15 Porch Decorating Mistakes to Avoid This Holiday Season
This post may contain affiliate links.
With the holiday season upon us, it’s the perfect time to deck your porch with festive cheer, but it’s easy to overdo or underdo it. When it comes to creating a warm and inviting outdoor space, there’s a lot to consider, from mismatched themes to safety hazards. If you’re the person who loves a huge light display or the person who just wants to stick a wreath on the door, there are some common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid.
Consider your porch like the first chapter in your holiday story, the first page which tells everyone who passes by or even steps through your door, how deep into the holiday story you’re willing to go. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll not only be saving yourself time and money, but you’ll also be saving yourself a few potential headaches and making your home look better.
Too Much of a Good Thing
The holidays are easy to get carried away in. Twinkling lights, garlands, and blow up snowmen are all acceptable, but too many, too close together can easily overwhelm your porch. Less can be more. Too much decoration on a porch may make it chaotic instead of cozy. Stay on to a cohesive theme or colour palette to idiot proof.
Neglecting Scale and Proportion
Your space should dictate what porch decorations you use. It’s hard to fit a tall inflatable Santa on a tiny porch or a giant wreath on a sprawling front porch. Pick pieces that are appropriate dimensions for your porch so that you get a balanced look.
Ignoring Practicality
Have you ever tried to open your front door with a pile of gifts on the floor and a wreath hanging above? Your porch decorations should help it, not hinder it. Take into consideration when you place things where foot traffic will be nice and when foot traffic is not such a big deal. If your guests have to struggle to get to your door, your setup is due for a rethink.
Forgetting Safety
An accident can ruin holiday cheer. Ladder related injuries spike during this time of year, due to unsafe decorating practices, according to the National Safety Council. Secure all lights and decorations safely to prevent trips, falls and hazards of an electrical nature. Safety first, sparkle second.
Skipping Weatherproofing
The wrong choice of weather-resistant decorations can mean soggy bows and broken ornaments. Use plastics, metal, or treated woods that wont be damaged by the elements. Nobody wants to see Santa deflated after a rainstorm.
Major Oversights of Lighting Placement
Holiday porches should have lights, but where you place them matters. Overbright setups will blind your neighbors, and too dim or uneven lighting is a miss. Test night time to get the effect just right – as Goldilocks would have with porridge.
Clashing Themes
While creating a rustic farmhouse feel with bold modern decorations might sound like a creative mix up, it can actually come across as sloppy. Pick one theme and don’t mix it up. Think of your porch as a Pinterest board, keep it consistent.
Using Too Many Colors
While a rainbow of holiday hues might make you feel cheerful, several competing colors can look chaotic. Use only two or three shades that complement each other. Classic red and white or a nice neutral tone are a great way to make your porch feel welcoming.
Electrical Outlets Are Overloaded
Not only is it bad for your electric bill, it’s a fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration says not to overload your circuit. Use power strips with surge protectors and make sure you are following wattage guidelines for a safe holiday season.
Neglecting the Door
If the front door is the centerpiece of your porch, don’t let it be bare. Your entire setup can be elevated with a well placed wreath, ribbon or door hanger. But stay away from heavy decorations that will scratch your door or block its function.
Forgetting About Texture
Anyone can have a porch full of shiny plastic decorations, but that’s flat and uninspiring. Input burlap bows, faux fur accents or wooden pieces to give it height and interest. A little variation helps a lot to make your setup look more attractive.
Blocking the Pathway
Leaving decorations to spill onto the walkway may look whimsical, but it is a tripping hazard. Make sure there’s enough room for people and delivery drivers to move around. No one wants to hit a rogue reindeer while carrying holiday packages.
Ignoring Plants
Holiday greenery can really bring your porch to life, which is often overlooked. Since it’s all white, you can add potted evergreens or poinsettias or something (faux) garland streamer looking piece to make it feel soft and festive. When choosing live plants, just be mindful of your climate and outdoor pets.
Leaving Up Halloween Décor
Those jack-o’-lanterns might have been cute in October, but they’re not cute anymore. Get completely into the holidays by clearing out anything from fall. It’s confusing to mix pumpkins with snowflakes at best.
Underestimating The Power of Simplicity
In some cases, the most striking setups are the simplest. An elaborate display isn’t necessary, just a beautiful wreath, a few lanterns, and a cozy welcome mat can make just as much of an impact. Laziness is not simplicity, simplicity is an art.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make Your Home Look Bad
Bring Nature Indoors with These DIY Terrarium Ideas
