19 Ways To Make Your Exterior Extra Festive This Holiday Season, According To Instagram

written by

Tommie Yvonne Ethington

updated Dec 10, 2020

This year, the holidays look different and that means you may not get to show off the inside of your home like usual. So, why not go all out on the outside? Instagram has plenty of ideas for decorating your front door and those parts of your exterior you might overlook, like the garage. There are festive vignettes and wreaths galore. Some looks are more understated and classic, others are over the top, but they all bring the holiday cheer and are sure to make your house the talk of the block.

For more year-round inspiration, check out the prettiest front doors around the world.

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O Holy Staircase

Artist Josh Yöung gave his Washington D.C. brownstone the silent night treatment with a staggering array of Nest candles. Notice how he plays with light—the soft glow of the votives and wrapped garlands are juxtaposed with a spotlight on the doors, decked out in wreaths. Get the look for less by using flameless candles in varying sizes and angling your porch light just right.

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Word Play

Wreaths are often the go-to for dressing windows. This home switches it up, but still keeps things organic. To give the illusion that the letters are floating, hang them with clear fishing line. Have something more to say? Grab papier-mâché letters from the craft store and spell out a larger message.

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Spin The Dreidel

We love the mix of metallics and a big blue bow. And even though this wreath looks intricate, you can totally make it yourself.

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Pop of Red

This modern farmhouse is a master class in how to make a statement by simply reimagining your existing decor. They jazzed up Adirondack chairs and a bold front door with smaller seasonal touches like the buffalo check pillows, a pine wreath and a pair of rainboots stuffed with leftover branches. It’s a look that can last well into the new year.

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Go Big

These oversized bulb lights and the even bigger bow are giving us major ’90s vibes in the best way. It's a reminder to not be afraid to play with proportion.

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Party on the Porch

The icicle lights, the rocking chairs, the outdoor tree — what a perfect perch for people-watching. Create your own cozy nook with a bench, some pillows and a blanket or two. The tree is optional, but highly encouraged.

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Cup of Cheer

Why not add a hot cocoa station outside your door? Whether it’s for a socially-distant hang with friends, a fun way to welcome a loved one home after a long day or simply a treat for your postal worker (they deserve it!), this setup is sure to make everyone smile. Dress up a bar cart with garland, a felt letter board and themed mugs.

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Letters to Santa

Another fun way to make your front porch more interactive? Add a mailbox for all those incoming holiday cards and important notes headed to the North Pole. Target has big and small options to choose from.

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Fa La La La La Windows

The front door often gets all the love, but decked out window boxes can have a big impact too. Fresh greenery blends nicely with faux elements—like berries and pine cones—that you can find at a craft store.

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Winter Wonderland

We honestly can’t tell if all of that snow is real or fake and that’s part of the magic of this little front porch forest. Mixing classic and flocked trees at different heights creates dimension and adds visual interest.

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Half & Half

This home creatively solves the double door dilemma using two boughs of garland to form one giant wreath. It’s practical and picturesque.

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Less is More

A single, skinny strand of garland and a tasteful swag match the clean lines of this minimalist exterior without sacrificing style. Stick to a pared-down color palette (in this case green) for a similarly streamlined look.

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Whimsical Welcome

Repurpose a vintage item — like these blue ice skates — and add a touch of whimsy to your front door. Other possibilities include a miniature sled wrapped in garland or even a pair of kids wooden skis.

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Merry Mantra

Even if you feel anything but calm, a mantra like this one can be a wonderful reminder to stop and soak up everything the season has to offer. Consider the lyrics from a favorite carol or holiday greeting (The owner of this home picked a line from “Silent Night” because it reminded her of special childhood memories.)

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Floating Bulbs

Use colorful ribbon to hang bulbs of varying shapes and sizes from the ceiling for a magical effect. Just be sure to give yourself enough clearance to walk underneath.

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This Way to Festive

Help keep Santa on the right track with these fun directional signs created using blank wooden arrows, craft paint and a waterproof sealing spray. Nail to a tree or a separate stand you can stake into the ground.

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Frosty The Garage

As it turns out, a garage door can be the perfect blank canvas for a large-scale holiday work of art. We love this cheerful snowman motif, but if your door is a darker color, try crafting some larger than life snowflakes from peel and stick wallpaper.

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A Sweet Greeting

If you love to bake (or eat) cookies, this is the front porch for you. Ashley Rose, the blogger behind Sugar & Cloth used these oversized cookie cutters from At Home to create the scene. We also love this colorful display she made with bottlebrush trees and gold nutcrackers.

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Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Last, but certainly not least, if you want a day-to-night look, you can’t go wrong with greenery and a few perfectly placed lanterns (swipe for the evening effect). Mix greens with white flowers as seen here or pick up a few fragrant rosemary plants for an equally charming look.