Entryway Decor: How to Make a Festive Tension Rod Christmas Arch

Julien K., Hometalk Team
by Julien K., Hometalk Team

Ready to bring some holiday cheer to your home without drilling holes or using permanent fixtures?


With a tension rod Christmas arch, you can add a beautiful holiday display to any doorway in just minutes.


This quick DIY project uses a garland, ornaments, and twinkle lights to create a warm and festive entryway that’s perfect for any room.


Editor's note: This decoration was hung on the inside of the door so that it can still be opened (out) and used as usual.


This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode.

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Tools and Materials

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Easy DIY tension rod Christmas garland

1. Secure the Tension Rod in Your Doorway

Start by placing the tension rod inside the doorway or arch where you want to create your holiday display.

Adjusting Tension Rod

Twist the rod until it’s secure and tightly fitted between the walls.

Starting the tension rod Christmas arch with a secure fit in the doorway

Ensuring the rod is firmly in place will help keep your garland steady once it’s decorated.

Begin wrapping the Christmas garland around the tension rod

2. Wrap the Garland Around the Tension Rod

Next, grab your garland and begin wrapping it around the tension rod. Start at one end of the rod and work your way to the other, securing the garland tightly as you go.


Feel free to add a touch of creativity here—if you like a looser look, leave one side of the garland draping slightly for an extra festive effect.

Get creative with ornaments

3. Add Ornaments and Ribbon

Gather your decorative elements for this step. Choose ornaments in various sizes, colors, and textures to add some depth to your Christmas arch.

Adding decorative ribbons brings texture to your DIY Christmas garland

Attach each piece directly onto the garland using a mix of metallic and shiny ornaments.

Simple holiday doorway decorations

For extra detail, consider adding ribbons to your ornaments.


You can even tie bows with the ribbon to give the garland a fuller, holiday look.

Affordable Christmas arch for renters

4. Adjust the Tension Rod to Desired Height

Now that your garland is decorated, carefully slide the tension rod up to the top of your doorway or archway.


Adjust the placement to make sure it sits exactly where you want it and that it’s securely in position.

Personalize your Christmas doorway arch

5. Add Additional Garland Accents

For an added touch, weave in any extra garland accents like a fun star garland or smaller decorative pieces.

Unique touches make your Christmas garland arch stand out

This step is a chance to personalize your design and add an extra layer of interest to your doorway arch.

Festive Christmas arch with lights

6. Finish with Twinkle Lights

For that final holiday sparkle, place a single strand of battery-operated white twinkle lights along the length of your garland.


This adds a cozy and magical glow that will make your tension rod Christmas arch shine, especially in the evenings.


Love DIY Garlands? Try These Ideas!

Get creative with your holiday décor by checking out our top Christmas garland projects here!

Temporary holiday decor for doorways

Enjoy Your Beautiful Tension Rod Christmas Arch

This tension rod Christmas arch is a quick and easy way to add festive charm to any room without damaging your walls.


This setup is also easy to take down when the season ends, making it perfect for busy families and renters alike.


Give it a try and let me know how it turned out!


What colors did you choose for your ornaments? Share your creative takes on this holiday DIY in the comments below!

Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Eileen Eileen on Nov 13, 2024

    How does one use the door with this obstructing it?

  • Duc26739344 Duc26739344 on Nov 14, 2024

    How do you open the door

  • Linda Linda on Nov 14, 2024

    How do you open the door ??

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