6 Easy Ways to Give Your Holiday Porch a Designer Look

During the holidays, a front porch decked in lights and greenery sets the tone for the whole house. Porches are such a cornerstone of the holidays, in fact, that more and more people are hiring professional designers to kit them out for the season. We got two pros to share their secrets to creating a front porch that’s as festive as it is high-style.

1. Take Cues from Your House

One porch style does not fit all, say the pros. Before you start trying to replicate a look you saw down the street or on TikTok, “look closely at your own home’s architecture and landscape,” says Langley Walsh. A Colonial home, for example, calls for a different style than a ranch house. “The goal is always to design something that feels bespoke to the property rather than themed—elevated, effortless, and as if the home simply evolved into its holiday version.”

2. Get the Proportions Right

One of the biggest mistakes Hill sees people make with their holiday porches? Choosing decorations that are too small for the scale of the space. “Smaller items get lost and make the entrance look a little puny and extremely off-balance,” she says. “Oversized decor outdoors looks magical both in photos and in person.”

3. Accessorize Your Greenery

Whether you’re framing a doorway with an evergreen garland, hanging a wreath, or both, designers say greenery should only be a starting point.

“Layer, layer, layer. It’s a must!” says Hill. “I mix fresh greenery with faux for fullness, then add textural contrast. This may look like dried hydrangeas, juniper, or pheasant feathers.” She also leans on ribbons with wired edges, often stacking velvet with linen and mixing matte with shiny bows for more interest.

Langley Walsh likes to weave dried citrus slices into wreaths or garlands for an earthy, elegant look. “The right ribbon and ornament combination, paired with a special bloom or a few dried citrus slices, creates a warm, organic accent that feels both classic and unexpected.”

4. Dress Up Containers

Large existing container plantings are a great starting point for holiday decor, says Langley Walsh: “I treat existing containers as part of the architecture. Boxwoods, dwarf evergreens, or topiaries become the base, and I layer in fresh greens, berries, birch branches, or pinecones to create a lush, tailored mix. It feels like the garden is simply dressed for the season.”

5. Hide Wires

Twinkling outdoor lights may be a holiday essential, but all those cords can ruin a mood, especially in the light of day. That’s why Hill likes to run cords along porch trim or under doormats. “Sometimes I even wrap them with garland so they disappear completely,” she says. To secure them, “floral wire and command hooks are your best friends.”

Langley Walsh says even a few thoughtfully placed string lights are often enough for a porch. “Fairy lights tucked discreetly into garlands or lanterns add a subtle layer of magic without feeling overdone,” she says. If you’re wrapping trees or potted plants with lights, use commercial-grade green wire ones.

6. Try a Foolproof Formula

Short on time or tight on budget? Hill has a go-to “holiday trifecta” for creating a festive porch in a snap: “You can’t go wrong with one oversized wreath, two matching planters, and a cluster of outdoor lanterns. Choose a simple, cohesive palette—Maybe it’s ‘Woodsy Retreat,’ ‘Winter White,’ or ‘Sugar Plum’—and it’ll look pulled together in minutes.”