Holidays & Occasions Christmas 50 Cheerful Outdoor Christmas Decor Ideas By Southern Living Editors Updated on December 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Over the years, we've photographed plenty of Southern homes decked out for Christmas. So we know better than anyone that nobody does outdoor Christmas decorations quite like the South. Christmas wreaths, over-the-top garland, and cheery window decorations are just a few ways to decorate your home's exterior for Christmas. The Southern front porch serves as an extension of your interior style, complete with comfortable lounge furniture and a glass of sweet tea or in the spirit of the season, a hot toddy. Seasonal front porch decor gives passersby and holiday guests a sneak peak of your unique style. We've gathered all of our favorite festive home exteriors, featuring everything from tasteful Christmas window decorations to merry Christmas yard decorations to make your porches and entryways holiday ready. Whether you're decorating your home for a countryside or coastal Christmas, these looks are serving up some serious holiday house goals. Admire the joyous spirit of the holidays from these simple and extravagant exterior styles. 01 of 50 All Dressed Up Red velvet ribbonâchosen to coordinate with the color of the roofâpunctuates the magnolia, left unadorned to focus the attention on the architecture. PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS This classic Single House in Charleston is a holiday sight to behold. Adding a wreath on every window makes this home poised and ready for all the festivities to come. 02 of 50 On Your Own Front Door PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS Magnolia was made to be matched with red velvet. The ribbon bows on this festive holiday display perfectly balance each other to create a cheerful Southern look 03 of 50 Over-the-Top Garland Photo: Helen Norman The blue-and-green color scheme of this Southern porch mirrors the lush fauna of its surroundings. Touches of blue ribbon give this home a freshness that is timeless. 04 of 50 Merry and Bright Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason The decor starts with a simple arrangement of wreaths and garland. The golden, glowing lights bring major Christmas cheer to the home. 05 of 50 The Element Of Surprise Alison Gootee Richmond designer Sara Hillery never repeats a look when it comes to holiday decor, and we love that she went with icy blues and snowy whites this year. The subtle greenery gives this outdoor display a polished touch. 06 of 50 Magical Magnolia Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson; Design: Carmen Johnston Full, lush magnolia arrangements make a big difference on this small porch. Paint a layer of leaves red for dramatic decor. 07 of 50 Cheerful Layers Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This festive Charleston home is made for the ultimate holiday party. As the saying goes, more is more wonderful, and in this case, these wreaths fit the bill. 08 of 50 Right In Red A wreath hangs from a velvet ribbon outside the family room. âWe worked with 10 to 12 samples of red ribbon to choose one that wouldnât look garish and would feel right with the coral exterior and red roof,â says Sams. PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS Wreaths should be a welcome addition to every window, even in side entries like this one pictured here. You need a little Christmas everywhere you go in your home and outside of it, too. 09 of 50 Fresh and Festive Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This stunning façade uses an array of greenery on everything from the entryway to the upstairs windows. Magnolia really adds a super Southern touch to this display. 10 of 50 The Great Outdoors For You And Yours Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Your Christmas tree belongs in your outdoor living room. Adding plenty of holiday cheer outdoors is a simple way to elevate your space and make it feel as inspired as your favorite rooms inside. 11 of 50 Country Charm Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo Casually draped greenery adds a touch of whimsy to this Texas country home's front porch. We also love this large wreath that helps frame all of the greenery. 12 of 50 Attention-Grabbing Archway Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Design: Keith Taylor; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas This archway combines a few of the South's quintessential Christmas greenery, like pinecones and magnolia leaves, for a show-stopping entryway. Big buckets filled with small trees and grounded with magnolia, adds a sophisticated, rustic look. 13 of 50 Whimsical Wrapping Photo: Laurey W. Glenn When in doubt, just wrap you porch in garland. The candlelit lamps add a warm glow at night. 14 of 50 Clean and Casual Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Fresh colors get a seasonal upgrade with pops of classic Christmas greenery. Ornaments add easy charm to the year-round centerpiece. 15 of 50 Paint The Way Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This porch's painted floors make it the perfect setting for pops of color and holiday cheer. The red lanterns and throw pillows fit seamlessly into this holiday-inspired space. 16 of 50 Festive Farmhouse Photo: Laurey W. Glenn We are in need of all things warm and wonderful this holiday season, and this cozy display of magnificent greenery just makes us feel all the fuzzies. The bright greenery pairs perfectly with the warm wood tone of the doors to make for the most Southern of displays. 17 of 50 Refined Rustic Retreat Photo: Lucas Allen; Styling: Matthew Gleason Cozy up your back porch by bringing your typical indoor decorations—like a decorated tree and a mantel garland—outside. Roasting some marshmallows over an open fire is also an excellent idea. 18 of 50 Evergreen Glow Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This festive home shines from the inside out. In the big windows, you can see the big Christmas tree all aglow, but outdoors a lit-up wreath, miniature trees and gorgeous garland make this home the star of the block. 19 of 50 Tasteful Drapery Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason White homes love little pops of greenery to get in the spirit. Long strands of garland wrap around the entire boundary of this extended front porch, while an extra-large wreath takes advantage of the wide entryway door. 20 of 50 Dreaming Of A White Christmas Marta Pérez; Styling: Vero Designs When snow isn't in the forecast, you can still have a stunning white Christmas with just the right touches added to your pearly painted home. We love the bright pops of greenery and red ribbon that make this feel like a classic Christmas home. 21 of 50 Themed Throws Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Decorators are always dedicated to the details. Green and red throw pillows add a pop of color on this sizable porch. 22 of 50 Organic Overload Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey Mother nature made her mark on this doorstep. For a more natural decor theme, group together bundles of festive plants in an array of colors. 23 of 50 Easy Entertainment Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason A big, wooden table makes any outdoor setting instantly feel more welcoming. This party-ready back porch serves as a cheerful spot for overflow party guests, especially with the addition of mason jars filled to the brim with greenery and topped with a tea light. 24 of 50 Simple Symmetry Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Sometimes the grandest of statements are the simplest to execute. This tasteful decor relies wholeheartedly on classic wreaths, and the effect couldn't be more elegant. 25 of 50 Paper-White Delight Marta Pérez; Styling: Vero Designs Pots of paperwhites accentuate this outdoor space and make it look just perfect for the holidays. With pops of color to accent this favorite Christmas flower, the display is a present in itself. 26 of 50 Lit with Luminaries Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Caroline Cunningham Who says you need a porch to make your yard merry? We love the simple and easy luminaries lighting the way to this stately house. 27 of 50 Outfitted with Ornaments Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey Ornaments don't just belong indoors. Decorate your porch with colorful orbs for a charming display. 28 of 50 Red Relics Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Suzonne Stirling The cheerful accents of red from the poinsettias and lounge furniture gracefully pay tribute to the holiday season. And let's be honest, we'd love this display year-round. 29 of 50 Clean and Simple Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Paige Mullins Sometimes simple always seems to work best. In this case, the blush pink front door garners most of the attention, while thick garland lines the entryway and ornament dotted wreaths hang on the door. 30 of 50 Go Gold Photo: Hector Sanchez A little glitz and glam is good for the soul, and this can be done on a budget. To achieve this elegant look, decorate the door with mixed garland and spray paint palm fronds a sleek gold. 31 of 50 Forest Fresh Photo: Allison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling The abundance of greens creates a beautiful forest-like bounty. Add garland, tree clippings, and magnolia leaves to attain this Southern look. 32 of 50 Porch Pining Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lilt Floral Design It's no secret that we're pining over this porch set-up. Large pinecones add warmth to the luscious garland train and vintage bells add cheerful charm to the front door. 33 of 50 Pretty in Pink Photo: Chris M. Rogers Think pink this Christmas! Blush ribbons hang from the leafy garland, while a palm frond wreath stands front and center to achieve this coastal Christmas look. 34 of 50 Christmas Colors Photo: Lucas Allen If you have a red tin roof, Christmas looks good on your home. Bright red and dark green tag-team this house to create an effortless holiday look. 35 of 50 Full of Festive Spirit Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Christmas is the perfect time to go all out on decorations, tastefully done of course. With a joyful holiday-themed runner stretching from the front door to the front steps and green-and-red decor sprinkled throughout—one step on this front porch will instantly transport you to the North Pole. 36 of 50 Tasteful Tri-fecta Photo by Charles Walton IV This decorating technique is perfect for homes with elongated, glass front doors. Stretch three evergreen wreaths vertically and place a giant bow on top for a stunning finish. 37 of 50 Magnificent Magnolia Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Liz Strong Magnolia shines in this front porch's eye-catching decor. An extra-long garland wraps around the door frame, while a bountiful wreath hangs delicately on the front door. 38 of 50 Luscious Lemons Hector Manuel Sanchez This citrus-adorned front porch display is perfect for homes in warmer climates. The vibrant yellow of the lemons against the deep red and green adds a refreshing twist on holiday decor. 39 of 50 Fancy Pheasants Kriech-Higdon Photography The rustic decor on our 2021 Kentucky Idea House's outdoor dining table mimics its surroundings. We love the matching pheasant cloth napkins and table centerpiece. 40 of 50 Fresh Greenery Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Fresh garlands from local tree lots add a hint of the outdoors to this covered porch living space. Blue accents make the green pop even more. 41 of 50 Nothing Faux About It Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This holiday home lends itself to all the greenery in the world with a beautiful brick walk. Magnolia trees and Fraser firs stand at the ready to welcome all holiday guests. 42 of 50 Wreathed in Red Photo by Ralph Anderson Magnolia leaf wreaths cover the windows of this country home. We love how the red ribbon accents the brick steps and copper porch roof. 43 of 50 Green Christmas Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This holiday look is all about accenting the elegant green door. A simple satin ribbon adds cream to match the door frame, while the mossy wreath and door garland are welcoming natural wonders. 44 of 50 Christmas in the Pines Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Pinecones are pretty and plentiful in the South, and now's the time to take those natural wonders and make them into a holiday delight. This front-entrance display is dotted this the almighty pinecone on all fronts. Festive rust ribbon is the perfect pairing for this particularly prickly display. 45 of 50 The Mighty Magnolia Laurey W. Glenn Accents of magnolia on lampposts and mailboxes show your guests that you are in the holiday spirit. Layering the magnolia with accents of other natural beauties like pinecones makes the decoration feel fun and festive. 46 of 50 Citrus and Pines Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Believe it or not, the holidays mark the beginning of citrus season. And in the South, when it's in season we use it. We think you should take a bite out of this holiday design and use fruit in your own holiday decor this year. 47 of 50 Tied Up in Bows LAUREY W. GLENN This stately home is the epitome of "welcome home for the holidays." Satin ribbons and pinecones make for an easy and festive outdoor decoration on all the main exterior elements of the home. 48 of 50 Blue Christmas Alison Gootee; Styling: Elizabeth Demos We'd really be blue if you didn't use this cool color in your holiday display. Satin ribbons and red berries pop against this charming brick home in Savannah, Georgia. 49 of 50 Ornamented Reindeer Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Decorated statuary always tie in the holiday spirit – especially when the statuary are reindeer. Applying the same greenery from the door onto the statuary reindeer allows for this display to feel cohesive and welcoming. 50 of 50 Gold Accents Photo: Brittany Ambridge; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Sometimes a hint of holiday color is all you need. Gold ribbons and a wicker candle urn standout against oversized pinecones and green garland. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit