15 Deck Decorating Ideas for Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your house ready for guests by making it look festive! While setting up your Christmas tree decorating in the living room is certainly an essential piece, it’s also a good idea to decorate the outside of your home. It might be a daunting task, but the outside of your house is what people will see first, so it’s worth every bit of effort! Check out these simple porch decorating ideas from Trex on how to get your outdoor deck looking beautiful for the holidays!

Assess the space

The first step is to think about what will work for your space. Think about the size of your deck, if you have a yard or garden adjacent, and how you can configure your decorations in a way that will work best. Is it a first-story or second-story deck? Is there space underneath the deck that you can decorate? Take some time to really consider what kind of approach will work for your deck.

Choose a theme

Next, it’s time to narrow down your options to a theme you might prefer. You can keep it traditional with Christmas porch decors, such as garlands, wreaths, and rustic decorations. You could also choose to coordinate your decor by color, such as classic red and green, keeping it neutral, or any other combination that works for you!

1. Christmas Trees The classic holiday staple is always a good choice, and they can survive outdoors, too! You could replicate your indoor tree setup on your back porch or arrange some smaller fir trees around for a nice splash of nature. Whichever route you choose, it won’t be complete without the next tip!
2. Christmas Lights There is a great variety of styles of Christmas lights out there today. From traditional tree lights to those you can put up on your deck’s railing or the side of your house, there’s a style for just about every purpose. They’re especially useful when decorating outdoors and can add a bit of Christmas cheer to your porch when the sun goes down. If you don’t have any already, check out some great options here.
3. Create a cozy nook underneath If you have a second-story deck and are feeling ambitious this year, take your decorating talents to the space below! Turn it into a cozy getaway for a quiet afternoon with a book and hot chocolate! If you’re working under your deck and you have a light fixture or chandelier, consider hanging greenery from it.
4. Keep it old school One popular trend for holiday decorating is using old decoration items that give your space an antique or rustic feeling. Check your local antique stores and thrift stores for some affordable decorations that you can use year after year! A pair of old wooden skis or an antique sled can be perfect for adding a bit of nostalgia to your deck this holiday season!
5. Use a bit of nature You can do a lot of great decorating with things simply from your backyard itself! They’re free, reusable, and just within arm’s reach! Holly branches, pinecones, and stacked firewood are perfect for outdoor decorations. You could also find enough resources to make your own homemade wreath!
6. Tasteful seating Another way to get great results and save a buck is finding used or thrift-show furniture. For example, you can top a couple of old rocking chairs with Christmas-themed pillows and blankets to make a seating area full of character and charm.
7. Lots of plants You can also choose to rely more on nature by buying some winter plants and potting them in seasonal planters! Flowers like pansies, violas, and snowdrops bring some life and color to your outdoor deck in the cold season. There are also plenty of larger trees and bushes that survive well in the winter to choose from.
8. Christmas centerpiece If you found more than enough pieces of nature from your backyard, you can use what’s leftover to make a lovely centerpiece for your outdoor table! Collect them in a clear jar or vase and arrange them how you like. You can also find smaller battery-powered lights that can be placed inside for a little extra glow.
9. Christmas ornaments and branches Using branches to frame your entryway can add some more natural flair to your door, and you can dress them up by hanging Christmas tree ornaments from them. Of course, hanging a wreath on the door will be the icing on the cake!
10. Using poinsettias Another quick way to make your deck look nice is picking up some of the classics! For example, place poinsettias around the edges of your porch or deck to add some nice color to the mix! You can leave them in their decorative foil wrapping or find some beautiful planters to put them in.
11. Wooden decorations If you want to achieve that rustic or farmhouse look this holiday season, look no further. There are tons of options for decorations made out of reclaimed wood. Not only do they look nice, but they’re also sustainable!
12.  Create a wonderland If creating scenes is your thing and you have the deck space to do so, consider setting up a wintery display. Then, using fake snow, snowman, reindeer and Santa figures, you can craft a beautiful set that family and friends will love! You can also add some trees and ornaments to tie it all up!
13. Symmetrical trees If you’ve got two decorative Christmas trees that are identical, a good way to make your entryway nice and neat is by placing one on either side. It can give your doorway a sense of cheer and magic.
14. Black and white Christmas If you’re looking to keep it simple this holiday season, there’s lots of great Christmas decor that comes in simple white and black. You can dress up an outdoor seating area that’ll look clean yet festive when the holiday comes around.
15. Outdoor living room Setting up a nice, cozy space outside can be the perfect way to spend Christmas morning if you have the weather for it. So, bring out some warm blankets and the fire pit and get ready to sip cocoa while the kids open their presents!