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DESIGN 101
10 Outdoor Decorating Ideas for Thanksgiving 2024
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to gather with loved ones and enjoy the changing seasons. Set the stage for your celebration with festive outdoor decor. Thanksgiving throw pillows, garlands, scarecrows, and other accessories make your outdoor space cozy and inviting for the fall season. These fall decorations also help you embrace autumn’s beautiful colors and textures.
Discover our top decorating ideas for Thanksgiving outside. We'll also provide tips to prep and store your decorations so you can enjoy them year after year.
When To Start Decorating for Thanksgiving?
You can set up your Thanksgiving decorations at the beginning of November. This approach lets you celebrate the holiday for the entire month. Getting an early start can also help you ease your outdoor space inro warmer autumn ambiance.
Some people prefer to wait to decorate during the week before Thanksgiving. A shorter window can keep your outdoor space fresh and build excitement for the holiday.
How To Showcase Your Style
Choose outside decorations for Thanksgiving that fit your aesthetic. Start by choosing a theme that you enjoy. For example, you could embrace a rustic style with vintage decorations and festive fall foliage. Alternatively, you might opt for an elegant design with a greater emphasis on neutral colors and sophisticated centerpieces.
Personalize the space by adding fall decorations with special meaning. Your children can help you with DIY creations like painted pumpkins and leaf garlands. You can also incorporate handmade centerpieces, chalkboards, and other homey elements.
Decorate Your Patio
Transform your outdoor patio into a comfortable Thanksgiving-themed retreat. Add cozy chairs so guests can relax and enjoy the crisp fall air. Decorate these chairs with warm blankets and decorative accent pillows. Consider adding an outdoor rug with fall colors, such as red and yellow.
Hang string lights or lanterns from the patio to create an inviting atmosphere. Surround the seating area with reminders of the season, such as potted fall plants — chrysanthemums and goldenrods are two popular choices — and hay bales. These accessories will tie together the space and add festive cheer.
Get Cozy Around a Fire Pit
The air often grows chilly in late November as winter approaches. Keep warm by arranging your outdoor seating around a fire pit. This feature will encourage guests to gather and serve as an inviting focal point for your patio.
Fire pits are made from a wide range of materials, from sleek metal to rustic stone. Choose a fire pit that fits your overall aesthetic so you can use it all year.
Hang a Gorgeous Fall Wreath
Decorate your front door with a beautiful fall wreath. Live wreaths incorporate fresh seasonal flowers, branches, and colorful leaves. If you want something that will last longer, pick an artificial wreath with plastic flowers and gourds.
Pick Festive Throw Pillows
Layer your outdoor seating with Thanksgiving-themed throw pillows. Choose pillows with vibrant fall colors, such as fiery reds or soft oranges. Many throw pillows feature Thanksgiving symbols, such as bright pumpkins and adorable turkeys.
Festoon Your Porch With Garlands & Seasonal Plants
Drape your porch railing with festive Thanksgiving garlands. These decorations often have colorful leaves and gratitude-themed slogans. They’re an easy way to add seasonal charm to your outdoor space. Complement your garlands with in-season flowers to welcome guests.
Get Crafty With Painted Pumpkins & Friendly Scarecrows
People often associate pumpkins with Halloween, but these versatile gourds can also create a cozy Thanksgiving atmosphere. You can decorate the pumpkins yourself by painting simple leaves or turkeys.
Greet your guests with smiling scarecrows. Hang these decorations on your porch, fence, or in the middle of your garden. You could also seat a scarecrow on a haybale and arrange pumpkins for a fun display. Look for fall-themed scarecrows with straw hats, sunflower decorations, and other seasonal accents.
Embrace Fall Plants
Liven up your outdoor space with colorful fall plants. Popular Thanksgiving foliage includes:
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Coleus
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Cosmos
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Marigolds
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Mums
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Perennial sunflowers
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Violas
Mix and match flowers in large decorative planters for vibrant displays. For example, combine red, orange, and yellow mums in a pot for a burst of fall colors. Arrange these planters on your porch steps, around your outdoor seating, or in the corner of your patio.
Create a Seasonal Centerpiece
Decorate your outdoor tables with festive centerpieces. Your display could feature:
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Branches
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Candles
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Dried leaves
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Fall flowers
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Scented pinecones
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Small gourds
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Turkey figurines
Combine decorations with different shapes and textures for an eclectic centerpiece. If you plan to host Thanksgiving dinner outside, you can also add personalized name tags to help guests find their seats.
Prepping Decor for the Outdoors
Don’t let the elements ruin your outdoor Thanksgiving decorations. Protect your display by choosing accessories designed for outdoor use. Decorations like metal chairs, outdoor throw pillows, and pumpkins can withstand harsh weather and sunlight. You can also keep fragile decorations sheltered under a covered porch or gazebo.
Anchor lightweight decorations to prevent them from blowing away. For instance, stake inflatables into the ground and weigh tablecloths with decorative gourds.
Storage Tips
These storage tips will help you preserve your Thanksgiving decor for next year:
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Thoroughly clean decorations and furniture to remove dirt, mildew, and other contaminants.
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Store small items in waterproof containers to protect them from mold and pests.
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Carefully wrap garlands and string lights to prevent tangling.
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Dispose of living decorations, such as flowers and pumpkins.
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Tuck all the decorations away in a dry storage area.
Get Ready for the Fall
Get ready to celebrate your blessings with our stylish Thanksgiving home decor ideas. These decorations will help you get in the holiday spirit and create the perfect atmosphere for your guests.
Once you’ve designed your outdoor space, you may realize your indoor decorations need a refresh before the big day. Explore our cozy living room ideas to complement your outdoor makeover.