Decorating Porches for Christmas Using Black and White and Silver

Sara Ligorria Tramp

You don't have to have the most lights on the block (but if you want to, go for it—we're not stopping you) to have the best-dressed house in the neighborhood on Christmas. But you do need to have the right outdoor Christmas decorations that feel both festive and elevated, tasteful and spirited. We rounded up 55 stylish and fun outdoor holiday decorating ideas to inspire you. From the front porch to the mailbox and front door, we've got you covered. Where's Santa stopping first? Oh, that'd be your house, of course.

Lisa Hilderbrand

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Cover All Your Bases

"An antique home is the perfect backdrop for classic decorations. I weave together fir, cedar, white pine, and boxwood for a door garland. hang matching window wreaths, and fill the holly with white lights," says interior designer Lisa Hilderbrand of her festive outdoor decorating traditions at this Connecticut house.

Sara Ligorria Tramp

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Keep It Understated

For a front porch holiday display that's equal parts festive and chic, decorate a tree with metallic ornaments, hang a garland around the door, and make it glow with string lights. Emily Henderson also gave this front porch a seasonal update with a plaid doormat.

JAMES MERRELL

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Turn It Into a Winter Wonderland

Charlotte Moss's Manhattan townhouse gets the full holiday decorating treatment, which includes the patio, even if guests won't even set foot out there. She made the outdoor fireplace as welcome as possible by hanging whimsical Spanish moss on the trees and a large wreath. "Step outside and it feels like you're entering the world of Narnia," she says.

JAMES MERRELL

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Keep a Sense of Humor

Here's another decor detail from Charlotte Moss's holiday patio we couldn't help but include. If you have any outdoor statues like this one, make them a little merrier by staging them with cedar, winterberries, seeded eucalyptus, and pinecones.

Mike Garten

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Include Santa

Put up a "letters to Santa" mailbox so your kids can drop them to be sent to the North Pole. Consider swapping out your welcome mat, too.

Pernille Loof

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Go Simple But Chic

Obvious, but needs to be said: A simple wreath looks clean and tasteful, but still seasonally on point.

Stacey Brandford

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Update Summer Staples

Why stop at one wreath when you can have two? Then update a summery adorondack chair by throwing a plaid blanket over it.

Erin Kunkel

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Decorate Your Outdoor Fireplace

Your outdoor fireplace deserves the same treatment as your indoor mantel. Deck it out with a garland, then place a bowl of red fruits near it for a color pop.

Erin Kunkel

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Put a Wreath on Your Car

Are you going to be that person who decorates your car? Oh, totally. Especially if it's parked in front of your home.

Sara Ligorria Tramp

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Lean Faux or Antique Skis

Emily Henderson gave this front porch a wintery feel with pine cones, a basket of logs, and a pair of faux skis. Replicate this look for a spirited yet modern and neutral feel.

Cheetah Is the New Black

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Add a Fragrance

Add nice-smelling ingredients to your wreaths to evoke a wintery, jolly mood before you even step through the front door. This wreath from Cheetah Is the New Black contains sweet orange slices, but you could also add in cinnamon sticks, cloves, or plumberries.

Annie Schlechter

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Double The Wreaths

Why have one when you could have two? This pair of magnolia wreaths is simple but stunning.

Mike Garten

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Display a Sled

Antiques always have such a charm to them. If you have an old sled lying around, lean it against the wall next to your front door this Christmas.

Courtesy of Citrine Living

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Put up a Christmas Tree

Why wouldn't you put a full-sized Christmas tree on your porch? Double the trees, double the presents.

See more at Citrine Living.

Mark Scott

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Bring Presents Outside

And to take it one step further...

Presents? Under the indoor tree? Overrated. This year, let your porch get in on the action. If you don't want snow to melt through your actual presents, just wrap up old shoeboxes for the look and reuse them again next year.

Loon Peak

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Wrap Your Columns

If you have columns on the front of your house, warm them up with a garland that'll turn the space into a winter wonderland for the season.

The Holiday Aisle

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Make Your Gifts Glow

Garland and wreaths strung with lights are standard, but colorful green presents are a bit more unexpected. This set adds color to a classic white bench.

Courtesy of Citrine Living

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Hang A Wreath on Your Lantern

You could (and probably will) put a wreath on your door, but look how chic they look hanging from lanterns, too.

See more at Citrine Living.

Infarrantly Creative

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DIY a Hanging Star

You'd never believe this star was made using yardsticks. Plus, this is a great way to spruce up parts of your home's facade besides the front door.

jgareri Getty Images

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Tie a Bow

Put all that extra ribbon to good use: Gift wrapping your door takes five minutes, but the results are stunning.

Courtesy of Lia Griffith

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Make A Snowman

It won't cost you anything, and it's actually fun to make. The only downside? We can't guarantee Frosty will last until Christmas day.

See more at Lia Griffith.

Marje Getty Images

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Display Poinsettia

Plant wintery flowers in your garden, or just put poinsettia in a planter for the same vibe but with less planning involved.

Mark Scott

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Stagger Lanterns

Flank the front door with a ton of lanterns, then fill them with real or flameless candles (the latter is safest, of course). The more the merrier.

Bon Traveler

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Don't Forget the Backyard

You don't only have to show love to the front porch! Bring the cozy vibes to the backyard with plenty of cushions and plush throws around a fire pit. Then hang cafe string lights. This look from Bon Traveler is stylish and understated enough to keep up throughout the season.

VICTORIA PEARSON

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Clean Up Your Landscaping

You don't need to go all out with Christmas decorations to make your front porch look pretty and inviting... With clean, simple landscaping and lantern scones, your front porch will look dressed up, but you won't be dreading the day you have to throw out the holiday wreath.

Victoria Pearson

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Add Some Mini Evergreens

Popped in a galvanized tub and orchard basket, pint-sized trees add greenery to a bare porch. Scatter leftover trimmings around the base and in a rustic crate for even more foliage.

See more at Country Living.

Steven Randazzo

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Use Cones

Don't stop at your wreath—add pine cones in your garland, as well. And if you're bored of wreaths, opt for a door hanging like this one instead.

See more Country Living.

Frances Janisch

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Mimic a Candy Cane

Sweeten a plain exterior with a jumbo treat. This door decoration is coated in real peppermints, just like a gingerbread house. And it really pops against crisp white background.

Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.

Max Kim-Bee

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Dress Up a Bench

You don't necessarily need to put your front porch bench in storage. Just add some plaid blankets and a throw so it doesn't look out of place.

See more at Country Living.

Sugar & Cloth

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DIY Lights

For something especially festive, considering DIYing some oversized felt Christmas lights. If your door is painted a bright color, match some of the "lights" with it, but keep the others on-theme for Christmas.

See more at Sugar & Cloth.

Decorating Porches for Christmas Using Black and White and Silver

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/entertaining/holidays-celebrations/tips/g2804/outdoor-christmas-decorations/

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