Create a sense of elegance with these classy staircase Christmas decorating ideas for the holidays.
Nothing adds a touch of magic to the holiday season like a beautifully decorated staircase railing. From whimsical garlands of greenery to sparkling fairy lights, there are countless ways to transform your staircase into a festive and welcoming part of your Christmas decorations.
Discover how to make the most of your stair railing with creative decorating ideas. We'll walk through everything from traditional decorations to contemporary accents, as well as other things you can do to customize the look. You'll also find tips and tricks to decorate your festive staircase safely and strategically. With the right inspiration, you can turn this area into an eye-catching feature for your holiday decor!
Options for Staircase Decorations
- Fresh garland
- Fake garlands
- String lights or fairy lights
- Pine cones
- Ornaments
- Stockings
- Simple bows
- Pre-lit faux garland
- Ribbon
- Berry stems
- Flowers or real foliage
- Bells
- Wooden or beaded garland
How to Style Your Staircase Christmas Decorating
One of my favorite things about our current home is the grand staircase that leads upstairs to the bedrooms or down into the living room and kitchen. Since this feature is in a very visible area, I wanted to showcase the staircase banister and make it fluid with the other festive decorations you can see from the gathering spaces.
When it comes to creating a beautiful statement piece in your home for Christmas, do not forget to include your staircase display. Styling your Christmas staircase is a great way to elevate your Christmas decor up a notch. Let's take a look at a few tips to embellish your home this December.
Fresh or Faux
Decide whether you want faux or fresh garland. There are pros and cons to both. I have used fresh evergreen garland in the past and my biggest challenge was longevity, in addition to the cost of replacing it every year. Though I miss the smell of the natural elements, I appreciate being able to reuse my faux garland year after year and eliminate the mess. If you want to go the faux route, your best benefit will be to choose a high quality faux garland that looks real. None of that cheap imitation junk!
Visible Branches or Traditional Garland
If you go with green garland, you can choose traditional garland or long visible branches for your staircase Christmas decorating. I love green garland because it is a neutral color that can go with any additional decorative items. Traditional staircase garland is usually lengthy and can be styled by wrapping around your railing or banister, or placing directly on top of the railing. Long branches are another great modern option that are unique and stylish.
Layer your garland with different types or keep it simple. I like to use my Norfolk pine garland on my staircase handrail for a minimal, elegant look. But on our fireplace mantel I tie in more evergreens and a faux eucalyptus garland for added lush. If your garland is pretty thin, layering is a good idea to take up extra space.
Greenery Alternatives to Staircase Christmas Decorating
Not into greenery on your bannister? There are lots of other options. Garlands also come in other materials like wood beads, felt balls or even tinsel. See how to make a felt ball garland here. A staircase garland is great for stringing along a railing, no matter the kind.
You can also go for simplicity and hang big bows or Christmas ornaments. Lacking a fireplace mantel? You can even style your staircase by hanging Christmas stockings on the side. And a strand of twinkling lights can also take the place of garland if you want to brighten up the space.
Pick a Color Scheme and Style
Before you pile on the lavish decorations, the next step is to determine a color scheme and style. You want your railing to be fluid with your decorative theme so the rooms flow together.
Pick a color or two that ties into your decorating scheme. You can go with a traditional red or white or pick something neutral. I opted to accent with red ribbon in my red and white Christmas theme below. And to top it off with a few finishing touches, I spruced up the corner posts with a red and white plaid ribbon and lovely gold holiday bells.
Incorporate Christmas Lights
Whether your garland is inside your home or outside, it is fun to use lights to add some extra shine and sparkle. Get creative when hanging your garland by adding in a string of lights. Separate your garland and lights or you can weave them together.
If a regular light strand is too bright, try using a battery pack strand of fairy twinkle lights for subtle sparkle. Candles or lamps nearby are also perfect for adding a touch of soft illumination.
Add Accents to Garland
For a final finishing touch, adorn your garland with a few decorative accents. This is ideal for bringing in color and a little personality.
Add a set of bells to your garland, or fill it with small flowers or foliage branches. Flocked branches are especially beautiful mixed in with a simple garland. Top it off with a few red berries or some mistletoe for good luck.
Another cute option is to weave a beaded garland into the greenery or deck it out with extra ornaments that are not being used for your Christmas tree. You can add metallic touches for a bit of elegance and shimmer, like these Rub n' Buff DIY ornaments here.
Hanging Up Garland for Staircase Christmas Decorating
So how do you hang up these beautiful decorations for your staircase Christmas decorating? The easiest and safest option I have found is to use cord bundlers. It requires no climbing or ladders! These reusable cable ties allow you to cinch up your garland easily in place, plus they blend in really well and don't ruin the finish on your railing. Tie in ribbon for extra support and decoration.
Christmas staircases bring a unique, festive, and cozy atmosphere in your home. Staircase Christmas decorating can be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, not to mention it is a great way to show off your Christmas spirit. From traditional red and green garlands, to unique DIY crafts, there are many creative ways to spruce up your stairs for the holiday season. So whatever your personal style or budget, create a beautiful and timeless staircase that your family will love admiring.
Happy Decorating!
Brooke
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