Remember the days of sitting on your parents’ porch and waving "Hi" to the neighbors? Perhaps you visited your grandparents and looked forward to rocking on their front porch swing while sipping tea. Today, this central spotcan be where some of your home's most pleasant moments happen. How should you decorate your front porch?
Create an inviting look with our best porch decorating ideas.
Will a Porch Add to My Outdoor Space?
Yes, porches play an important role by adding to your outdoor space in fun and interesting ways. They are key to your home's curb appeal.
A house's most common design structure, front porches, became popular in the United States in the mid-19th century. Around this time, people raised their families in individual homes rather than tall buildings. A front porch was a way to be outside while still being sheltered.
Porches also became a place for families to relax after dinner and chat with neighbors. In the decades since, they have become a more elaborate and decorative feature of American homes.
A porch is described as a covered area attached to and projecting from the front of a house with three open sides. It protects the front entrance from damaging weather and serves as the transition between a home's inside and outside.
Generally, front porches extend only from the front. Those that wrap around the sides are called verandas.
The Benefits of an Engaging Front Porch
Since porches are part of the home's design and structure, they usually share some of the property's characteristics. This includes flooring, paint color, or other elements from inside the house.
Check out ways they add to your home decor. Having a porch:
- Improves home aesthetics
- Keeps you and guests drier upon exiting/entering
- Provides an extra socializing area
- Increases natural light
- Increases curb appeal
Not surprisingly, a successful porch design is known to increase home value. According to reports, adding a porch will provide an average of nearly 85% return on investment. Therefore, if you do not have a porch, consider adding one for your enjoyment and financial gain.
How Do You Decorate a Front Porch?
Beautiful porches improve curb appeal. Therefore, whether you have a porch already or decide to add one, it is in a home's best interest to create the most inviting porch possible. Here are some great ideas to get you started.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
First comes the work. Before you begin decorating your front porch, inspect the foundation. How does it look? Now is the time to thoroughly clean the porch. Get rid of the grime, bugs, nests, and unsightly debris.
Consider power washing, especially if it’s been a while and you need to remove years of caked-on dirt. Before you think about decorating ideas, make structural repairs, upgrades, or additions. You should also prime and paint. Then you’re ready for the fun part!
The Front Door
This is the focal point of your home. A front door is what most people see when driving or walking by. Have you always wanted to paint the door a different color than the rest of the house?
This is an especially good idea if your porch is dark or the same color as your home without any contrast. Make the door a lighter color that complements the color you painted on the porch. You can also paint the trim around the door a different shade if you’re going for a more subtle look.
Consider adding decorative lanterns, wall-mounted mailboxes, or planters to flank the front door. Do you want to include extra touches like a mezuzah, if you’re Jewish, or a decorative plaque that has your name or house number engraved? Some families want to include a post so they can hang a flag next to their door.
Last but not least, don’t forget the doormat. You can go for traditional or something more modern. Think about ways to incorporate the colors if your door, trim, and porch are different. The right doormat can really tie it all together.
The Seating Area
Even when you shut the blinds, close the curtains, or dim the lights, a well-decorated porch invites people in. Consider the space. Think about the size and your intentions for it. Hopefully, you want a comfortable seating area.
If your porch can only accommodate a rocking chair and side table, then so be it. Add some colorful pillows or cushions to the chair and some coasters or a candle to the table.
A porch with more space might call for a cozy couch or bench. Center the seating area around a rug and add an ottoman or two. Similar to the inside of your home, an engaging front porch looks better with a lived-in feel.
Plants
Putting plants and flowers on your front porch enhances the look of your house and makes it feel like an active home. Consider a variety of plants and put them in colorful pots. If you’re a fan of the minimalist look, maybe different-looking green plants with more neutral planters are the way to go.
Check with a local florist or botanist for plant ideas that might naturally deter spiders, mosquitos, or wasps. You can also find plants that smell pleasing and invite butterflies, hummingbirds, or other wanted visitors.
Place smaller groupings or large planters all over the place. This includes the stairs, at either side of the front door, and on tables. What about flower pot boxes under the front-facing windows? This is an especially good idea if you have a small front porch.
Add trees for height or hanging plants and flowers for extra charm. A hanging plant from the porch ceiling is another great option.
If you struggle to keep potted plants fresh or alive all year, or have budgetary constraints, consider purchasing realistic-looking faux plants. Faux plants stay green and alive forever.
Get Started
Don’t forget to maintain your lawn. Add seasonal or holiday decorations for a more engaging front porch all year long.
If you put thought into your home’s exterior, including the landscaping, it makes sense to consider the front porch, too. Learning how to decorate a front porch is fun and improves curb appeal. For more ideas, visit Post & Porch Mailboxes and Exterior Home Decor.