12 Front Porch Decorating Ideas to Enhance Your Home's Curb Appeal

Interior designers share their best front porch decorating tips.

While your front facade offers the first impression of your home from the street, it's the porch that can really make an impact on visitors. It’s where people stand as they wait for you to come to the door, serves as an extension of your inside space, and plays a key role in overall curb appeal.

"Your front porch sets the tone and can instantly elevate the experience that someone has when they come to your home," says Audrey Scheck, an interior designer based in Austin, Texas. "And for the homeowner, it provides a calming sense of comfort in transitioning between the outside world and home life."

These simple front porch decorating ideas recommended by interior designers prove that transforming your porch doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.

Related: These Small Front Porch Ideas Will Help Maximize Your Space

Declutter and Repair

In the same way it’s important to routinely declutter the inside of your home, it’s a good idea to assess your front porch and make any necessary edits.

Start by getting rid of any decorative pieces that are either beyond repair or aren’t serving your desired aesthetic. Also inspect your front porch and make note of anything that needs repair. Maybe it’s a door hinge that needs tightening, a window frame that requires attention, or a broken hand railing.

Now is also a good time to wipe down surfaces, nix cobwebs, and sweep the floor. These tiny housekeeping changes can make a notable difference in the look and feel of your front porch on their own.

Paint the Front Door

Seeking a fun weekend project that’ll notably enhance your home’s curb appeal? Grab the paintbrush and give your front door a fresh coat of paint. You can choose the same color as before or branch out and try a new hue.

“Painting the door a color that is different from the color of your house helps create dimension and welcomes guests with its intentionality," says Brooklyn-based interior designer Lexi Brandfon. "Making sure your front door is in a glossy sheen will help it resist looking beat up as it's a high-traffic area. The gloss will also highlight the door’s architectural features."

As for which color to choose, try to stick to your home’s color palette, advises Erin Sander, an interior designer based in Dallas, Texas. She likes pale earthy tones for a nice contrast, or you can opt for some drama with a shade of black, green, or red. 

Related: 15 Paint Colors for Your Front Door That Make Your Home More Inviting

Add Some Bench Seating

Fill an awkward space on your front porch with a utilitarian bench, complete with outdoor pillows. It'll make an easy spot to sit and watch passersby, as well as a place to put bags down to open the front door or pull off a set of muddy rainboots before entering the house.

Create an Outdoor Living Room

When space allows, extend your living space to your porch by adding comfortable outdoor furniture. Think outdoor sofas with plush seating, Adirondack chairs you can sink into, or a swing that’ll help create a breeze on those especially muggy summer days.

“Porches are a great space to incorporate fun furniture pieces like gliding benches, wooden rocking chairs, and suspended swings. Also, try grounding the furniture with an outdoor rug and coffee table,” Scheck says. “When designing porches, we aim to create a space that will feel like an outdoor living room by adding décor elements such as lanterns and weatherproof vessels.”

Related: 20 Beautiful Outdoor Furniture Pieces That Look Like They Belong Indoors

Rethink Your Hardware

Consider swapping out your old door handles or door knockers, and other metal fixtures around the front porch, such as handrails, rail casting, and house numbering. These small details may not feel like they amount to much, but you'll be surprised at how fresh and modern new hardware feels. If you like the hardware you already have, consider cleaning or polishing it instead.

Add Fresh Plants in Beautiful Pots and Baskets

While your yard offers quite a bit by way of fresh greenery, weaving plants into your front porch design can make this space feel all the more inviting. It also creates a more seamless transition from outdoors to inside and vice versa.

Have fun with pots and plants in all shapes and sizes, says Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer at Marian Louise Design. "Layer tall with short, gray concrete with cream glazed, and then add some evergreen plants," she says. "I love mixing seasonal color varieties to further soften and liven up your front porch space."

For a fun infusion of charm, source vintage pots from a flea market or antique shop or purchase handmade pots from local artists. Also, consider playing with texture and height by adding hanging plants tucked inside macrame holders or baskets. 

Add a Hanging Swing

If you have the space, a hanging porch swing is a lovely addition. Not only does it add functional seating to your space, but it gives the porch a light and airy feel as well.

Update Light Fixtures

Lighting sets the tone inside, and the same rings true for your front porch. "At night, you want to feel particularly good about coming back from work after a long day or when guests come over for dinner," Brandfon says. "Outdoor sconces have improved greatly in design recently, and you can get really unique fixtures that relate to your style on the inside of your house."

If your front porch becomes an extension of your living space with benches, chairs, or a swing, you’ll definitely want to have some mood lighting so you can enjoy the space in the evenings. Scheck agrees, adding, "When space allows, we like to layer exterior lighting by using a combination of wall sconces and hanging lights to bring depth and visual interest to the porch."

Related: 25 Ideas for Boosting Your Home's Curb Appeal—for Less Than $100

Refresh Your Stairs

Steps get a lot of wear and tear thanks to traveling feet and extreme weather. Over time, paint can fade, wood becomes dull, and concrete can start to chip or wear away. This quickly interferes with curb appeal, so take care to make sure your steps look great. Maybe this looks like a small project, such as sanding and staining/painting wood or filling in cracks, or perhaps it’s more of an overhaul.

Lean Into the Season

Decorating your front porch according to the season is a fun way to show some spirit. Plus, it keeps neighbors and visitors on their toes about what to expect when they drive by or come for a visit. You can go big here depending on just how into the season or holiday you are, or you can opt for more subtle touches via wreaths or small pieces of decor.

If you’re not a fan of decorating for specific holidays, consider just decorating according to the season. Maybe that looks like bright-colored flowers in spring and summer, and a simple white theme come winter.

Add a Welcome Mat

It might seem like the smallest detail, but a welcome mat is a great opportunity to show off a little personality and help people feel like treasured guests. You can even have it customized with your family’s name or a phrase you love. Welcome mats are also super functional since they keep dirt and mud from tracking into your home. Shake yours out about once a month and give it a good rinse so it stays fresh.

Make the Interior Entryway Beautiful

If any portion of your front porch allows a peek into your home—perhaps via a glass door or window—make sure that what’s on the other side makes a nice statement. For instance, Sander loves a custom round table in a larger entryway, which creates a buffer of privacy while still looking chic.

Also, keep in mind that your entryway is the first part of your home that a guest sees, so try to keep this area clean, organized, and inviting. Storage space for belongings, a coat rack, and warm overhead lighting can all go a long way.

Related: 13 Small Entryway Ideas That Make a Big First Impression

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.