If you want to refresh your house and increase its curb appeal, the front porch is a brilliant place to start with. Transforming your front porch isn’t an easy task, mainly because it’s the first place visitors encounter and gives them an expectation of the house’s interior. Luckily, there’s a lot of opportunity to add creativity by providing seating and decor that play with the exterior’s aesthetics and connect the indoors with the outdoors.
This article collects some simple yet effective designer ideas to make your entryway more inviting than ever.
#1 Turn Your Front Porch Into a Green Paradise
No front porch is complete without vegetation surrounding it aside from a plain lawn. Make yours pop by embracing the colours of nature.
Decorate the area around your porch with lovely shrubs and flowers. This upgrade will also make the pathway leading to it stand out a lot more. Surround it with small shrubs or hedges, forming a short barrier.
Besides that, front porches are the perfect display areas for plant collections. When placing the pots around it, go for shade-loving varieties with an abundance of colour. Some good examples of such plants are Begonias, Persian Shield and Oxalis.
#2 Make Your Front Door Stand Out
The front door is probably the first thing visitors notice about your porch and the first part of your house they’ll interact with. Making it stand out will help you make an excellent first impression. Fortunately, there are many ways to spruce it up.
Paint your front door. It’s something you can almost never go wrong with. However, it’s crucial to choose a colour that isn’t only eye-catching but also matches the style and exterior of your house. For example, if your home is in a neutral shade, you can safely choose almost any bright contrasting colour. If your front porch is surrounded by vegetation, a green shade will match it perfectly.
Choose the appropriate front door decoration. Every detail is of importance. For example, you can attach your house numbers in bold font to your front door to give it a more emphasised aesthetic. When choosing the font and style, find one that matches the interior of your house to give your guests an expectation of what’s to come.
The advice above can similarly be applied to door hardware, such as handles and knockers. For example, smooth chrome accessories complement houses’ modern aesthetic, while antique black ones convey a more traditional look.
A unique way to make your main entrance visually appealing is to add a folding front door to the front porch space. This will allow you to enjoy the space even during winter, when the weather usually prevents you and your guests from enjoying the outdoor space.
#3 Maintain The Pathway In Good Condition
The path to your porch is the short journey your visitors take before entering your home. It gives an important first impression, and you should make sure it’s a positive one.
Most porch paths tend to be made of durable materials that can withstand the passage of time. However, more often than not, they’ll start showing signs of wear and tear. To prevent that and keep your front porch’s appearance appealing, pressure washing it at least once a month. This will remove any built-up dirt and keep your pathway and porch neat and clean.
If you lack the necessary equipment to perform the task regularly, consider hiring a professional patio cleaning service to do it for you. Doing that will can also be really beneficial for your wallet as it’ll save you on costly repairs in the long run.
#4 Design With Waterproof and Fade-Resistant Materials
Designing the front porch isn’t only about making it look good but also about what materials you’re using. It’s best to opt for wood, metals and fabrics that are waterproof and fade-resistant so they can withstand harsh weather.
An intelligent way to implement that is to install new flooring. Instead of going with the standard concrete, switch it for something that makes the space special. Tiles, wood or stone are great options.
#5 Add Seating
If you have enough room on your front porch, include seating. This space can be perfect for socialising with friends and family, especially when the weather is nice. Embrace that opportunity by creating a seating area with comfortable chairs and side tables. Besides allowing you to have a pleasant time with loved ones, it’ll also make your front porch much more inviting.
To take it up a notch, hang a porch swing. Nothing is more inviting than comfortable seating, which can make your porch look luxurious for a relatively low price. However, if you go for that option, keep in mind that it’s essential to place the swing strategically, so it doesn’t come in contact with and knock down the surrounding elements, such as potted plants and side tables.
#6 Decorate With Lanterns
To go a step further with your front porch transformation, use materials and decorations that you’d typically use indoors. This will also create a smooth transition and connection between the outdoors and the house’s interior.
A smart way to do that is by placing lanterns and hurricanes. They won’t only serve as decorative elements but also bring light, making it possible to use the area after daylight. Hurricane lanterns, particularly, are a good choice as they’re weather resistant, and the shatter-proof glass shields the flame, protecting it from wind and rain.
#7 Install a Screen
If you and your guests constantly get attacked by mosquitos and other biting insects, the time spent on your front porch won’t be enjoyable. Luckily, you can prevent that by installing a screen. It’s a relatively inexpensive and functional addition to a porch that can significantly increase your property’s curb appeal. Besides that, modern screens come in a variety of styles that can match the exterior of your house perfectly.
Final Words
Adding a coat of paint is a great way to update almost any space, but in some cases, it isn’t enough to increase the value of a home and transform an area’s functionality, especially when it comes to a front porch. Luckily, there are many easy and inexpensive ways to do that. The list above doesn’t exhaust all of them, but it’s a good starting point, and you can adjust the ideas depending on the type of your front porch.
