Inspiration

Holiday Decorating Tips for your Patio or Deck

November 25, 2023
Holiday Decorating Tips for your Patio or Deck

Whether you're incorporating your outdoor living space into your holiday gatherings or you simply want to see something festive when you look out your back windows, our tips will help you to create a beautiful holiday scene on your patio, deck, or porch.

Fire in the large fireplace and lights on the Christmas tree light up the night

Tip #1

Light it Up!

Just like the front yard, do not hesitate to light up the backyard as well! Whether or not you decide to go full Clark Griswold, your patio and deck would certainly benefit from holiday lighting.

two brown Adirondack chairs sit on a gravel patio with greenery decorating the scene

Tip #2

You can never have enough greens

Just like with our diets, you can never have too many greens in your holiday decor. Consider using clippings from your Christmas tree, garland, and landscape. Even a simple container full of clippings can add to the holiday feel.

Tip #3

Speaking of greens...Garland works anywhere and everywhere.

Large Merry Christmas wreath hangs from the pavilion front with garland strands falling to either side

Tip #4

Hang a Wreath (or 6)

Along with garland, wreaths are incredibly versatile and belong in more places than just your front door. As illustrated below, patios and decks provide many opportunities to display wreaths.

Large Christmas tree sits beside the large stone fireplace with Christmas gifts littering the patio all decorated with red ornaments holly berries green garland and wreaths

Tip #5

Setup an Outdoor Tree

Whether you have a deck, porch, or patio, every outdoor space has the perfect spot for a Christmas tree. An outdoor tree will provide a focal point for your display as well as offer you a creative and fun option for Christmas morning.

a fire pit filled with split wood and wrapped in twinkle lights

Tip #6

Fake a Fire

When you're not burning a fire, make a beautiful lighted display out of your fire pit or fireplace. The popular "Fairy" lights work best because they lack the unsightly wires of traditional string lights.

Tips #7 & #8

Make use of items on hand...

A tin table boat is filled with pinecones and yarn Christmas ornaments

Make use of your landscape

Your landscape is likely full of plants that are perfect for creating and accenting your holiday decor. For greenery, consider clipping your pines, arborvitae, cypress, juniper, hollies, boxwood, and cryptomeria. If you're looking for berries, consider hollies, nandina, juniper (unique blue), pyracantha, and beautyberry. Clipping stems from a redtwig dogwood or coral bark maple can provide bright pops of color. And, of course, don't forget to collect your pinecones (pictured) and gumballs.

a hanging planter is filled with greenery, twinkle lights, pinecones and red ornaments

Make use of your pots and hanging baskets

If you're like many homeowners, your patio and deck are accented with pots, planters, and hanging baskets. With vegetables and annual flowers dying back for the year, your container gardens are sitting empty. These pots, planters, and hanging baskets are perfect for creating holiday arrangements.

Elf on the shelf sits on the stone mantle of the outdoor fireplace and leans back against a white candle holder

Tip #9

Lock the Elf out!

These little devils have been causing havoc and creating messes ever since they came on the scene. It's time to kick the elves out of the house and let them create messes outside, where the cleanup is easier.

Tip #10

Fill a Lantern

Lanterns have been a staple of home decor for years. If it isn't already, consider outfitting your patio, deck, or porch with lanterns. To give them a holiday touch, fill your lanterns with ornaments, candles, lights, greenery, pinecones, or your favorite unique combination.

a large vintage metal sled leaning against a stone wall and sits beside the christmas tree outside on the patio

Tip #11

Display vintage winter sporting equipment

Make use of the old winter sporting equipment that's been collecting dust for years. Create a winter scene using a vintage sled, skates, or skies.

Tip #12

Incorporate Vintage Tools

Along with vintage winter sporting equipment, consider incorporating vintage outdoor tools. As pictured, a simple saw at the base of tree, gives the look of a "fresh cut." An axe with a splitting wedge near a pile of firewood can also enhance a rustic, winter vibe.

under the shade of the pavilion a decorated and filled stone bar is ready for a holiday party

tip #13

Bring the indoors out

If you're hosting a holiday party, be sure to incorporate your patio, deck, or porch. Help to enhance the holiday scene by using indoor decor throughout your outdoor space. Just don't forget to bring everything back inside when the party is over!

Additional Inspiration

Click through photos from our Christmas photoshoots to help inspire your holiday decor

It's a Wonderful (Outdoor) Life!

This 2020 photoshoot was themed after the popular movie "It's a Wonderful Life." Throughout the space, you will find numerous references to this quintessential holiday film.

Click to see more photos of this holiday setup

Home for the Holidays

This 2019 photoshoot aimed to inspire homeowners to incorporate their outdoor living spaces into their holiday traditions.

Click to see more photos of this holiday setup

Chestnuts Roasting on an Outdoor Fire

Our 2021 Holiday photoshoot delivers all of the holiday feels! From roasting chestnuts to sleigh bells to milk and cookies for Santa, we have set the scene for holiday magic and memories. The project features a Techo-Bloc paver patio, raised terrace, outdoor fireplace, and complementing landscaping and lighting.

The photo staging was done by AGG Redesigns and features a table centerpiece from Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds as well as greenery from Tom Leonard's Market, and Strange's Florist.

Campfire Christmas

With a wooded backdrop, the 2022 Holiday Photoshoot features rustic elements and encourages holiday fun around the fire. Our holiday décor emphasizes vintage items and highlights everyday outdoor tools. Unlike years passed, all of the decor in these photos is outdoor rated. The rustic and vintage decor is meant to compliment the outdoor space that features stunning cedar woodworking, fieldstone boulders and veneer, irregular bluestone flagstone, and Unilock pavers.

A special thank you to Summer Classics for providing the beautiful chairs and to Sarah Mattozzi Wright for the stunning photography.

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