Most of us will have no problem making our interiors feel festive, but these outdoor Christmas decor ideas will ensure your exterior looks just as jolly too!
First impressions count, so by giving these outdoor Christmas ideas a go, not only will you be giving guests a warm welcome, you’ll be making the front of your home sparkle and adding a bit of Christmas magic to the street where you live too.
Even if you’re going away for Christmas, still take pleasure in dressing up the front of your home, for everyone that passes to enjoy.
Outdoor Christmas decor ideas
From simple Christmas wreath ideas, to fancier Christmas door decor ideas, we’ve rounded-up the most inspiring outdoor Christmas decor ideas to you can set the scene for the most magical Christmas yet.
Anna Badger, Seasonal Designer at Dunelm (opens in new tab) says, ‘Deck the house! Creating a festive exterior for your home doesn’t have to be as daunting or expensive as it sounds. Just a few key pieces are all you need to make a statement and there are lots of ways you can get creative.’
So read on to find out how to spread a little more sparkle and shine on your street this holiday…
1. Go au natural
(Image credit: Dobbies )
Group together fresh potted trees of different shapes and sizes outdoor your front door, or on a patio or decking space. Add a string of lights and a couple of these pine cone decorations, £6.99 for 24 (opens in new tab), Dobbies and hang a simple wreath on the wall too.
Fresh trees will need a little more love and care than their artificial counterparts, so make sure to water them regularly and if you’re decorating them with battery-powered fairy lights, that their battery packs are sheltered from the weather.
2. Set the seasonal scene
(Image credit: Future Plc)
Baskets laden with logs and chopped up wood, jars filled with candles, and woven trugs packed with wrapped gifts all make a stylish setting. A traditional sleigh, like this whitewashed wooden sleigh, £21.99 (opens in new tab), Amazon, layered with cosy blankets means they’re at hand for keeping toasty.
Decorate outside in traditional red and green, using eucalyptus, foliage and berries.
3. Dress to impress
(Image credit: Dunelm)
Garlands aren’t just for sprucing up mantelpieces and stair bannisters, but can be wound around porch supports and over entranceways too. Intertwine with fairy lights for a magical display come twilight and sprinkle the ground with fake snow for added effect.
Weave in fresh flowers to your garland, like this White rose and eucalyptus garland, £20, (opens in new tab) from Dunelm, or a matching wreath and spritz with water regularly to keep them looking their best.
4. Go all out in a sheltered space
(Image credit: Neptune)
Give an outhouse a festive makeover to create a space perfect for sharing hot toddies with neighbours. Hang stockings like the Isla velvet stocking, £65 (opens in new tab), Neptune, stuffed with secret Santa gifts from log piles and erect full size Christmas trees to create a woodland wonderland!
5. Look to the stars
(Image credit: Lights4Fun)
Not only will these sparkling star lights, from £34.99 (opens in new tab), Lights4Fun give your porch or balcony a truly festive feel, but they can be used all year round for parties and celebrations too.
Emily Kelsey, PR Assistant at Lights4Fun (opens in new tab) says, ‘Stake lights are the perfect way to illuminate the outside of your house during the winter months. Choose from novelty shapes to elegant star silhouettes and position along pathways or flowerbeds to decorate your home for the festive season.’
‘Featuring an optional timer function, these efficient LED stake lights (opens in new tab) will automatically illuminate for 6 hours at the same time each evening, and transform your garden into a magical winter wonderland when dusk falls. Complete with topiary net lights to uplift smaller shrubs for the perfect finishing touch to your winter garden, casting a welcoming glow as you step in on a brisk winter’s eve.’
6. Wrap the front door
(Image credit: Future Plc/Carolyn Barber)
Trim your front door with a huge ribbon, tied into a bow. This fabulous decorating idea is an easy way to make a wow statement for the exterior of your home. It’s been trending for the the last few Christmas, as homeowners look to make more of an impact with their out Christmas decor ideas.
Use a lightweight material in two lengths, long enough to drape from top to bottom one way and across horizontally. Secure the material on the edges of the door with a staple gun to keep it in place, but out of sigh – ensuring it still closes with no effort. Simply tie the two lengths in the middle, as if wrapping your front door like a gift to the outside.
7. Hang a hearty wreath on the door
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachel Whiting)
Go for an oversized wreath to make a real style impact for your front door. Team the foliage with a garland above the front door. to add a further touch of greenery to the exterior. Adding fairy lights to the garland will ensure it is dressed to impress once the daylight fades.
8. Place a Christmas tree by the front door
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Who says Christmas tress are only for indoors? A small potted Christmas tree is perfect to set the scene for season’s greetings by the front door. The beauty of a potted tree is that it can use used year after year, simply keep it well looked after in a corner of the garden throughout the rest of the year.
9. Frame the front door with foliage
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Wrap a foliage arch around your front door and thread it with baubles and outdoor fairy lights. Balance the look with topiary bushes either side of the entranceway, decorated in the same way to give them a seasonal spruce up. Hang a natural foliage wreath on your front door to complete the look.
10. Curate a decorative bauble and light display
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Use large glass lanterns to add an alternative festive touch to your doorstep. Instead of filling the vessels with candles try adding colour and glow with a selection of baubles and fairy lights. Mix festive colours, from holly red to regal gold to make the baubles stand out – or choose to coordinate your indoor Christmas colour scheme.
Trail a string of LED fairy lights, £12.99, Amazon (opens in new tab) to ensure your display is as captivating by night. Battery-powered LED lights are safe and won’t blow out in the wind.
11. Set the scene with prop presents
(Image credit: Future PLC)
If you have a porch, wrap some empty boxes as pretend presents and stack them outside your door, along with lanterns and a mini Christmas tree to set the scene for present giving.
12. Decorate the windows
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Snowflake window stickers will give your glass panes a seasonal touch. Decorate the windows to projection the festive spirit for those who pass by. This Christmas window decorating idea uses simple paper angels tacked to the inside of the glass, providing a festive motif by day and a glowing angelic shadow by night time illuminations.
13. Fill the trees with lights
(Image credit: Future / Alun Callender)
There’s nothing more magical for outdoor Christmas decor ideas than twinkling lights. They instantly add ambience and warmth to the occasion. Dress any trees immediately outside your front door, or along a path, with generous strings of outdoor LED lights to elevate your festive decorating scheme.
14. Stage a cosy outdoor spot
(Image credit: Future Plc/David Brittain)
Style up a favourite bench as the perfect place to greet guests to your home. Add a snug stove or brazier and set out mulled drinks to keep the cold at bay. Don’t forget to pin up a decorative wreath to celebrate the season in style.
15. Create a pretty entrance with foliage
(Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders)
Armfuls of seasonal foliage in a substantial water-filled container can be added to and refreshed over the festive season. A nosegay composed of the same plants has been hung at the window and completed with a berry-strewn wreath.
For another nice touch, follow Scandinavian tradition and lay a branch of fir on the doorstep on which guests can wipe their feet before entering the house.
16. Wrap fairy lights around a bush
(Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders)
Add an element of fun to your garden scheme come Christmas. Battery-powered outdoor fairy lights are easily draped in an around hedging and trees, while illuminated creatures, such as this snowy owl, lend a whimsical feel to the overall effect. Christmas is the party season, so what better way to decorate your garden, patio or courtyard with a spattering of twinkling lights.
17. Style in symmetry
(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)
Use evergreen shrubs and a classic door wreath to give the entrance to your home a festive makeover. A pair of urns and two standard shrubs form a symmetrical frame around the front door, making this property feel extra special at Christmas. A porch is the perfect place for storing walking boots and firewood, adding an extra rustic edge.
18. Adorn the gate with a festive wreath
(Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders)
Ring the change this season at the entrance to your home. A frosted pine-cone wreath will make a statement on any fence, gate or door. For an extra touch of festive glamour; add your own detail, such as the shimmering silk rose and organza ribbon here. A few sprigs of foliage will add a touch of greenery to this frosty winter scheme.
19. Spell it out
(Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders)
Deck your home outdoors as well as in this Christmas to put visitors in the festive spirit before they step through the front door. For a more contemporary treatment, use battery-powered lights to spell out a seasonal message of your choice. Stick to warm yellow lights to keep the scheme cosy and classic.
20. Light up a pathway
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)
Create a stunning outdoor Christmas scene by combining twinkling candles with beautiful foliage. Make a frosty path more welcoming with border tealight holders – a row of twinkling candles will light the way and create a celebratory atmosphere for a Christmas party.
How can I decorate my house for Christmas outside?
There are many ways to decorate the outside of your house for Christmas for a magical greeting for guests and neighbours.
Easy ways to add a festive look to your exterior, firstly is hanging a wreath on your front door; ‘Why not match it to the same colour as your door, window frames or even your garage?’ suggest interior stylist Laurie Davidson (opens in new tab). ‘Add twinkle to potted plants outside with outdoor battery fairy lights.’
‘Try dressing low hedges with sparkly net lights, ideal for plentiful coverage. Snowflake window stickers will give your glass panes a touch of festive cheer. Wrap a foliage arch around your front door or frame with a length of garland. Add decoration to any foliage by threading it with baubles and fairy lights. Line your path or porch with outdoor lanterns filled with battery- operated candles, baubles and poinsettias or holly.’
How can I make my garden look Christmassy?
There are plenty of ways to make your garden look festive, from lights to dull-sized Christmas trees and more.
Emily Kelsey, PR Assistant at Lights4Fun (opens in new tab) says, ‘Reindeer figures are the ultimate choice when it comes to decorating your garden for Christmas, and with illuminated figures trending for 2022, families of reindeer will be lighting up gardens throughout the winter season.’
‘Lights4fun’s Studley family (opens in new tab) has been meticulously designed in-house from their ears and antlers to their tails, to seamlessly blend in with the natural foliage of your garden. Choose from extra-large stags to resting fawns where the complete rattan effect family will bring your garden to life this Christmas. Nestle underneath trees and beside bushes in your garden for the most charming winter surprise.’
‘The optional timer function allows the reindeer to illuminate at the same time each evening for a full 6 hours, so you can transform your garden into a truly magical setting.’
How can I decorate outdoors at Christmas on a budget?
Anna Badger, Seasonal Designer at Dunelm (opens in new tab) says, ‘A little foliage can make a big impression. Whether it’s a faux wreath on the front door, a garland across the window sill, or a couple of outdoor pre-lit trees, all will add a welcoming festive touch with minimal effort required.’
‘Those on a budget can also visit their local Dunelm store to take part in Dunelm’s Delivering Joy Swap Shops (opens in new tab). Donate your pre-loved Christmas decorations and trade them in for shiny new ones (well for you anyway) for absolutely free!’
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