How to Choose the Best Decorative Garlands?
Table of Contents
Top Best Decorative Garlands Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Decorative Garland?
The garlands are decorative flower wreaths placed on the Christmas tree during events and festive periods such as Christmas. Also, it is used as an ornament in several places indoors. These include on a doorway, stair rail, chimney, around the TV, etc. But how do you choose the right measurement? What types of decorative garlands can you choose from? Would you like to choose the classic garlands or the garlands with lights? In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about choosing decorative garlands for your home.
6 Things to Know Before Buying Decorative Garlands
1. The Type Of Decorative Garland to Choose
Vintage style garlands: The vintage style decorative garlands consist of wooden beads. They are suitable for holiday or Christmas decorations. They are usually 9 feet long. You can easily wrap or hang them on Christmas trees and wreaths, windows, mantels, doorways, and more. They help give vintage and rustic look to home decors. However, they can fit into any home decor style.
Classic Christmas garlands: The classic Christmas garlands are made up of a succession of dull or bright colored ornaments. They are usually made of tinsel material. They are available in silver, gold, red, and, of course, green colors. Also, they are available in different lengths, depending on the room, item, or location you wish to decorate. The length starts from 15 feet. But they can be as long as 100 feet.
Garlands with light: There are also Christmas garlands with lights. They can have or not have flashing lights. Their lighting may be from bulbs or LEDs. Lighted garlands differ in size, power, bulb type, and lighting options. There are types of garlands for each use. It all depends on the desired installation. These can be hung horizontally on the wall, suspended between two trees, on a curtain, etc.
2. LED Garland vs Classic Bulb Garland
LED garlands: The LED light decorative garland is very energy efficient. Depending on the model, it can have many forms of bulbs. These can have the shapes of balls, feathers, or other trendy coverings (hearts, stars, etc.). You will also find micro or mini-LEDs that can be inserted in a jar, for a table decoration, for example. Some LED garlands can be up to 40 meters long, enough to go around the house! Available in many shapes, they have a longer lifespan than conventional bulbs. They let you have optimal lighting without the risk of overheating.
Classic Bulb Garland: Garlands with classic light bulbs are more fragile and more energy-consuming. Despite being an old lighting system, they still exist. They bring a guinguette and retro aspect to the decoration, inside and outside. There are also LED garlands that take on the appearance of a bulb. Would you like to compare the light power of all types of bulbs combined in the different lighted garlands? Check the number of Lumens (expressing the light intensity).
3. Round or Long Decorative Garlands
Long decorative garlands: These are the general and classic garlands we see in stores. These decorative garlands can be used anywhere. You can use them outdoor and by the doorway, along the stair rail, chimney, or around the Christmas tree. They come at different lengths (up to 100ft). These types are measured in feet.
Circular decorative garlands: Shaped like a crown, these types are also known as decorative wreaths. They are ideal for use at the doorway. They usually have a varying diameter.
4. Power and Electrical Sources for Lighted Garlands
Many lighted garlands need to be connected to the electrical network to operate. It’s easy plugging them on an electrical outlet if you use them at home. However, you would need a model that is powered by solar energy for outdoor lighting. It’s also great for more flexibility even while you use the garland inside.
However, there are also garden extensions that blend into the landscape. They have plugs that facilitate the connection of electrical devices outside. A solar decorative garland generally transmits less light power (expressed in Lumen). But it is more economical and eco-friendly.
5. Color and Design: How to Smoothly Combine the Garlands with Your Decor
To decorate your house or apartment with decorative Christmas garlands, choose one or two dominant colors. You may also bet on the colorful types. The important thing is to let your imagination speak.
You can wrap a lighted garland almost everywhere. They can be around a banister, at the foot of a living room lamp, around a chandelier, a curtain rod, a fireplace mantel, etc. For a nice effect, think about hanging LED lights in front of your windows, especially those whose diodes are shaped like stars. You can also place them in the exterior frame of doors and frames.
For the tree, however, use light decorations that are not too bulky or too heavy. They must coexist harmoniously with the other suspensions.
A beautiful Christmas garland can also serve as an original table runner. You can spread it over the entire length.
6. Location of Use and Measurements
Above an Entry Door
Do you want to have a decorative garland or wreath above an entry door? For a door of around 36 inches width, add dramatic effects with a round garland. This can be around 28 to 30 inches in its diameter. Meanwhile, wreaths or garlands with 20 to 24 inches of diameter create a classic and discreet look. For oversized doors, we recommend a round wreath that is 30 to 36 inches in diameter.
Generally, the larger your garland is, the higher it should be hung above the door. Large round garlands or wreaths usually weigh more than small ones. So be sure to use a strong metal hanger. You can also securely attach nail rather than plastic hanging accessories.
If you wouldn’t like to knock a nail on your door, other solutions exist. Try a hanger above the door or the 3M adhesive hangers. These are all available at your local home improvement or craft store. It’s a good way to hang your garland or wreath without having to damage the door.
Placing a Decorative Garland Above Your Arched Door
The trick here is to ensure you have a suitable outdoor LED garland that can accommodate your upper arch.
Height: Measure from the top to the floor of the door. Then you have to double the number so you can account for each side. Example: For 10 feet door: H x 2 = 20 feet. This means the garland will not be touching the ground.
Width: Measure the outside trim of your door towards the opposite side. Next, calculate the width to 1½ times to cover the arch. Example: 10 feet door: width x 1.5 equals 15 feet of garland.
Total: Add together the measurement of the height and the measurement of the width. This way, you’ll get the total amount of garland you need. Example: 20ft (height) + 15ft (width) equals 35ft of garland needed. Add 1 foot to the total if you want the garland to get to the bottom or puddle.
Measurement for a Standard or Double Door for a Garland
A simple mathematical calculation is needed to ensure you have enough garlands for your main entrance. This solution also works if you have double doors. Just ensure you measure the two doors’ width, including the trim.
Height: Measure from your floor to the top of the door. Then multiply the number by two to get the dimensions for both sides. Example: 10 feet door: H x 2 equals 20 feet.
Width: Measure the door’s outside trim to its other side. As it is in the example, the width of the door should be 4 feet.
Total: Add together the measurement of the height and the measurement of the width. This way, you’ll get the total amount of garland you need. Example: 20ft (height) + 4ft (width) = 24ft of garland. Add one foot to your total if you want the decorative garland to get to the bottom. Example: 20ft (height) + 4ft (width) equals 24ft of garland needed. Add 1 foot to the total if you want the garland to get to the bottom or puddle.
Measurement for a Stair Rail or Chimney Garland
To bring a decorative garland down a stair rail or through the chimney, use the same strategy as above. Measure the length of the ramp or the width of the chimney, then calculate one and a half times this dimension.
Example: 6 feet wide chimney: width x 1.5 = 9 feet of garland. Would you like to know if the garland should be wrapped around the fireplace side or not? Well, we have no strict rules when you decide to hang your garlands here. It’s really up to you to decide. Whatever the style you want to have, just try it out!
So how do you measure a stair rail to wrap the garland around? Measure the length of the stairs and the height of the post of the handrail to the floor. Just add the two dimensions, then double this number. Example: 10-foot long staircase + 3-foot high post = 13 feet x 2. This equals 26-foot garland.
Measuring for a Christmas Tree
If your Christmas tree measures less than 90 cm in height, a garland of 3.5 to 5m will be enough. If it measures more than 120 cm, you will need a decorative garland that is over 8 m long. Beyond 1.80m high, your garland should be more than 16m long.
Conclusion
The decorative garlands are impressive ornamental items that will make any place more attractive. It uniquely decorates outdoor events such as weddings, garden parties, as well as restaurant gardens or terraces. Depending on the location of use, put the measurement rules into cognizance.
Asides the ordinary types, the lighted garlands are really popular and very decorative. Choose models with LEDs over classic bulbs, apparently because of the former’s many advantages. Long garlands will suit any place, be it on the Christmas tree, the door, the stairs, or the fireplace.
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