If you want to make your home a cozy, comfortable space in the winter but don’t want to commit to costly outdoor renovations, using holiday decor thoughtfully is a budget-friendly solution.
You can go traditional and classic or try something new and playful to celebrate the season in style. Adding cheerful and festive decor to your home’s exterior can give your home the perfect dose of color and warmth to stand out in the neighborhood and spread some joy.
From whimsical string lights to quaint wreaths and garlands, here are 10 festive outdoor decor inspirations you can use to style your home for the holidays.
1. Hang String Lights for Some Sparkle
What are the holidays without a little twinkle? Stringing lights add the perfect amount of magic and warmth to your home. Add some lights to your porch, above your deck or throughout your landscaping.
You can use bright colors to celebrate the season or stick with white and keep them up year-round. There are also different sizes and styles of bulbs that you can include to achieve different decor styles — for example, you can opt for bigger bulbs for a retro feel.
If you have pine trees in your yard, consider adding string lights. However, don’t fret if you don’t have lush trees — string lights look festive when wrapped around bare trunks and limbs as well.
2. Wrap More Than Just Gifts
Let the gift of giving inspire your decorating skills. Wrap your front door, railings and porch columns with garland, ribbons and lights. It makes your home feel guest-ready for the holidays and creates a spirited, welcoming environment.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can hang some durable ornaments to the garland or landscaping features — this special touch can help set your outdoor design apart from other houses on your street.
3. Make Your Porch Extra Cozy
If you’re blessed to live in an area that doesn’t hit below-zero temperatures, cozy up your porch to take in the crisp, winter air. Add flannel blankets, pillows and pops of color to invite friends and family over to enjoy the chilly evenings.
With a few candles and lanterns, it’s the perfect place to sip hot chocolate, watch the snow fall and create memories before heading inside to warm up by the fire.
4. Add A Festive Touch To Your Mailbox
Extend your holiday spirit past your front porch and out to your street by decorating your mailbox. Whether you add greenery, lights or bows to your mailbox, you can carry on your decor style to create a cohesive winter retreat.
This is also a great idea if your house can’t be seen from the road. By decorating your mailbox, you can still impress your neighbors and add holiday cheer to your community.
5. Set up an Outdoor Christmas Tree
Who said Christmas trees are only for the indoors? Bring the spirit of the season outside by placing a Christmas tree on your porch. For a more natural look, skip the fabric tree skirt and replace the base with a wicker basket or planter pot.
Pine cones, outdoor lights, shatterproof ornaments and burlap garland are the perfect accents to add to your outdoor tree, and they’ll be sturdy enough to stand up to the elements.
6. Go Big With Super-Sized Decor
Oversized decorations for your porch and yard take holiday decor to the next level. Big ornaments fill up the space and give your yard a pop of color. Add in a reindeer family, inflatables, the Polar Express, large bows or giant nutcrackers for a super-sized touch that will leave your neighbors in awe.
7. Use Neutral Decor for Timeless Charm
If big pops of traditional holiday colors aren’t your style, choose a neutral color scheme — such as black, white, greys and beige — for a chic and modern look. It pairs beautifully with the greenery of your choice, giving your home a sophisticated ambiance.
Pair the colors with metallic accents to elevate the look, giving your exterior a touch of sparkle and shine. Whether you go for the minimalist look or add in some bold, graphic patterns, your stoop will give a stunning statement.
8. Add in Pops of Red
If you do want to add some color to your outdoor winter decor, incorporating pops of red to your outdoor decor instantly infuses the season with joy. Whether it’s vibrant red ribbons adorning your wreaths, bold lanterns lining your steps or clusters of poinsettias framing your windows, red is a classic holiday hue.
Red contrasts gorgeously against the cool tones of winter, making your home stand out against the snow. Go subtle with a few touches or go bold with red all over.
9. Greet Guests With Potted Plants
Is the ground around your home frozen? If so, add planters with winter-friendly plants! Planters and pots offer an alternative to adding greenery to your home’s exterior while you wait for things to thaw out.
Fill porch pots with mini trees or winter-friendly plants like poinsettias, Japanese yew, hemlock, blue spruce or boxwood. You can showcase these hearty plants around your front door, garage entrance, patio or porch stoop.
10. Light Up Your Home With Lanterns
Instead of dreading winter's long, dark nights, illuminate them with lanterns. Lanterns make the perfect accent for walkways, driveways, garden paths, porch steps, entryways and more.
Arrange the lanterns in clusters or hang them individually for decor that easily transitions from day to night. Add in battery-operated candles for a realistic light flicker that gusts of winter wind won’t blow out. You can also add tall lanterns throughout your yard and walkways for extra flair.
Opt for classic designs with intricate details, or go for weathered, rustic lanterns if they match your home’s aesthetic. Decorate your lanterns with sprigs of holly, small ornaments or red ribbons to add color and texture.
Complement Your Existing Exterior With Rollex
No matter what holiday decor you choose, your decorations can complement your home exterior and further enhance your home's curb appeal.
If you’re looking to pair a siding or soffit update with your holiday decor project, check out Rollex’s range of siding and soffit to find a solution that works best for you and your family.