Christmas Railing Decorating — Wrapping the Exterior Rails
Christmas railing decorating — porch railings, deck railings, balcony railings, wrap garlands and lights.
Christmas railings are the often-overlooked exterior detail. Done right, they extend the lit Christmas exterior to every level of the house.
The 3 elements
1. Garland wrap
- Continuous along railing
- Spiral or drape
- Premium faux or real
2. Lights woven through
- Warm white preferred
- LED for safety
- Battery or plug-in
3. Bows / accents at intervals
- Every 3-4 feet
- Symmetrical placement
- Style-coordinated
By railing type
Porch railing (most common)
- Standard garland wrap
- Lights woven
- Bows at corners
Deck railing
- Same as porch
- A specific specific A specific check weather considerations
- A specific specific specific specific specific specific specific multi-level coordination
Balcony railing
- Smaller scale
- A specific specific specific A specific apartment-friendly
- A specific specific specific A specific battery lights essential
Stairway railing
Installation
Floral wire / zip ties
- Secure but removable
- Don't damage railing
- Reusable approach
Don't blow away
- Wind-anchored
- A specific specific A specific securely attached
- A specific specific A specific specific specific specific check after wind
Style by aesthetic
Traditional
- Red and green
- Plaid bows
- Real evergreen feel
Modern
- Monochrome lights
- Minimal accents
- Clean lines
Farmhouse
- Burlap bows
- Galvanized accents
- Vintage feel
What NOT to do
- Use indoor lights outdoors
- Damage the railing
- Block the railing's function
- Skip weatherproofing
- Use real candles
Cross-references
For Christmas exterior house decorating — broader.
For Christmas porch decorating — adjacent.
For Christmas stairway decorating — adjacent.
For Christmas balcony decorating — adjacent.
The perfect Christmas railing is garland-wrapped and lit. Continuous along railing. Lights woven through. Bows at intervals. The railing extends the lit Christmas exterior.
Decorating this year?
Size the tree and lock your palette
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