What Size Wreath for Your Front Door? A Simple Wreath Size Guide

A wreath that’s too small looks lost on the door, and one that’s too big crowds the handle and swallows the door’s details. The good news is that sizing a front door wreath is simple once you know one rule of thumb. Here’s a quick size chart, how to measure, how high to hang it, and how to hang a fresh wreath so it stays put through a Sacramento-area December.

The quick answer

For most homes, a 22-24″ wreath is the right size for a standard 36″-wide front door. A common designer rule of thumb is that the wreath should be about two-thirds of the door’s width, leaving a band of door showing on each side so it looks framed rather than squeezed.

Front door wreath size chart

These are starting points, not strict rules. A door with a large glass panel, a busy panel pattern or a big knocker may look better with a wreath a size smaller, and a plain, tall door can carry a larger one. For very tall doors and two-story foyers, see our Christmas porch ideas for a two-story or tall entry.

How to measure your door (2 minutes)

1. Measure the door itself, not the trim. Measure the width of the door slab from edge to edge. Most front doors are 36″ wide; older homes and side doors are often 30-32″, and some custom doors are 42″ or wider.
2. Note the height. Standard doors are about 80″ tall (6 ft 8 in). Many newer homes around Rocklin, Roseville and Folsom have 8 ft doors, which can take a wreath at the top of the range.
3. Check what’s on the door. Note the peephole, knocker, glass panels and where the handle and deadbolt sit. The wreath should clear the handle so the door still opens comfortably.
4. Check for a storm or screen door. If there’s a glass storm door in front of your main door, see the tip below.

Don’t forget the garland

A wreath on its own can look small on a big entry. Fresh garland framing the door makes the whole entry read as decorated and lets a standard-size wreath look right on a wider or taller door. To estimate garland, add the door’s height twice plus its width: a standard 36″ x 80″ door is about 16 ft around the frame, and an 8 ft door is about 19 ft. That’s why every one of our packages includes 18-20 ft of fresh garland around the door, which leaves room for a natural drape.

How high to hang a front door wreath

Center the wreath side to side on the door. For height, most wreaths look best in the upper half of the door, with the center of the wreath at or slightly above adult eye level. If your door has a window or panel pattern, line the wreath up with it (centered on the top panel, for example) so it looks intentional. Before you commit, hold it up and look from the sidewalk or driveway, since that’s how most people will see it.

How to hang it without damaging the door

• Over-the-door hanger: the easiest option. Check that the door still closes and latches without crushing the weatherstripping.
• Ribbon over the top: a wide ribbon looped over the door and fastened on the inside looks classic and leaves no marks.
• Magnetic hanger: works well on steel doors.
• Removable adhesive hooks: an option for fiberglass or painted doors; check the weight and temperature rating on the package, because fresh wreaths are heavier than faux ones.
• Skip the nails. A nail hole in a front door is permanent, and most homes don’t need one.

In our wind and rain, secure the wreath at the bottom as well as the top so it doesn’t swing and knock against the door. Our guide to professional wreath and garland installation covers how we anchor wreaths and garland on Sacramento-area doors. If you’re in an HOA, our HOA and gated community guide covers common rules about front door decor.

Storm doors and glass doors

A glass storm door hides a wreath on the main door, and on a sunny, south- or west-facing entry the glass can trap heat and dry a fresh wreath out fast. In most cases it’s better to hang the wreath on the outside of the storm door with a hanger made for glass doors. Our fresh greenery care guide has more tips on keeping a fresh wreath looking good in sun, wind and frost.

Double doors

Double doors usually look best with a matching pair of wreaths, one centered on each door at the same height, so the entry stays balanced. One larger wreath centered across both doors works too, but only if the doors aren’t opened separately. Our Merry & Bright package includes a second wreath or swag for exactly this reason, and a simple double door without steps can also work with Welcome Porch plus an extra wreath ($95). See which Christmas porch package fits your home for more on double doors, columns and steps.

Fresh or faux?

Fresh wreaths look fuller and smell like the season, and they’re heavier, so use a sturdy hanger. In cool, shady December weather a fresh wreath usually stays full and green for several weeks; strong sun and dry wind shorten that. Faux wreaths are lighter and reusable, but are usually less full at the same diameter.

Want it done for you?

Every Celebration Collective Christmas porch starts with a fresh 24″ wreath with a bow and 18-20 ft of fresh garland around the door, professionally installed and sized to suit a standard front door. That’s our Joyful Door package ($349). Welcome Porch ($599, our most popular) adds a pair of styled urns or planters and velvet bows; Merry & Bright ($899) suits homes with steps and adds 2 live mini trees, poinsettias and a second wreath or swag; and Grand Celebration ($1,299+) adds 20-30 ft of fresh staircase or railing garland with larger trees and urns. Extra wreaths for a gate, side door or window are $95 each. Everything is fresh greenery, and no lights are included.

We install from November 15 to December 20, with 4 PM or 6 PM arrival windows, and you don’t need to be home. Delivery is free within 15 miles of Rocklin and $25 from 15 to 30 miles; we confirm your fee at booking. Removal after the season is optional: $125, or $150 for Merry & Bright and Grand Celebration. See our Christmas porch decorating cost guide for a full breakdown.

Not sure what size your door needs? Text a photo of your entry to (916) 289-2538 and we’ll recommend a package, or pick your install date. Unusually tall doors, several doors or long railings get a custom Christmas quote. Local pages: Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Folsom & El Dorado Hills and Sacramento.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size wreath do I need for a standard front door?

For a standard 36-inch-wide front door, a 22 to 24 inch wreath usually looks right. A common rule of thumb is about two-thirds of the door’s width, leaving some door showing on each side.

Do I measure the door or the door frame?

Measure the width of the door itself, edge to edge, not the trim around it. Garland is what frames the trim; the wreath is sized to the door.

What size wreaths should I use on double doors?

Most double doors look best with a matching pair, one centered on each door at the same height and sized to that door, often 18 to 24 inches. One larger wreath across both works only if the doors are not opened separately.

How high should a front door wreath hang?

Center it side to side, in the upper half of the door, with the center at or slightly above adult eye level. Line it up with any window or panel pattern so it looks intentional.

What size wreath comes with your Christmas porch packages?

Every package includes a fresh 24-inch wreath with a bow and 18-20 ft of fresh garland around the door, which suits a standard front door. Extra wreaths are $95 each, and unusually tall or wide entries can get a custom quote.

Do your Christmas porches include lights?

No. Our porches use fresh greenery, ribbon and planter arrangements, and no lights are included.

Hanging a wreath on a small entry? See our Christmas porch ideas for a small porch, townhome or condo.

Decorating double doors? See our Christmas porch ideas for a double door entry for matching wreaths.

Picked your wreath size? Next, see our Christmas ribbon and bow colors for every front door color.

Related Reading

• Which Christmas porch package fits your home?
• Professional Christmas wreath and garland installation: what to expect
• Fresh greenery care in Placer County weather
• When to put up Christmas porch decor in the Sacramento area
• Christmas porch ideas for Placer County homes (by city)
• How much does Christmas porch decorating cost?