The Simple Porch Decor Swap You Can Make For The Holidays

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Your porch is an extension of your house and the first area that guests see. So, while you're decking the halls and stringing lights across the tree, don't forget to add some festive cheer to your home's exterior. While you can go all out with decorations if you'd like (there are even some very fun celebrity holiday front porch ideas you can recreate yourself), opting for an easy decor change can do the trick. That simple swap? Trading in your regular welcome mat for a holiday-themed version.

Make this idea as simple or as layered as you like. For a minimal look, a festive mat that matches your decor style is all you need. If you'd like to kick the look up a notch, layer a plaid outdoor rug underneath, and pick a porch mat that coordinates with the rest of your Christmas decorations. Just be sure to give your porch a nice sweep and wipe down first, so that everything looks clean and tidy.

Doormats are a functional part of any porch. They provide a place for family members and guests to wipe their feet, serve as decor, and make a porch look put-together. Since holiday-themed mats spend less time outside versus year-round welcome mats, you can opt for an inexpensive version, making this a budget-friendly update. And your options are pretty vast. We spotted some cute mats in Target's Bullseye section for $5, like this gingerbread house doormat, and a plethora of slightly more expensive options on Amazon that suit just about any taste. You can even create seasonal welcome mats for cheap with these Dollar Tree DIYs, or take an extra step and DIY a trendy scalloped doormat with this clever IKEA hack.

Let your creativity and whimsy run wild when selecting your porch door mat, but don't forget about practical considerations before hitting the "buy" button. First, make sure the mat is the right size. A doormat should be at least 80 percent of the width of the entry door to ensure enough room to wipe feet and to look properly scaled. If you have a large porch, layering a plaid outdoor rug beneath your mat can help beef it up and prevent it from looking awkwardly small. You'll also want to consider the material. If you live in an area with frequent snowstorms, a rubber-backed mat can provide the traction you need, while a coir mat is a better choice for scraping dirt off of shoes or boots.