Hanging an autumn wreath on a front door can lead to repair bills of £80 to £200 if done carelessly, according to door specialist Ilja Medvedevs. He urged homeowners to follow six tips to prevent damage to the door itself.
With autumn now underway and Christmas approaching, wreaths remain a popular decoration for front doors, widely available at garden centres and home decor shops. However, the tradition is not always harmless, as improper hanging can scratch finishes, leave permanent holes, or affect how a door closes.
Expert advice on safe wreath hanging
Medvedevs, from Door Supplies Online, said: "A wreath looks harmless, so it is easy to think any hook will do, but different door materials react differently." He added: "The method that works on one door could scratch the finish, leave a permanent hole or affect how another door closes."
One of the most common errors is treating modern uPVC doors like wooden doors. Medvedevs strongly advised against drilling into a uPVC surface, saying it is not worth causing permanent damage for something displayed only a few weeks each year. Removable alternatives should be tried first, especially on decorative or hard-to-repair surfaces.
Six tips to avoid damage
Over-the-door hangers, which require no drilling, can still cause problems if too thick. Medvedevs said: "If the door suddenly needs more force to close once the hanger is in place, stop using it." Metal hangers can scrape the door surface, so he advised: "If the hanger shifts around, protect any point where metal touches the door."
The wreath itself can cause damage if exposed wire, hard decorations, or stiff branches rub against the door. Medvedevs recommends turning the wreath over to check for sharp edges, and placing a soft barrier over them if present.
Adhesive hooks may work on some doors, but Medvedevs cautioned: "I would be cautious on recently painted doors or any finish that is already starting to lift. An adhesive strip may come away cleanly from one surface and take paint or coating with it on another."
For some homes, existing door fixtures can be used. "If you have a strong door knocker in the right position, ribbon can be a simple option," Medvedevs said, but the wreath must be light enough not to strain the knocker or other fittings.
Finally, after hanging the wreath, he advised opening, closing, and locking the door normally to ensure everything works. "If the hanger catches, the seal looks compressed or the wreath knocks against the surface every time you use the door, change the setup," he said.
