Staircases do a lot of welcoming at Christmas. Dressing the stairs sets the tone before anyone reaches the Christmas tree and brings festive cheer to the hallway throughout the Christmas season.
A well-planned garland on the stairs carries your scheme between rooms and looks striking too.
 

 

Why Premier Garlands work on stairs

We have used a Barneswood Garland, but many other styles are available.
They have a flexible wire core through the centre. You can bend and twist it to hold clean arcs with discreet fixings where needed. The mixed tips can be shaped quickly and deliver a full look with modest Christmas decorations. One length is suitable for compact stairs, whilst two or more create depth on wider landings or sweeping rails.

 

Decide the shape: swags, wraps and turns

There are several options for shaping your garland. Whether your choice is based on the existing balustrade structure or personal preference, there is plenty of room to create a cohesive, polished look.

Straight run

This style keeps the garland tight to the rail with no drooping. Fix small ties every 30–40 cm, aligned with spindles to hide. The line stays clean and safe for narrow stairs. Add one bow at the bottom post or small bows regularly. Use tiny berry picks; keep ornaments short and shatterproof.

Classic swag

Even drops from post to post provide a timeless rhythm. Tie the high points first, then set mid-span ties. Add bows or poinsettia picks at each high point to emphasise the pattern and disguise fixings.

Handrail wrap

Spiral the garland around the rail for a tailored look. Fix at regular intervals and keep the wrap low on the outer edge so the top handhold remains usable. Finish with a tidy twirl around the end post to anchor the garland.

Double-sided depth

Keep the main run on the rail and thread a lighter evergreen through the spindles. You gain texture on both faces without adding width to the stair edge.

 

How to get started with fitting your garland

Start with a tape measure and a plan. Measure along the handrail, including turns. Each Barneswood garland is 1.8M long. Divide your overall bannister length by 1.8 to estimate the quantity needed, then round up so you can place ties neatly and shape tidy curves around posts.
For a straight run, take the total handrail length and divide it by the length of your chosen garland to work out how many pieces you need, then round up. Set the garland just under the handrail for safe use and secure it to the spindles with zip ties.
For a classic swag, decide on your drop first. A shallow drop uses roughly the handrail length; deeper swags usually need an extra 10 to 20%. Mock up with ribbon or string to confirm spacing, then count the pieces and round up.
For a handrail wrap, wrap the string along the entire handrail (including posts if you’ll wrap them) to get an exact length. Divide that length by the length of your garland to calculate the quantity, then round up. If coverage runs short, join lengths with discreet zip ties and keep joins close to posts for the tidiest look.

Fixings and surface care

Choose fixings protective of paint and timber. Clear cable ties or green floristry wire keep things discreet. Ribbon ties work where you welcome visible decoration. Add felt pads under pressure points to prevent scuffs. If you plan to light the garland, start close to your power source.

 

Choose and plan your lights

Pick your lights before you install anything.

• Plug-in TreeBrights® suit long runs and daily use. The 2.5cm bulb spacing gives rich, even coverage and includes a timer function.

• Battery LED TimeLights® give a similar lit look to the TreeBrights, but don’t need a power source to plug into. Again, these include a timer and avoid trailing cables.

Add lights once the garland is installed. Fix the garland securely, then weave lights along the outer face from tie to tie so cables stay hidden, LEDs stay visible, and adjustments are easy.
Plan the light length to suit the run. For each 1.8M Garland, use about 2-3 metres of lights for generous, even coverage. As a guide, 1,000 TreeBrights® provide roughly 25 metres of lit length. Keep power discreet and safe.
Place the plug-in controller near the bottom for easy access. Run the lead down the rail side to the nearest socket, hide the plug, and secure slack at the bottom post. Avoid loops near the treads.
For battery sets, set the pack on the rail side behind the garland, or tuck it behind the garland or a bow for easy reach. Match warm-white colour temperature to nearby trees or doorway Christmas lights so the lit garland feels cohesive.

 

Dress the garland

Keep additions simple and repeated for a consistent design. Use a wired ribbon for more structure and control. Add shatterproof baubles in small clusters and hang them short so they are clear of the handrail. Berries, pinecones, and a few clip-on poinsettias or flowers bring seasonal texture.

Classic colour accents

Work one metallic shade, such as gold, through the garland with baubles or picks for warmth. A lit garland adds gentle sparkle after dusk and helps the pattern read clearly from the hall.

Natural design

Blend short lengths of mistletoe garland or eucalyptus garland for leaf contrast, then add artificial pine cones and red berries to complete the look.

Traditional garland

Keep to red, green and gold with neat ribbon ties and poinsettia or berry picks at posts. Use shatterproof pieces near the handhold and keep clusters symmetrical. 
Limit yourself to 2-3 main colours plus one accent so the Christmas decor reads clearly from a distance. For a softer look, use fewer pieces and more greenery. A traditional twist is hanging Christmas stockings from the staircase; build them into the garland with fixings hidden in the foliage. 
Step back from the hall entrance and check the sightline. Adjust swag depths so drops match visually, and nudge lights toward dull patches at the outer tips. If the run feels busy, remove every other bow and keep ornaments to the outer face only.

 

Christmas garlands for the mantelpiece

Give the mantelpiece Christmas garland its own identity while sharing materials with the staircase and echoing any Christmas wreaths in the hallway. Aim for harmony, not duplication. 
Resting on top suits formal rooms. Lay the garland along the mantel and form rises with the wire core; these add depth so the display doesn’t look flat. Cluster baubles, berries, and pine cones above each rise. Draped over the edge feels relaxed. 
Fix the centre on the top surface with a discreet tie or wrap the internal wire, then let the tails fall gently at the ends. The weight helps it sit flat. Decorate with shatterproof baubles, bows or poinsettias at the mantel high points to echo the staircase.

 

Final touches

If gaps show where the rail curves or a tie sits wide, twist nearby tips forward to fill them. If a hollow remains, tuck in a small berry pick. If a swag starts to sag, add a hidden support tie behind the bow at the high point and reshape the arc. 
For dark patches, pull a few LEDs towards the outer tips and rearrange any Christmas decorations that are shading the lights.

 

Link the look room-to-room

Repeat one or two details so the house feels joined up and full of Christmas inspiration. Use the same decorations on the staircase and mantel, pair the hallway with Christmas stockings, and keep a warm-white colour temperature on the tree and landing. 
Dress the stairs, and the home feels ready. A thoughtful staircase garland adds height, colour and welcome. Measure carefully, choose your style, shape your garland, secure it safely, and add lighting to suit your space.

 

“Christmas with Premier^® couldn't be easier”