Decorating tor the holidays can be fun. Most people have indoor decorating down pretty well. But when it comes to outdoor decorating, things can get a bit trickier. To make matters worse, your decor is on display for the whole world to see, not just visitors you invite into your home. Make sure you’re not guilty of these top three outdoor decorating mistakes:
Not Considering the Entire Area
If you hang a wreath on your front door and call it good, you’re missing an opportunity to create an impressive holiday welcome. Hang that wreath, but step back and take a wide-angle view of your entrance…the whole entrance, not just your door. Consider flanking the door with urns filled with greenery and festive bows. Frame your door with a lighted garland to add a warm glow at night. Hang a sign on the wall or place one in the yard. Prop an old sled up in the corner. Keep the colors and style fairly consistent. Consider a theme – Victorian, rustic, bright, woodsy, etc. If you need ideas, simply troll on Pinterest. You’d be surprised how easy it is to create an HGTV-worthy design that would make a perfect backdrop for holiday photos.
Using the Wrong Size for Outdoor Decorations
Amateur decorators often don’t consider the size of the space when decorating. If you have a larger-than-normal entryway, your wreaths, garland, urns, and other decorations need to fill the space. Otherwise, they look puny and wimpy. If you need to fill a large space, think about adding a charming bench with pillows, a sleigh filled with faux presents, an oversized lantern, or lighted trees. Just make sure everything is secured or weighted so it doesn’t blow away in strong winter winds.
Forgetting about Safety
Sometimes, in an effort to make everything look as festive as possible, extension cords are draped, dragged, tucked, and secured in ways that can cause both tripping and fire hazards. Make sure walkways are clear and only extension cords rated for outdoor use are used. Also, make sure electrical cords are not in water or snow. Never use a nail, tack, or staple to hold an extension cord in place!
