If you haven't got your outdoor Christmas decor ideas ready yet, don't worry it's not too late, but time is of the essence.
With only a few weeks to go until Christmas, you can still put together a gorgeous display that doesn't require heaps of DIY or difficult installations. It's just a matter of arranging your favorite holiday decor together.
Whether you're all about classic displays filled with greenery or tableaus full of whimsy, consider these outdoor christmas yard decor ideas to get your home into the holiday spirit.
Once you decide on your "theme" of the year, it all comes down to sourcing. Luckily, we did the heavy-lifting on this one so you can put your outdoor Christmas decor together ASAP.
Looking for more holiday decor inspiration, be sure to check out our holiday hub for all things Christmas.
Outdoor Christmas decor ideas to wow
'There are lots of ways to decorate outside your home to make it look festive. It’s tempting to go overboard with lights but this can look messy, so aim for a few decorations around a single theme such as ‘winter woodland’.'
'Some of the simplest ideas are the most effective and pleasing to look at. You could make a festive entrance to your home by lighting the way to your front door with fairy or cluster lights and decorating the porch with a pre-lit wreath or tree and a few festive stars.'
'Using bright-white lights creates an icy or snowy look that works well with outdoor winter scenes, while yellow-tinged lights emit a warming glow that’s great for doorways and patio seating areas,' says Kane Hughes, interior designer at MyJobQuote.
1. Go natural with berries and foliage
Mix an array of real and faux foliage for a rustic, au naturel Christmas porch decorating idea. This Crate and Barrel faux berry wreath, Crate and Barrel silver bell door swag, Crate and Barrel faux potted Alpine pre lit tree and array of metal lanterns from Crate and Barrel create a sophisticated edge to the look.
2. Stay on trend with neon signage
Neon's not to everyone's taste but for Christmas, the lighting look is so very on trend. This cute outdoor Christmas lighting idea featuring a neon snowman from SJ Worktop on Etsy makes a subtle statement to this winter porch. Team with fir trees for a pared back festive porch.
3. Add twinkling stars
Create a starry night with these star lights from Lights4Fun at Amazon. With a 3D effect structure, they'll give a welcome twinkle to your front garden or porch. You can opt for a classic glow or opt for the eight different twinkling options for more pizzazz.
Team them with some pretty fairy lights for over your door and an outdoor Christmas tree for good measure.
4. Keep it simple with a wire figure
Not a fan of Christmas inflatables but want something to make a statement? You could opt for a light up wire figure like this reindeer lighted display from the Holiday Aisle at Wayfair. Team with lots of foliage for an enchanting approach to your front door.
5. Project festive scenes
Eye catching displays don't have to come in the form of colorful lights and a Santa on his sleigh inflatable. Why not project on to your home with a snowflakes projector from Cox and Coxlike this one?
Hughes says, 'Create a simple yet magical winter scene by using a combination of a snowfall projector for the walls and staked festive solar lights for the garden.'
Or keep it minimalist with Christmas trees to project on to or up the ante with lanterns and foliage for added interest.
6. Create a cool outdoor table setting
Wrap up warm and head outside to dine this Christmas.
'Design a cosy outdoor retreat with warm glow festoon lights and lanterns, seating covered in faux fur blankets and an outdoor Christmas tree. It makes the ideal space to enjoy a hot chocolate or warming mulled wine with guests,' says Hughes.
Even if you only have a small patio, you can recreate this outdoor Christmas table setting by adding overhanging decor on an existing trellis.
Or if you have a tree, hang paper decorations and decorate a simple table runner idea with colorful baubles like these from Wayfair from its boughs. Drape plenty of cozy blankets, add a heat lamp and let the merriment commence.
7. A traditional snow-brushed look
No matter your locale, your home can take on the winter wonderland look. Turn your front entrance into a winter wonderland holiday with faux snow-tipped garlands like this Icy Pine Cordless Garland from Grandin Road and wreaths that are simple and easy to install with Command hooks. Finish off the display with a decorative topiary for added visual interest.
8. Incorporate unexpected elements
We can't help but smile when we see Joanna of the blog Hostess Jo and Instagram account Southern Surrounding's merry holiday porch. In addition to tons of farmhouse modern references, you have the buffalo check, the galvanized metal, and tons of classic Christmas motifs, but the real eye-catcher was her use of massive ornaments tied to her covered porch's ceiling. For her display, she partnered with home decor store Old Time Pottery, but unfortunately, they do not offer shipping.
The larger ornaments you can find, the better when it comes to making maximum impact. Hang with twine or ribbon from your ceiling. These 6-inch Wondershop ornaments from Target are sold in a pack of three for just $10, and so fun with their glittery candy cane design. Brands like The Holiday Aisle on Wayfair have plenty of options for signage and other old timey looks.
Red ribbon tied on to wreaths, shrubs, and other greenery is an affordable and easy way to further tailor your design. If you don't want to fuss with tying your own bows, this 10-pack of velvet Christmas bows from Amazon will help you add a festive touch around your home with minimal struggle.
9. Go bold and colorful
When it comes to the holidays, Josy Castro goes all out with her magical and bright ornament-filled entryway. The classic red and green color scheme truly pops. Easily emulate the North Pole, toy-shop feeling with an abundance of ornaments and gifts leading the way. Bonus if your space opens to a massive complementary tree in the foyer for an even more dramatic effect.
When there is no time for DIY, this colorful Lighted wreath by Three Posts on Wayfair covered in red and green foliage offers up just the right amount of pop without being too over the top.
For the most impact, this is the time you'll want your greenery and ornaments to match. Line your doorway with this The Holiday Aisle garland from Wayfair, and if you have extra time, weave in some lights to further mimic the look.
Illuminate the path to your door with two sets of these pre-lit gift boxes in scaling size leading to your doorway. These present lights from Lights4Fun are made of metal with a sisal glitter sisal fiber. Stop dirt and mud in its tracks with a coir doormat from Target that emphasizes the feeling you're trying to create, and it can stay on your porch all year long.
10. A clean and modern approach
Utah-interior design studio House of Jade went with a less is more approach for this holiday porch design, and we love the sleek and modern feel. The use of greenery in wicker baskets, glass lanterns and bells dangling from the cedar wreath in a neutral palette is refreshing and light.
If your front porch is still short a wreath, pick up this design like this luxury gold and brass bell wreath from Etsy which combines the bell detail with twine for a rustic approach.
Fancy learning how to make a Christmas wreath yourself? Repurpose this bell chime from Amazon into door decor with minimal DIY required. The five iron bells are strung with jute rope that can be attached to your existing wreath.
Light the way with lanterns that can be used all year long. This Lights4Fun lantern features a safe solar-powered LED flameless candle and is available in two sizes so you can play with height.
Opt for artificial potted trees housed in boho rustic pots like these Sullivans potted pine artificial trees from Target. Note, make sure these little trees stay under a covered porch.
11. Don't forget about outdoor seating
If there was a porch to covet, it would this wraparound with plenty of seating opportunities and even more space to decorate.
While we social distance, outdoor conversations are definitely a better way to communicate, so it's important to to make the space inviting and cozy... plus, we could all benefit from more time outdoors.
Rachel Peña accentuated her Tennessee porch space with an outdoor Christmas tree, inviting holiday pillows and throws, and lots of fabulous live greenery.
A base layer to any farmhouse design: buffalo check. These outdoor-appropriate buffalo check pillow covers from Amazon easily turn outdoor benches and rockets into a cozy arrangement.
We're totally feeling this buffalo check holiday flag from Amazon that is super similar to Peña's as a wintry pick to commemorate the season.
The best Christmas wreaths aren't just for doors or windows, but can fill an empty space on your wall. The winter berries on this wreath from The Wreath Depot Amazon pick up all the red used on this porch design. It also includes a storage box to stow it when not in use.
What should you consider when thinking about decorating outside your home?
'Safety should always be the top priority when decorating outdoors. Minimise the need to climb a ladder and always have it on level ground with someone holding the bottom. If you’re using electric lights an outdoor socket is preferable and your lights must be suitable for outdoor use,' explains Hughes.
'Look for an IP rating of 44 or higher to be sure they’re going to be safe and weatherproof. Low-powered lights are best for domestic use and choosing LEDs, solar lights or dual-powered lights will make your decorations more energy efficient.'
