Vivid Doors Ask a group of people what their favourite Christmas decoration is and you’ll get a lot of different answers. Some people like the tinsel, others prefer the fairy lights and the tree itself is of course very popular. My mother’s favourite decoration though was always the wreath. And as I get older, I have to confess I’m starting to agree with her!
Nothing welcomes you more warmly to a home at Christmas than a wreath on the front door.
But warm and welcoming as they are, any seasoned wreath hanger will tell you that the process of putting one up is not without its challenges, particularly if you want to hang one safely and without damaging your front door.
So, today we thought we’d share with you our best secrets when it comes to hanging wreaths without damaging your door. Whether you have a wooden front door, metal door or composite door, there’s a wreath hanging method for you – the icing on the Christmas cake!
The Dos and Don’ts of Hanging a Christmas Wreath on a Door
To kick things off, here’s a quick summary of what you should and shouldn’t do when hanging a Christmas wreath on a door:
Do:
- Use Wreath Hangers: Opt for an over-the-door hanger to avoid damaging the door with nails or screws.
- Secure it Properly: Ensure the wreath is well-balanced and secure to prevent it from falling or causing scratches when it moves.
- Choose Weather-Appropriate Wreaths: If your door is exposed to the elements, select a wreath made from durable, weather-resistant materials.
- Add a Ribbon: Using a decorative ribbon can add extra support as well as make it look more Christmassy.
Don’t:
- Avoid Nails and Adhesives: These can leave permanent damage or residue on your door which can be hard to fix.
- Don’t Block the Door’s Operating Properly: Make sure the wreath doesn’t hinder the door from opening or closing smoothly.
- Don’t Ignore Proportion: Choose a wreath size that complements your door without overwhelming it.
How to Hang a Wreath on a Door with Ribbon
Unsure how to hang a wreath on a door without a hanger? Not every wreath hanging method is suitable for everyone, but those of us with door knockers are at a serious advantage here.
With the ribbon method, all you’ll need to do to hang a wreath on a door knocker is simply to tie it on. But don’t use any old bootlace! Instead, find yourself a lovely piece of ribbon, (the most Christmassy of all ties, right?), and create a feature out of the attachment as well.
In fact, ribbons are a great solution to the wreath-hanging problem, even if you don’t have a door knocker.
Can I hang a wreath on a glass door?
Yes, you can hang a wreath on a glass door, but it requires some special care to avoid damage. There are a few different ways you could do it, but the simplest way is to use ribbon and self-adhesive hooks or suction cup hooks designed for glass surfaces, which can hold light to medium-weight wreaths without leaving marks.
You could either hang your wreath directly on the adhesive hook, or you could use self-adhesive hooks to create an anchor.
All you’d need to do is get a long piece of ribbon, loop it around the wreath and then pull the two ends of the ribbon up and over the top of the door so that it hangs down against the inside face. With your wreath at the desired height, simply attach a self-adhesive hook to the back of the door and anchor your ribbon to this so that it holds the wreath in place on the front.
Just ensure that the weight is balanced and the wreath hangs so that it doesn’t interfere with the door’s function when opening and closing.
If you have a letterbox on your door, you might find you can use a longer piece of ribbon and anchor it to the letterbox fitting on the inside which will avoid the need for an adhesive hook.
Using Magnetic Wreath Hooks
If you’re looking for something that doesn’t hang over the top, you could try a commercial wreath hanger for your front door. That’s right! We’re not the first people to encounter this problem and manufacturers have already responded with various products.
If you have a metal door, and more specifically, one made from steel such as those from Crittall, the best of these options in our opinion is the magnetic wreath hook. Using a magnetic hook couldn’t be easier.
Most types of steel are magnetic (check your door first with a magnet to see if it’s suitable) and your new magnetic wreath hook should attach itself to such a door with ease. It will hold the weight of all but the heaviest wreaths and is a really clean and tidy way of achieving that welcoming festive look.
Magnetic wreath hooks can also be useful on glazed doors. Most magnetic hook packs contain two hooks, so you can easily connect them to each other through the glass pane. These are a great option for a quick and easy wreath placement on a glass front door, and the fact they are coated in plastic means no damage to the surface of your door either.
Adjusting a magnetic wreath hanger is as simple as pulling it off and repositioning. But a magnet hook can be quite strong so you may need a little leverage.
Over-Door Wreath Hangers
You can also get metal wreath holders that hook over the top of the door. The metal option is a useful hanger for wooden, composite or uPVC doors with no steel reinforcement as they allow you to hang wreaths where suction and magnetic solutions won’t work.
You do however need to exercise some caution when using over door hangers though, as they could potentially damage the seals on the door or the door frame if there isn’t sufficient clearance.
Whether you’re looking for a wreath hanger for thick doors, metal doors, glass doors, wooden doors or composite, there’s a product out there that will get your frontage festive in no time!
What’s the best way to hang a heavy wreath?
To hang a heavy wreath securely, the best thing to use would be a heavy-duty over-the-door wreath hanger or high-strength adhesive hooks, first ensuring they’re capable of supporting the weight of the wreath.
Strong magnetic hooks work well but you may find over time they begin to slide down the door due to how much weight there is in the wreath.
To prevent sagging, consider using two or more hooks to distribute the weight more evenly.
Always check that the hanging method you choose is able to cope with the wreath’s weight to avoid damage to the door’s surface and the wreath. The last thing you want is to open your front door and find your lovely, expensive wreath in a heap on the doorstep because it’s fallen off.
But, there’s one more aspect we need to cover once you have the right hanger for your wreath, and that’s how to protect your door from scratches…
How to Stop a Wreath From Scratching Your Door
There are two key ways in which you can keep a wreath from scratching your door.
The first is to glue fabric (such as felt or foam) to the back of your wreath so that it doesn’t cause any damage when it moves. You can even buy door protecting wreath pads that are designed to be tied onto the frame of your wreath and will offer the same level of protection with a simpler assembly.
The second option is to stop your wreath moving altogether. You can achieve this by using Velcro to stick it to the surface of the door, or some simple double-sided sticky tape if you’ve already applied your fabric. Just be careful to use a solvent that won’t damage any paintwork or finish on the surface of your door.
If you’re using an over the door wreath hanger, it’s also important to consider how to keep your wreath hanger from scratching your door. As with your wreath, you can try glueing felt or foam padding to the underside of a metal hanger, or alternatively purchase a plastic one with rounded edges that will protect paintwork automatically.
Protect Your Home and Your Wreath This Christmas
When hanging a Christmas wreath, it’s important to make sure that both your decorations and your door stay in top shape throughout the holiday season. Simple adjustments, like using padded hooks or soft ribbons, can prevent your wreath from scratching or damaging the door surface.
From an aesthetic standpoint, ensure your wreath is well-positioned without disrupting the look of the door. Soft materials for hanging or invisible adhesives can keep everything in place without detracting from the overall look.
Focusing on these preventative measures can save you future costs on repairs or touch-ups. Opt for over-the-door hangers, suction cups, or non-invasive hooks that are sturdy yet protective, ensuring the door remains scratch-free and unscathed once Christmas is over.
These simple measures will keep both your wreath and door looking festive and pristine year after year.
Whatever your favourite Christmas decoration, we hope we’ve given you a little inspiration and a little confidence to add a wreath to your ensemble as you get into the Christmas spirit and deck the halls this festive season.
And why limit the warm welcome only to the winter months? Add a little nature to your threshold all year round with a wreath for each season!
