Garland does more for a holiday porch than almost anything else. It frames the door, softens the railings and ties the whole entry together. The first decision is whether to go fresh or faux.
Both can look beautiful. The right choice depends on your home, your porch and how you want the season to feel.
The case for fresh garland
Fresh garland has a depth that is hard to copy. Real boughs have natural variation in color and texture, and they bring the scent of the season right to your front door.
Fresh garland also mixes well. Cedar, magnolia, pine and winterberry can be layered together for a fuller, more natural look.
The good news for Dayton homes: cold weather is on your side. Ohio's December temperatures help fresh greenery hold its color through the holidays, especially on a covered porch out of direct sun and wind.
Fresh is a great fit if you:
Want the most natural, high-end look
Love the scent of real greenery
Have a covered or shaded entry
Like a new look each year
The case for faux garland
Good faux garland has come a long way. It holds its shape all season, does not drop needles and works in spots where fresh greenery would struggle, like a sunny, south-facing entry.
Faux can also be the easier choice for lit garland, since it holds wiring neatly, and for homes with allergies.
Faux is a great fit if you:
Have a sunny or exposed porch
Want the look to stay crisp into January
Prefer no needles on the steps
Need an allergy-friendly option
Fresh vs. faux at a glance
Look: Fresh has natural depth and variation. Faux is uniform and consistent.
Scent: Fresh, yes. Faux, no.
Best spot: Fresh for covered or shaded entries. Faux for sunny or exposed entries.
Needle drop: Fresh drops some over time. Faux drops none.
Lights: Both work well. Faux is the easiest to light.
How we decide at Three Suns
Our holiday porches use fresh greenery as the standard, because nothing else looks quite like it. But every home is different. During your walkthrough, we look at how much sun your entry gets, how it is covered and how long you want the look to last. If faux is the better fit, we design with that instead.
Either way, we handle the design, the install and the takedown after the holidays.
Curious what your porch could look like this season? Read what to expect from a Three Suns holiday porch or schedule your free walkthrough.