15 Ways to Decorate the Staircase This Holiday Season

You trimmed the tree and hung the stockings—now what’s the next step? The staircase, of course! It’s prime decorating real estate, yet it can be tricky to trick out. So click through these sparkling, inspiring ideas for Christmas decor for the stairs before you create your own stunning showpiece this season.

Related: Here’s How Designers Decorate for the Holidays

For a fun and fabulous garland, fold a series of stars from pieces of sheet music, like this one from Songbird. Any tunes will do, but why not choose your favorite Christmas carols for extra flair. Then hang stars between balusters and add some twinkle lights for sweet and simple style.

It doesn’t take much to make a statement in your entryway. Jenna Kate at Home embellished a faux garland with real cedar pieces and a luxe green velvet ribbon that ties back into her other holiday decor.

Add vintage charm to your staircase by attaching a wooden sled from the banister, just like this example on Golden Boys and Me. A fair warning to your kids, however: No sledding down the stairs!

Related: 14 Vintage Christmas Ideas to Borrow from the Past

Give stair treads the musical treatment with custom decals displaying the lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Each step has a new line of the song, which is sure to get you in the caroling spirit each time you take the stairs. Available on Etsy; $64.99.

As they say in the song, everyone wishes for silver and gold, especially when it comes to holiday décor. Spice up a plain evergreen staircase garland with golden sparkling ornaments or add in some metallic touches at the bottom of the stairs by strategically displaying a few golden candles, as the Lowe’s team did here.

Not a fan of red and green? The twist on tradition displayed At Charlotte’s House drapes a jewel-toned pompom garland atop the flow of fir along the staircase. For a glam touch, pop on a few large paper stars.

Simple and elegant, this staircase featured on Sincerely Marie Designs has fresh garland wrapped alongside a string of mercury glass balls and satin ribbon. Square vases with glowing tealights on each step imbue an even cozier feel.

Add real magnolia leaves and eucalyptus sprigs to spruce up a faux evergreen garland, as featured on Home Made Lovely. As a bonus, the eucalyptus will add a nice, natural scent. Attach this farmhouse-style to the staircase with zip ties to keep it secure from prying little hands or curious pets.

You can’t get more classic Christmas than a twinkling garland adorned with festive bright red bows, like this one On Sutton Place. Space bows evenly along the stairway for symmetry.

Use garland ties and ornaments you already have to give your staircase an inexpensive holiday makeover. Creating this look for just $10, the blogger at In My Own Style secured the garland ties between staircase railings and hung one simple red ornament from them.

Related: 10 Ways to Decorate Your X-Mas Tree for Under $10

The blogger at Clean and Scentsible follows hygge, the Danish concept of coziness and simplicity, for her holiday decorating inspiration. A staircase decked in basic green garlands with silver Christmas balls wrapped around the banister imparts a snuggly, comfy feel.

Deliver dramatic wow factor by stringing the staircase railing with dozens of monochrome ornaments, as the clever blogger at Haneen’s Haven does. Attach trinkets to a garland and then secure with zip ties.

Related: 12 Other Ways to Decorate with X-Mas Ornaments

Add real eucalyptus sprigs onto a faux evergreen garland to give it a fresher, more realistic look—like this staircase garland featured on Finding Silver Pennies. The staircase in this display gets extra cozy with the addition of fairy lights and candles on the steps.

Feeling a little bit country this Christmas? Twist red gingham ribbon around a simple evergreen garland like they do on Rambling Renovators. The result is fresh, colorful, and very merry.

Make the staircase the star of the show by placing the Christmas tree right beside it in the foyer, just like this setup on Love Create Celebrate. Bonus: This location makes it a snap to hang the crowning star or angel by simply climbing the stairs.

Related: Look Alive: 8 Ways to Make Your Fake Tree Fool Anyone

Decorate the stairs for a festive first impression in your entryway.