Looking for some helpful design tips to help you prepare your backyard for the holidays? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. The holiday season is quickly approaching, and when it does, Chris Johannsen will be the first to tell you that “ambiance is everything.” Considering his extensive history as a leading Virginia outdoor living designer, it’s something he puts into practice. Johannsen has extensive experience designing both indoor and outdoor venues for weddings and other special occasions.

When it boils down to how to decorate your home for the holidays, Johannsen has some fabulous tips on how to make your outdoor living area a vibrant and festive entertaining area.

Create The Ultimate Outdoor Living Area For Entertaining Guests During The Holidays

Since temperatures tend to drop during the holiday season, it’s important to dedicate more space to outdoor living. Start with the front porch and move on to other outdoor areas like sunrooms, decks, and porches.

Design Tips

To get your outdoor space ready for the holidays, here are some great suggestions to think about:

Outdoor Christmas Trees

While some people enjoy having their Christmas trees inside, others find that having them outside is more enjoyable. You should also decorate any trees that are part of your outdoor living area.

To make them look like a Christmas tree, you can choose to decorate them with lights and outdoor decorations.

Wreaths & Garland

During the winter season, wreaths and strands of garland are one of the most ubiquitous forms of outdoor decor. Use a wreath to decorate your outdoor decor. Garland can accentuate doorways, railings, and even columns. They can be left undressed, but dressing them up is acceptable as well. Bows, pinecones, and holly berries look great affixed to garlands and wreaths along the deck railings.

Oversized Ornaments

While most ornaments are intended for indoor use, there are a few exceptions. These decorations look lovely when strung from the eaves and ceiling of a covered porch with varying lengths of ribbon. You can also use them to decorate the space between railing posts.

Outdoor Dining Table

Wrapped boxes, a miniature Christmas tree, and similar items can be added as decor to an outdoor dining table. You can also make a pattern on your outdoor furniture by draping over a holiday-themed tablecloth.

Prepare Your Backyard With The Essentials

Prepare a Holiday Meal in The Privacy of Your Own Backyard

It’s not the holiday spirit to spend it alone in the house cooking. A fantastic holiday meal can be prepared in the great outdoors while you mingle with guests if you have the right equipment. The secret is to invest in high-end, multifunctional appliances.

Bring Fire to the Party

The sun sets early so your holiday party may feel a little chilly in the early evening. A stylish fire feature is a simple way to upgrade the coziness, convenience, and atmosphere of any outdoor area.

When the temperature outside drops, a controlled flame can make even the coldest room feel like a welcoming refuge, whether you’re telling tales around a wood-burning fire pit or sipping wine in front of a gas fireplace.

Bring The Comfort of the Indoors, Outdoors

Put your guests at ease by furnishing your outdoor space with plush chairs and blankets. We advise buying high-quality outdoor furniture that will last through many backyard parties in Virginia’s unpredictable climate. Throw some outdoor pillows, blankets, and a chic rug on the floor to make it feel homier. As the evening progresses and the temperature drops, your guests will be more comfortable staying inside to continue celebrating the holiday.

Protect Guests From the Elements

Pergolas, cabanas, and lanais are examples of outdoor covered structures that serve a practical purpose while also adding style to a yard or garden. Protecting your holiday party from the elements in a stylish and luxurious way is possible with shade structures.

Light Your Outdoor Living Area Appropriately for the Season

The addition of LED holiday lights to your outdoor celebration will completely change the mood. Light up the backyard with a string of lights strung around the trees and from higher branches. Going with white LED lights ensures that you can use them year-round for entertaining.

If you’re looking to make a long-term investment in lighting, chandeliers hung from shade structures will add both style and elegance to the outdoor living area.

We hope that our guide to decorating your outdoor living area helps you plan elements that brighten your home and make it a more festive atmosphere for the holidays. Thanks for reading and feel free to share this article with any friends you think could use some professional design advice for their backyard. We’re always willing to share some helpful advice. Happy holidays from your friends at CreativEscapes.