10 Decorating Tips for Creating a Dreamy Front Porch
You close your eyes and picture it: your dream front porch. Every last detail is planned out perfectly in your head, but you have no idea where to start.
A great front porch needs to serve several purposes: it has to feel hospitable and inviting, look beautiful and – above all else – it needs to be a place you’d like to spend time.
But creating the perfect front porch doesn’t have to be a headache. In fact, it can be downright fun!
Whether you’re completely renovating your porch or just want to spruce things up, we’ve got you covered.
1. Create a fun, warm color scheme
Odds are that if you’ve stumbled upon this article, you’ve already got this bit covered. But in case you’re a DIY-newbie, the first step is to conceptualize the color scheme you want for your perfect porch.
Browse the aisles of your local home improvement store and see what looks good to you. A bit of color does absolute wonders for a front porch and can make your house the envy of the neighborhood.
Don’t forget about your front door, either! A colored door is a great way to accent your front porch. If you need some inspiration, check out Pintrest and see what others have come up with.
2. Clean up shrubs and weeds
You probably cringed as you read that, but don’t fret, landscaping doesn’t need to be a monstrous task. Sure, it’ll take a little elbow grease, but it’s oh-so worth the effort in the long run!
Dedicate a weekend to cleaning up weeds, stray branches and unruly bushes in front of your porch. It may not be fun, but your front porch will thank you for the care.
3. Create a small garden next to your front porch
Now that you’ve got a gorgeous and clean area next to your dream porch, it’s time to make use of the new, wide-open space. Think of this new area as a canvas for your green thumb!
The addition of a small garden can make the difference between a good front porch and a great front porch. Find out what greenery will work best with your front porch’s color scheme and head to your local nursery or home improvement store to pick up some plants.
4. Don’t skimp on the patio furniture
What’s the point of having a great front porch if you and your company can’t sit and appreciate it? Not to worry, we can help!
Pick up a great sectional or glider rocker for you and your guests to enjoy.
You’ll also want to pick up a quality doormat. A doormat doesn’t just keep dirt and debris from entering your home, it’s a simple and effective way to highlight the rest of your porch. Think of it as the garnish on an already beautiful dish.
Finally, you’re going to want a table so you and your guests can enjoy food and beverages as well as great conversation.
5. Accentuate your front porch with flowers and plants
Just like a good welcome mat does wonders for a gorgeous porch, adding plants and flowers can separate the good porches from the truly outstanding ones.
Aside from creating oxygen and helping the environment, flowers and plants can make your porch smell great. They work towards creating a multi-sensory experience for your guests.
Imagine how serene your porch will feel on a warm, spring evening as you sit with your loved ones taking in the beauty of botany.
There’s no shortage of great plants and flowers. Get creative!
6. Incorporate lighting
Everybody has fantasies about sitting on their front porch at night. Many of us imagine listening to the crickets and birds as they enjoy the evening.
The addition of soft lighting is a great way to create an easygoing atmosphere and make your fantasy a reality.
Whether you choose a free-flowing hanging light or an exotic sconce, your lighting options don’t have to be costly! Even your local Target has great options for every budget. Just a basic set of candles can make a huge difference.
7. Use items you already have around the house
We’ve talked a lot about creativity so far, but here’s where you’ll need the most imagination. Take a moment to look around your home. What items do you have sitting around that aren’t getting the attention they deserve?
Consider implementing them into your front porch decor for a fun, personalized flair.
Throw pillows or cushions make for a great option, particularly if you like to sew.
8. Add a creative sign
If you’re not keen on the idea of a doormat, here’s a fantastic alternative! Add a chalkboard to create custom messages welcoming friends and loved ones to your home.
Etsy is a great place to pick up a gorgeous sign or chalkboard that’ll add a homey and unique element to your front porch!
9. Your front porch should be an extension of your living room
Have you ever visited someone and found their front porch to be less than inviting? A good front porch needs to feel like an extension of the homeowner(s). Make it feel an extension of your living room and you’ll be the hub of your neighborhood.
If you’ve followed our tips so far, you should already be on your way to creating a great atmosphere. Think about what makes your home such a cozy place, then take those elements and think about how you can transfer that feeling to your porch.
In fact, you may come to prefer your porch to your living room!
10. Switch things up each season
You’ve done a fantastic job decorating your front porch and giving it a warm inviting vibe. But now those decorations are out of season! What do you do?
A quarterly redecorating doesn’t need to bend your budget. It can actually become a fun tradition!
- Pastels are great for spring
- Lush, green colors bring thoughts of summer
- Browns and darker yellows for fall
- White and light blue make your porch a winter wonderland
As you can see, it’s quite easy to create your very own dreamy front porch, even on if you don’t have much money.
Let us know your great tips for creating the ultimate front porch!