30+ Best Faux Cedar Garland Ideas That Look Real

Skip the intro · jump to the list ↓

There’s a myth going around that faux garland always looks fake and stiff. Not true! The good ones are made with layered branches and a little wire inside so you can bend them into soft curves. Once it’s styled right, nobody can tell it isn’t fresh off a tree.

This list is here to prove that point thirty times over. We scrolled through hundreds of pins looking for the setups that actually work in a everyday house, not just a magazine shoot.

Every idea below is doable on a regular weekend. No fancy tools required, just some garland, ribbon and maybe a hot glue gun.

Some of these are cheap fixes that use things you probably already have. Others are a little fancier for the front porch or a big staircase moment.

Either way, you’ll find something that fits your space and your budget. Ready to make your whole house smell like the holidays without the needles everywhere?

Let’s get into it, lol! Grab a coffee and start scrolling for your favorite.

FAUX CEDAR GARLAND IDEAS

Faux Cedar Garland Mantel Display

The mantel is where a lot of holiday decorating starts. Honestly it should. Drape the these along the edge and let a few pieces dangle down like it grew there.

Add pillar candles of different heights in the gaps. It fills the space without looking cluttered.

Cedar Garland Front Door Frame

A front door frame wrapped in cedar is the first thing guests notice. It says welcome before anyone even knocks.

Use garland clips instead of nails so the door frame stays scratch free. This one holds up through wind and rain too.

Staircase Wrapped In Cedar Garland

Wrapping a staircase in cedar garland turns a plain hallway into a whole moment. Spiral it around the railing and secure it every foot or so with zip ties hidden under the greenery.

This one takes patience more than skill, so budget more time than you think you need. Rushing it is exactly how you end up redoing the bottom three steps.

Cedar Garland With Pinecones Accent

Pinecones tucked into cedar garland add texture without much effort. Wire them in every few feet so they don’t slide around.

Mixed sizes look more natural than matching ones. Your yard probably has everything you need already, so check there before you buy anything.

Cedar Garland String Lights Combo

String lights woven through cedar garland make everything glow at night. Warm white bulbs and colored ones both work, it just depends on the mood you’re after.

Weave the wire in and out of the branches instead of just laying it on top. It stays put a lot better that way, plus nobody has to fix it twice.

Farmhouse Style Cedar Garland Look

A farmhouse look leans on natural textures over shiny ones. Pair the garland with burlap, wood beads and simple metal lanterns.

Skip the glitter picks here. Plain and rustic wins every time in this style.

Cedar Garland Kitchen Window Swag

A kitchen window swag brings the holidays right over the sink where you spend half your day anyway. Drape it across the top of the frame and let both ends hang a little uneven.

Small dried orange slices tucked in add color and a nice citrus scent when the oven’s running.

Outdoor Porch Railing Cedar Garland

Porch railings practically beg for garland every winter. Wrap it loosely so it drapes between the posts instead of pulling tight.

Weatherproof faux material means it won’t fade or sag after a few snowstorms. That’s the whole point of going faux out here.

Cedar Garland Table Runner Centerpiece

Running garland straight down the center of a table instead of a runner is such an easy swap. Layer in candles and a few ornaments for height.

Keep it low enough that guests can still see each other over dinner. Nobody wants to talk around a hedge, haha!

Cedar Garland Wrapped Porch Columns

Wrapping porch columns in cedar garland gives a house that classic postcard look. Spiral it tight near the base and looser toward the top for movement.

A ribbon accent at the top or bottom finishes it off nicely.

Cedar Garland Wreath Coordinating Set

Matching a wreath to your garland ties the whole entryway together. Buy them from the same line so the shade of green actually matches.

Mismatched greens are more common than you’d think, so check swatches before you order both pieces.

Cedar Garland With Burlap Bow

A burlap bow softens up cedar garland instantly. Tuck one every few feet along a staircase or mantel for a cohesive rhythm.

This one costs almost nothing if you already have ribbon on hand. Not a bad way to stretch a decorating budget, lol!

Cedar Garland Stair Rail Lights

Stair rail lights paired with cedar garland turn a staircase into the star of the whole house. Run the light strand first, then layer the garland loosely over it.

This order keeps the bulbs visible instead of buried under branches.

Cedar Garland With Eucalyptus Mix

Mixing eucalyptus stems into cedar garland adds a softer green and a nice bit of movement. The rounded leaves break up all those pointy needles.

It also smells amazing if you go with a scented faux version. Worth the few extra dollars, honestly.

Cedar Garland Bedroom Headboard Accent

Draping garland over a headboard turns a bedroom into a cozy little retreat for the season. Add fairy lights or leave it plain, either works.

This one’s an easy weekend swap and it comes down just as fast come January.

Cedar Garland Bathroom Mirror Frame

A bathroom mirror framed in garland is such an unexpected little detail. Guests always notice it when they wash their hands, haha!

Keep the pieces short here since bathroom mirrors tend to be smaller than you think.

Cedar Garland With Gold Ornaments

Gold ornaments dotted through cedar garland dress it up for a fancier evening. Matte gold looks more expensive than shiny, oddly enough.

Cluster three or four together instead of spacing them evenly. It reads more intentional that way.

Budget Friendly Faux Cedar Garland

Not every garland needs to break the bank. Plenty of budget friendly options from the craft aisle look just as full as the pricier ones.

Check the return policy before buying online. Colors can look different in photos than they do in person.

Realistic Faux Cedar Garland Review

A realistic faux cedar garland should have layered branch tips, not flat plastic leaves. Run your hand along it in the store. If it feels bristly and uneven, that’s a good sign.

Cheaper versions tend to look flat under lights. Spend a little more here if you can swing it.

Cedar Garland With Fairy Lights

Fairy lights tucked deep into the branches give off the softest glow. It’s less about big bulbs and more about a warm little twinkle.

Battery packs make this one easy for spots without an outlet nearby.

Cedar Garland Wrapped Chandelier Idea

Wrapping a chandelier in cedar garland is unexpected and it always gets a reaction. Keep the wrap loose so the light can still shine through.

This works best over a dining table where people actually look up.

Cedar Garland Winter Wedding Decor

Garland shows up more and more at winter weddings. Honestly it’s a smart move. It’s reusable, it doesn’t wilt under venue lights and it photographs beautifully.

Drape it along aisle chairs or the head table for that cozy winter feel without a real greenery budget.

Cedar Garland Outdoor Lamp Post Wrap

Lamp posts along a walkway look so charming wrapped in garland. Spiral it snug so wind doesn’t loosen it overnight.

A loose wrap is the fastest way to redo this after the first storm. Get it tight once and it holds all season.

Cedar Garland With Velvet Ribbon

Velvet ribbon woven through cedar garland adds a rich touch instantly. It’s an easy upgrade if you want something beyond plain branches. Just don’t overdo the ribbon or it starts fighting the garland for attention.

This one feels a little more formal, so save it for the areas guests actually see. It’s a small detail that does a lot of quiet work.

Cedar Garland Coffee Table Styling

Coiling garland into a loose ring on a coffee table makes an easy centerpiece. Set a few candles or a small lantern right in the middle.

It’s such a simple styling trick, but it fills an empty table fast.

Cedar Garland Bay Window Display

A bay window framed in cedar garland turns into the coziest little display, especially with a few string lights added in. Passersby on the street will absolutely notice it at night.

A small tree or a few wrapped boxes at the base rounds out the whole scene. It turns one window into the thing neighbors slow down for.

Cedar Garland Alternative To Real Pine

Real pine sheds needles everywhere and dries out fast indoors. Faux cedar skips all of that mess completely.

No watering, no sap and it comes back out looking the same every single year. That’s a win in my book.

Cedar Garland Storage And Care Tips

Storing garland properly keeps it looking full for years. Coil it loosely into a large bin instead of cramming it into a small box.

A layer of tissue paper between coils stops the branches from flattening. Small step, big payoff next season.

Cedar Garland Front Porch Steps

Draping garland along front porch steps adds a warm welcome before guests even reach the door. Secure it to the railing posts so it doesn’t drag on the ground.

A dragging garland gets dirty and tripped over fast. Keep it clipped up and it actually lasts the whole season looking sharp.

Cedar Garland Christmas Village Backdrop

Last but definitely not least, we have garland as the backdrop for a Christmas village. Lay it flat along a shelf or windowsill and nestle the little houses right into the branches.

It gives the whole scene a snowy forest feel without buying a single extra prop. Such a simple trick for a big visual payoff, lol!