This viral DIY door garland hack sold Amazon out of tension rods - here's how to get the look for Christmas
It's now back in stock and in the Black Friday sale
The six-week Christmas countdown has officially commenced, which means it's time to start decorating our homes for the festive season. And what better place to start than this easy DIY door garland? After going viral on social media, Amazon was sold out of tension rods but the good news is that it's back in stock, and on sale for Black Friday.
While the best artificial Christmas trees are the perfect centrepiece for our living rooms, Christmas decor should extend throughout your home for more festive cheer. Decking every doorway and surface in garlands, whether real or fake, will make each corner feel like your very own grotto, and DIY Christmas decor ideas are an affordable way to recreate the magic.
Whether you live in a period property with high ceilings that make it tricky to attach a garland, or you live in a rental where you can't put nails in your wall, this DIY uses only a shower rod to carry the garland. It's affordable and quick to put up and take down when Christmas is over - what more could you ask for?
Christmas DIY door garland hack
Christmas is an expensive time of year, so finding budget Christmas decorating ideas that don't cost the earth, but look like they do, is key. Christmas garlands offer that effortless 'quiet luxury' look that will make your home look premium, and all you need is a £10.47 Amazon shower rod.
Jen Rothbury, otherwise known as interior blogger @crack_the_shutters, featured the viral DIY garland hack on her page with a link to the Amazon tension rod and sold it out after gaining more than 11,000 clicks. Luckily, it's now back in stock and one style is on sale for Black Friday - a win-win.
Using this hack to decorate doorways and arches is great for adding more allure to your home decor, but also a handy alternative if you don't have a fireplace to make the most of Christmas mantelpiece ideas.
@alishacperry on TikTok shared this ingenious hack, which was inspired by @thekwendyhome, where she used a shower rod in her doorway to wrap the garland around. It's a simple way to decorate your hallway for Christmas, especially if you live in a flat or don't want to do the traditional garland on a staircase.
@alishacperry ♬ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Michael Bublé
1 Piece Shower Curtain Rod | £16.88 at Amazon
This shower curtain rod, or tension rod, is all you need for this hack. If your architraves are white, opt for a white rod so that it blends in underneath the garland.
In the video, Alisha starts by fixing the shower rod at a lower height so she can wind the garland around it easily. Being able to do this reduces the strain on your arms and makes it much faster to wind it securely.
Depending on if you've chosen a faux foliage garland that comes decked out with lights, you might want to add some extra accessories to your garland to spruce it up even further. We love this pre-lit ultimate pinecone garland from The White Company, but here are a few options if you want to decorate the garland exactly to your taste.
'When decorating, generally, we vary the materials we use because it gives off a sense of grandeur - but for high-traffic areas and decorating internal doors in the hallway, opt for bows and non-breakable baubles,' advises Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography and film at Cox & Cox.
'Pre-lit garlands are the best investment for Christmas door decor because these are battery-powered, and sockets can be a real challenge when decorating doors with lights.'
Warm-toned lights are essential for creating a cosy Christmassy atmosphere. These have a battery that make it easy to reach up and turn on too, so you don't need to worry about trailing wires.
The beauty of this garland DIY is that you can make it exactly as affordable as you like, and you can decorate it as simply or lavishly as you like. Happy DIYing!
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
After starting out her journey at Future as a Features Editor on Top Ten Reviews, Holly is now a Content Editor at Ideal Home, writing about the best interior ideas and news. At Top Ten Reviews, she focussed on TikTok viral cleaning hacks as well as how to take care of investment purchases such as lawn mowers, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Prior to this, Holly was apart of the editorial team at Howdens which sparked her interest in interior design, and more specifically, kitchens (Shaker is her favourite!).
-
How to clean a stained toilet bowl - experts reveal the best cleaning hacks for a sparkling loo
Yes, a pumice stone is on this list…
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott's 'brilliant design choice' redefines the ordinary all-white kitchen, say experts
'It's a design strategy that effortlessly marries style with substance'
By Jullia Joson
-
Can you plant bulbs in January? Garden experts have warning if you're planting spring bulbs late
Have you missed the boat?
By Lauren Bradbury
-
3 ways to elevate shop-bought Christmas crackers – making them look more expensive, stylish and personal
Why not personalise your crackers with these easy hacks and wow your guests?
By Sara Hesikova
-
3 DIY Christmas tree planter ideas to elevate your festive decor using things you already have at home
How to make a DIY Christmas tree planter that will elevate your tree and your home
By Sara Hesikova
-
DIY Christmas tree ideas that look as good as the real thing - it's time to think outside the festive box
Whether it’s due to time, budget, space – or because you want a second tree moment – there are plenty of DIY Christmas tree ideas that you can try
By Jennifer Morgan
-
How to hang a garland without nails for easy, rent-friendly Christmas decor
Put the toolbox away
By Holly Cockburn
-
Paper Christmas decorations are trending – and you can easily make them for free with these 3 hacks
These are the 3 unconventional DIY paper Christmas decorations using everyday items hiding in your kitchen cupboard
By Sara Hesikova
-
How to hang Christmas lights around windows - 5 easy ways to make your house look merry and bright
No nails? No problem!
By Lauren Bradbury
-
How to hang a garland around your front door for some Christmas curb appeal in 5 easy steps
Now is your chance to take your doorscaping up a notch
By Lauren Bradbury
-
These pretty DIY wreath ideas are easy to make – and all you need is a few things from your kitchen
It’s perfect for a DIY project or if you’re in a pinch
By Sara Hesikova