I keep coming back to Christmas wreaths for front door decorating because they take up so little space. A ring of greenery and a long ribbon can be enough. I also like the bare branch versions, where you can still see the shape of the wreath underneath.
Our small New York apartment puts a limit on how much Christmas decorating we can do. The tree is our tradition with the twins, and that comes first. These wreaths are inspiration I have saved, with details I would borrow rather than rooms I have decorated myself.
Below are seven ways to approach a wreath, from evergreen branches to dried fruit and bells. I have included indoor placements, too, for anyone whose front door is not the right spot.
Minimal Christmas Wreath Ideas – Christmas Wreaths for Front Door
Before choosing a wreath, look at the door itself. A thick arrangement may get caught between a front door and a storm door; a wide one can cover the number or peephole. Measure the space and check that the door can open and close with the hanger in place. For an apartment hallway, check the building’s decorating rules first.
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Dried branch wreaths – Christmas Wreath ideas
Dried branches let you see the outline of the wreath. I like that slightly uneven shape, especially against a plain door. A narrow ribbon gives the branches some color without filling every gap. If you add bells, place them together in one small cluster so the twigs remain visible.
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Evergreen wreaths
Evergreen wreaths are the starting point I would choose if I wanted to change the ribbon each Christmas. Fresh foliage is seasonal; it will dry out. A faux wreath is the version you can pack away and reuse. Look at the branch tips as well as the overall fullness: a few loose ends make the outline less stiff.
Pinecone wreaths – Wreaths for Front Door
Pinecones bring brown into the greenery, which is useful if bright red is not your color. A wreath made mostly from cones also has plenty of texture without extra ornaments. I would try a plain cotton or velvet ribbon with it and leave the cones their natural color.
Dried fruit wreaths – Christmas Wreath Ideas
Dried orange slices add amber tones and little circles within the larger wreath. Cinnamon sticks or star anise can give it another shape, but I would choose one of those additions rather than crowd the base. Keep dried-fruit wreaths in a dry, sheltered spot. They are an idea to enjoy for the season, not something I would assume will store as reliably as a faux wreath.
Wreaths with bells and ribbon
Bells give a plain wreath a little weight at the bottom. A few aged-looking brass bells work with green foliage, brown branches or a dark ribbon. Check how they hang before fixing them in place: they should not scrape the door each time it opens. The ribbon can be the only other decoration.
Indoor wreaths
A wreath above a sideboard or on an interior door is more realistic for some apartments than a large outdoor display. Choose the spot before choosing the size. Over a dining area, a small wreath can repeat the color of the napkins without taking any space away from the table.
Wreaths for the mirror
Small wreaths for walls and sconces
Open hoops and branch bundles
A door decoration does not have to be a full circle. A loose bundle of branches or an open hoop gives the foliage more room. I would keep the fastening visible enough that the arrangement looks intentional, then use one ribbon to finish it. These shapes also work where a broad, dense wreath would feel cramped.
For my own space, a modest evergreen wreath with one dark ribbon would be the easiest starting point. The more elaborate versions are lovely to look at, but I would rather be able to store and reuse the base. A ribbon change is enough to make it feel different next year.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
For a longer stretch of greenery, see these Christmas garland ideas. You can repeat the wreath ribbon on one of these Christmas tree looks, or find smaller accents in my minimal Christmas decor ideas.
