As we step into December, it’s time to decorate the outside of our homes for the upcoming holiday. When I was young, we had a family tradition that my mother created, who was fun, and an out-of-the-box decorator. Each Christmas there was a life-sized Santa on a candy cane painted ladder crawling in the window of our second story home. On the roof, there was an elf hanging over the ledge (yes, my father would go up on the roof to hang) with spotlights. It was the highlight of our outdoor decor, and I remember people driving and walking by to take a look. I would encourage you to have fun with your outdoor holiday decorating, and do the unexpected! Do something unique that your family would enjoy and create a new tradition that everyone will remember!
Add outdoor holiday containers:
Add outdoor containers using cuttings from your yard, or purchased items. Keep in mind, if you like the shape of a twig or dried flower and not the color, lightly spray-paint it to get the look you desire, or perhaps a touch of gold sparkle. Keep in mind that you want the pot to look good during the day and also have a lighted night time feature.
Add outdoor lighting:
Decide what type of look you like. Keep it simple with one color and go elegant.
5 Tips before you begin decorating:
- If you have brick siding and you are looking for ways to hang something, try these brick clips sold at the Container Store that do not damage the bricks and can hold up to 25lbs.
- Click here to review the best way to hang your outdoor holiday lights safely.
- Click here to review the outdoor hardware accessories needed to hang your lights.
- Do you need lights? Go to one of your local home stores such as Home Depot or Target and you will be amazed at the lighting options. When selecting lights for outdoor decorating, choose only those rated for outdoor use. Decide if you want to go one color, multi-colored, or perhaps pick one to three different color strands to use strategically throughout your yard.
- To save you time and money, have a plan before you head out to purchase lights. Measure all straight areas on your home that you plan to add lights and check what the lighting package suggests. Lowe’s suggests for shrubs and trees:
The number of lights you’ll need to decorate trees and shrubs is a matter of personal preference. A good rule of thumb is 100 lights for every 1-1/2-ft of tree or shrub you want to cover. So a 6-ft evergreen needs at least 400 lights for a basic level of lighting. (Source)
- Don’t forget to have the proper outdoor power strips for all of your lighting needs and timers, click here for options from Lowe’s.
If you would like holiday decorating inspiration, check out the IdeaBook I created on Houzz. Remember to have fun with this, be creative and think out-of-the-box, and create precious memories! For all your home staging and interior decorating needs reach out to me 610.955.8202 or email, I would be glad to help.
By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, and Instagram. Photo from Pixabay.