Great Front Porch Ideas for Your Home

We all love relaxing on our front porch in the cool summer evening, chatting with friends and neighbours as they pass by. If you are looking for inspiration and ideas on how to update your porch, tips on how to make the most of a small porch, or whether you are considering going the whole nine yards and adding a porch to the front of your house, we've got you covered in this blog post...

How can I decorate the front of my house?

The front of your house is the most public aspect of your home. People are always talking about 'street appeal' and it's for good reason. Passers-by and guests will form an instant impression as soon as they enter your front gate.

Your porch or entrance way is an extension of your interior decor. It should speak to the style and personality of the rest of your home. So whatever you embrace indoors - farmhouse, rustic, vintage, mid century modern or contemporary for example - make sure this style is reflected out front too.

How can I make my front porch look good?

What makes a good front porch? When designing your ultimate porch front, you'll want to consider the following:

• Furniture - primarily chairs or benches, maybe a table. Proportion and style are key here. Make sure your furniture isn't too big or small, and is in keeping with the style of your home.
• Accessories - throws, cushions, rugs, candles and lanterns will add personality and warmth to your set up.
• Lighting - keep it soft and gentle.
• Plants - flowers and greenery add colour and vibrancy to your porch space, while at the same time softening the edges.
• Front Door - the focal point of any porch design. Make sure your front door resonates with your homes decor and style.

How can I update my front porch?

Here are a few front porch ideas for those looking to refresh without doing a complete overhaul:

• Create a cosy seating area. Picture a pair of wide wicker armchairs with a sheepskin rug and a couple of patchwork cushions.
• Try stringing of set of outdoor cafe lights along the front of your porch for a bit of playfulness and whimsy.
• Frame your front door with symmetrical potted trees on each side . Or up your street style with a fun and playful doormat.
• Introduce colour with some seasonal flowers in hanging planters or window boxes. Or try grouping different sized planters together in one corner of your porch.

How do I decorate my front porch on a budget?

If you are on a tight budget, then simply painting your front door is one way to get bang for your buck. Being the focal point of the front of your home, any changes to your front door will be noticed by visitors and passers by alike.

If you aren't afraid of a bit of colour, try painting your front door in a bright blue, yellow, pink or red. Something fun and unexpected. If you like things more restrained and classic, you can't go past a glossy black front door, especially if you have planters each side with gorgeous green foliage.

Another option is to focus on the accessories. You can pick up fabulous candles, lanterns, cushions and planters from vintage and second hand shops as well as online. Get creative and have some fun!

What can I do with a small front porch?

Small front porches are cosy intimate spaces that can be used as reading nooks or lounging spots. If your home is also small, you'll want to make the most of the extra space and make it feel like a natural extension of your living space.

Using height is a great way to make the most of a small porch. Try hanging a cane or wire porch swing. Make it cosy and snug with a shaggy sheepskin throw and a cushion or two. A great spot for teenagers when they need a bit of extra 'space' or for Mum and Dad when they need a cup of tea and a bit of time out!

How do you make a small front porch look bigger?

Say you've got a small porch, how can you make it feel bigger without having to pick up a hammer? The feeling of spaciousness can be achieved simply by styling your porch in a particular way. Here are a couple of tips you can try:

• Keep your furniture minimal. Too much furniture means your porch space will feel crowded and busy. Choose pieces with tapered legs, which are up off the floor. This will help it feel more spacious too.
• Add in a rug to draw the eye. Make sure you rug is large enough to encompass all your furniture, as this will help the whole space feel bigger.
• Keep the style of your front porch consistent with the decor inside your home. This will make your porch feel more like an extension of your home.
• Choose tall plants for your containers or hang planters from the ceiling.

Is adding a front porch worth it?

The exterior of your home is what people see first. A well appointed front yard, entranceway or porch will create a good first up impression and go a long way to enhance your street appeal.

Adding a front porch can also provide you with valuable bonus living space. It could simply be an extra cosy spot where you can sit and read a book or watch the world go by, away from the demands and noise of family life.

If space allows, you could even create an outdoor dining space, especially if you add a covered porch, for al fresco dining on long summer evenings.

How much does it cost to build a front porch?

It's hard to give a definitive answer to the question of costs. Actual costs will depend very much on where you are living - the cost of builders, contractors and materials vary from country to country as well as city to city. You will need to do your own research.

One thing we would say, is that it's best not to scrimp on your front porch if you don't have too. After all, it has a huge impact on the look and feel of your home and makes a huge first impression. Do it once, do it right!

What is a good size for a front porch?

The most important thing is that your porch space is in proportion to your house. You'll want a comfortable and workable size, but not too large that it overpowers everything else. You might want to consult a designer or architect to help you get this right.

What is the best flooring for a front porch?

Again, there's no one answer to this question. Your porch flooring doesn't have to match what's inside you home, but if they are different they should at least complement each other. Seamless and complementary are best if you want your porch to feel part of your house, as opposed to an after-thought or extension.

If you have slate stone floors for example, consider natural stone flooring outside too. If you have a wooden villa, consider wooden floor for your porch too. You can always paint in a colour of your choice.

Remember too, a rug on the floor of your porch is a great way to draw the eye, soften the space and make it feel cosy and inviting.

We could talk front porches ideas all day! They can be personal and intimate spaces for catching up with friends, escaping for some 'me' time, even al fresco dining if the conditions are right. Whether its refreshing your furniture, planting or lighting, adding in some soft touches with rugs and sheepskin throws, it easy to update your front porch without too much expense or hassle.