A garlanded staircase is the showpiece of a Christmas hallway — the first thing people see and, done well, genuinely breathtaking. Done badly, it sags in the middle, bunches at the ends and slides off the newel post by teatime. The good news is it's entirely a matter of method. Get the measuring, spacing and fixing right and even a first attempt looks like it took a florist an afternoon. Here's the process, step by step, using faux garlands that won't shed a needle all December.
Want to shop as you go? Our Christmas Garlands collection has plenty to choose from, all delivered across the UK.
In this guide
- Step one: measure the run and buy enough
- Step two: fix it from the top down
- Step three: layer and fill for depth
- Step four: keep it safe and secure
- A few of our favourites
- Frequently asked questions
Step one: measure the run and buy enough
Before anything else, measure. Run a tape along the top of the banister from newel post to newel post, then add roughly a third to a half again for the swagging — a garland pulled dead straight looks mean, and you want gentle dips between fixing points. So a 4-metre banister wants around 5.5 to 6 metres of garland. Multiple 180cm or 90cm lengths joined together are easier to handle and to store than one giant piece. Buy slightly over rather than under; a garland that stops short of the bottom post ruins the whole effect.
Step two: fix it from the top down
Start at the top newel post and work down. Secure the garland firmly at the top with florist's wire, garden twine or reusable cable ties looped around the post and hidden in the foliage. Then attach it to the banister at even intervals — roughly every 60 to 90cm — letting a consistent swag dip between each fixing. Keep the depth of every dip the same; uneven swags are the single biggest giveaway of a rushed job. Finish by anchoring the bottom newel post and letting a little extra garland pool or spiral around it as a full stop.
Step three: layer and fill for depth
A single garland along a long banister can look thin, so build it up. Wind a second, finer trail — a mint-leaf or fern strand — over the main garland to add texture, or double the base length for pure fullness. Now fill: tuck extra sprigs into any gaps, nestle baubles or ribbon bows at each fixing point to hide the ties, and add a few pinecones for weight and realism. Work the foliage outward so it faces the room, and fluff any branches flattened in storage. The gaps and fixings vanish and the whole run reads lush.
Step four: keep it safe and secure
A staircase garland gets brushed past constantly, so security matters more than on a mantel. Check every fixing is genuinely tight — a garland that shifts becomes a trip hazard on the stairs. Keep it to the outer face of the banister, clear of the handrail people actually grip, so it isn't tugged loose. If you're threading fairy lights through, use battery or low-voltage LEDs and route the cable neatly behind the foliage rather than dangling. Give the whole run a firm tug-test before you call it done, then step back to the bottom of the stairs to check the swags line up.
Keep reading
If you found this useful, you'll enjoy Faux Wreaths Beyond Christmas: Year-Round Door Styling and Faux Garlands for the Mantel and Staircase This Christmas.
A few of our favourites
A few pieces from the Botanik range that suit this beautifully:
- 180cm Artificial Trailing Hanging Fern Garland Plant Realistic
- 90cm Artificial Trailing Green Botanik Hanging Plant Faux Foliage Garland - Premium Quality
Frequently asked questions
How much garland do I need for a staircase banister?
Measure the banister from newel post to post, then add a third to a half again for swagging — a garland pulled straight looks mean. A 4-metre banister needs roughly 5.5 to 6 metres. Joining several 180cm or 90cm lengths is easier to handle and store than one huge piece, and always buy slightly over.
How do I attach a garland to a staircase securely?
Work top to bottom. Fix it firmly to the top newel post with florist's wire, twine or reusable cable ties hidden in the foliage, then secure it to the banister every 60–90cm with an even swag between each point. Anchor the bottom post last. Tug-test every fixing so it can't shift and become a trip hazard.
How do I make a staircase garland look full rather than thin?
Layer it. Wind a finer mint-leaf or fern trail over the main garland, or double the base length. Then fill gaps with extra sprigs, hide the fixings behind baubles or ribbon bows, and add pinecones for realism. Fluff any branches flattened in storage and face the foliage outward toward the room.
How do I space the swags evenly on a staircase garland?
Fix the garland at regular intervals of about 60 to 90cm and let the same depth of dip fall between each point — uneven swags are the biggest giveaway of a rushed job. Check consistency by standing at the bottom of the stairs and looking up the whole run before you finish.
Ready to bring the look home? Explore our Christmas Garlands and the wider Botanik range — beautifully lifelike, maintenance-free, and delivered across the UK.