Even though there are some people that adorn their front doors with a seasonal wreath all year round (we wish we were that organised), let’s face it, most of us think of wreaths only once Christmas comes around. But with the holiday fast approaching, wreaths are firmly on our minds – which also makes us think how to hang a wreath on the front door properly.
With only a handful of weeks left till Christmas, we hope that you have your Christmas wreath idea of choice sorted out – or at least that you know what you’ll be going for this year. But whether you make your own Christmas wreath or buy one ready-made, it’s very important to properly attach this piece of festive decor to your front door in order for it to stay put.
You wouldn’t want your wreath to fly off due to the wind or fall and get damaged because you didn’t hang it appropriately. But the best and most appropriate way to hang your wreath will largely depend on the type of your front door, as certain methods could damage certain doors. And nobody wants to be dealing with that in the run-up to Christmas, right?
How to hang a wreath on a front door
‘Your front door is the most obvious place for a wreath, but hanging it the right way makes all the difference,’ says David Denyer, expert florist at Eflorist, on the topic of this popular Christmas door decor idea.
Elise Harlock of Prestige Flowers continues, ‘There are a number of ways to hang a wreath and it all depends on the kind of door you have and the size and weight of your wreath.’
In truth, it’s mostly only composite and glass doors that pose an issue and the risk of getting damaged. But don’t worry, we have the perfect solution for hanging your wreath on both composite and glass doors below.
How to hang a wreath on a composite door
Composite doors are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, but you should never use a metal over-the-door wreath hanger on your composite door. Doing so can actually damage the weather seal on your door and affect the overall thermal performance. The last thing you want is to have to look for ways to stop draughts from doors, so you’ll be happy to know that there are alternatives.
1. Hang with a ribbon
If you want to add a little je ne sais quoi to your festive DIY wreath, hanging it with a colourful and Christmassy ribbon is a surefire way to make it look more appealing. Of course, this is incredibly easy to do if you have a door knocker on your composite door.
Home decor expert Margaret Larson from Sustainable Furniture explains, ‘For doors with a door knocker, wreaths can be easy to hang. Simply loop a ribbon around your wreath and tie it to the door knocker. Not only does the ribbon provide a decorative touch to your front door but it ensures your wreath is securely attached, damage free.’
However, it’s still possible to hang a Christmas wreath on a composite door without a door knocker. To do this, grab a long piece of ribbon and wrap one end around your wreath, tying it with a bow to secure it.
'You can use ribbon and loop it over the other side of your door, holding it in place with a sticky or magnetic hook,' Elise at Prestige Flowers says.
Of course, you could also hang a wreath with a ribbon on a glass door, too.
Why not bring some extra festive pattern to your front door with the help of star or Christmas tree-printed ribbon like this set from Amazon? So whimsical!
You can't go wrong with a velvet ribbon at Christmas - especially when it looks as sleek as this black John Lewis number. And for £7 for a set of two, it's a bargain!
Tartan and Christmas go hand in hand. But it's a chic and stylish motif in its own right. that's why we think it will elevate both your front door and your wreath.
2. Use suction cups
Composite doors aren’t cheap, which is why it’s always a good idea to use gentle products when hanging a wreath from your front door. Suction cups are a great alternative to adhesive options, as they don’t leave any residue and work extremely well on this composite material.
'For a sleeker look, try suction hooks. They’re subtle but sturdy, and perfect if you want to create a minimalist, almost "floating" effect,' David at Eflorist says.
These suction cups will form a very strong seal when suctioned to the door, and many options on the market are also extremely strong in terms of how much weight they can carry. For example, suction cups that can hold 3kg should be more than enough to carry the weight of a Christmas wreath.
All you have to do is press them onto the door, and they’ll stay there for the entirety of the Christmas period. Then, you can simply pull them off without leaving any sticky adhesive behind.
How to hang a wreath on a wooden or glass door
Glass doors are usually found in older properties, and there’s no doubt that they add a huge amount of character to a home. However, wooden and glass doors can struggle when faced with sticky wreath-hanging tools. It’s important to hang these wreaths in the right place, making sure you don’t peel off any paint or leave adhesive residue behind.
1. Use an over-the-door hanger
Although you shouldn’t use an over-the-door wreath hanger on a composite door, this shouldn’t be a problem on a glass door. This is a very quick and easy option, too, and can be done in seconds.
'This is your easiest and most convenient option. It requires little fuss and can be decorative itself, often complementing the wreath’s design,' David at Eflorist says.
All you need to do is place the hanger over your door and then hang your wreath from it. In some cases, you may have to tie some ribbon around your wreath before hanging it onto the hanger, but this will depend entirely on the type of wreath that you have.
What we love about an over-the-door hanger is that you can go as simple or as bold as you like. If you want something that blends into the door, opt for something plain. But if you’re looking for something that will stand out and look like another decoration, go for something fancier.
What could be more charming than a snowflake wreath hanger design? This one from Amazon is not the cheapest but very stylish indeed and made with pure stainless steel.
If all you need is something simple and budget-friendly then this black metal design from Dunelm for just £3 is just the thing.
Not only that this wreath holder comes in a golden finish, it's also adorned with a tiny adorable mistletoe charm. And for £6, we're obsessed!
2. Use command hooks
We love Command strips at Ideal Home, and Command hooks at Amazon are particularly handy when hanging your Christmas wreath. However, some of the team has struggled with the adhesive nature of these sticky hooks in the past and had to deal with peeled paint and leftover residue.
So, while these hooks can work wonders when trying to hang a wreath on a glass door, it’s best to only stick them onto the glass and avoid any painted woodwork. You should also follow the instructions when sticking these hooks to your glass door.
Nathalie Gibbins, founder of Pow Pots, says, ‘Adhesive hooks come in a variety of styles, are easy to use, and can be removed at the end of the season without marking your door, and then reused the following year. Go for a good quality one that carries a sufficient weight such as 3M Command. Clean and dry the door first and wait an hour after attaching the adhesive strips before hanging up your wreath.’
The best artificial wreaths
If you still haven't bought your Christmas wreath or you fancy switching things up this year, these are some of our favourite artificial wreaths from some of our favourite brands.
We love this faux fern wreath from Anthropologie because it creates a whimsical effect of morning frost. We also love its simplicity - which can also be jazzed up with the addition of some bows, ribbons or other Christmas decs.
Eucalyptus looks chic no matter the season. And by opting for an artificial option like this stylish Dunelm design, you'll be able to use it again and again, all year round at that.
This heart-shaped, rustic-style wreath is one of John Lewis' current bestsellers, proving that a Christmas wreath doesn't need to come in the shape of a circle.
FAQs
How do you hang a wreath on a door with a command hook?
Command hooks are a great way to hang a wreath on a door, as you simply need to stick the hook onto the door and then leave to stick as per the instructions before hanging your wreath on it.
However, it’s important to understand that you need to buy Command hooks that are able to take the weight of your wreath, otherwise, it may fall off after a few hours. You should also consider what door you have when using these adhesive hooks.
You need to be extremely careful when using these hooks on a composite door, as you might not get the adhesive nature you’re looking for, and you may find that it loses its stickiness as the weeks wear on. If using Command hooks on a glass door, you should also make sure you’re attaching them to the glass rather than the wooden or painted surround.
What does a wreath on the front door mean?
Traditionally, hanging a wreath on the front door was a way to welcome the spirit of Christmas and good luck into your home during the Advent season.
This has changed somewhat over the years, though. Wreaths are now considered to be a popular Christmas decoration, with many homeowners choosing to decorate the exterior of their property with these wreaths, outdoor Christmas lights, and even hanging garlands and extensive porch decor.
Now you know how to hang a wreath on your front door, it’s time to get busy!
