50 Best Outdoor Christmas Decoration Ideas

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50 Best Outdoor Christmas Decoration Ideas
front door adorned with magnolia leaf decorations and orange flowerspinterest
Courtesy Serena & Lily
1

Achieve Wreath-Powered Curb Appeal

josh young townhouse in dc with wreaths bedecking every window across all three floors, as well as the glass front doors
Josh Yöung Design House

You can’t deny it: Designer Josh Yöung’s D.C. townhouse, which we spotlighted back in 2020, has some serious curb appeal. Want your home to similarly turn heads? All you need is garland, natural wreaths, red ribbons that can double as hangers for said wreaths, and string lights. Voilà!

2

Repurpose Some Branches

front door and doorstep display with lots of lanterns, branches, mini trees, and a big wreath in the doorway
Courtesy Arhaus

Have a bunch of loose branches left over after doing winter yard work? Take a page from home furnishings company Arhaus and use them to add some holiday drama to your doorway. Wrangling the branches into a perfect arch shape might be tough, but if this scene is any indication, the result will be so worth it.

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3

Elevate an Arbor

decoratively lit entrance with a wreath and bench, next to wooden house siding
Courtesy Anthropologie

As this shimmering arbor—courtesy of Anthropologie—makes clear, commonplace structures in your backyard can easily be upgraded to Santa-approved status by simply adding lights (we recommend warm white ones!). Just picture enjoying this setup on a warmer night, mulled wine in hand. Convinced yet?

4

Invest in a Firewood Bundle

a festive winter scene with a wreath a candle lantern and decorative lights
Courtesy Anthropologie

We’re loving everything about these simple yet effective holiday adornments from Anthropologie but especially have our eyes on that bundle of firewood, topped by globe lights. Whether in your backyard or on your front porch, natural wood is bound to provide an instant touch of rustic charm.

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5

Make Use of Magnolia

front door adorned with magnolia leaf decorations and orange flowers
Courtesy Serena & Lily

In this life-affirming front door display, luxe home company Serena & Lily bypassed pine wreaths and garlands in favor of all things magnolia instead. The leaves’ brown-orange underbellies contrast remarkably well with their glossy green fronts—creating a scene that’s elevated yet homey.

6

Create a Holiday Bar Situation

outdoor bar setup with a pinecone wreath and various drinks
Courtesy Serena & Lily

In this outdoor bar scene, courtesy of Serena & Lily, a pine cone wreath takes center stage—with the rattan elements underneath playing supporting roles. If you live in a warm climate (jealous), consider hosting a well-oiled holiday get-together outdoors—wreath and bow included.

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7

Win with Window Swag

porch with wooden green door and a threshold with christmas decor
Maryna Terletska//Getty Images

Your windows deserve a little Christmas-related attention, so what better way to grant them that than with some festive window swags? The one seen lining this particular window goes hand in hand with the wreaths, nearby conifer, and similarly hued front door. We appreciate a color-coordinated moment!

8

Test the ‘Unexpected Red’ Theory

close up of decorations on a small christmas tree outside a house on a snowy winter day, belarus
ninavartanava//Getty Images

Surprising flashes of red in a space work to boost its overall appeal, or so the viral unexpected red theory states. Tune into this folk wisdom in a minimalist way, by adding tiny red bows to the greenery standing on your front porch. Better yet if your window frames are red too!

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9

Mix Natural and Faux Elements

outdoor christmas decor
Cyndy Aldred

When decorator Cyndy Aldred prepares for the holidays, she likes to surround her stoop with small evergreens in large natural baskets, bringing in texture and a forest feel. “When I create Christmas garlands and wreaths, I always start with a strong base of faux greenery, and then I work in organic elements like magnolia branches, large sugar pine cones, pine branches, and bundles of juniper berries,” she says. By mixing together the faux and the real, Christmas decor will last longer and look fresher.

10

Dine Outside in Style

outdoor christmas decor
Kara Willliams

You don’t have to ditch alfresco dining come wintertime—just make sure you have a fire going and plenty of warm blankets. Interior designer Kara Williams also suggests including lots of warm light and old-timey elements for ambience. “I love to add vintage touches like old sleds, buckets with Christmas trees in them, and vintage signs,” she says. Adding all of that to cart, ASAP!

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11

Double Up on Wreaths

double wreath
Young Huh

If your home has double doors, this is the perfect opportunity to double up on wreaths: exactly what designer Young Huh did in this inspiring visual. She also created a festive atmosphere through draped garlands and evergreen-filled planters galore.

12

Go Big or Go Home

christmas bulbs
Savannah Kay with Classy Clutter

Oversize decorations take Christmas to a new level. These bulbs beautifully fill up the space and give a dramatic pop of color. In the back, the nutcrackers are ready to welcome all your friends and family.

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13

Embrace Trad Christmas

complete christmas decor
Pottery Barn

Wreaths, garlands, trees, bulbs, lights—this house, as featured in a Pottery Barn catalog, has it all! Follow suit and keep things classic, with a red-and-green color palette and garlands wrapped around your porch columns.

14

Curate a Reindeer Entry

reindeer at home entrance
Ballard Designs

Nothing screams Christmas like reindeers. Treat your entryway to an enchanted forest vibe by decorating the doorsteps with these beautiful critters from Ballard Designs.

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15

Incorporate Pops of Color

outdoor farmhouse christmas decor
Kara Williams

If you think it’s time to pack up the patio furniture, think again. With the right touches (aided by a firepit or heat lamps, of course) your outdoor lounge can become your own après ski paradise. Seasonal decorator Kara Williams loves to add hints of red in the pillows, blankets, and decor to make it look even more festive. “I chose a Christmas plaid theme here, which I love,” she tells us. Williams also set up a hot cocoa bar to keep guests warm (bonus points if it’s spiked!).

16

Fashion a Forest

emily henderson
Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Create your very own winter wonderland—snow optional!—akin to this stunning tableau by Emily Henderson. The mix of lush garland, a pint-sized tree, and a bunch of leafy greens is idyllic without being ever going overboard.

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17

Channel Chalet Chic

emily henderson
Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Turn your front door into a cool ski chalet, just like Emily Henderson did here. The abstract wreath, geometric lanterns, and sleek wooden ski set give this front porch a truly modern touch. The best part? Since this arrangement isn’t over-the-top Christmas, you can leave it up all winter long.

18

Go with an Unexpected Surprise

christmas wreath
Annie Sloan

“Making Christmas look a little different is something I strive for,” says paint and color expert Annie Sloan, who also founded Chalk Paint. “Mixing the traditional with the unusual makes you take a second look.” We’re surely taking second (and third!) looks at her bright yellow front door, decked out for the holidays. Move over, red and green—there’s a new cool kid on the block.

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19

Keep It Cozy

allison babcock
Matt Kisiday

“A table set with a sheepskin on every chair and a thick plaid wool throw on the back of every seat, plus plenty of garlands and candlelight, can make even the coldest December day feel warm and bright,” designer Allison Babcock shares. Essentially, make sure your guests are well taken care of during your outdoor Christmas fete… to the point of not wanting to leave. Ever.

20

Step Up Your Layering Game

joy williams
Joy Williams

The holidays don’t happen every day, so why not pile on the accessories (in a classy way)? Chicago-based designer Joy Williams packed on the festive fripperies with poinsettia plants and gilded trees. Rounding out the look are ribbons and ornaments on the topiaries.

Headshot of Stacia Datskovska

Stacia Datskovska is the assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers news, trends, and ideas in the world of design. She also writes product reviews (like roundups of the top or )—infusing them with authority and wit. As an e-commerce intern at Mashable, Stacia wrote data-driven reviews of everything from e-readers to stationary bikes to robot vacuums. Stacia’s culture and lifestyle bylines have appeared in outlets like USA Today, Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, Food & Wine, and Brooklyn Magazine.

Headshot of Kelsey Mulvey

Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.

 

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