How the garland and wreath calculator works
Choose what you are decorating (a mantel, a staircase, a doorway, any length, or a wreath), enter your measurements and the calculator tells you how much garland to buy and the best way to buy it. For wreaths it gives you the size that looks balanced for your door, window or wall, and how much ribbon you need for the bow.
The result includes the extra length that drape and swags use, plus the small amount lost where two garlands join.
How much garland do you need?
Garland that hangs in a curve is longer than the straight distance it covers. The deeper the swag, the more garland you use.
| Look | Multiply the length by | 10 ft run needs |
|---|---|---|
| Straight along the edge | 1.0 | 10 ft |
| Gentle drape | 1.15 | 11.5 ft |
| Deep swags | 1.3 | 13 ft |
Garland for a mantel
For a mantel the calculator works out the length of each swag from its width and how far it hangs, then adds the tails at both ends. Three swags look balanced on most mantels, because an odd number gives a centre point.
Example: a 5 ft mantel
With three swags that hang 6 in and a 12 in tail at each end, you need about 8 ft 3 in of garland. A 6 ft garland is too short, so buy one 9 ft garland.
Garland for a staircase
Garland on stairs follows the slope, not the floor. On a standard staircase each step adds about 12.5 in of rail length (7.5 in rise and 10 in tread). A 13-step staircase has roughly 13.5 ft of rail on each side before any drape.
- Allow extra at the top and the bottom for the newel posts.
- If you want garland on both sides, double the figure.
- Add the drape allowance if you hang it in loops between spindles.
Garland around a door
To frame a door, add the two sides and the top. A standard 36 in × 80 in opening needs 2 × 80 + 36 = 196 in, which is about 16 ft 4 in, before drape. A garland on a door is usually hung straight, but a gentle drape across the top looks softer.
What size wreath should you buy?
A wreath looks best at about half to two thirds of the width of the space it hangs in. Smaller looks lost, and larger looks crowded.
| Door or space width | Wreath size |
|---|---|
| 30 in | 16 to 20 in |
| 36 in (standard door) | 18 to 24 in |
| 42 in | 22 to 28 in |
| 48 in or wider | 26 to 32 in |
For a front door, hang the wreath with its centre about 60 to 66 in from the floor, around eye level.
How much ribbon for a wreath bow?
Plan on the distance around the wreath, plus about 1 yd for a full bow with tails. A 24 in wreath has a circumference of about 75 in, so you need around 10 ft of ribbon. Buy a little extra, because wired ribbon is easier to shape when you have some spare.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the straight edge only. Swags and slopes are longer than the distance they cover.
- Forgetting the joins. Two garlands joined together lose a few inches where they overlap.
- Choosing a wreath that is too small. Tiny wreaths on a big door look lost.
- Hanging a wreath too low. Eye level is the easiest to see and the nicest to look at.
- Not fluffing. Most garlands come flat. Shape every branch before you hang it.
Tips for a fuller look
- Buy one more garland than you think you need and layer two for a lush mantel.
- Wrap lights through the garland before you hang it. About 3 ft of lights per 1 ft of garland gives a rich glow.
- Use removable hooks or ties that suit the surface, so they do not mark paint.
- Check that real greenery is away from heat. Keep it back from a lit fireplace.
