Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 festive, eye-catching ways to decorate your front porch for Christmas

Incredible ways to decorate your front porch this holiday season

Julie Scagell
By

The holidays will be here before you know it, and if you’re already in the mood to decorate your front porch for Christmas, you’re in good company. The holidays are a time to go all out decorating, and your front porch sets the tone for the rest of your home’s decor, so it makes sense to spend some time thinking about its design.

Some of the design depends on how large your front porch is and your overall budget to deck the halls. Then, consider what you have to work with, like the windows, railings, front door, and steps, to come up with a plan. You don’t need to spend a lot to get a final product worthy of St. Nick himself.

Christmas wreath decorated with pine cones on old wooden background
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Deck out your front door

One of the most stunning ways to decorate for the holidays is a Christmas wreath. You can either buy one or DIY it yourself using a wreath form, florist wire, some festive ribbon, and whatever else inspires you from the season, like cranberries, pinecones, evergreens, or mini ornaments. If you don’t have the time to craft your own this year, check out this gorgeous prelit eucalyptus and pine wreath from Pottery Barn that would “wow” any guest. For a finishing touch, hang whatever wreath you choose with a decorative ribbon.

Front porch decorated for the holiday
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Reuse your summer planters

Don’t pack away your planters just yet — you can use them to create seasonal stunners on either side of your front door. Fill them with small evergreens, poinsettias, sticks from your yard, and other seasonal pieces. You can either leave them more natural or buy a set of string lights and wrap them around the plants or trees for a touch of warmth. If your planters are more summery in their design, decorate them with garland or twine, and voila — you now have planters perfect for the holiday season.

Recommended Videos

Use your banisters and railings

If your porch has a banister or railing, this is the perfect decorating opportunity. Use outdoor pre-lit garland and wrap it around each railing, post, or banister. You can add mini ornaments or glue on pinecones to elevate the design look. Not only will it look gorgeous adorning your porch, but it will also give off extra light, which is a welcome benefit to anyone coming up your steps in the ice and snow.

Outdoor holiday tree
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Put up an outdoor Christmas tree

A Christmas tree isn’t just for the living room — why not keep this tree outside where it belongs? Prop up this pine tree against the porch corner and decorate it with farmhouse-inspired ribbon and ornaments. You can also buy pre-lit outdoor trees like this one from Lowe’s, for less than under $170, to save yourself time and energy spent outside hanging lights and ornaments. This statement is the perfect way to welcome friends and family as they pull up to your house for Christmas dinner.

Window film
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Don’t forget the front windows

Your front windows are a perfect place to hang small wreaths by ribbon so passersby can get a small peek into the festivities inside your home. You can also find a fun neon sign like this “Merry Christmas” one that you can face out towards the front street, spreading joy to all your incoming guests and passing neighbors. Finally, you can always go the classic route with prelit candles that you can place in all the windows that face the front of your house. This is a look that never goes out of style.

These are just a few options for creating a classic and timeless front porch for the holidays. We encourage you to take inspiration from these festive tips and tricks and create your own unique design scheme. Don’t feel pressured to create the brightest and most elaborate porch on the block. Use your space wisely and add natural touches, festive lights, and decorative accents to create the perfect Christmas winter wonderland.

Don’t forget that although your porch is the perfect stage for your holiday decorations, they should still be functional. If you live in a region that sees frequent snow, make sure you clear off your front porch and stairs (if you have them) so guests feel safe walking up and not slipping.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
Make the most of your Craftsman front porch this summer with these style ideas
Your porch is a comfortable retreat to the outdoors. Savor your space with these design tips
Gray house with a large yard and wraparound porch

When you look at a Craftsman-style house, you can’t miss the expansive front porch, which has become a well-known feature of this home style. And if you’re lucky enough to have one of these porches, then you know the best part about owning a Craftsman house is enjoying the front porch on a nice, sunny day.

To best enjoy the front porch, you need to ensure it's comfortable and styled in a way that's not only functional but also indulgent. You want to sit back and relax on your Craftsman porch, soaking up the good weather and spending some time outdoors. So, we’re sharing some of our best tips on styling the porch so you can make the most of the space. Here are some front porch ideas to consider.
Comfy outdoor seating is a must
You can’t expect to enjoy the front porch if there’s no place to relax in a comfy seat. Comfortable outdoor seating is a must-have on your Craftsman porch. Patio chairs, outdoor sofas, benches, and rocking chairs are all fantastic choices for comfortable seating. Consider using materials resistant to harsh weather conditions or purchasing chair covers. Though these seats will likely remain on your covered porch all year long, you’ll want to protect your cushions and chairs from tears or fading over time.

Read more
Spruce up your kitchen with these eye-catching kitchen cabinet colors
We love these 6 kitchen cabinet colors and think you will, too
Orange and wood kitchen cabinets in brightly colored kitchen

Home decor trends, including kitchen cabinet colors, come and go as the years go by. But replacing or changing your kitchen cabinets can be an expensive and time-consuming task. Instead, you can opt for alternative methods to revamp and refresh your space, such as painting your cabinets a new color.

The last thing you want is for your kitchen to look like you dropped it into your house with no regard for the colors in the rest of your home. These are our favorite kitchen cabinet color palettes that will give your space a fresh look for years to come, no matter where the trends lead.
Wooden-colored kitchen cabinets
Within the past several years, we’ve seen everything from blonde bamboo to dark mahogany trending. There’s no getting around the timeless nature of wood; it's warm, and it brings a comforting organic quality to your design. Wood pairs well with earth tones, like the colors of rocks, stones, pebbles, trees, marble, and granite.

Read more
7 appealing driveway design ideas that will make your home exterior look luxe
Spruce up your exterior with these driveway ideas that are sure to make your home stand out
Modern house with brick driveway

When it comes to adding curb appeal and updating the landscaping, one exterior project that’s often neglected is the driveway. However, the driveway happens to be one of the first things people see when approaching a home. It takes up a lot of space and can easily look unappealing in your exterior design. That’s why updating your driveway is so important, as it can enhance curb appeal and make your home exterior look luxe and elegant.

While it’s easy to opt for a classic gravel, cement, or asphalt driveway, most hotels and luxury homes choose to create a driveway that feels more elegant and detailed. So today, we’re sharing tips on how you can update a boring driveway and turn it into a statement piece on the property. Check out these seven driveway ideas and maybe one will hit the mark with you.
Use brick instead of cement or asphalt
One of the best ways to update a drab driveway is to use brick instead of cement or asphalt. Cement, asphalt, and gravel are the most common driveway materials, but all of them can appear boring or like an afterthought in your exterior design. Instead, why not mimic hotels and luxury homes by opting for brick driveway pavers instead? Brick driveways look luxe, and there are several colors and patterns to choose from. Depending on your exterior palette, you can opt for red, cream, brown, or tan bricks to add some more color to your home’s exterior.

Read more