Porch Decorating Tips!

Why would you decorate your porch?

Your front porch is the first experience people will have of your home. To improve your home's curb appeal, ideas like a fresh coat of paint won't be enough.

Whether you want to wow your visitors, get ready to sell your home, or spend more time in this often neglected outdoor space, your porch is the first impression of your home anyone will get.

A distinct porch can help people spot your house from the street and let you soak up the sun without too much effort. An eye-catching exterior also gives your neighbours a chance to start a conversation.

Keep reading to find some porch decorating ideas because your front yard deserves some extra style too.

Pick a theme for your porch.

Rather than swinging down to the store and taking all of their porch accessories back home, think of the theme you want for your porch decor.

You could go for a natural theme, emphasizing potted plants and colourful flowers. An evergreen wreath can also add a layer of greenery that most reserve for the holidays - nothing says you can't replace it with a festive wreath instead during the holidays.

A nautical theme isn't a bad idea either, if you live in a seaside town or you are decorating your beach house, think of seashells and nautical ropes to hang up mini planters.

Going with a certain colour can also make your porch pop. A vibrant purple or yellow exterior would be eye-catching especially if paired with some white pillars and railing like this beautiful home. Whether you go with a rich, dark red or something more vibrant, your porch should reflect your personality and likes.

If you have a great idea that will make sure yours is nothing like the neighbourhoods' porches then you may have to get in touch with local contractors but be sure to map out how far you're willing to go before committing.

Try not to pick a theme that clashes with the rest of your home's exterior, front porches need to feel like a part of the whole and create or complete a harmonious whole.

Often neglected detail: the front door.

The front door is one of the key pieces of your porch. Many people stick with a classic front door or just use the one that came with the house. However, the entry to your home can also add interest to your home and porch. The best porch decorating ideas incorporate the front door in inventive ways.

If you're going forward with a nautical theme, for example, then painting the door so it looks like it was made out of driftwood or materials that belong on a ship will bring an extra punch to your chosen style.

An easy way to incorporate the front door is with a simple paint job where you use the space to create a story inviting your guests in. If your front porch is very green and full of plants, then a dark brown front door surrounded by plants can create the idea that your guests are walking into a house that's part of a forest.

The front porch space.

The bulk of what we're talking about. Let's face it, not everyone wants to paint a story on their front door. That doesn't mean that you can't do something nice with your home's exterior.

The front porch is something that can have more room in your life as a family. If you looked at movies envious of late-night conversations by 'porch-light', then it's time to do more than slap a welcome mat and leave the cracked pot on the railing.

Whether you're inspired by the movies or just want a fun space to relax with the people in your house, you need to treat the front porch a little more like other rooms in your home.

Proper seating is essential. The lightly rocking chair is a classic but you can find hanging couches that can make the experience more fun.

Given that chairs like that need to hook into the ceiling and affect the weight supported by your awning, it might be best to leave the installation to a local contractor - but if you or someone in your family feels confident in following the step by step instructions that come with furniture like that, give it a shot.

Just be sure to test it before sitting on it.

Just like you have rugs inside, investing in a good outdoor rug can help members of your household feel more comfortable. Make sure to get something that's easy to clean and that's not eye-catching when it gets slightly dirty.

To create a cozy space for you and yours, adding a lot of easily cared-for plants will make the area feel more inviting. There are links between plants and mental health - that's why almost everyone knows someone who got very much into plants during the pandemic.

It's important not to overdo it, no one wants to relax in a crowded space inside, and the same thing applies to the created space outside.

Chimes, feeders, and ambience

A staple of North American porches, chimes add a little music to the outdoors. To some, the sparkle of the chime and the clear notes they emanate remind them of home. If that sounds appealing, then make sure you are investing in chimes that create a cozy atmosphere.

A lot of people, especially recently with a push toward sustainable living, have begun incorporating bird feeders in their exterior decor.

The shade of a front porch can shelter small birds from the sun while giving them a comfortable area to eat. Hanging feeders are sometimes paired with chimes but most birds actually prefer the quiet. If you plan on having both chimes and bird feeders, it's best to put some room between them.

Landscaping near your porch

The front porch is a great part of the home's curb appeal but no porch decorating ideas would be complete without addressing the yard.

A front porch is the meeting place between the green of your garden and your home. As such, look at adding planters near the porch and have flowers full of colour matching your porch decor to enhance the whole package.

Don't let overgrowth take over your front porch, keeping things neat (as much as possible with a porch) will add to its inviting nature.

If you have furniture on the front porch, then it's also a good idea to make sure that it isn't obstructing the lighting for some of the potted greenery you have.

Your porch decor and its style can change drastically based on the time of day.

Keeping your front porch well lit is a way to keep it inviting to the people in your home. A good rule of thumb is that you should feel drawn to the porch from the driveway.

Good lighting is also very important if you have windows by your porch. A brightly lit porch is more than cozy, it feels safe. After all, it's still outside and the closest part of your home to the street.

To make the most out of your lighting, invest in a decor that works well in low-light environments. Not too crowded, full of natural materials, and arranged in a way not to create long shadows.

What not to do

Here are a couple of things that you should not do when it comes to your front porch accessories, decor, and curb appeal.

Hiding your house numbers

Some people get overzealous with their porch decorating ideas and end up covering up critical information for mail and package delivery.

Not only would this cause you to miss out on deliveries, but it can also make it hard for people to find out if they are visiting. It's also worth mentioning that it may be illegal to hide your house numbers from the street.

Being too quirky

It's your house but the exterior can still come under the scrutiny of your homeowners' association.

If you want to make your home look like a bar from the outside with a little neon close sign, then your neighbours might have something to say about that.

Make it hard to match accessibility guidelines

If you need to make your home accessible for a wheelchair after an accident or a new addition to the family, then having made too many modifications to your front porch can make future changes expensive and time-consuming.

The entry to your home isn't the same as the entry to a local business with regards to accessibility but curb appeal doesn't have to come at the cost of accessibility.

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