The best places for a Christmas wreath indoors are the ones you pass every day. Think of the inside of the front door, the hallway wall, the chimney breast and the door into the kitchen.
An artificial berry wreath suits all of them. It needs no water and drops nothing on the floor. It looks the same on Twelfth Night as it did on the first of December. Here is a room-by-room guide to where a wreath earns its place. It also covers what to put near it and how to keep it for next year.
Why a wreath belongs inside as well as out
A wreath on the outside of the front door is for the street. A wreath inside is for you.
It is what you see coming home in the dark with the shopping. It is the first flash of red when you open the door to guests. It makes a hallway feel ready for Christmas before the tree is even up.
Indoors also changes which wreath makes sense. A fresh wreath dries out in a heated house. Its needles end up in the doormat and the hoover. An artificial wreath holds its shape and colour in the warm. That is why it is the common choice for inside the house.
When to put it up
There is no fixed date, and every family has its own tradition. The first Sunday of Advent is a popular moment. So is the first weekend of December, when the cards start arriving.
An artificial wreath has nothing to wilt. Hang it as early as you like. It will still look fresh on Twelfth Night, the traditional day for taking decorations down.
The inside of the front door
This is the classic spot, and for good reason. It is the first thing guests see once they are in. It is the last thing you see when you leave in the morning. A red berry wreath reads as Christmas from the far end of the hallway, even in low light.
- Centre it at about eye height, where it catches the hallway light.
- Check the door opens and closes freely with the wreath in place. Make sure it clears the letterbox and any coat hooks.
- On a door with glass panels, hang it on a solid panel. Light behind the wreath washes out the red.
A hallway wall or the stairs
Sometimes the front door is busy with a letterbox, a spyhole and a draught excluder. Then the wall beside it is often a better home. A wreath on a bare hallway wall does the job of a picture for the season. It also frames the spot where people take off their coats.
The wall at the turn of the stairs is another good choice. It catches the eye as you walk up. On a landing, it stays clear of bags and coats. Add warm fairy lights along the banister, and the whole staircase feels dressed.
Above the fireplace or on a mirror
The chimney breast is the natural centre of a living room at Christmas. A wreath gives it a focal point for stockings and cards to gather round. Centre the wreath above the mantel, then build outwards. Add a garland along the shelf and cards at either end.
A wreath over a mirror doubles the effect, because you see the berries and their reflection. It works above a console table in a hallway. It also works over the mirror in a dining room, where it sits behind everyone in the Christmas dinner photos.
One safety note: keep any wreath well clear of the fire and of candle flames. Artificial greenery is plastic. Heat and open flames are the one thing it will not forgive.
The kitchen door, a window or a bedroom
Christmas happens in the kitchen as much as anywhere, so its door deserves something. A berry wreath there is a cheerful sign that the cooking season has begun. It sits at the right height to be seen from the dining table.
A window is the one indoor spot the street sees too. A wreath in the centre of a front window works for the street and the room at once. It stays dry on the warm side of the glass.
In a bedroom, hang a wreath on the back of the door or above the headboard. It brings the season close on dark December mornings. It also makes a guest room feel welcoming when family come to stay for the holidays.
What to put around a red berry wreath
Red berries are a strong colour, so calm surroundings suit them best. The table below is a quick guide.
| Setting | Pairs well with | Best kept away |
|---|---|---|
| White or cream walls | Green garland, warm white fairy lights | Multicoloured lights, which compete with the red |
| Dark painted door | Gold or brass accents, a plain bow | Dark ribbon that disappears into the paint |
| Wooden door or panelling | Pine cones, natural twine | Lots of other red objects close by |
| Mantelpiece | Cards along the shelf, a garland | Anything that crowds the wreath's outline |
One rule covers most rooms. Let the wreath be the brightest red in its corner. With a red rug, a red throw and red stockings right beside it, it stops standing out.
Hanging a wreath without marking the walls
Before you choose a hook, look at the back of the wreath in the product photos. Then you know what you are working with. Pick whichever of these suits your door or wall:
- An over-door hook sits over the top of the door and needs no screws. Check the door still closes fully with it in place.
- Removable adhesive hooks suit painted walls and mirrors. Choose one rated well above the weight of the wreath. Follow the maker's instructions for preparing the surface.
- Ribbon from a picture rail or curtain pole is the traditional way to hang a wreath in a window or above a fireplace. The ribbon becomes part of the look.
- A small nail or screw is the sturdiest option in a door you plan to repaint anyway. A dab of filler hides it afterwards.
Packing it away for next December
An artificial wreath is bought once and brought out every year, so storage matters. A few minutes in January saves a disappointment next winter.
- Give it a gentle dust with a soft, dry brush before it goes away.
- Store it flat or hanging, with nothing heavy on top, so the shape and the berries hold.
- Keep it somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight. A loft that gets very hot in summer can fade reds over time.
- A spare pillowcase or its original box keeps the dust away until next year.
Is an artificial berry wreath right for you?
It suits you if you want Christmas on the door from early December to Twelfth Night. There is nothing to water or sweep up, and it comes out again next year. It also makes an easy gift for someone who has just moved in, with a bare door for their first Christmas there.
Our artificial red berry Christmas wreath is an indoor wreath, 35cm in size. It belongs on an internal door, a hallway wall, a mirror or the chimney breast. For an outside front door facing the rain, a wreath made for outdoor use is the better buy.
If you love the scent of fresh pine, an artificial wreath looks the part but brings no smell. A pine-scented candle on a safe surface nearby covers that nicely.
Frequently asked questions
Can an artificial berry wreath go on an outside door?
Ours is an indoor wreath, so it is best on an internal door, a hallway wall, a mirror or above the fireplace. For a front door that faces the weather, choose a wreath made for outdoor use.
Where does a Christmas wreath look best inside the house?
The places you pass every day: the inside of the front door, the hallway wall, the chimney breast and the door into the kitchen. A window works too, because the street sees it as well as the room.
How do I store an artificial wreath for next year?
Dust it gently with a soft, dry brush. Store it flat or hanging with nothing heavy on top, somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight, in its box or a spare pillowcase.
Faux Berry Christmas Wreath
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