Decorating: Holiday Wreaths

Whether made of pinecones or magnolia leaves, all natural or sparkling plenty, the wreath—symbol of eternal life—is a timeless symbol of the holidays. Here are loads of ways to decorate with wreaths.

Here, a decorative wreath of fresh pine boughs, cheerful cardinals, and festive gold ribbons hangs above a cozy window niche. Traditionally, a wreath in the window during the holidays is a sign of kinship and hospitality.

Holiday decorations are kept simple in this light blue master bedroom—just greens and white flowers. A trio of delicate wreaths seasons the sitting area on the windows above the sofa.

Design: Nora Marra

A wreath made from a variety of greens circles around a white papier-mâchéd deer head. For even more interest, the wreathed trophy is suspended in front of a mirror above the dining room mantel.

Design: Emily Sullivan

A trio of rosemary wreaths propped up on the windows define the tub for the holidays and inject a touch of gold into the all white space.

Design: Emily Sullivan

Green with pink accents prevails in this chartreuse home office, and is reflected on the pink dressed wreaths that decorate each window.

Design: Gerald Pomeroy

Simply tied with a white bow, the large wreath on the window adds a little holiday oomph without distracting form the beautifully set table.

Design: Laura Langworthy

A festive wreath on the front door is both pretty and welcoming. Magnolia leaves, flowers, berries, and pinecones each bring a different element to the wreath, tied together by a big burlap bow.  

Increase a wreath’s visual impact by adding unexpected color or textures. Oversized snowflake ornaments and red felt angels peek out from the greenery; fuchsia blooms are a surprising accent against the traditional holiday hues.

Kitchens are already such a joyful room during the holidays—cookies baking, turkeys roasting, and pies cooling. Adding small touches of Christmas decorating in this otherwise unchanged space produces wonderful results. Twin wreaths hanging from thick colored ribbon spread holiday cheer inside and out.

By decorating the mudroom, holiday cheer greets guests the minute they enter. A bench offers a place to sit—and, of course, lots of space for gifts!  

Juniper berries add subtle color and a lovely scent to a minimalist wreath. Hanging a wreath over a mirror is a great way to show it off.

Here, a wreath in the kitchen is enhanced with dried berries and tied together with a gold ribbon.

With the addition of snowflakes, twin wreaths hung over mirrored window frames say “Winter is here!” in the breakfast nook. A vase filled with Christmas lilies is a cheerful touch.

The combination for the perfect rustic wreath? Dried hydrangeas, quail feathers, and pinecones – oh my!

Sweet Surprise

A large window wreath above the kitchen sink is a fun way to jazz up the tastiest room in the house. Candy canes woven into the wreath are a sweet bonus.

Nothing welcomes holiday visitors quite like a gorgeous wreath on the front door. Here, pinecones, flowers, and leaves weave in some texture, while gold pears add glam.

Here, a blue-and-white pitcher serves as a vase for snow-white tulips in the center of an evergreen wreath. An ivory bow tops the fresh arrangement.

Blue and silver are a classic holiday color combination. Experimenting with different textures and hues yields gorgeous results, like the wreath on this shuttered window. Silver-painted pinecones bring texture to the arrangement, while turquoise balls inject playful color.

A large window wreath makes a beautiful display in this bright sunroom. Simple red berries add highlights while keeping the overall theme mellow; thick silvery ribbons stream down to match the home’s quiet interior.

Tree ornaments spritzed with glitter make a dazzling wreath display.

Magnolia leaves add shine to a classic evergreen wreath with a burlap bow for texture.

Nothing says Christmas like a big, beautiful, natural wreath in red and green. This one is embellished with painted lotus seed pods, carnations and fragrant magnolia leaves.

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Designer Barry Dixon partnered with Traditional Home to decorate the Lee Entrance Hall and Dining Room at Blair House—the President's official guesthouse for foreign heads of state visiting Washington, D.C. As part of his scheme, Dixon chose an overscale wreath dotted with apples, lemons, and nuts—as well as Hypericum berries and osage oranges. (See the next slide for a view of the wreath from farther away).

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The wreath draws the eye all the way to the opposite end of the home as soon as you open the door.

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Placing the wreath above the chair works well in this formal setting, and its colors enhance Dixon’s jade, gold, and turquoise palette.

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Wreaths and wrought iron go together like hot chocolate and a peppermint stick.

In designer Christopher Hyland’s Chelsea apartment in NYC, a wreath hung at molding height over the doorway with a swag makes a festive transition from room to room.

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Greenery and red bows at Beacon Hill windows are just enough decoration to transform the area into a neighborhood that's charmingly in the Christmas spirit. The home belongs to designer Gregory Van Boven. (See next slide for the interior.)

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Sometimes simple is best. Evergreen wreaths with red bows against small-paned windows add holiday cheer to the dining room in designer Gregory Van Boven’s Boston rowhouse.

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A green and gold wreath and lighted garlands are all that is needed to accent a classic exterior, helping bring attention to the beautiful leaded glass panels that frame the door.

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Use a wreath in the master bedroom not only to give it a holiday touch but also to elaborate on your palette.

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Mini wreaths crown votives on a mantel.

Don’t overlook the master bathroom. Here twin wreaths in silver add a holiday touch without taking away from the sophistication of this serene retreat.

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A wreath with a shell motif welcomes guests to a home in Florida.

Gold leaves set around clear glass sconces set off the gilt frame of the portrait. We like the way one red bird perched on the wreath on the left keeps the arrangement from being too perfectly symmetrical.

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A classically interpreted wreath, along with matching greens and accents in large planters, bestows an air of timelessness on the exterior of a new home on Chicago’s Gold Coast. The next slide is from the home’s interior.

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Twin wreaths hung over mirrors and suspended from ribbons work with the white tulips and poinsettias to add a quietly festive touch to a living room.

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Use a wreath to crown a bust for added depth in your holiday decorating.

Hanging a wreath over a mirror with an oval inside the frame is a technique that repeats the circle shape pleasingly. (The next slide shows how the wreath is reflected in a mirror on the opposite side of the dining room.)

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The rectangular mirror reflects the wreath and mirror on the opposite wall, making the dining room feel more spacious. (The next slide shows the wreath close up.)

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Such a pretty bedroom, made even prettier by the trio of wreaths hung on the fireplace surround, with a fetching blue ribbon threaded through them.

A large red wreath hung in the middle of the door, with two smaller ones above and below, works with the garland on the balcony and the topiaries flanking the door to give a storybook look to this lovely Federal-style home in Massachusetts.

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Why is it that decorative accents always look so good in threes? The wreaths hung in the windows here are no exception.

The green in the striped ribbon on this boxwood wreath, hung on a shutter, references the green of the door frame, giving a rustic chic welcome to friends special enough to enter through the back door.

For extra holiday oomph, consider hanging a matching wreath inside the entry door as well as outside. (See the next slide for the other side of this door).

Wreaths hung at the same height on the inside and outside of the front door add substance to holiday décor. Aren’t the pomegranates and oranges pretty against the charcoal color of the door? The burnished sienna ribbon is a subtle departure from the expected red.

Go glam with a wreath made of silver balls hanging in front of a lovely mirror.

Two small wreaths hung from the top of the coat closet doors add character to this inviting entryway.

Everything about this room looks comfortable. The smallish gold wreath hung on the door invites visitors to step outside and assess the temperature.

A mini wreath dresses up a wine bottle to give as a hostess gift (or to appear on your own holiday table).

Made of shells, this wreath enhances the cabinet door with texture and a pop of color.

A bit baroque, perhaps, but the holidays are a great excuse to go (almost) over the top.

Lighted wreaths hung on its fenceposts give a home an air of conviviality.

Wreaths at the windows give this bedroom holiday spirit, but are kept simple so as not to compete with the room’s layers of pattern.

A simple white wreath, hung from the fireplace surround instead of above the mantel, grounds an elaborate Visions of Sugarplums mantel vignette.

Boxwood, often a feature of traditional gardens, is the ideal material for wreaths hung in this classical dining room, lavishly decorated and overflowing with seasonal bounty.

Never skimp! A huge Della Robbia wreath deepens the happy palette and robust warmth of this living room.

Pretty in pink, this wreath is ideal for a girl’s bedroom.

An undecorated wreath in the window of this inviting kitchen contributes cheer without blocking the view.

Subtle gold balls and leaves used to trim the wreath contribute to the whispered elegance of this vignette.

Cool and unusual: Most of us wouldn’t think to hang a wreath on the kitchen island, but it adds a certain élan, doesn’t it?

Blue Christmas: A wreath made with materials from the sea looks lovely hanging over the mantel in this oceanfront home.

A small wreath with red berries adds Yuletide charm to kitchen shelving.

A deep green boxwood wreath trimmed with red velvet ribbon brings high drama to a black door.

Details: Even a tabletop reindeer dons a faux fur wreath.

Stud oranges with cloves to give a wreath fragrance.

An alert reindeer adds élan to this nicely textured white wreath.

Dried flowers and a ribbon in red-and-white peppermint stripes give this wreath and matching swag a homespun look that is just right for a cozy bedroom.