Now that I’ve got your attention, let me say: I love a good fall wreath. But lately I’ve noticed how many of them just look wrong. There are two basic issues with the ones I’ve seen: 1) they’re kinda puny, and 2) they’re hung too high.
I blame those metal over-the-door hangers for the “too-high” problem. They are rarely long enough to position your wreaths as low as they should be.
This next wreath also has to suffer the injustice of sharing door space with a “BEWARE: ENTER IF YOU DARE” sign–apparently the home’s nod to Halloween. At first I thought it was the site of a crime scene…
This oak leaf wreath (Country Living) looks much better than the ones above because it fills more than 2/3 of the upper half of the door:
This pheasant-feather wreath from BHG demonstrates how beautiful one can look with a ribbon hanger that positions it nice and low on the door:
The Nester wowed us with this beautiful wreath that she made recently. Notice how close the edges of the wreath come to the door frame on either side:
Martha Stewart knows how to make a statement with wreaths, too. This one is so big that the bottom of the wreath hangs a little below the doorknob, and the sides brush the edges of the door frame:
If you’ve got a puny wreath, take it down and try something bigger this year. If you’ve got one that’s hanging too high, try lowering it. Your front door–and your neighbors–will thank you!
I copied the Nester’s wreath but mine is way too small, very puny, and yes, it is hanging a little too high. I’ll get right on it though! Fun post Julia…love that Martha Stewart wreath!
.-= Morning T´s last blog ..Magical {yet strange} fashion =-.
Oh, bummer, this post makes me realize that I forgot to order my Christmas wreath from the Church youth group!
I used to have a fall wreath, but it started to look ‘wrong’ – I think for the reasons that you mentioned above – the incorrect height of the wreath hanger.
.-= Things That Inspire´s last blog ..French Barometers =-.
I love wreaths…..I emailed you a pic of my front door.
Martha does everything so perfect….love the front of her home…
Night Night Julia
Kathy
ps have I missed love it or hate it…..I get a kick out of that….
I have a third pet peeve for you….flat wreaths!
: )
Julie M.
.-= Julie M.´s last blog ..Falling Behind… =-.
I voted yes, but I actually don’t have a wreath on my door, because I have a door with windows, and I don’t like to block my view. My wreath is hung on the wall next to the door. Does that still count?
And it is hung right at eye level. 
.-= beth´s last blog ..Bedroom furniture makeover =-.
Love this post! It is so true! I do appreciate the few people in the neighborhood that do hang wreaths but since the stock doors in our neighborhood are double and particularly tall wreaths are often too small and/or hung too high. One family actually has a wreath that is much too thin and large in diameter. It is hung right in the center of the left door…looks a bit off. We used to have the sweetest dutch style front door with a window on top. I hung a large wreath on the lower half of the door…I loved it!
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Welcome Autumn… =-.
Great post!
My only issue is actually FINDING a wreath that is large enough, that doesn’t look so….. cluttered. OH and ISN’T about $100 + bucks! It think it’s ridiculous the prices that lots of places want for fake, overly cluttered wreathes. It’s crazy! Found any good wreath sites? I have two really great wreaths that I like to sport on my door but am ready to throw a new one in the mix. Where’s a good place to buy an affordable (large.. hee hee) wreath???
You make such great points! I have always thought that they looked funny but couldn’t put my finger on it. What a great set of good examples though. All on such pretty doors as well.
.-= Aimee´s last blog ..A ghostly glow. =-.
And if you’re going to use a metal over-the-door hanger, maybe get it in a colour that blends into your door and use a little paint? 5 minutes and some spray paint and the first picture would have looked (a little) better.
Why have one at all? I’m fascinated by the trend for Fall wreath’s that seems to abound in the USA. It’s not something we do here in Australia and I just wonder why ya’ll are hanging wreaths for Fall at all. We do Christmas ones and I get those, but I just don’t get Fall. Do you do Spring and Summer wreaths too? Why not? Why is it just Fall and Christmas?
.-= Fiona – Wedding Budget Secrets´s last blog ..Take a Break From Wedding Planning =-.
* Julia, good points!!!
I’d rather see NOTHING than something just plain ol’ unimaginative, boring, dull, uninventive &/or uber fake. (Not that I’m OPINIONATED about the subject or anything!)~ Personally, if it isn’t just fabulous or tastefully unique (better yet, BOTH!!!), I just think it takes AWAY from one’s home & doesn’t DO what it’s INTENDED to do~~~ and that’s make peole FEEL GOOD n’ OPTIMISTIC n’ SMILE!!!…
Our front door is glass for the first 1/2, and wood n’ copper below the half-way mark, but I HAVE hung some things there a few times, using TWO of the same wreath, back to back on either side of the glass so no ugly “backside” is showing… I used the same appropriate, thick, pretty, wired ribbon for both & asked my Jim to tack it into the wood at the very top (“ON TOP”) of the door, so it didn’t show~~~ it looked nice, we thought!
I have basically no sense of “smell”, but I’m told the lavendar wreath and the bay wreath are truly sensual!!! Even tho “I” can’t smell it, it seems OTHERS can and LIKE it!!!
Warmest wishes & thanks for an always-enjoyable blog!!!
Linda in AZ *
Good eye…and good points!
You’ve shown us some lovely fall wreaths. I don’t do one because to me it looks completely out of place…we don’t even have those leaves.
.-= Linda @ Lime in the Coconut´s last blog ..The last post…I swear =-.
I’m so with you on this one. Itty-bitty wreath syndrome drives me crazy. OK in the skeem of things it is probably not that big of a deal but it really bugs me……;)
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Welcome Home =-.
well maybe that’s an american thing, we don’t do that over here in Australia, maybe I’ll start a new trend next autumn…
.-= Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..B&B @ Swansea, Tasmania =-.
Very interesting that they don’t do the wreath thing in Australia! In my neighborhood, many people have them year-round, so there are wreaths for each time of the year (spring wreaths, summer wreaths).
Shelley’s right about how hard it is to find ones big enough. Most are 19″ or smaller, and those just won’t cut it. I have bought some good ones on clearance at Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn over the years after the season was over and just saved them for the following year. I also found a large one that I liked at Target once. But you definitely have to hunt for them. -Julia
I have a thing against puny wreaths as well. Make a statement people! I love the one from Country Living – just beautiful.
.-= duchess´s last blog ..More Fall FuFu =-.
I love the wreath from the Nester with the large letter, may have to re-create that look this year. I usually don’t do a fall wreath, just one at Christmas time.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..textile tuesdays =-.
We don’t do the fall wreath thing here in the UK either which is a huge shame, because they are gorgeous! Thanks for all the photos x
.-= Liz@VioletPosy´s last blog ..Snuggling =-.
Not a huge wreath fan. I’d rather it be a door bucket with an amazing arrangement of fresh floral. Doesn’t last as long, but the way retailers are rolling out the holiday decor you’ll be to the next holiday by the time it dies.
If you use wet floral oasis you can get a couple weeks out of them. I have this amazing door on my current house and frankly, I’m afraid to hang anything on it. I concur, if you’re gonna do a wreath it should make a statement. Julia, check out the drapes vs curtains controversay on my blog today.
I had to get up and check my wreath.
The size is good, but I am guilty of using the metal over the door hanger that isn’t the same color as the door! I realized it when I hung my wreath Oct 1st, but haven’t gotten around to painting it. Thanks for the reminder! I really need to get out to the garden store and buy some mums and pumpkins too. Hmmm, maybe today!!!
What a great post, full of helpful hints as well as eye candy!
I hang a wreath for all four seasons. I look for them on clearance because they can be pretty costly. My Fall wreath is a circle of pears. It was on clearance, had a pear missing, and was calling my name. I glued another pear on it and it’s as good as new!
My only problem is my storm door. It’s full glass, but it does limit the depth of the wreath that I can use.
I agree with you on the size and placement of the wreath. The ones you posted are great examples…did I tell you I’m Hooked on your website!?!
.-= Pat´s last blog .. =-.
I’d LOVE a perfect wreath. Trouble is, I can’t AFFORD a perfect wreath. Especially in this Recession economy.
Remember the Recession?
Money isn’t flowing like it used to.
Well, for some of us, anyway.
Aunt Amelia
=-.
.-= Aunt Amelia´s last blog ..It’s Crock Pot meals time, again!!! Yummmm…
I don’t hang a wreath because I have double front doors and think that 2 wreaths look stupid. But I miss hanging a wreath like I did on my last house – it’s so warm and welcoming. Any suggestions?
I love this wreath and am linking to it for my Take a Bow Tuesday feature!
Now I am off to check that my door adornment isn’t violating any rules…!
Cheers,
Linda
.-= Linda@ Restyled Home´s last blog ..Kitchen Blues… =-.
Julia,
I see this often and agree it’s a very easy fix. You can buy large plastic suction hooks for wreaths at craft stores, which allows you freedom to hang wreaths at any height. This also eliminates the need to hammer a nail in the door!
Cathy
.-= The Stylish House´s last blog ..Vintage Paris =-.
I’m guilty of using an over the door hanger (that blends in with my door), but I ALWAYS use ribbon to make the wreath hang lower…that’s my excuse anyway. And I love some of those larger wreaths you showed. Beautiful!
.-= AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottage´s last blog ..Guests Coming? Let’s Have a Reality Check =-.
Not only a more substantial wreath and dressing up the door hanger as people have said, but you can get those 3M hooks that come off so easily rather than using an over-the-door hanger. That’s what I use because I don’t have a flat front door (it has that round oval of glass so the molding makes a bump).
That’s it – it’s official. You must have sneaked in here and put a webcam in my house!! This morning, I hung a wreath in my hall to see how it went with all the various cream tones of the paint samples I was trying out. I loved it so much, I decided to keep it there! It’s not an autumn wreath, just one that usually hangs above my bed to symbolise everlasting romance. It’s a large twig ring entwined with coral pink and cream silk roses.
I completely agree about the hanging of wreaths. Puny, high ones look all wrong.
We have the “too high” wreath issue at our house. We also have small windows on our door and they are obstructed with the wreath. I need to find an alternative to the metal hanger we use. The Martha wreath is gorgeous!
.-= Melody @ Party Cupcake Ideas´s last blog ..Mary Had A Little Lamb Cupcakes =-.
I was LOL about the Fall wreath and the Beware sign. Those 2 didn’t really go together.
I like the oak leaf wreath.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Safety Fair =-.
Thank you for pointing this out. You are so right. I did vote no about the fall wreath thing but only because I opted for something a bit different this year. Looking at these images though has inspired me to do something along this line for Christmas.
.-= Pamela Rosenberg´s last blog ..Bringing Oz Home for Halloween =-.
Hmmmm…interesting (and valid) point. I wonder if I subconsciously like my Fall door bucket thingy b/c it is hung lower…the door hanger thing is short, but the hook on the bucket makes it hang lower. I think the Nester’s is my favorite. I am just NOT good at knowing what kinds of greenery to choose….
Hope you might be able to swing by my Decorating Dilemmas Party tonight or tomorrow.
(I’ve got a priiiiiize, if that makes a difference) 
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..DIY: Adding Newspaper (?!) to a Fall Arrangement =-.
So true. I have a friend that I walk with a couple times a week. We call ourselves the “Decor Police”, and as we walk we critique the outside of homes. Now that we are in wreath season, we have something new to check on. I always want to leave a little note with our comments …. probably not!!!
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..Just freshen up the trim …. =-.
Here’s mine!
http://www.livinglocurto.com/index.php/2008/09/witchy-porch/
.-= Amy @ Living Locurto´s last blog ..Terrorific Tuesday – Week 1 =-.
Hi Julia!
ooo I would love to have that Country Living wreath… and Martha’s wreath – no, scratch that, I’d like the house, please. haha.
No wreath here in Museville – drat!
xo Isa
.-= Isa´s last blog ..Supersize it, Please. =-.
What’s the best way to hang a wreath if you don’t use one of the high-up metal things that go over the door?
Am I crazy or did you used to have the movie pics from the movie What Women Want? I have got to look at that empty apartment space of Helen Hunt’s and I cannot find it..help!!!
Amy–
Sorry, but I haven’t done a post about “What Women Want.” That would be a good one, though! -Julia
Great tips! I would love to make my own wreath – do you have any recommendations for a good tutorial?
.-= Sonya´s last blog ..Custom Photo Enlargements =-.
Sonya–
I tried to make a wreath. . .once. I realized I would be buying them from then on. (ha) You might want to go to a blog like Nesting Place (thenester.com) for ideas about doing them yourself. -Julia
I never thought I’d say this to anyone Julia, but thank God for your wreath advice! I never knew what I was doing wrong…
.-= Puna´s last blog ..October 6, Melt =-.
Ooh, can’t believe 52% of folks have a wreath on the door! I am a bad, bad homeowner
I think I’ll jump straight to Christmas…
.-= Struggler´s last blog ..Seek happiness… for less =-.
On her TV show, Martha Stewart did a segment on door-wreath hanging. She always uses a brass screw in the door (at the perfect height), and paints it the same shade as the door so it’s practically invisible when there isn’t a wreath there. None of those awful over-the-door wreath hangers for Martha!
I like simple, uncluttered decor so I’m not a huge fan of wreaths. If I ever saw a truly beautiful or unique one, maybe I’d like them. But the ones I’ve seen look like they came right from the Jo-Ann’s bargain bin. Maybe it’s just my neighborhood?
I like to buy them and add to them. My husband is a pheasant hunter so I always add feathers to my fall wreath. I really don’t know that those door hangers are good for anything!
.-= susan´s last blog ..Why Haven’t I Heard From You? =-.
I so agree! This is a huge peeve of mine. Makes me want to fix everyone’s wreaths as I’m driving by. Kind of like when you walk into someone’s house and all their pictures are hung too high.
.-= tammy´s last blog ..what’s up with taylor {journaling} =-.
but good grief- they don’t sell those awesome wreaths at Kohl’s so I’ll never get one for my birthday from a well-meaning aunt. Love the pics- Love the website!
All my front door wreaths hang VERY LOW because I don’t like them covering the window and blocking my view, so you will have to do a post on people like me who hang their wreaths too low!
I loved the wreaths in photos 3, 4, and 5, but I thought Martha’s was monstrous looking!
Great post!
All the best,
Eileen
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Fall ~ What’s Not To Love?! =-.
What do you do if you have a small window on your door? I feel like it looks weird to have a wreath hanger or even a ribbon hanging in front of the window (and actually, that wreath with the P kinda bothers me too since it’s covering the knocker), so I actually put my wreath next to my front door. We have a smaller house with a covered front porch and the wreath sits between the door and a close window, so I don’t think it looks too bad, but I could be wrong – what do you think?
I really like the idea of a bigger wreath if I could afford a nicer big one. I really like the one you showed with the feathers, but I’m not sure I’d want the feathers sticking out so close to the door knob…I’m sure someone would end up pulling one out opening the door. I also like the colors of the last wreath, perhaps with the fullness of the first larger wreath (also without the potato-looking thing at the bottom! I hate wreaths with fruits and vegetables!). I’ll have to check out my local craft store to see if I could build one myself somewhat cheaply.
.-= Mel´s last blog ..Disney Vacation – Day 5 (last day) =-.
Whoops, not P. The letter on that wreath was S.
.-= Mel´s last blog ..Disney Vacation – Day 5 (last day) =-.
This was such a fun post to read! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did a Fall Wreath post awhile back too and also hung it with ribbon! Here is the link:
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/09/wreath-hanging-101.html
My favorite is that one you showed from BHG. It is gorgeous. I am new to your blog and loving it.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Making a List, Checking it Twice =-.
I am soooo glad you wrote about this!! It needed to be said. I just hope more people read this and take note. Proportions people, proportions!
XOXO-
.-= Beachbrights´s last blog ..The Lettered Cottage ROCKS the House AGAIN! =-.
Bravo, brave one!
Too small, too high. It’s like wearing a tee shirt that is 3 sizes too small and shows your belly. Only on the door!
My wreath looks horrid next to Marths’s. sigh.
.-= Nester´s last blog ..31 Days to a Better Dressed Nest :: Day 7~ Get Advice =-.
As a “maker” of wreaths – I can give you just one reason why the large ones are hard to find (at least online). The shipping is ridiculous! I have some great 30″ wreaths that I haven’t bothered to list since UPS would charge $65 to send it – say from NY to CA. Of course it goes down as the shipping destination is closer, but I think it’s just too much to pay for shipping. So, I usually just sell my large ones locally. Do you think customers are willing to pay between $30-$65 for shipping. I’d love some feedback, then maybe I’ll spend the $7/per shipping box to send these large wreaths. Those are great wreath pics too! Thanks for posting this Julia – the comments are interesting!
.-= Dawn-Hydrangea Home´s last blog ..Pink October =-.
I adore a fall wreath, but I am not sure about thouse feathery thign sticking out on the bottom of Nesters… Martha is one of my neighbors however, and I can assure you, hers is SWANK…
.-= The Blushing Hostess´s last blog ..finestationery.com Reader Giveaway =-.
Great posts on Wreaths! I mean there really is no point to hanging a “baby” wreath on the door when it will just look dopey.
.-= Alycia Wicker´s last blog ..“Moving Up” or Not Really =-.
Instead of a wreath, for fall I like to put up dried corn with silk leaves all tied with a ribbon. I have to say though, if I put a wreath as low as Martha’s, my family would be knocking it down every time they opened the door!
.-= Gayle at Mountain Moma´s last blog ..A New Blog! =-.
My wreath is so large that is gets caught in the door! I am glad to know that this is a good thing…!
.-= Firefly Hill´s last blog ..An Idea For Reuse =-.
I really like the wreath hung on ribbon. I agree with your comment about the door hangers – WAY too high! And the initial wreath with the large S in the middle is very nicely put together. Going to have to look for a good wreath for my door – what are your suggestions on apartment doors?
.-= Kat Farmer´s last blog ..Custom Photo Enlargements =-.
I have to agree- I’ve seen so many WRONG wreaths lately
This year I went the less predictable route and hung a bunch of indian corn with with husks attached. I gathered them together with a big fall bow and I couldn’t be happier.
.-= Rachel @ Chicks & Chaps´s last blog ..Comment Catastrophe =-.
Ohhh, a front door wreath…. I love them! But since moving into this midwest home, I havent had one. Why? Because it feels wrong since half the door is taken up by an oval (not my style) window panel. Can I still hang a wreath on this door and if so, what dimension advice changes from a solid door?
.-= Anne @ Confessions and Scrap´s last blog .. =-.
Oh, Julia. This post made me run to the front porch to examine my fall wreath. Thank you for improving housefronts–and by extention, neighborhoods–everywhere.
.-= bungalowbliss´s last blog ..No More Black Sheep =-.
Hey there nice blog. This blog is perfect for me. I am a realtor in CT. and I make Beautiful Wreaths and Floral home decor for sale. If you like the wreaths on the doors above you will love mine. You should check em out at
BloomingCouture.Etsy.com
Happy Spring!!!
.-= shelly´s last blog ..XL Spring Garden Easter Mothers Day Wreath OOAK =-.
I wouldn’t have thought that the first two are too puny…I guess I don’t have an eye for decorating. Oh well!
On a side note, my friend’s parents have the funniest wreath I have ever seen: It has pumpkins, Christmas stuff, Easter, and 4th of July stuff on it, topped with a board that reads “Happy Everything.” And yes, they keep it on the front door year round. Cracks me up every time I see it!
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