Christmas decor has an expiration date. The day after New Year's, the Santas and ornaments come down, and the porch suddenly looks bare for the longest stretch of the year. That is where a cozy winter look comes in: plaid, warm reds and evergreens that feel festive in December and still look right in February.
Here is how to build a winter porch with outdoor porch pillows that carries you from the first frost all the way to spring.
Highland Plaid Wine: a tartan pillow that feels warm all winter long.
Why a winter porch instead of a Christmas porch?
A Christmas porch is a few weeks of fun. A winter porch lasts three months. By choosing designs without Santa or "Merry Christmas" on them, you decorate once in late November and do not have to touch your porch again until spring. Add a wreath and some lights in December, take those down in January, and your pillows keep the porch looking cozy and cared for.
Love the full holiday look? Read our guide to styling outdoor Christmas pillows and mix one festive pillow in with your winter set.
1. Plaid, tartan and gingham
Nothing says cozy like plaid. It reminds people of flannel shirts, wool blankets and cabins in the snow, which is exactly the feeling you want when someone walks up to your front door in January. Tartan in burgundy or brown feels classic and a little preppy; gingham and buffalo check feel more farmhouse.
Rustic Plaid Brown: brown, forest green and cream for a cabin feel.
Shop the look: Highland Plaid Wine, Rustic Plaid Brown and Painted Gingham Green. See all plaid outdoor pillows.
Good to know: our plaids and ginghams are printed designs on smooth outdoor fabric, not woven flannel. You get the cozy look with a fabric that is made to handle the weather.
2. Warm winter red
Red is the easiest way to add warmth to a gray winter day. The trick to making it last past Christmas: pick red designs with bows, berries or simple patterns instead of Santas and ornaments. They read as "winter" rather than "holiday," so they still look intentional in February, and they lead nicely into Valentine's Day.
Satin Bow Red: watercolor bows and berries that work from December through February.
Shop the look: Satin Bow Red and Holly Bow Red, or browse all red outdoor pillows.
3. Evergreen and woodland
Pine trees, cedar, pinecones and stags bring the forest to your front door. In cream, sage, deep green and chocolate brown, this look is calm and natural, and it pairs well with almost any porch: white farmhouse, dark modern or classic brick.
Block Print Stag Forest: black and cream stags on deep forest green.
Winter Bloom Cream: white winter roses, cedar and pinecones for a soft, light porch.
Shop the look: Block Print Stag Forest, Winter Bloom Cream, Pine Forest Black and Fir Stand Chocolate. See all winter outdoor pillows.
How to combine winter porch pillows
The easiest winter porch formula is one pattern, one solid-feeling design, one shared color.
- Plaid + evergreen: a burgundy tartan next to a cream pine pillow. The plaid brings warmth, the pine keeps it calm.
- Red + cream: a red bow pillow with a cream winter greenery lumbar. Crisp and bright, even on a cloudy day.
- Brown + sage: a chocolate fir tree pillow with a sage spruce design. Cozy and earthy, great with wood furniture.
Winter Pine Brown as a square and lumbar set.
Every design comes as an 18x18 inch square and a 20x14 inch lumbar. A square and lumbar in the same design always look good together, and with two or more pillows you automatically get 15% off.
Five more ideas for a cozy winter porch
- Add a throw blanket in a color from your pillows, folded over the arm of a bench.
- Swap your wreath from Christmas to a simple evergreen or dried-branch wreath in January.
- Use lanterns with battery candles for a warm glow during short winter evenings.
- Lay a doormat in plaid or a dark solid; it hides winter dirt and ties the look together.
- Fill planters with cut evergreen branches, birch sticks and pinecones; they stay green all winter.
Keeping outdoor porch pillows nice in winter
Our pillows are made of UV-resistant and water-resistant spun polyester, so damp winter days are fine. A few habits help them last:
- Prop pillows upright so rain and melting snow run off.
- Bring them inside or under cover during heavy snow, ice storms and blizzards.
- Brush off snow right away and let damp pillows dry before putting them back.
Frequently asked questions
Can outdoor pillows stay outside all winter?
On a covered porch, yes, with a little care: keep them upright, brush off snow and bring them in during heavy storms. On an open stoop, it is best to bring them in when bad weather is coming.
Are your plaid pillows made of flannel?
No. The plaid, tartan and gingham patterns are printed on smooth, water-resistant outdoor fabric. You get the cozy look in a fabric made for the outdoors.
When should I switch from Christmas to winter decor?
Most people take down Christmas decor in the first week of January. If your pillows are winter designs rather than Christmas designs, they can simply stay until spring.
Is shipping free?
Yes, shipping is free on every order within the United States.
Ready for a cozy winter porch?
Browse our winter outdoor pillows, plaid outdoor pillows and red outdoor pillows, pick a pattern and a calm partner, and enjoy a porch that feels warm all season long.