Creating the best outdoor Christmas decoration displays
Creating a welcoming outdoor display is a rewarding and creative part of the festive season. With some strategic planning (and a little festive magic), you can transform your outdoor space into a warm seasonal scene to lift the whole street.
We’ve put together our tips and recommendations to help you design a display using outdoor Christmas decorations that reflects your home’s character and celebrates the magic of the season.
Start with a plan
A well-planned outdoor display is your key to creating a look that is cohesive and balanced.
Firstly, have a look around your space before committing to any decorations – what space do you have to work with? The garden path, the front door, your windows, and any interesting architectural details of your home could all be incorporated into your display.
After you’ve sized up your space, it’s time to pick out your theme. Do you want to incorporate traditional elements and classic colours, or go for something a bit more modern and minimalist? You could even highlight your outdoor space by going for a theme that celebrates nature.
Once you know your theme, you can decide which colours to include. Classic red, gold, and greens create warmth, whilst silver, blues and whites feel crisp and elegant. Mixing natural texture such as pinecones and fir garlands with metallics add depth and visual interest.
Top tip: Measure your space and identify where power sources are before setting up. It’s also worth noting any exposed areas that will need heavy-duty weatherproof fittings.
Light the way
Lighting forms the foundation of your outdoor display. The right lighting plan will highlight any interesting architectural lines, guide pathways, and accent any features of your garden.
String lights suit fences, hedges, and tress to create structure and movement, whereas net lights are better for draping over shrubs or topiary, and achieves an even coverage with minimal effort.
For a beautiful way to mimic winter frost, opt for icicle lights which work beautifully along rooflines and gutters.
Pathway stakes or outdoor lanterns are wonderful ways to define walkways and driveways, guiding guests safely to your door.
Choose warm tones for a soft, welcoming glow, or instead a cool white will offer a contemporary finish. For something more playful, multi-coloured bulbs create vibrancy and fun and remind us of Christmases past. To create a cohesive flow through, we’d suggest using a single light tone across multiple areas rather than mixing too many hues.
Top tip: The Energy Saving Trust recommends using LED outdoor Christmas Lights for efficiency and safety. They use less electricity, stay cool to the touch, and last longer than traditional bulbs. Connect everything to a timer or smart plug, so your display turns on automatically each evening and conserves energy overnight.
Check out our guide to hanging outdoor Christmas lights for more hints and tips.
The Power of Greenery
Natural greenery is the most timeless component of outdoor Christmas decoration. Garlands, wreaths, and plant-grown trees bring a sense of life and texture that provides a balance against any artificial lighting.
Choose a fresh or fake fir Christmas wreath as the centrepiece of your festive doorway. You can add pinecones, berries, or even a velvet bow to match your colour scheme.
Extend this out with a garland hung around your doorway, porch railings, or windowsills. The RHS advises using cuttings of pines or holly for a natural, biodegradable option, or if you prefer something you can use year after year, take a look at our decorative artificial Christmas garlands.
Pot-grown trees or potted evergreens such as small conifers look elegant when decorated with micro-lights. Better still, they can be replanted in the garden after the season ends, supporting biodiversity and reducing waste.
Top tip: If space allows, cluster different heights of potted trees or plants around the entryway to add depth and a natural woodland feel.
Statement features that create impact
Every memorable outdoor festive display includes one or two standout pieces that draw attention and define the scene you’ve created.
For example, outdoor reindeer figures, bird sculptures, or other novelty Christmas lights can add height and elegance to lawns and borders. Similarly, light-up stars and snowflakes, either standing or fixed to walls and fences, bring an ethereal celestial detail to your décor. Candy cane stakes can also be placed along paths or steps to create a fun, inviting glow.
These statement items should be positioned where they can be enjoyed both from inside your home, and on the street outside your house. Keep the scale in proportion to the space – large pieces in smaller gardens can overwhelm, while subtle features could get lost in wider spaces.
Top tip: Adding one strong, visual anchor, such as a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree or a twinkling snowman ties the entire scheme together and prevents visual clutter.
Balancing colour and texture
Colour is what gives personality to an outdoor display. Festive reds and golds are classic favourites, while cooler schemes that use white, blue, and silver create a refined contemporary finish.
To maintain cohesion, try and stick to one dominant colour and two supporting accent shades. For example, a gold-coloured base can be complemented by an ivory and a deep green, or a silver foundation would look great alongside an ice blue and soft white.
Texture is what adds depth to your outdoor display - mix and match to create an interesting display. Pair glossy baubles with matte finishes, frosted branches with soft ribbon, or metallic ornaments with natural wood tones. This variety prevents the display from appearing flat when viewed under different light conditions.
Top tip: Designers often follow the ‘three levels’ rule for visual depth: layer lights and decorations at ground level, at mid-height in places like doorways and on fences, and above head height along rooflines or on trees. This layering builds dimension and balance.
Practical outdoor considerations
Outdoor decoration displays are fun to create, but it’s important to make sure your decorations can withstand the rain, wind, and fluctuating temperatures that accompany this time of year. Chose materials that are UV and weather resistant. Secure all fixings with proper outdoor clips, hooks, or cable ties rather than nails or staples.
Cables should run along walls or fences, keeping connectors off the ground and protected with waterproof cable boxes. Always read manufacturer's safety guidance before use!
Top tip: When the season ends, clean and dry decorations before storing them. Wrap lights loosely to prevent tangling and keep electrical items in sealed containers away from damp. This ensures a longer lifespan and safer use in future years.
Sustainable decoration choices
It’s important to consider the sustainability of your Christmas decorating. Where you can, opt for solar-powered lights or plug-in LEDs to reduce energy consumption. Reuse any existing decorations where possible, updating the look each year by changing ribbons, foliage, or lighting tone.
Where a real wreath has been used, once the season ends you can compost them at home or donate to local composting schemes. Many councils now accept organic festive waste for recycling into soil improvisers or wood chippings. We suggest checking Recycle Now for details, or you can look to repurpose festive foliage into a wildlife haven for your garden.
Supporting biodiversity can easily be incorporated into your decorating plan. Hanging seed-filled ornaments or bird-friendly decorations turns your outdoor display into a safe place for wildlife during colder months, as recommended by the RSPB.
Bringing it all together
The best outdoor Christmas decorations are the ones that reflect your personality and style -- but a unified colour scheme, balanced lighting, and thoughtful placements makes the difference between a simple home display and one that feels truly magical.
By investing in high quality pieces and sustainable materials, your home can shine brightly through the festive season whilst remaining safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible.
See what you can create with our wonderful Christmas collections, and don’t forget to stop by your local Dobbies store for some seasonal inspiration.