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The front door is the first thing visitors see and the only part of your home that neighbors see too. It is also the easiest place to start decorating, because one wreath already changes the whole look.
A small stoop or a shared hallway sets limits: little floor space, strict rules about what can be hung, and paint you do not want to damage. These ten ideas work within those limits, and most of them take less than half an hour.
Before you start
- Read your building rules. Many apartment buildings and landlords limit what can hang in a shared hallway or on a door. If in doubt, ask first.
- Measure the door. Note the width, the height of the peephole and the gap between the door and the frame.
- Check where the door opens. A decoration must not block the swing or the lock.
- Think about weather. On an open stoop, use outdoor-rated lights and decorations that survive rain and wind.
- Keep the exit clear. Never leave anything on the floor that someone could trip over in the dark.
01A classic wreath on an over-the-door hook
A wreath is the simplest choice. An over-the-door hook sits on the top edge of the door, so there are no nails or screws. Pick a hook with a felt or rubber pad.
02A wreath that fits the door
Choose the size by the door: a 22 to 24 inch wreath suits a standard door, and 16 to 18 inches suits a narrow or glass door. A lighter faux wreath is easier to hang.
03A magnetic hanger for a steel door
If your front door is steel, a strong magnetic hook holds a wreath without touching the paint. Test it with a light wreath first, because wind can move it.
04A garland around the frame
A garland framing the door gives it a finished look. Hold it up with adhesive clips along the frame, or drape it from the top corners if the frame is not painted.
05Lights along the top
A short string of warm white lights above the door lights the entrance at night. Outdoor lights in a plug-in or battery version work for an open stoop. See our Christmas string lights ideas for how to measure and hang them.
06A seasonal doormat
A red or plaid doormat is a decoration you step on, and it takes no hanging at all. Choose a mat that is slightly narrower than the door so it does not catch on the sweep.
07A pair of small potted trees
If the stoop has room for two pots, a pair of small evergreen trees in planters frames the door. Choose a heavy base so they do not tip over in wind.
08Lanterns on the step
Lanterns with flameless candles feel warm and are safe near a door. Put one on each side, or group three on the corner of the step. For the inside of the entrance, see our Christmas entryway decor ideas.
09A door hanger or a sign
A felt or wooden door hanger with a greeting is a small wreath alternative that works on a narrow door. Hang it from the same over-the-door hook.
10A bow and a few ornaments
A big red bow on the knocker or the handle, plus a few ornaments tied to a ribbon, is the cheapest idea on the list. Use a weatherproof ribbon with wired edges so it holds its shape.
A plan by time
- Ten minutes: an over-the-door hook and a wreath.
- An hour: add a doormat, a bow and a string of lights.
- A weekend: frame the door with a garland and a pair of potted trees.
Common mistakes
- A wreath that is too small. On a standard door it looks lost. Go up one size.
- Heavy decor on a thin door. A hollow or glass door cannot carry a heavy wreath, so choose a light one.
- Forgetting the dark. A door with no light looks dull at four in the afternoon, so add a short string or a lantern.
- Too many colors. Pick two colors and one metal, and repeat them on the mat, the bow and the lanterns.
Before you pay
- Measure the door and the gap before you buy a hook.
- Choose outdoor-rated lights if the stoop is open to the weather.
- Keep decorations away from the lock, the peephole and the swing of the door.
- For more ideas for the front of your home, see our Christmas window decorations and our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas.
