How Much Christmas Garland Do You Need for a Staircase?

Measure along the slope

1. Pick your starting and finishing points. Stand at the bottom of the stairs and decide where the greenery should begin and end. If you have a turn or a landing, measure that section separately so you can decide whether to join at the corner or leave a gap.
2. Mock up the path with string. For a straight run, follow the slope on the outside of the railing. For swags, let the string dip between the posts to the depth you like. Add any tails that hang beyond the first or last post. Keep the handrail clear to grip and the stairs and landing clear to walk.
3. Lay the string flat and measure it. Note the length for each run. If you want a tail at both ends, check that both are already in the string measurement before you add anything.

Choose lengths that cover the measured route

Use this calculation when you're comparing packs. Usable length equals the total strand length minus the length used by overlapping joins. The examples below assume a 6-inch overlap at each join. Check how much overlap your actual greenery needs before you settle on a combination.

Examples using measured string lengths

String length	Strands	Usable length
7 ft 8 in	One 9-ft strand	9 ft
11 ft 2 in	Two 6-ft strands	11 ft 6 in
14 ft 8 in	One 15-ft strand	15 ft
16 ft 4 in	Two 9-ft strands	17 ft 6 in

For example, an 8-foot sloped run might become 10 feet 9 inches once you let the string dip and add two short tails. Two 6-foot strands with a 6-inch join would give you 9 inches to adjust the drape. Your mock-up tells you how much the extra depth will actually use.

Place seams where you can reach them

Lay the strands out before mounting them. Try a join near a post or another suitable fastening point so you can support both ends and turn a few branch tips over the seam. Use fasteners intended for your railing finish and the weight of the display. If you choose pre-lit greenery, follow its installation instructions and keep cords away from steps and walkways.

Pick the pack after you measure

Cleangor Christmas Garlands come in 6- and 9-foot Norfolk pine and cedar options, with the exact pack count shown when you choose a variant. The pre-lit multicolor option is 15 feet. Check both the length per strand and the number of strands before ordering, especially if you're decorating two separate flights.

Can I use a straight railing measurement for swags?

Use the straight measurement as a starting point. Then remeasure with the string dipping at each swag and hanging to the end points you want. Even two stairs with the same railing length can need different amounts of greenery if the swags are spaced differently.

Decorating the fireplace too? See our Christmas mantel guide for a separate layout with garland and stocking holders.