How to Style Christmas Garland

Written by Abby Robinson Published on November 20, 2024

Styling Christmas garland is a wonderful way to add festive cheer to your home.

decorating a piano for Christmas

Decorating a piano with Christmas garland can create a beautiful, festive centerpiece in a living room or music space. I just love decorating my piano for Christmas, and this garland from Seasonal LLC is absolutely amazing! I am not a fan of “cheap looking” garland that is not full, and this garland is anything but sparse! The fullness of the frosted branches and the pretty warm white lights make this garland top of the line. If you are looking for beautiful quality Christmas garland, this is a winner!

christmas garland on piano | Decorating piano for christmas

Here are some ideas to help you style garland on a piano effectively:

1. Elegant Drape Across the Top

Materials: Lightweight garland (like cedar, eucalyptus, or faux pine), fairy lights, ribbon.
How To: Lay the garland along the top of the piano, draping it gently across. If your piano has a tall back (like an upright or spinet), you can let the garland spill slightly over the edges. Add fairy lights for a soft glow, and tie in ribbon for a touch of elegance.
Tip: Use light clips or floral wire to secure the garland without damaging the piano’s finish.

2. Framing the Sides

Materials: Green garland, pinecones, ornaments.
How To: Place the garland along the sides of the piano, letting it cascade gently down each side. This works particularly well for grand pianos, where the garland can hang down over the side curves. Tuck in a few pinecones or ornaments for festive touches.
Tip: If the piano is near a wall, anchor the garland ends using command hooks or clips for extra stability.

christmas piano decorating

3. Minimalist Accent

Materials: Eucalyptus or slim, simple garland, small metallic ornaments or picks.
How To: For a modern look, lay a simple, slender garland along the back edge of the piano. Add just a few small metallic ornaments or floral picks for a minimalist vibe. This style keeps the decor light and understated.
Tip: Avoid anything too heavy on the keys to keep the look fresh and functional.

4. Adding Candles or Vases

Materials: Greenery garland, LED candles or small vases with flowers.
How To: Place the garland across the top of the piano, and nestle LED candles or small vases with flowers within the greenery. The candles add a warm glow, and vases can add a bit of height and dimension.
Tip: For safety, stick to LED candles to avoid any fire hazard near the garland or piano.

5. Drape Around the Music Stand (for Upright Pianos)

Materials: Flexible garland, berry sprigs or small ornaments.
How To: For an upright piano, drape a garland around the music stand and down either side of the stand. Keep it lightweight to avoid obstructing the music holder. Add berry sprigs or a few small, lightweight ornaments to avoid damaging the stand.
Tip: This is a great look if you plan to play the piano throughout the season, as it won’t obstruct the keys or music.

6. Winter Wonderland Theme

Materials: Flocked or frosted garland, white ornaments, glittery picks, white fairy lights.
How To: Drape the garland with a frosted or snowy look across the top of the piano. Add a few glittery white ornaments or winter-themed picks to give it an icy feel. Soft white fairy lights can add to the wintery ambiance.
Tip: Place a layer of felt under the garland if you’re concerned about scratches on the piano finish.

When placing garland on a piano, always be cautious of the weight and pressure on the instrument. Using light garland and securing it carefully will keep your piano safe and looking festive without interrupting its function. This garland did not damage my piano whatsoever.

For my piano Christmas garland styling, I used Shadow Woods flocked spruce 9 foot garland, and it is pre-lit too. I also added neutral ornaments, black candlesticks, and white candles.

ALSO – how cute is this wooden Rudolph that my dad made for me ??

wooden Rudolph DIY

This garland doesn’t only belong on a piano! Christmas garland adds a festive touch to so many areas of the home. One of the most popular places is along the staircase banister, where it can be draped and wrapped with twinkling lights, ribbon, and small ornaments, creating a beautiful focal point as you move between floors. Another favorite spot is on the fireplace mantel; here, garland can be layered with candles, stockings, and personal holiday decor for a cozy and traditional look. Many people also like to frame doorways with garland, especially the main entry door, which creates a warm welcome for guests. The dining room can be dressed up by using garland as a centerpiece, laying it down the length of the dining table and adding candles or small decorative items for a festive tablescape. For a unique touch, garland can be placed above cabinets in the kitchen, bringing holiday cheer into an often-overlooked area. Wrapping garland around windows or mirrors adds a festive flair and extends the holiday spirit to more intimate parts of the home, making each room feel warm and inviting.

Christmas garland ideas

Here are some ideas for different looks and techniques:

1. Traditional Red & Green

Materials: Green garland, red berries, pinecones, plaid ribbon, fairy lights.
Style Tips: Wrap the garland in a plaid or red ribbon, and add clusters of pinecones and berries throughout. Use warm white fairy lights for a cozy glow.
Where to Place: Great for fireplaces, stair railings, and doorways.

2. Elegant White & Gold

Materials: Flocked or frosted garland, white and gold ornaments, sheer white or metallic ribbon, LED lights.
Style Tips: Choose garland with frosted or flocked branches for a snowy look. Add gold and white ornaments, and finish with a touch of gold ribbon. For a more subtle effect, use LED lights in warm white or soft gold.
Where to Place: Looks beautiful on mantels, above doorways, or on dining room tables as a centerpiece.

3. Natural Rustic Look

Materials: Green garland, eucalyptus, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, burlap ribbon.
Style Tips: Layer the eucalyptus into the garland for a fuller look. Add dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks for a cozy, rustic scent and appearance. Burlap ribbon or twine can be woven throughout for a rustic charm.
Where to Place: Perfect for entryways, kitchen windows, or along staircases.

4. Modern Minimalist

Materials: Simple green garland (like cedar or pine), a single color of baubles, white lights.
Style Tips: Keep it simple with a single type of decoration, like small silver baubles or just lights. This minimalist look is understated but elegant.
Where to Place: Try this style for a clean-lined mantel or minimalist stair railing.

5. Woodland Inspired

Materials: Mixed greenery (like pine and cedar), small woodland animal ornaments, tiny pinecones, white lights.
Style Tips: Add small woodland animal ornaments, like owls, foxes, or reindeer. Include a variety of greens and scatter tiny pinecones throughout. A light dusting of faux snow adds to the woodland feel.
Where to Place: Use this style for entryways, or around windows and door frames.

6. Colorful & Whimsical

Materials: Bright-colored garland, multicolored ornaments, fun elements like candy canes, glittery picks, or pom-poms.
Style Tips: Go for a fun, vibrant look with bright ornaments, oversized ribbons, and playful picks. You can even add colorful pom-poms for a unique, playful look.
Where to Place: Ideal for children’s rooms, playrooms, or to make a bold statement in living areas.

7. Classic with a Twist

Materials: Standard green garland, velvet or satin ribbon, personalized ornaments, lights.
Style Tips: Keep the classic look but personalize it with unique ornaments or family-themed baubles. Mix in personalized wooden tags or small photo ornaments to give it a twist.
Where to Place: Perfect for entryways or around family photo walls.

Adding fresh greenery to any of these styles (such as sprigs of pine, eucalyptus, or holly) gives the garland a lush, natural look. Also, layering garlands, like combining faux and real greenery, will create a fuller, more luxurious effect.