If you love simple Christmas decor, try this. A tension rod and a garland are all you need to add cosy festive charm to your hallway.
Make your hallway feel festive with little effort. This super easy Christmas hack is perfect for small homes, rental flats, and anyone who wants effortless holiday decor.
Watch the quick version here ▼
With just a tension rod and a garland, you can create a suspended, cosy look across a hallway. It works without drilling, damaging walls, or taking up any floor space.
Keep it simple this holiday season with a tension rod
I’ve always loved the look of arch-style Christmas garlands, but I always thought it would be such a hassle to secure one on the wall with hooks.
Using a tension rod changed everything. It gives you the look of an arch or suspended garland without nails or hooks. It’s easy to set up, safe, and I can fluff and decorate the garland at a comfortable height without climbing or struggling.
This budget-friendly method is ideal for seasonal decorating, and because everything is removable, it’s also easy to put away. Plus, it’s much safer than trying to hang garlands on high walls or ceilings.
What you’ll need (tools & materials)
- Tension rod
- Garlands of your choice
- Baubles, fairy lights, or other ornaments
- Wrapping ties (optional)
- Tension rod holder (optional)
Tips: You can use any kind of garland, but for a fuller look, I recommend using at least two. Aim for the garland to be longer than the rod to create a nice drape.
Since I’m reusing our Christmas decorations from previous years, I didn’t buy anything new for this DIY.
How to build it (step-by-step)
This might be the easiest Christmas decor you’ll make this year, and the steps are pretty self-explanatory from the pictures. But here are a few tips to help make the installation smoother and quicker:
Secure the rod at a comfortable height so you can drape and wrap the garland without looking up or climbing. Fluff it up to make it full, and add battery lights, ribbons, or small decorations as you like.
For safety and convenience, choose e a lightweight tension rod and a garland that’s easy to handle. If you want to keep your garland in place, you can use wrapping ties to secure it.
Once you’re happy with how the garland looks, carefully raise the rod into place between the walls. Make sure it’s snug and level.
Safety tips!
Don’t overload the rod! To make it extra secure and prevent the rod from suddenly losing grip and falling, you can use tension rod holders.
Enjoy your easy, safe, and festive hallway decor!
Holiday decorating can be easy
You don’t need time-consuming decorations to feel festive. This simple garland is a minimalist-friendly way create a cosy Christmas look in minutes.
