Ah, the holidays—the time of year when everything smells like pine, and hot beverages are flavoured with sugar and spice and everything nice! Whether you’re obsessed with all things holidays or your home is crying out for a holiday glow-up, one of the easiest ways to elevate your decor is to deck your stairs with holiday cheer. 

In this article, we will share 14 ways to decorate your stairs for the holiday season.

1. Think fresh and fragrant

Take advantage of boughs of holly, pine, cedar, and evergreen to make a stunning display on your bannister. Most nurseries and home renovation centres stock up on a wide variety of holiday greenery that is just as wonderfully fragrant as it is lovely.

Better yet, many sell fresh garlands ready to hang throughout your home. You can mix things up with an assortment of different evergreen boughs or go with your favourite. Look for opportunities to add pops of colour with branches of red or white berries. 

2. Work in layers

Creating the ideal look is a process. Select materials that appeal to you, and begin attaching them to your bannister layer by layer. Start with the garland, layer the largest items, and finish with little touches such as berries, flowers, snowflakes, tree ornaments, etc.

Stand back and admire your work. You’ll know when you’ve achieved the look you want. Don’t overdo it, or people won’t be able to grab the bannister when using the stairs!

3. Dazzle with lights

Lights create a dazzling display on any bannister. You can add lights to your decor, or use them on their own for a simple, elegant look. White lights are classic, coloured lights are retro and fun, while flashing lights say, “Let’s get this party started!” Just watch those wires to avoid creating a tripping hazard!

4. Choose a colour theme

To create a more elegant look, choose a colour theme for your holiday decor. Classic colour themes include red and white, blue and white, blue and silver, red and green, red and gold, and green and gold.

You can also hop on some of the latest trend bandwagons, including black and red, tones of pink, or turquoise. Choose something that appeals to you and creates that warm and fuzzy feeling to help welcome guests and put you in the holiday mood. 

5. Choose a design theme

A design theme helps your creativity flow with an endless list of possibilities. Have fun and think of things that have special meaning, or that make you think of the holidays. Some ideas might include:

  • Elves
  • Candy canes
  • Gingerbread
  • Nutcrackers
  • Nature
  • Santa
  • Hanuka menorahs
  • Dreidels
  • Fruit
  • Winter wonderland
  • Toys
  • Crafts 
  • Edginess
  • Winter sports
  • Christmas carols

There are also some fun trends that savvy decorators are using, including mushrooms, gnomes, woodland animals, and retro/vintage themes. 

6. Or…throw themes to the wind

Create a completely bespoke look by throwing the idea of themes to the wind. Just focus on the things that bring you joy and inspire thoughts of your ideal holiday. Capture the warmth and wonder of the season as your inspiration takes you to a place that’s truly your own.

7. Go eco-friendly

Consider ways to make less impact on the environment, and choose items you’ll use again year after year. Natural items, ethically made ornaments, and sustainable materials all help reduce your holiday carbon footprint.

Your own backyard offers a plethora of ideas such as bare branches, pine cones, evergreen boughs, and holly and other berries to create stunning displays that won’t damage the planet.

8. Use the steps

We tend to focus on the bannister when decorating our stairs, but don’t forget the steps. The steps are a clever way to display your favourite holiday items, such as:

  • Wrapped gifts, boxes, or gift bags
  • Nutcrackers
  • Snowmen
  • Santas
  • Bells
  • Angels

9. Display your holiday cards

Hang your holiday cards on the outside of your stair rails or treads to add colour and tell a story about friends and family. They can be hung on their own or with some ribbon. You can also create your own little cards using stencils of items like snowflakes, candy canes, holly, trees, etc. 

10. Do something rustic

Rustic designs are all the rage, including materials like flannel, burlap and gingham, dry flowers, pine cones and twigs, natural wood ornaments, unfinished and matte-finished ornaments, natural colour palettes (sans the red and green), etc. 

11. Go vintage

Look for inspiration with vintage finds while shopping at antique and used item stores. You never know what might catch your eye, including a set of delicate tea cups that you can hang from your natural garland, old hats and mittens, vintage ornaments, and bolts of material and ribbons. 

12. Try a minimalist look

Nothing is more elegant than a minimalist look, whether it is a single strand of fresh cedar garland with white lights, an elegant thick velvet ribbon, or a single string of white fairy lights.

Going monotone also creates a minimalist look that is sophisticated and timeless. Taking a less-is-more approach creates a chic look that is subdued, yet elevated. 

13. Create a holiday vignette in the stairwell

Take advantage of the hall space in your stairwell to create a holiday vignette. Some inspiration to get you started might include the following:

  • Secure a toboggan against the wall draped with a cozy red and green checkered blanket and a pair of skates.
  • Stack a collection of beautifully wrapped packages or hat boxes from largest to smallest.
  • Place a large branch in a decorative urn and drape the bare branches with lights.
  • Create a cluster of different-sized glass vases filled with battery-operated white lights.
  • Create a collection of different-sized items like snowmen, angels, nutcrackers, Santas, etc. 
  • Drape a cozy blanket over a chair and add a pair of old glasses, a pair of black boots, and a copy of “The Night Before Christmas”.
  • Hang a red coat and hat on a hook with a pair of black boots on the floor below.

The idea is to set the stage or create interesting clusters of similar items to inspire a certain mood and spark imaginations. 

14. Hang a collection of stockings or wreaths

Hang a collection of stockings or wreaths over the rails to add colour and interest. You can choose a single style for a uniform look or different designs for a more colourful and eclectic look.

Contact the Experts at Cosmaroma

These ideas are sure to welcome your guests and create a warm, nostalgic feeling in your home over the holidays.

If you’re ready for a staircase makeover just in time for the holidays, Cosmaroma can help. Click here to view our stair treads. You can also contact us here for more information.