Chicken wire transformed this garden parasol into a show-stopping Christmas display
This owner gave her porch a sprinkling of Christmas magic
You might think your garden parasol is redundant over the winter months, but one homeowner used her umbrella base to create a show-stopping Christmas display.
Along with some chicken wire and some striking Hobbycraft decorations, Laurie Davidson from Surrey turned her home's porch into a magical setting bursting with Christmas ideas. A standout foliage tower, a sleigh with presents and a double door Christmas wreath prove decorations aren't just for inside.
Chicken wire Christmas decorations are proving to be the latest trend and are easy to make yourself. 'I wanted to create a display that had a real impact,' says stylist Laurie Davidson. 'That person would want to stop and look at – but without costing a fortune.'
Chicken wire Christmas porch display
Before
The porch is a good size, but it also meant that single decorations, like a wreath, can look a little lost, which is why Laurie decided to go for such a big display.
Creating the foliage tower
Using the parasol base, with a metal pole inside was the first step, then chicken wire was wound around the pole and secured into place using cable ties. You can find the full tutorial on the Hobbycraft Ideas Hub.
'Using the parasol and chicken wire meant I could just weave in lots of foraged foliage for the tower, and I've added fairy lights to make it magical at nighttime,' says Laurie.
'I had some help from the festive elves at BBL Floral Design, but it's easy to create your own version and something the kids could help with too,' says Laurie. 'You do need a lot of foliage if you're going to make one the size I had, but I used a lot of cuttings from the garden and foraged the rest.'
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Choosing lots of Christmas picks and faux foliage stems from Hobbycraft meant Laurie could give it extra colour, with poinsettias, red berries, pine cones and baubles all adding the finishing touches.
'I used lots of picks and faux stems. I love the ones with berries and poinsettias on, as they add a lovely deep punch of red to all the greenery. It's quite a traditional look.'
Artificial pine branches with white berries and pine cones: £14.89, Amazon
Scatter through these snowy pine branches and white berries for an understated yet festive look. They measure 15cm and would look great tucked into your festive display if you prefer a frosty winter look
Finishing touches
A vintage sleigh piled with presents sits on the porch itself. 'I wrapped up empty boxes and decorated them with ribbon, twine, small picks and clip-on robins from Hobbycraft, along with some fan toppers and bows that I made out of the same wrapping paper,' says Laurie.
Clip-on Robin | £6.49, Amazon
Add a little festive wildlife to your display with these clip-on Robins. They are currently £6.49 each on Amazon and can be used on garlands, wreaths and much more.
Using garlands to trail down the stairs and wrap around more faux presents, gives the display another touch of greenery – and it's easy to weave fairy lights into the garland to add extra sparkle if you want to.
WeRChristmas Pre-Lit Decorated Garland: £34.99, Amazon
The faux poinsettia flowers already woven onto this garland make it perfect for creating your own statement piece. Half the work is already done for you with this pre-lit garland.
'Hobbycraft have such a good range of wintery stems and I'll use them in a different way next year, either on my Christmas tree or in vases,' says Laurie.
'I already had the parasol base and chicken wire, so it was just a matter of getting a good mix of foliage – it's an easy and affordable way of transforming your doorway.'
Have you been inspired to give your porch a festive doorscape?
Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
How to choose colours for a guest bedroom
A team of colour experts give the low-down on things you should think about before picking up a paintbrush
By Holly Walsh
-
I've styled countless festive photo shoots - these are the 5 tricks I always use to create the perfect Scandi-style Christmas tree
5 tips for decorating a Scandi-style Christmas tree like a pro
By Laurie Davidson
-
Aldi has made baubles of its most iconic Specialbuys - here’s how to get your hands on a box
The perfect festive homage for Aldi fans
By Kezia Reynolds
-
How to repot a Christmas cactus for a thriving plant long after the festive season
The step-by-step guide to repotting a Christmas cactus as advised by experts
By Sara Hesikova
-
How to make a poinsettia turn red - the trick is putting it in the dark, but you must get the timing right
When to put a poinsettia in the dark, according to experts
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Does the Christmas tree boiling water hack work? We asked the experts whether this unusual festive trick works
Is boiling water the trick to a happy and healthy Christmas tree?
By Lauren Bradbury
-
8 common Christmas cactus problems – how to spot them and solve them before it's too late
Wondering what's wrong with your Christmas cactus? Take a look at our guide...
By Holly Reaney
-
Why is my poinsettia dropping leaves? - 5 possible reasons and what to do about it
Rejuvenate your poinsettia in time for Christmas
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Poinsettia care tips – how to care for this festive favourite this winter
Expert tips and advice on how to care for a poinsettia, keeping your plant in the best condition for Christmas and beyond
By Amy Cutmore
-
20 Outdoor Christmas decor ideas to ensure your home is as festive outside as in
Extend your festive decor beyond your front door and bring a seasonal look to all your outdoor spaces this Christmas
By Holly Walsh
-
Santa's Grotto ideas: how to create a grotto in your garden
Social distancing might make the usual trip to see Santa impossible, so why not DIY a hideaway for Father Christmas?
By Amy Cutmore