How many metres of garland you need
A garland pulled taut with no allowance for drape looks meagre — and it is the most common reason for disappointment after buying.
Formulas by location
| Location | How much to buy |
|---|---|
| Stair banister | handrail length plus a third for drape |
| Mantelpiece | shelf length plus 30–40 cm for each overhang |
| Doorway | doorway width plus twice its height |
| Table | tabletop length minus 20 cm at each end |
The allowance for drape is not a measuring error but part of the look: a loosely hung garland gives the same soft, curving line as fresh greenery on a mantelpiece.
The same material as the trees
The branches are cast, so the garland holds its shape and does not shed over a table or fireplace — unlike cut PVC tape, which creases at the bends over time.
Green or flocked
- Paired with a tree — choose the same needles so the decor reads as one set
- Dark interior — flocked adds light
- Warm lighting — green looks best under warm lamps