, wellness, and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not writing, she can be found strolling with her Jack-Chi, Cash, sipping iced matcha lattes, indulging in delicious cuisine, perusing farmer’s markets and antique sales, collecting colored glass, getting lost within the pages of a book, and exploring new bucket-list cities.
