Holiday Decorating Ideas From the Experts

Holiday Decorating Ideas From the Experts

Written by: Caitlin Evans

|

Published on

|

Last updated on

|

Time to read 3 min

The holidays are here, and it’s time to deck the halls. We reached out to lifestyle and design pros Melissa Gayle Gustafson, creator of The Growing Seasons, and Megan Pierson, EVP of Business Development at POLYWOOD, to see how they made their outdoor spaces oh-so festive with POLYWOOD furniture and seasonal accents. Explore their ideas and practical tips to make your spaces merry and bright.

Melissa’s Festive Farmhouse Front Porch

Melissa is a talented artist and designer with an eye for style. She effortlessly transformed her front porch into a rustic holiday haven in the Sierra Nevada foothills that beautifully reflects her home’s bucolic character.

A POLYWOOD Vineyard 3 Piece Deep Seating Rocking Chair Set in Black and Natural Linen sits on a rustic porch with holiday decor.

The Space

Melissa’s covered porch is the perfect spot to watch her kids play or take in California's stunning mountain vistas. The space is defined by rustic charm, with dark and medium wood tones, exposed beams, and shiplap siding.

The Furniture

At the center of it all is a black Vineyard 3-Piece Deep Seating Rocking Chair Set with light creamy cushions offering a cozy place to relax while breathing in the crisp winter air.

Quote from Melissa Gayle Gustafson, Creator of The Growing Seasons. POLYWOOD is perfect for this kind of setting. It

The Decor

Melissa wanted a space that felt open and inviting, like the wide mountain skies, so she used minimal decor to style a clean, simple look that still felt festive. To add warmth and character, she used earthy accents such as a red and white kilim rug, clay pottery, and metallic details.

Two images show a POLYWOOD Vineyard 3 Piece Deep Seating Rocker Set in Black and Natural Linen decorated for the holidays.

Handmade Touches

The highlight of the look was the handmade decor. Melissa and her kids DIYed wreaths and garlands with foraged greenery as an extra special flourish.

“I love making my own decorations,” Melissa said. “It feels more personal, and it’s a great way to bring the beauty of nature right to your door. I wanted everything to feel thoughtful, and the greenery adds such a lovely, organic touch that ties the whole space together. Plus, my kids helped me forage for all the greenery for the wreaths and garlands—it’s our chance to create memories and beautiful things together.”

A POLYWOOD Vineyard 3 Piece Deep Seating Rocking Chair Set in Black sits on a rustic porch with holiday decorations.

Megan’s Cheerful Outdoor Oasis

“My family is very social and we love to be outside,” Megan said. “We’re always hosting some sort of gathering whether it’s a pool party in the summer or a big Christmas bash during the holidays. It makes perfect sense to decorate the spaces we use most—both inside and outside our home.”

A POLYWOOD Modern Curveback Adirondack 5 Piece Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table in Mahogany on a festively adorned patio.

The Spaces

Megan has a large patio and a newly built barndominium. Both contain multiple zones dedicated to various relaxation occasions: outdoor dining areas for family meals, poolside settings to sunbathe after a refreshing dip, and conversation spaces to kick back and connect.

Two images of festively decorated outdoor spaces featuring various POLYWOOD furniture and accessories.

The Furniture

Megan decked her outdoor spaces with an assortment of POLYWOOD furniture that suits her style and celebrations. Cheery white and rich mahogany-toned pieces from our Modern Adirondack, Contempo, and Vineyard Collections create a warm and inviting atmosphere on her patio. She chose Modern Curveback Adirondacks in the same deep brown for her barndominium, which perfectly complements its modern farmhouse aesthetic.

Quote from Megan Pierson, POLYWOOD EVP of Business Development. I love my POLYWOOD furniture because it’s built to last. It stands up to the North Carolina climate, is easy to clean and care for, and there are so many styles to choose from. I selected neutral tones because they’re versatile and coordinate with any look I’m going for, whether it’s fun and festive for the holidays or soft and fresh in the spring.
Multiple images of festive outdoor spaces decorated with POLYWOOD furniture and holiday decor.

The Decor

Locally made decor and lighting transformed Megan’s outdoor spaces into jolly and joyful havens. Hand-crafted greenery added earthy and organic touches and perfumed the air with hints of fresh pine. Strands of twinkling lights and her fire pit table’s cozy glow set a merry mood, and sturdy outdoor ribbons and pillows finished the festive look with pops of color.

“Fresh greenery makes such a difference—it smells amazing and really elevates the space. Plus, it's compostable,” Megan said. “I also love using pillows to add softness and texture. It's such an easy way to get your space holiday-ready.”

Multiple images of festive outdoor spaces decorated with POLYWOOD furniture and holiday decor.

Locally Made Merriment

Megan sourced her trees, garlands, and wreaths from Needmore Farms, a family-owned garden center in North Carolina. Through her role at POLYWOOD, an American company with a facility in her home state, she understands the positive impact that shopping locally has on the economy, so she always makes the extra effort to partner with local businesses.

“Shopping locally creates a ripple effect,” Megan said. “Your purchases support the livelihoods of business owners and their employees. As their companies grow and prosper, they get to reinvest in other local businesses and community causes. This promotes job creation, keeps money circulating within the community, preserves local heritage and cultural traditions, and offers countless other benefits.”

A barndominium decorated for the holidays with evergreen trees and wreaths.