It’s almost time for the holidays, which means a lot of you are looking to give your outdoor space a facelift! It’s a time of gathering, communing, and breaking bread. It’s a time of family, friends, and celebration. And what better place to sit in community or in reflection than a porch? 

We’ve put together four simple ways you can add a bit of winter magic to your porch, deck, or patio this holiday season.

1. Give it a deep clean:

This one might sound obvious, but give it a good fall cleaning. Tossing any junk, wiping down surfaces and windows, and dusting out cobwebs will give you an immediate breath of fresh air. And the best thing about this little step? It’s FREE. No need to buy anything lavish to create this upgrade. Old t-shirts make great rags, and a little hot water and soap will go a long way in restoring surfaces. 

Our favorite homemade cleaning solution: ½ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons baking soda, 10 drops of tea tree or lemon essential oil. Put in a clean spray bottle, fill to the top with water, and shake gently before using.

2. Small buys, big impact:

If you’re looking for small front porch decorating ideas on a budget or just looking for some general ideas for decorating a screened in porch small buys can have a huge impact. A couple throw pillows and an outdoor rug can take your outdoor space from “that place you never go” to “the place you want to be.” The goal is to personalize it, making it feel like an extension of your home, only with decidedly more fresh air. If you don’t have any furniture, a simple lounge chair and side table can be enough.

3. Go green (or orange):

Check out your local garden shop or see if they have online ordering or curbside delivery set up. While your plant choices and availability will depend on where you live but we love some heartier winter greens like juniper, rosemary, and even small potted pine trees. Bonus: they smell amazing. 

If you’re more orange than green, you can also dehydrate orange slices by baking them in the oven at low heat (200 or less) for two to four hours. Once they are dry you can string them up and hang them on mantels or from rafters. They also smell amazing and add a lovely pop of holiday color. 

4. Set the mood with lighting:

Cool evenings call for some beautiful soft light to coax us out of our homes and enjoy some fresh air. This doesn’t need to be anything permanent – simple string bistro lights can cast a particularly inviting glow to any space. No roof-line to attach lights to? Our favorite DIY on planting wood posts in pots is available here. It’s also a lovely time to sit cuddled around a screened in porch fireplace or under the warmth of a patio heater.

BONUS: If you’re looking for bigger ways to punch up your exterior space, visit our Porch Store. From swing beds and mantels to railing panels and screen doors – all are available for you to install on your own.

We’re wishing you a healthy and peaceful holiday season, friends.