30 Best Christmas Staircase Decorations to Beautify Your Holiday Home
Style your stairs with festive bows, garlands, lights, ornaments and stockings.
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So many spaces to turn festive, so little time — there's accessorizing the fireplace mantel, finding the perfect Christmas tree idea and decorating your staircase. While you can't go wrong with draping lush green garlands, there are endless ways to give your staircase the holiday treatment — large Christmas bows along the hand railing, paper garlands hanging from the banister and holiday cards made into decorative hanging displays. For a dose of inspiration, we've gathered the best staircase Christmas decorations — whether you're looking for something traditional, natural or prefer a vintage feel.
No matter what concept you choose, your staircase is sure to make a statement this holiday season. You can go with the best store-bought garlands and string lights, or opt for DIY staircase Christmas decorations by adorning your railing with handmade ornaments, homemade stockings or hand-cut paper garlands. Fill the area around your staircase with hand-wrapped presents or use the extra space to display a DIY advent calendar. For an easier approach, you can upgrade your store-bought decor by adding crafting ribbons and bows to evergreen garlands or create a unique display by mixing faux and fresh greenery. And don't forget to consider our easy holiday hanging hacks to discover clever ways to hang holiday wreaths, garlands, stockings and holiday greens without using any nails.
Go Minimal
Keep it clean and classic with a realistic Christmas pine garland. Line each stair with simple stocking hooks to put your stockings on display — just make sure they don't hang onto the ground.
Red Ball Garland
Here, blogger Michael Wurm Jr. started with a Balsam Fir garland, then weaved in a cedar garland, LED lights and a red ball garland for a pop of color.
Faux Fur Stockings
To add texture and warmth to this interior, designer Emily Henderson added fur stockings to the railings. Two cozy nooks around the staircase are filled with glowy lights, evergreens and plush textures.
Ribbon Banister
To get this look, secure fresh garland down the length of your banister using floral wire and let it swag out luxuriously at the end. And then all you have to do is tie giant ribbons to it. Bonus points if you incorporate fun colors like yellow and blue.
Velvet Ribbons
Elevate a classic evergreen garland with multi-colored velvet ribbons (shades of orange and red work well).
Coastal Garland
If the theme of your home doesn't mesh well with traditional holiday decor, then you should feel free to choose something different — like this unique nautical garland.
Mix of Fresh and Faux Greenery
For the best of both worlds, start with a base faux garland and layer in fresh-cut greenery. You'll just have to mist it daily!
Neutral Look
Pair a wall of cheery snowflake decals with a staircase covered in lush all-green garland, and you're all set.
Dried Citrus
For a rustic and colorful look, string together a few pieces of dried citrus and hang them from the hand railing. Pull the look together by adding citrus to your Christmas tree too.
Metallic Stairway
Skip the traditional red and green color palette for an attractive metallic look. Set butterfly decals and ball-shaped ornaments against twig garland and take in all the holiday cheer.
Magnolia Leaf Garland
If understated holiday displays are more your style, go for full magnolia garland that's free of ornaments.
Stocking Switch-Up
If you're not big on stocking stuffers, then ditch them altogether and opt for coffee mugs instead. Hang them on your staircase and fill them to the brim with candy and other festive knickknacks.
Paper Tree Garland
For an unexpected arrangement, go for a pink, red and orange color palette in the form of paper trees. Finish the look with a few pine cones and red bows.
Green and Gold
If your home already has gold accents near the staircase, then incorporate some in your garland too for a winter-glam entryway.
Card Display
Cut out images of snowflakes, stockings, Christmas trees, holly sprig and gift-wrapped presents, then glue them onto white card stock for a holly, jolly staircase.
Glam Candles
Candles never fail to elevate a room. Set an assortment of white flameless pillar candles along your steps for a festive and welcoming look.
Assorted Red Ornaments
If you're relying on ball-shaped ornaments in varied sizes for your Christmas tree this year, stay on theme by carrying the look to your banister's garland.
Vintage Jingle Bells
Top off a simple eucalyptus, pine and twinkle light garland with a string of hanging bells and rope. It'll add a touch of rustic charm your guests will love.
Nature-Inspired Look
Grab pine cones and thick ribbon to dress up faux garland covered with pops of real greenery. Keep it all in place with zip ties.
Classic Stockings
Stockings don't have to be reserved for the fireplace. Consider hanging them along your stairs with garland and twinkle lights.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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