5 cute ways to hang a wreath inside and out: without damaging your door or mantel

Nothing screams Christmas like a wreath and there really is no better welcome home than a well-dressed door or spruced-up inside space for the holidays. See what we did there? But if the thought of hanging a wreath for Christmas gives you stress because it looks hard and involves putting holes in your door or mantel, rest assured, you won't have to face any of that.

There are a few different ways to go about hanging your wreath, none of which cost a lot of time or money. Whether you want yours on the front door or if you'd rather keep yours inside, like me, you have options. 

So, renters: Christmas wreaths are not out of the question. Far from it. Join the hype ASAP. Because let's be honest, is a home really holiday-ready without one?

How to hang a wreath without doing any damage

Hanging a wreath on a door is a classic look. But perhaps you want a door wreath and an indoor wreath for your Christmas mantel display (perhaps you are Elf?); and that's okay, you can do it all. 

The wreath hanging method you choose will mostly depend on the finished look you want, your budget for materials, the type of door you have, or inside space you are working with. Fortunately, ribbon, self-adhesive hooks, and a couple more options will give a decorative and functional finish that won't ruin your door's material or paintwork.

"Our favorite tool for hanging wreaths is a command hook." Says Larry Walshe (opens in new tab), Celebrity Florist and Founder of Bloom (opens in new tab). "No mess, no fuss, they are utterly wonderful for almost all occasions.  Just pop it behind the door, run a ribbon overhead and pop it on the command hook. At the end of the festive season, pull the strip and remove the hook without leaving a mark." Adds Walshe.

Jo Reason, head of brand at Bloom & Wild (opens in new tab) similarly points out that one of the simplest ways to display a wreath on a door is to use a hook. "You can buy special wreath hooks, but any other door hooks will work too," she says.

The hanging mechanism you choose is only part of the process though. Consider other things like the height you'd like to hang your wreath and what decorative finish you're after. Reason recommends eye level. "As you’ve just put a lot of effort and care into making your beautiful wreath, you want it to be the center of attention," she explains. "The center of your wreath should be at around 57 inches (140 cm)."

Before choosing your hanging mechanism, start by weighing your wreath and figuring out the best height. This will determine how heavy-duty your hook should be, and how much ribbon you'll need, if this is what you'd like to use. (We're into ribbon.)

Hooks and wreath hangers can usually take up to five pounds in weight but you can actually find way more heavy-duty hangers now that will hold over 10 pounds — a couple of which we've included below. Generally speaking, most shop-bought wreaths shouldn't weigh more than five pounds anyway.

If your wreath is homemade, measure it using a container or box and take its weight once you've completed it.

These are your best options for wreath hanging hardware for small and large decorations alike.

1. Use a classic over-the-door wreath hanger

We're big fans of over-the-door wreath hangers as they are so easy to use and your wreath shouldn't budge.

Plus, they will work on all door materials, you can pick out different finishes like matte black or silver, and they can usually allow for a heavier wreath. Pick out an adjustable and heavy-duty Metal Over-the-Door Wreath Hook (opens in new tab) that slots easily over any standard door. This method requires zero DIY skills. Just double-check that your door can close properly with your wreath hanger as some can be clunky.

To make sure that yours doesn't scratch at your door's paint job or material finish, try to choose a design with padding under the main body of the hook. If you can't get your hands on one, simply secure a little felt leftover from any Christmas crafting activities with tape for a DIY solution.

2. Try the flipped hook and ribbon method

If you're making a wreath yourself, then it's likely that you'll have some leftover ribbon or even twine hanging around. These materials come in handy for another wreath-hanging method. "Alternatively, you can put a self-adhesive hook on the back of the door and use a big ribbon to secure your wreath," says Reason. "Clear, self-adhesive hooks are great for hanging your wreath on a wall, too."

Measure the length of ribbon you need. You'll need to measure from the point where you'll be installing your hanging mechanism to the height at which you'd like the wreath to hang. Then double the length of the ribbon.

Loop the ribbon around the wreath so that there are two open ends on one side. Then, you'll just want to tie these ends in a knot or bow.

Next, you can either install a clear self-adhesive hook, like from Command (opens in new tab), on the inside of your door but upside down. 

Or, you can secure the ribbon using thumbtacks (opens in new tab) at the top of the door for an even more discreet finish.

Finally, with your door open, suspend the wreath from your hanging mechanism of choice ensuring it's straight and secure.

3. Use door-safe self-adhesive hooks

Self-adhesive hooks are inexpensive and easy to install. They also shouldn't leave a mark on uPVC, fiberglass, or other types of door materials. Still, always read the instructions to be sure.

Before you install yours, you'll need to clean your door of any grease or debris so that it has a better grip. Take a biodegradable wipe or microfiber cloth and dish soap and make sure you thoroughly dry the area using paper towels after.

Center your self-adhesive hook high up on your front door and secure it. Then hang your wreath directly on top. Alternatively, secure a small piece of string, wire, or ribbon around it to attach the wreath to the hook — measuring beforehand to get the right drop.

If you have a metal front door or glass panes, then you can make use of magnetic wreath hooks (opens in new tab), following the same method as when using ribbon or you could use twine.

4. Hang your wreath from the door knocker 

Tying your wreath to your door knocker is a no-brainer if you're short on time. The process is pretty straightforward, and we'd suggest matching your ribbon to a bright color in your wreath to add an extra pop of festive flair.

5. Hang a wreath from your mantel 

Depending on your home setup, you may actually not want to hang your wreath from the front door. 

It could also be that your door isn't fit for a temporary measure but that you really want to avoid putting holes in it. Walshe further adds how command hooks aren't the best for lacquered doors in particular "If you have a highly lacquered door, this is the only occasion we know of where a command hook is not your best friend. In that case, either a ribbon pinned/stapled into the top of the door frame so you can’t see the marks or wire it onto your door knocker. We always prefer to avoid leaving marks where possible but on some occasions, it is necessary."

If either scenario feels familiar, considering hang your wreath above a mantel place like here. I used a command hook and pink ribbon (opens in new tab) for a subtle pop of pink Christmas color and the look is spot on. When it comes to the length of your ribbon, take full creative freedom on how long you want it. You could even forego the ribbon and choose a larger hook to hold the wreath closer to the mantel itself.

Lastly, dress the space with fairy lights.

However you hang your Christmas wreath this year, you can keep it fun, stress, and damage-free, with no detriment to all the festive vibes.