The Hidden Opportunity in Every Front Porch

In partnership with

Every neighborhood has that one house. The one that catches your eye every time you go past, no matter what time of year it is.

The wreath changes with the seasons. The pumpkins and corn stalks show up right on time in October, and Christmas lights and garland appear out of nowhere before the first snowflakes hit the ground.

You might be thinking to yourself that the people living there must have a lot of free time to be able to do that, but in fact, most of the time, the homeowners didn’t do it themselves. They hired someone.

Seasonal home decorating is a growing service business. It’s part creative, part logistics, and full of opportunity. You don’t need a design degree or a big budget to get started. Just a decent eye, a few tools, and the willingness to show up when others don’t have time.

Here are three ways you can turn that into a real business.

The Future of the Content Economy

beehiiv started with newsletters. Now, they’re reimagining the entire content economy.

On November 13, beehiiv’s biggest updates ever are dropping at the Winter Release Event.

For the people shaping the next generation of content, community, and media, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

RSVP for the Winter Release →

1. Porch and Seasonal Decorating Service

This is the simplest way to start. You create porch displays for each season or holiday. Fall, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, spring, and so on.

People love the results but don’t want to deal with the setup. You bring the planters, wreaths, garlands, or props and make the front of the house look great.

You don’t need much in the beginning. A vehicle, a few bins of decor, and a camera or phone to take photos of your work. Build your inventory by buying items on sale or in bulk during the off-season.

One porch setup can bring in $150 to $400. You can also offer small update packages when the season changes. Once people trust you, many will want to book the full year in advance.

Some decorators even offer a “porch concierge” service. They come out a few times a year and keep everything looking fresh. It’s the kind of work that markets itself.

2. Holiday and Yard Decorating Service

If you want to take on bigger projects, offer full exterior decorating. That might include Christmas lights, Halloween yard setups, spring themes, or decorations for special events.

This type of work takes more gear, more planning, and more time. But it also brings in higher-paying jobs. You’ll need ladders, extension cords, timers, bins, and weatherproof decorations that hold up in the elements.

A simple light installation might cost the homeowner $200 to $400. Larger homes or more detailed designs can go well over $1,500. Many clients will also pay for takedown and storage, which gives you more repeat business.

Good scheduling matters here. People book early, especially for holidays. You can stay busy throughout the year by offering themed setups for different seasons and events.

If you're good at layout and don’t mind working on a ladder, this can grow quickly.

3. Interior Holiday Decorating

This version of the business focuses on decorating the inside of homes. Think Christmas trees, mantels, tabletops, and full holiday scenes.

You’ll likely work with higher-end clients, short-term rental owners, or real estate agents. Some decorators even work directly with property managers to handle multiple homes.

Most clients want a high-end look without doing the work. You bring the tree, ornaments, garlands, and other pieces. Or you use what the client already owns.

Startup costs depend on how much decor you supply. But you can reuse or rent pieces from job to job. Many decorators charge $75 to $150 per hour, or $500 to $2,000 per home, depending on the size and design.

Timing is the biggest challenge. Work gets busy in the fall and early winter, then slows down. That’s when you shift gears and offer takedown, storage, or early booking for the next season.

How to Get Started

You don’t need a design background or storefront. This kind of business runs on timing, service, and helping people enjoy their homes without the stress.

Start small. Pick one neighborhood. Do a few porches. Take photos. Share your work online.

Soon, you’ll see that this isn’t just about hanging wreaths or putting up lights. It’s about helping people feel good in a space they care about.

And you can be the one they hire to make it happen.

Check out more about these business ideas at Full Throttle Start Up.

Tim