These methods work when you want to deck the halls in a damage-free way.
Caroline is a writer for Martha Stewart. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Apartment Therapy, The Wirecutter, Architectural Digest, Refinery 29, and other publications. She covers design, lifestyle, interiors, real estate, and more. aluminum doors and frames
Few things evoke the holiday spirit like a festive wreath on an outside window. "It's like an invitation to come in and enjoy the warmth inside," says Hannah Stevenson of Lily & Thistle. "Wreaths add beautiful color and texture to your décor and really make a unique statement."
However, with hard-to-reach casements and outdoor elements like wind, rain, and snow to worry about, securely hanging a wreath on an exterior window takes a little planning. "There are some types of windows that make it a little trickier to hang wreaths, especially on upper levels," says Kierste Wade of Old Salt Farm. "If you're not able to access the front of your window from the inside, you may have to get a tall ladder to reach them." She also recommends adding any additional décor accents you'd like to use, such as bows or LED lights, to the wreath before hanging. "This way, you'll have less to worry about when you're securing the wreath to the window," she says.
If you plan to hang wreaths on the exterior windows of your home this year, use materials that ensure the holiday décor is secure all season long. Here are five easy ways to hang your wreaths.
For a foolproof way to hang wreaths on an exterior window, Stevenson says to grab a couple of simple screw hooks. "Screw hooks are a great tool and can be screwed in above each of the windows," she says. Stevenson also recommends picking hooks with a finish that complements your home's exterior palette. "We just leave our hooks in because they match the trim, which makes it very easy to hang wreaths year after year," she says.
For a more festive outdoor look, Wade says to consider hanging a wreath on an exterior window with a ribbon. "I've found this method to be the easiest to do," she says. Just be sure to remind family members that windows should not be opened from the top throughout the holiday season or the wreath will fall out.
If you love the idea of hanging a wreath from a ribbon on your exterior window but are worried about it withstanding the outdoor elements, Stevenson suggests adding a hook to secure your display. For ribbon, she prefers the velveteen plastic ribbon that comes in big rolls.
A little fishing line goes a long way when securing a wreath to an outdoor window. "Fishline is great because you really can't see it, and it's very helpful to keep your wreath from scraping your windows on windy days," Stevenson says.
Similar to the adhesive hooks frequently used to hang items inside the home, exterior hooks are also available. Look for one that's designed especially for windows and can tolerate extreme temperatures, making it ideal for hanging outdoor decorations.
Depending on the material of your wreath, you may want to protect your window's glass or panels. To do so, consider adding a layer of felt (or other soft-to-the-touch fabric) glued to the back of the wreath to help prevent any sharp materials scratching your window.
Ideally, the size of the wreath will go hand in hand with the size of your window—small ones for small windows; large wreaths for bigger windows. Generally speaking, look for wreaths that are anywhere from 24 to 36 inches, which is a standard size (large options go beyond 36 inches, and 16 to 23 inches are considered small).
frameless sliding door Store your wreaths either hanging on a wall (in the garage, shed, or any humidity-free area) or on a rack. You may also cover them with a loose fabric to protect them against dust or moths.