Our Favorite Outdoor Decorating Ideas for the Holidays

If you think the holidays are the best time of the year, you’re not alone. From presents and family gatherings, to baking cookies and staying in by the fire with hot cocoa, there’s a lot to love about the winter season. What’s more? It’s the perfect time to express your festive spirit through decorating your home. And while we usually think of a trimmed tree and well-appointed table prepped for feasting as hallmarks of the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to dress up the outside of your home for the next few months that will rival the look and style of your indoor spaces. Here we’re sharing our favorite outdoor decorating ideas, from simple updates to more elaborate transformations that make it simple for anyone to pull off a festive holiday look outdoors.

Light up your home

Of course, our first outdoor decorating tip is expressing your love for the holidays with plenty of lights. You can add lights to any outdoor plants or trees in your yard, the roof of your house, or even the railing that welcomes family and friends into your entryway. When it comes to choosing the lights that speak to you, there’s plenty of options too. Opt for soft, white lights for a traditional holiday look that you can seamlessly transition into the new year or colorful eye-catching colors for a more vibrant display. No matter what lights you choose, this simple style update will bring both functionality and beauty to your outdoor spaces, which is just the ticket during the long winter nights when sunlight is more rare.

Let every window give a preview of your style

When you’re decorating the outdoor spaces of your home for the winter months, don’t just think about the decorative additions you add to your patio. Since it’s dark most of the time, passersby will be able to see in through the windows on the front of your house, and every window provides an opportunity to add to the aesthetic of your outdoor space. Think about adding decorative electric candles or garland arrangements in each of the forward-facing windows of your home. Another great option is to make sure your trimmed tree is visible through a front window, so everyone can enjoy the look of your lights and ornaments. 

Heat things up

If you plan to enjoy your outdoor gathering space well into the winter months, an outdoor patio heater (or two) is an absolute must. This addition makes outdoor gatherings much more comfortable as the temperatures continue to drop, and the flame element of heaters can actually bring a stylish visual element to the space as well. An alternative but similar option is a fire pit table to ground your outdoor lounging arrangement and offer a source of warmth for friends and family to gather around. You can choose from a range of styles, shapes and tabletop types to find the model that matches the aesthetic of your preference. Most fire pit tables even include an insert so you can cover the heating element when it’s not in use.

Bring in the winter-ready textiles

Think about swapping your favorite summer furniture cushions for something more festive for the holiday months. Choosing a comfy and inviting cushion fabric to sub in that’s either red or green to help ring in the holidays at home through your decor. Since all outdoor gatherings will be more chilly, add in cozy blankets and holiday pillows or poufs to make the space feel more festive. You can even layer in new rugs or add an oversized blanket on top of floor textiles that you already have on your summer patio to amplify the cozy look even more.