15 Front Porch Ideas To Make Your House Look Good
- 15 Ideas to Update your Front Porch
- Clean It
- Clear the Clutter
- The Front Door
- Replace Old Hardware
- Update Lighting
- Create Seating
- Add Flowers and Greenery
- Add a Rug (Or Two)
- Use Paint
- Add a Firepit or Heater
- Add Wood Accents
- Add Columns
- Consider an Expansion
- Add Shade
- Install a Ceiling Fan
- Go Beyond the Front Porch
- Conclusion
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A front porch is an integral part of your home.
Many people ask how can I make my front porch look good?
It doesn’t matter if your porch is big or small, wide or narrow, covered or uncovered, it can be decorated to make a lasting impression on your guests and neighbors alike.
You don’t need to spend a fortune either.
So, how do you decorate a front porch on a budget?
With a little imagination and creativity, you can have an eye-catching front porch that you can be proud of without breaking the bank.
From planters to lighting, to simple design additions, there are plenty of ways to get creative with your front porch and add some curb appeal without spending a fortune.
Here are 15 tips that will help you upgrade your front porch without breaking the budget (no matter what size your porch is).
I will go into greater details below, and then give ideas for going beyond the front porch!
15 Ideas to Update your Front Porch
- Clean it
- Clear the clutter
- The front door
- Replace old hardware
- Update lighting
- Create seating
- Add flowers and greenery
- Add a rug (or two)
- Use paint
- Add a fire pit or heater
- Add wood accents
- Add columns
- Consider an expansion
- Add shade
- Install a ceiling fan
Clean It
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth addressing.
Have you ever noticed that your front door collects cobwebs and bugs and dirt?
Those things also gather around the light fixtures and whatever else you have set out.
It starts in the corners and along the roofline.
It’s amazing how fresh your front porch looks after it’s been sprayed down, or had all the cobwebs and dead bugs cleaned up.
So, my first tip is to simply give it a good cleaning!
Clear the Clutter
The last thing you want your front porch to do is to become a storage area for all of your junk.
It’s uninviting, unattractive, and unconsciously adds stress.
Find a spot for the things that are creating clutter.
Where do the shoes go? Where do the toys go? Do the bikes go on the porch?
Probably not.
Give everything a home and you’ll create an environment on your porch where you’ll love to gather and relax.
The Front Door
The main focal point of your front porch is the front door.
Changing the look of your front door can dramatically update the appearance of your home.
Painting The Front Door
The more affordable option would be painting your front door. This is a fun option!
You can go light and bright or choose a color that’s moody and deep.
Whatever you decide, a fresh coat of paint will give your door a facelift and an instant upgrade.
Purchasing a New Door
If your door doesn’t fit the style of your home or is in rough shape, consider replacing it with one that’s more in line with your taste.
Your front door lets you show off your personal style.
As you decide which type of door is best for you, think about how much upkeep you’re willing to do, the architectural style of your home, and how much light you want coming into your entryway.
Different Types and Styles of Front Doors
Different types of front doors are more common in different regions of the country.
Many homes have slab-style front doors with no paneling.
Panel style doors are also very common. They are made from either wood or fiberglass and have raised or recessed panels on the front of the door.
These styles can be used to create a classic colonial look if you choose a door that is painted white with a top light window (called a “transom”) above it.
Many homes feature Craftsman-style front doors.
This type of door features glass windows with wooden borders and a heavy wooden door that is usually stained to show off the grain of the wood.
When you’re considering the look and style that you want for your front door, I would suggest moving away from a panel door. It has a “builder-grade” feel to it. Go for a more custom feel with something that is either modern, traditional, or craftsman.
A modern door will have bold and sleek lines.
Traditional doors will be made of wood and could have some ornate work, or be arched and have interesting details.
A craftsman door is one that you’ll commonly find in cottages and bungalows.
Many doors (in any style) can also have windows in them. Consider if that is something that you’d like to have in your home.
Replace Old Hardware
Replacing old hardware with new, modern hardware can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your front door.
(This is one of my favorite front porch ideas.)
Go beyond the door though: what other fixtures need replacing?
Do you have house numbers that could be updated?
Our mailbox is hung on the brick right next to our front door. It was badly in need of replacing.
It made a big impact when we got a new, more modern one that wasn’t rusty.
That brings me to my next tip.
Update Lighting
The type of lighting fixtures that are used around your front door can also change the look of your home and make it appear more stylish.
Consider the types of lighting that you currently have.
Is it old-looking and outdated?
Updating the lighting will add a new, fresh look to your home.
We did this with an outdated chandelier in our kitchen and the impact was powerful. You take take a peak at it here.
Use modern fixtures that are inviting and friendly.
You don’t want to have harsh lights on your front porch, but rather soft lights that welcome people when they come to your home.
Have fun with it!
Try choosing light fixtures that are oversized and really make a statement.
Whatever you decide, keep in mind that the type of fixture you choose should match the style and color of your house.
Add Accent Lighting
Accent lighting can change the mood of your entire porch area, making it warm and inviting during the evening and night.
You can use accent lights to illuminate a specific area, or some of your favorite plants, trees, or architectural elements in or around the front porch.
Consider adding a series of pathway lights along the perimeter of the porch.
Using accent lighting warms up the space so that it feels more inviting. It becomes an extension of your home’s interior, which will make you want to spend even more time there.
Create Seating
Front porches are a classic American feature, and many people spend months each year relaxing on their porch, enjoying their neighborhood, and greeting friends, family, and neighbors as they walk by.
Your front porch has the potential to be a relaxing place to spend an afternoon or evening.
It can become a gathering place for family and friends.
The best way to invite that feeling is to create a place to sit.
You may be like me, and not have any space for seating. If that’s the case, then we’ll have to do without this option.
But most porches allow for one or two chairs.
And some allow for even more!
When you’re creating a space for seating, try out a few different arrangements.
On our back patio, I was so unhappy with our seating options. I was convinced that I needed to buy all new furniture.
I decided to try laying things out differently, and I ended up loving the new layout!
Plus, it saved me hundreds of dollars not buying new patio furniture.
Lesson learned.
Try different placements until you find something that you love and that fits in your space.
Add Flowers and Greenery
One of the easiest front porch ideas is to add plants and greenery to your space.
They add color, texture, and height.
But you have to make sure that you are adding plants or trees that will survive the season.
Here are some tips on how to add plants and greenery to your front porch:
1. Make sure the size of the plant matches the space available
2. Choose a variety of textures, leaves, and shapes
3. Look for plants that require little water, sun, etc
4. Add seasonal pops of color with flowers
Also, consider planting shrubs along the side of your house too!
Our flower beds run along the entire perimeter of our home. They were very overgrown when we first moved in.
We prefer a streamlined, modern look, so we cleared everything out and planted simple bushes.
We love how it looks now!
Add a Rug (Or Two)
Rugs are a lovely addition to any space. They’re like the icing on the cake.
They add texture and color and are a great way to finish off a space.
Just be aware that you’ll want to choose a rug that’s durable enough to withstand the elements.
If it gets too dirty, you can always hose it down or grab a power washer to give it a deep clean.
If you have enough room for more than one rug, you can add an area rug inside your seating area as well.
This can help define different “zones” on your porch and add visual appeal without breaking the bank.
If you only have room for a rug next to the front door, consider layering two rugs.
Get an extra-large one for the bottom and add one on top.
This adds an extra bit of style in a tight space.
Use Paint
Front porches are a great place to add paint because it often does not require the same level of commitment that painting the exterior of your house does.
The front porch can be seen as an extension of your interior living space and an opportunity to create more visual interest for passersby and visitors.
You can paint the floor of your front porch.
This will work well if you have either concrete or wood flooring.
If you’re feeling daring, try painting the ceiling of your porch!
It’s a fun way to add contrast and style and isn’t something you see everyone else doing.
And then there’s always the front door, which we covered earlier.
Add a Firepit or Heater
This is one of the most fun of all my front porch ideas!
If you have room, you can create a hot spot on the front porch with a fire pit or heater.
Who doesn’t love to sit outside on a cold night and enjoy the warmth of a fire pit?
You can easily purchase portable fire pits that will provide enough heat to enjoy your porch during the cooler months.
Now you will be able to comfortably enjoy your outdoor living space for much more of the year.
You’ve created an outdoor room that is comfortable and cozy!
Add Wood Accents
Another option for your porch is adding some wood accents.
Try adding some shiplap or some wood beams to your to give your porch ceiling character.
It’s a small change that will go a long way towards improving your exterior space.
Add Columns
An easy way to add style is by installing columns to define the space of the front porch.
Columns can be purchased at most home improvement stores and come in a variety of designs and materials, including wood, stone, and aluminum.
You can also add decorative trim around the base or top of the columns for added interest.
Consider an Expansion
If you have the funds, consider adding an expansion to your porch to add more room.
You could also enclose the space with a screen or glass panels for privacy and to keep the bugs out.
If you have a raised front porch, you could add a low-rise deck to the ground level directly outside of it.
The double-decker setup is great for entertaining, especially for large groups.
Or simply use the bottom porch as an outdoor living space where you can relax all by yourself.
Add Shade
Consider adding shade to your front porch if there isn’t any there already.
Shade helps keep you and your guests comfortable and cool, protecting them from the sun’s harsh rays. It also protects outdoor furniture, keeping it from fading or becoming hot to the touch.
There are a variety of ways to add shade to your front porch.
You can install a retractable awning, add some fabric to posts, install a pergola, or build out the roofline to create an overhang.
Install a Ceiling Fan
If you have a covered porch, you can use outdoor ceiling fans to circulate air and keep everyone cool.
An added bonus!
Go Beyond the Front Porch
Taking pride in the appearance of your front porch is a wonderful thing and can add to the curb appeal of your home.
But what about expanding these front porch ideas into the rest of your property?
Look to your yard
How can you make your yard look better?
Does your grass need a little TLC? Can you add flower beds, bushes, or trees to create more appeal and beauty?
Fence
Do you have a fence? Is it in need of any repairs?
Does it need to be painted or stained?
Or should you install a fence if you don’t have one and need one?
Weeds
Ah, weeds.
Removing weeds from the cracks in your sidewalk, driveway, grass, and flower beds does so much in increasing the appeal of your home.
And it shows that you care about the beauty of your home and property.
Paint the House
This is a big one.
It is no small task to paint an entire house.
But boy is the impact amazing.
If your home needs a new paint job, consider all of your options and start budgeting for it!
Conclusion
Your front porch is what sets the stage for all the other amazing features of your home. It’s the gateway that welcomes you home at the end of a long day.
It doesn’t matter if your porch is big or small, wide or narrow, covered or uncovered, it can be decorated to make a lasting impression on your guests and neighbors alike.
You don’t need to spend a fortune either! With a little imagination and creativity, you can have an eye-catching front porch that you can be proud of without breaking the bank.
I truly hope these 15 front porch ideas have helped to inspire and motivate you to create a home that you love.
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