These 20 winter wreath ideas run from free to about $70 and keep looking right from January through March, long after the red and gold of Christmas comes down. They cover ready-made faux wreaths, DIY builds, February and snowy looks, and five ways to hang a wreath without nails.
Every idea lists a cost and whether it is renter-safe, so you can match one to your door and budget.
| Idea group | Approx cost | Renter-safe |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-made wreaths that stay up all winter (1-5) | $10-$70 | Yes |
| DIY wreaths from simple materials (6-10) | $0-$15 | Yes |
| Non-Christmas looks for January to March (11-15) | $0-$30 | Yes |
| Ways to hang and display a wreath (16-20) | $0-$20 | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- Drop the red, gold and plaid: plain greens, white and gray-green read as winter, not Christmas.
- A faux indoor/outdoor wreath at $10 to $20 outlasts any fresh one.
- A fresh wreath lasts about 8 to 12 weeks outdoors in freezing weather, but only 3 to 4 weeks indoors.
- Swapping the ribbon is the cheapest way to move one wreath from December to February.
- Hang with an over-the-door hook, a ribbon loop or a rated removable hook, never a nail.
Ready-Made Wreaths That Stay Up All Winter
A wreath with no holiday colors needs no swap on December 26.
1. A Plain Green Faux Wreath
A plain green faux wreath is the safest base for January through March because it carries no Christmas color. IKEA’s VINTERFINT in 23 1/2 inches is $19.99, rated for indoor and outdoor use, and wipes clean with a damp cloth. On a 36-inch door, about two-thirds of the width looks balanced. See more front door and entryway ideas.
Cost: ~$20 · Renter-safe: Yes
2. A Small Wreath for a Narrow Door or Window
The 17 3/4-inch VINTERFINT wreath is $9.99 and still reads as full on a narrow apartment door, a sidelight or a window. Smaller wreaths are also lighter, which makes ribbon or removable hooks more reliable. It works equally well over a mirror, on a cabinet door or on a kitchen window.
Cost: ~$10 · Renter-safe: Yes
3. Gray-Green Eucalyptus
Soft gray-green leaves feel like winter rather than Christmas. IKEA’s SMYCKA eucalyptus wreath is 17 3/4 inches and $12.99, with polyester leaves on a powder-coated steel frame, and the page rates it for indoor and outdoor use. Tie on a plaid ribbon in December, then white linen in February.
Cost: ~$13 · Renter-safe: Yes
4. One Oversized Wreath for a Wide Entry
A double door or wide entry wall calls for scale. IKEA’s 35 1/2-inch VINTERFINT wreath is $69.99, the splurge in this group, but one big wreath usually looks better than several small ones. Hang it from a wide ribbon over the top of the door so the weight spreads.
Cost: ~$70 · Renter-safe: Yes
5. A Fresh Evergreen Wreath, Outside Only
Fresh greenery smells wonderful but is fussy. Cold Springs Flower Farm says an outdoor wreath typically lasts 8 to 12 weeks when temperatures stay below freezing, but only 3 to 4 weeks indoors. Mist the back every few days and avoid direct sun. Prices vary by grower, so the range is an estimate.
Cost: ~$30-$60 · Renter-safe: Yes
DIY Wreaths From Simple Materials
These cost little and can be assembled in an evening, even in a small apartment.
6. Three Eucalyptus Stems Bent Into a Ring
IKEA’s SMYCKA eucalyptus spray is 23 1/2 inches long, $2.99 each with a two-stem minimum online, and its steel wire stem bends into shape. Twist two or three stems into a circle about 12 inches across, then tie the ends with ribbon. Four stems make a fuller ring for about $12.
Cost: ~$6-$12 · Renter-safe: Yes
7. A Dried Orange Slice Wreath
Dried citrus adds warm color in January. One oven method slices oranges about 1/4 inch thick and dries them at the oven’s lowest setting, usually 150 to 200 degrees F, for 3 to 5 hours, flipping them near the one-hour mark. Glue the slices to a cardboard ring. Keep this indoors.
Cost: ~$6-$10 · Renter-safe: Yes
8. A Bare Twig Wreath
Bend flexible twigs, such as willow or dogwood, into a loose circle and tie them with twine. The look is spare and fits any decor. Cut from your own yard or buy a bundle, and ask before trimming shared landscaping at an apartment complex. It dries in place and lasts through March.
Cost: ~$0-$8 · Renter-safe: Yes
9. A Yarn Pom-Pom Wreath
Wrap a foam or cardboard ring in plain yarn, then glue on pom-poms in white, cream and gray. Wool-look yarn stays soft and holds up to dry indoor air, though it will not survive rain. Hang it on a bedroom door or above a sofa. Prices vary by craft store, so this range is an estimate.
Cost: ~$8-$15 · Renter-safe: Yes
10. A Pinecone Wreath on a Cardboard Ring
Cut a 12-inch ring from a shipping box, then hot-glue pinecones around it in two overlapping layers. Gather the cones from a park where collecting is allowed, bake them at a low temperature to dry and kill insects, and brush them with white paint for a snowy tip.
Cost: ~$0-$8 · Renter-safe: Yes
Non-Christmas Looks for January to March
These keep the wreath on the door while the holiday color moves out.
11. White and Silver Frost
Wrap a plain green wreath with a few strands of white or silver ribbon and a handful of white faux berries. It leans snowy rather than festive, and it fits a neutral door. Take the ribbon off in March and the same wreath works for spring. Compare styles in neutral versus traditional Christmas decor.
Cost: ~$5-$15 · Renter-safe: Yes
12. A February Felt Heart Wreath
Cut hearts from red, pink and cream felt, then glue them onto a ring in an overlapping circle. It marks Valentine’s Day without roses or glitter, and felt stays flat in storage. Make the hearts 3 to 4 inches wide so they read from the sidewalk. Prices vary, so this range is an estimate.
Cost: ~$8-$15 · Renter-safe: Yes
13. Cotton Stems and Dried Grass
Dried grasses and faux cotton stems on a twig ring read as soft and neutral, with none of the shine of Christmas. Keep it indoors, because moisture and wind will fray it. It suits a hallway or the wall behind a console. Prices vary by craft store, so this range is an estimate.
Cost: ~$15-$30 · Renter-safe: Yes
14. The Ribbon Swap
The cheapest way to change a wreath is the ribbon. Keep a plain green base year-round, then switch from plaid in December to cream velvet in January and soft pink or white linen in February. A 2- to 2.5-inch-wide ribbon reads well at door distance. Prices vary by craft store, so this range is an estimate.
Cost: ~$3-$8 · Renter-safe: Yes
15. A Paper Snowflake Wreath
Fold and cut a dozen white paper snowflakes from copy paper, then glue them overlapping around a cardboard ring. It is lightweight, works well on an interior door or window, and carries a winter theme that lasts until March. It is cheap enough to replace if it fades or curls, and kids can help.
Cost: ~$0-$5 · Renter-safe: Yes
Ways to Hang and Display a Wreath
Skip the nail. These five options leave a door, wall and window untouched.
16. An Over-the-Door Hanger
An over-the-door metal hook is the simplest method on an interior door. Check that the hook’s gap is slightly wider than your door’s thickness, and look for felt or rubber padding so the paint is not scuffed. A hook also hangs a second, smaller wreath on the inside. Prices vary, so this range is an estimate.
Cost: ~$4-$10 · Renter-safe: Yes
17. A Ribbon Loop Over the Door
Loop a wide ribbon over the top edge of the door and let the wreath hang at eye level on the outside. It works only if the door closes cleanly over the ribbon, so test it with the door open and closed. A satin or grosgrain ribbon of 1.5 inches or more spreads the weight.
Cost: ~$0-$3 · Renter-safe: Yes
18. A Rated Removable Hook
Removable adhesive hooks suit a lightweight faux wreath on a smooth door or window. Choose one rated well above the wreath’s weight, and clean the surface with rubbing alcohol before sticking it on. Apply it before cold weather, since adhesives bond poorly on cold, damp surfaces. See small space Christmas decor for more renter-safe hanging.
Cost: ~$5-$10 · Renter-safe: Yes
19. Over a Mirror With Ribbon
A wreath hung over a mirror reads as a frame and brightens a dark entry. Tie a ribbon around the wreath, then hook the loop over the top of the mirror frame. A wreath about two-thirds the mirror’s width looks balanced. It is a good fit for a hallway or bedroom.
Cost: Free · Renter-safe: Yes
20. A Tabletop Wreath Around an LED Candle
Lay a 17 3/4-inch wreath flat on a table and set a glass hurricane or tray with an LED candle in the center. The U.S. Fire Administration suggests battery-operated flameless candles and keeping real candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
Cost: ~$10-$20 · Renter-safe: Yes
Winter Wreath Mistakes to Skip
Do not hang a dried or fresh wreath near a heater, fireplace or vent. The U.S. Fire Administration says a dry tree can burn very hot and very fast and should sit at least 3 feet from heat sources. A wreath is not a tree, but dry greenery deserves the same distance.
Do not leave Christmas red, gold and plaid on the door in February. It makes the wreath look forgotten. Do not hang a heavy fresh wreath from an adhesive hook or put dried citrus outdoors. See Christmas decorating mistakes to avoid for more.
For a tight budget, one plain wreath plus a ribbon swap beats three cheap ones. The Christmas decor under $50 guide shows how to stretch a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you take down a winter wreath?
A winter wreath without holiday colors can stay up through March, until spring decor goes up. Take it down earlier if a fresh wreath turns brown and drops needles. Faux and dried wreaths hold their shape, so replace only the ribbon when the season changes and store the wreath in a dry box.
How long does a fresh evergreen wreath last?
About 8 to 12 weeks outdoors when temperatures stay below freezing, but only about 3 to 4 weeks indoors, according to Cold Springs Flower Farm. Mist the back every few days, keep it out of direct sun and away from heating vents, and it will last longer.
How big should a winter wreath be for a front door?
Aim for roughly two-thirds of the door’s width. On a standard 36-inch door, a wreath of about 22 to 24 inches looks balanced, and a 17 3/4-inch wreath suits a narrow door or window. Double doors and wide entry walls can take a wreath of 30 inches or more.
How do you hang a wreath without nails?
Use an over-the-door hook, a ribbon loop over the top of the door, or a removable adhesive hook rated above the wreath’s weight. Clean the surface first and press the hook firmly. Faux wreaths are lighter than fresh, which makes them better for adhesive hooks. Check the package rating before hanging.
Can a faux wreath stay outside all winter?
Yes, if it is rated for outdoor use. IKEA’s VINTERFINT and SMYCKA wreaths are listed as suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Dried citrus, yarn and paper wreaths are indoor only, since rain and frost will ruin them. Keep them on an interior door.