Christmas Staircase Decorations: 14 Ideas to Copy

Christmas staircase decorations are climbing fast on Pinterest in Canada, with Pinterest Trends showing searches up about 400% month over month. That makes sense: the staircase is the one part of the house you see from the front door, from the living room and from the upstairs hall. Dress it well and the whole home looks finished. Here are 14 ideas, each with a real photo, so you can pick a look and copy it this weekend.

Christmas staircase decorations: how to plan yours

Start with three quick measurements: the length of your handrail, the number of posts or spindles, and the width of your steps. A standard garland is about 1.8 metres (six feet), so a straight run of 14 steps usually needs three or four, joined end to end. Use warm-white LED lights, which stay cool and suit the dry indoor air of a Canadian winter, and keep every decoration clear of heaters, baseboard vents and fireplaces. Never let a garland narrow the tread or make the handrail hard to grip; on a staircase, safety comes first.

1. Classic evergreen garland

The look that never fails. Drape a full, bushy garland along the rail and tuck a few extra sprigs into the gaps. Attach it with floral wire or removable clips so you do not mark the wood.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Christmas garland for stairs, Floral wire

2. Garland with stockings

If your mantel is small, hang the stockings from the banister instead. One stocking per post gives a tidy rhythm, and the red pops against dark greenery.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Christmas stockings, Stocking hooks

3. Jewel-tone baubles

Skip red and gold for a cooler palette. Teal, silver and pearl baubles woven into the garland feel modern and look good under evening light.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Teal baubles, Silver ornaments

4. String lights through the garland

Lights turn a garland into the focal point after dark. Start at the bottom post, wind the strand loosely through the greenery and plug in at the nearest outlet. Battery-powered strands avoid cords across the steps.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Warm white LED string lights, Battery fairy lights

5. Wreaths on the posts

Hang small wreaths on the newel posts and on the open balusters. It is quick, lets you skip the long garland, and works well on a staircase with a wide handrail.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Small Christmas wreath, Wreath hooks

6. Silver and white ornaments

For a quiet, frosty look, add just a few large silver or white ornaments at intervals. Frosted greenery with a single pearl bauble is understated and suits a white or grey staircase.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Frosted garland, Pearl ornaments

7. Velvet ribbon bows

A patterned velvet ribbon adds richness for very little money. Tie a bow at every second post, and let the tails hang a little so they catch the light.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Red velvet ribbon, Wired Christmas ribbon

8. One big red bow

Rather than many small details, go bold with one oversized bow at the turn of the stairs or on the porch railing. It reads clearly from a distance, which suits an outdoor front-step railing.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Large red bow, Outdoor garland

9. Gold and silver up the stairwell

If your stairs turn back on themselves, run one continuous garland all the way up so the pattern repeats on every flight. Gold and silver ornaments with a gold ribbon keep it festive and elegant.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Gold ornaments, Gold ribbon

10. Wreath and tree at the foot of the stairs

Frame the bottom of the staircase with a tree and a wreath on the wall beside it. Stack a few wrapped gifts underneath, and the first thing visitors see is a full Christmas scene.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Large Christmas wreath, Gift wrapping set

11. Small trees on the landing

A landing or wide bottom step is a good place for a cluster of small potted trees. Keep them off the walking path, and use three of varying heights for a designed look.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Mini Christmas tree, White planter

12. Dress the front steps

The outdoor steps count too. Foliage garland along each side and a wreath on the door and the gate make the entrance welcoming. In a Canadian winter, choose weatherproof decorations and clear snow and ice from the steps before anything else.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Outdoor wreath, Waterproof LED lights

13. A statement light fixture

In a tall stairwell, dress the chandelier too. Garland along the upper flight and a tree below create a layered look. Use flameless candles and only decorate fixtures that stay cool.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Flameless candles, Hanging stars

14. A playful, kid-friendly stairway

For something whimsical, line the wall or rail with plush teddy bears among the greenery and lights. This is a bold, over-the-top look, so try a smaller version with a handful of bears on a deep windowsill or the bottom steps.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: Christmas teddy bears, Copper wire lights

Where to buy in Canada

Garland, lights, ribbon and ornaments are all easy to find in Canada. Big-box stores stock the most popular styles from early November, and Amazon.ca ships across the country. Compare lengths and light counts before buying, since garland sizes vary. Browse our picks on the Canada News Media Amazon storefront.

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