Where to Hang Stockings Without a Mantel

Learn where to hang stockings without a mantel and get some beautiful and functional ideas for hanging Christmas stockings, even if you don’t have a fireplace!

I have lived in a bunch of different homes in my life, and do you know how many of them have had a mantel? ZERO!

My childhood home didn’t have a mantel. None of the rentals I lived in after college had one. And neither of the two homes Donnie and I have owned have had a mantel either!

This wasn’t an intentional choice. It’s just how it worked out! But every Christmas I have had to figure out a cute and creative way to hang our stockings that doesn’t involve a mantel.

So today I thought I’d put together a quick list of my favorite mantel-less stocking ideas just in case you’re trying to figure out where to hang yours too!

5 Favorite Pretty and Practical Ideas for Hanging Stockings When You Don’t Have a Mantel

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

If you don’t have a mantel like us, fear not! There are so many beautiful options for hanging stockings that allow them to become part of the holiday decor. I might have even used some of these even if we did have a mantel in our house!

1. Use a blanket ladder.

I’m using the blanket ladder solution this year, and it might be my favorite one yet. I love that the blanket ladder doubles as some extra decor near the tree, helping to set the beautiful Christmas scene!

Donnie actually made this blanket ladder for me a few years ago using this tutorial from my friend Corey at Hey There, Home! (If you prefer to buy a blanket ladder rather than make it, this one is similar.)

I found these embroidered stockings with faux fur trim at HomeGoods this season. I love that they are neutral and will easily coordinate with any Christmas color scheme I decide to try in the future! (Because, you know, I have a hard time sticking to one scheme when it comes to our holiday decor!)

I know every HomeGoods has different inventory, so if yours doesn’t have these stockings, these are similar and can even be personalized!

I wanted to add a little personal touch to our stockings so we could tell whose was whose. So I ordered these simple initials from Etsy and dressed them up a little by adding beads and a DIY tassel to each one. It’s the little details that can really make a big difference!

2. Hang stockings from the stairs.

In previous years, to hang stockings without a mantel, the stair railings have worked well for us!

In the photo below, I simply wrapped a garland around the railing, securing it with floral wire. I also used floral wire to hang the stockings. Then I finished off the look with a few bows that matched our Christmas color scheme for that particular year.

(I got these personalized stockings from Ballard Designs a few years ago. They no longer sell this design, but these are similar.)

3. Use board and batten or wall moldings as a backdrop for stockings.

If you have board and batten or other decorative moldings in your home, they can make the perfect backdrop for stockings!

On this board and batten wall in our living room, I simply took these small gold hooks and attached them with a Command Strip. They were plenty sturdy to hold our empty stockings.

If you have a beadboard wall treatment or a shiplap wall, those would also be great options for a stocking background!

4. Hang stockings on a stocking post.

If you are a DIY-er, this next option is for you! Donnie and I made this simple stocking post a few years ago and have used it as part of our holiday decor several times now! (You can get the tutorial in this post.)

The thing I love about this stocking post is that it can be easily adapted to match any color scheme or decor style. The sky is the limit! It is also a beautiful addition to our Christmas decor.

If you love the stocking post idea but prefer not to DIY, you can snag a pre-made stocking post right here.

5. Create a simple wall board to hang stockings.

When we lived in our tiny townhouse, we created this little wall board to hold our stockings since we didn’t have a mantel. (Here is the easy tutorial.)

The stocking wall board is just a few pieces of scrap wood + some cute decorative knobs that I found at Hobby Lobby! I used my cutting machine + adhesive vinyl to personalize it a bit.

Here’s a closer look with our vintage knit stockings! My grandmother used to knit these for every member of our family, and after she passed away, my great aunt continued the tradition. So special!

Even More Ideas for How to Hang Stockings Without a Mantel

The above are my five favorite ways that we’ve hung stockings without a mantel, but here are a few other options I’ve considered that would work well too:

• Hang stockings from a piece of furniture like a china cabinet, dresser, TV stand, bookcase, or foyer table.
• Use a bed post to hang stockings.
• Hang stockings from a floating shelf.
• Use a stocking stand to display stockings.
• Hang stockings from a knob on a cabinet or closet door.
• Display stockings hanging in a window.
• Hang stockings on a vintage sled for some extra holiday cheer!
• Hang stockings on an upright piano.

I know this isn’t an exhaustive list, so tell me in the comments where YOU hang stockings without a mantel!

Sources

Looking for any of the stockings or hanging pieces I’ve mentioned in this post? Click the images below to find them!

And if you’re planning to use any of these ideas to hang stockings without a mantel in your home, be sure to pin the image below so you can find this post easily!

For more holiday decorating ideas, don’t miss these posts:

How to Hang Christmas Wreaths on Exterior Windows

How to Hang Outdoor Christmas Garland Around the Front Door

How to Make an Elegant Tree Topper with Picks

Thank you so much for following along! Have a wonderful day!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.