Learning how to hang wreaths on windows is a simple way to add seasonal color to a room without taking up floor or shelf space. With a suction cup hook, ribbon and a few basic tools, you can create the look of a wreath hanging neatly from your window trim. The same method works for many styles of artificial or lightweight wreaths, and you can change the ribbon or decorations to refresh the display each year.
For a balanced look, choose a wreath that is about two-thirds the width of the window. As a sizing example, a 22-inch wreath was used on a 30-inch-wide window. Before hanging anything, check that the wreath is suitable for the hook’s weight limit and that the window has a smooth surface for the suction cup.
How to Hang Wreaths on Windows: What You’ll Need
- Suction cup hook: Choose one rated to support the wreath’s weight.
- Wreath: A lightweight wreath is generally easier to secure on glass.
- Ribbon: Wired ribbon about 2.5 inches wide is useful for shaping and hiding the attachment point.
- Scissors
- Push pin: Use only if pinning the ribbon to the window trim is appropriate for your surface.
Clean and dry the glass before applying the suction cup, and follow the hook manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid placing the hook on textured or uneven glass, where it may not hold securely. If you are unsure about the surface or the wreath’s weight, test the hook before adding the decoration.
Step 1: Attach the Suction Cup Hook
Position the hook near the top of the window pane, leaving enough room for the wreath to hang without touching the sill. Press the suction cup firmly against clean, dry glass, following its instructions for locking or securing it.
Step 2: Loop the Ribbon Through the Wreath
Cut approximately 2.5 to 3 feet of ribbon. Thread it through the wreath so the ribbon sits behind the wreath’s frame, near its center. If the wreath has a hanging loop, arrange the ribbon so it will sit flat and not twist when suspended.
Changing the ribbon color is an easy way to give the same wreath a different look from year to year. Wired ribbon can also help the ends keep a neat shape.
Step 3: Hang the Wreath
Place the ribbon over the suction cup hook and let the wreath hang. Check that it faces forward and sits at the desired height. Make small adjustments before securing the ribbon to the trim.
Step 4: Secure the Ribbon at the Window Trim
Bring the ribbon ends up to the window trim so the wreath appears to hang from the ribbon rather than directly from the hook. Fold the ribbon over the trim and secure it with a push pin underneath the fold, if the trim can be pinned safely. The folded ribbon conceals the pin and helps create a tidy finish.
If you do not want to make a hole in the trim, use a removable fastening option that is suitable for the material and the ribbon’s load. Follow its instructions and check that it holds before leaving the wreath in place.
Step 5: Add Optional Decorations
For extra detail, attach lightweight ornaments, dried fruit, berry picks, bows or bells to the wreath stems with floral wire. Keep additions balanced and secure so they do not make the wreath too heavy for the hook. Avoid placing decorations where they could scratch the glass.
Window Wreath Tutorial Video
The video below shows the steps for positioning the hook, looping the ribbon and securing the finished display. Watching the process can help you judge the ribbon length and placement before making any adjustments to your own window.
Finishing Touches for a Seasonal Window Display
Wreaths can be used on individual window panes or arranged across a row of windows. For a coordinated look, repeat the same wreath size and ribbon color. If the windows vary in width, use the two-thirds sizing guideline as a starting point and check the arrangement from inside the room before securing each ribbon.
Seasonal accents such as garlands, warm lights and tabletop decorations can complement window wreaths without overcrowding the space. Keep electrical decorations away from areas where ribbon or greenery could interfere with cords, and follow the light manufacturer’s safety instructions.
With a secure hook, well-sized wreath and carefully arranged ribbon, how to hang wreaths on windows becomes an easy decorating project to repeat each season. Check the hook and ribbon periodically, especially if the wreath is displayed for several weeks, and remove it if the attachment begins to loosen.
