Stylish ways to decorate your front door

What is ‘doorscaping’? Simply put door – or porchscaping – is the act of decorating the outside of your home. 

You don’t need a grand porch – it’s about making the most of what you have. A plain door can be a brilliant blank canvas for a wreath or garland, while internal doors to flats and studios allow for more elaborate dressings, away from the harshness of the elements.

The goal? To make a lasting first impression, spark joy – and wow your neighbours while you’re at it. From decorative autumn/winter wreaths and seasonal swags to megawatt light displays, traditional lanterns, Christmas door mats and rattan reindeers, there really is a seasonal theme to suit all. And all with a bow on top.

Lights are the most magical part of porchscaping, guaranteed to delight passers-by. Adding additional mood lighting to your front doorstep (or an internal window) will brighten even the dreariest of winter afternoons – from outdoor tree lights to mega-watt displays, candle lanterns or LED animals or wreaths. 

Work with the proportions of your door and the space available. Mains-powered outdoor lights can plug into a transformer indoors and stay on 24/7 (although a timer in the plug socket can save precious electricity), while battery lights are fine for occasional use.

A home-made wreath always looks impressive - gather a few pieces of real or faux foliage together and tie with ribbon, before fixing in some baubles. If your door is exposed to the elements, go for plastic or natural materials rather than delicate glass which will shatter with frost. For a fast, fuss-free festive alternative do think: faux. The best faux wreaths look real, and even come with battery-operated LEDs should you require extra sparkle.

Great for sprucing up your hallway and/or staircase, garlands make wonderfully ‘wow’ door arches too. Be it real, faux or impossible to tell – opt for plain pine and update it with decorations and florist’s wire at your leisure. Christmas garlands are an easy way to work in a colour theme, be it candy striped ribbon, velvet bows, berry picks or battery-powered LEDs – all great for adding clusters of colour in a flash.

Want to make guests smile? Dress up your doorstep with a Christmas door mat or two. They’re seasonal, statement-making – and one way to stop little feet from making muddy footprints in your hallway!

Looking for a seasonal showstopper? Buy a bow. Big, sequin, light-up, velvet, bigger, gingham, neon, burgundy, striped, green or even BIGGER still – you can’t go wrong with a bow, or three. The bonus? Shop right, and it’ll see you through to your spring ‘doorscaping’ too.