First impressions count, especially when welcoming guests during the festive season. From colourful wreaths and garlands to fairy lights and lanterns, there are many creative ways to turn your entrance into a winter wonderland.
I like to use natural elements like bright berries, seasonal blooms and foliage to add much-needed colour and keep the winter blues at bay. When much of the garden is dormant, the sight of fresh plants at your front door can feel uplifting.
Start by clearing away any leftover autumn leaves, old plants or dirt from the porch floor. Wipe down your front door, railings, and any outdoor seating to create a clean base.
A great place to start is with greenery like evergreen wreaths, pine cones and winter foliage. The silvery green leaves of eucalyptus are another good choice and will release a lovely fresh scent.
Framing your door with potted laurel topiary trees is a classic way to style your porch area. They grow very well in pots or containers and will bear glossy green leaves all year round. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a classic aromatic evergreen that is perfect for containers. Look for lollipop or standard shapes to place symmetrically on either side of your front door. Or opt for Novita laurel which is a hardy, glossy-leafed cherry variety that is braced to withstand frosty UK winters.
For a festive touch, tie a red ribbon around the stem or wrap with strings of tiny twinkling LED lights. I also like to add string lights in the branches.
Christmas trees can look just as good outside as they do inside the home. Just be careful to use weatherproof and shatterproof ornaments. Wooden bead, dried clementine or faux berry garlands are all good choices for outdoor decorations. Or keep it simple with a string of fairy lights draped over the branches.
Wreaths are the ultimate Christmas doorscaping accessory. I choose a plain wreath and then decorate each year with different picks and sprays. This year, I’ve added faux apples, bright berries and pine cones for a splash of seasonal colour.
Hanging a big bunch of pine branches tied with a bow is another stylish way to spruce up your door.
Seasonal planted containers are another of my favourite ways to add interest during the darker days of winter. Place a tall evergreen or mini conifer in the centre of your pot, surround it with red or white winter blooms like cyclamens, and tuck trailing English ivy around the edges to spill over the sides.
A hanging basket filled with seasonal flowers and sparkling decorations is another striking option. Bright cornus stems, hellebores and pansies will keep things bright and festive throughout winter.
Complete your Christmas porch with decorative touches like LED candles and lanterns. If you have steps, a good design tip is to line them with varying heights of candles to draw the eye upwards, towards the door. You can also nest your candles inside small evergreen wreaths with red berries for a really merry display.
Another trick of mine is to hang a small cluster of bells from a handle on the front door so they chime each time the door’s opened.
Don’t forget to consider your windows too. Hang lights and place candles inside so they can be glimpsed through the glass or even adorn each window with a wreath.
For the final finishing touch, add a festive doormat to welcome your guests inside your beautifully decorated Christmas home..
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