Christmas is coming: 5 stylish ways to decorate your front door

What is ‘doorscaping’? Aside from being the year’s fastest rising decor trend (trending on TikTok, Pinterest, and likely feeling up an Instagram feed near you) door – or porchscaping – is the simple act of decorating the exterior of your home. 

You don’t need a grand porch either – it’s about making the most of what you’ve got. 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 will brighten even the dreariest of winter afternoons – from outdoor tree lights to mega-watt displays, candle lanterns or LED wreaths and garlands. 

The rules? There are none. Simply work with the proportions of the 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, but a swag hung from a door knocker can be a quick-and-easy alternative. 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? Bows are – hands down – 2024’s hottest door accessory. Big, sequin, light-up, velvet, bigger, gingham, neon, burgundy, striped, green or even BIGGER still – you simply can’t go wrong with a bow, or three. The bonus? Shop right, and it’ll see you through to your spring ‘doorscaping’ too.