Home Tip Tuesday: Creating an Inviting Front Porch this Season

Cheerful colors, seating and flower pots create an inviting front porch.

Having a comfortable and inviting front porch not only welcomes guests to your home, it helps you relax and enjoy your porch. Give your porch a makeover for the season with these tips on creating an inviting front porch—right in time for summer. 

1. Start with fresh paint
A worn front door or peeling porch paint is an instant turnoff. Start by painting your front door a cheery color, then repaint or re-stain the porch floor if the finish is old. 


Via The Creativity Exchange

2. Add seating 

Porch swings, Adirondack chairs, ottomans: There are many seating options that work well on the front porch. Select the right option based on your budget, personal preference, and size of your front porch. Add outdoor throw pillows for a pop of color and increased comfort. 

3. Use plants for sun protection, color, and style 
Herbs or flowers can perfume your porch, while vines act as a privacy screen and protect you from the sun. Colorful flowers near the front steps or the front door create a welcoming entry and can make you smile every time you return home. Whether you love flowers or want to grow edibles, there are many ways to incorporate plants into your welcoming porch design. Choose the right plants based on your personal preference and the sun/shade exposure of your porch. 

4. Add lighting 
To get the most use from your inviting front porch, add lighting that lets you see after hours. Overhead lighting, sconces surrounding the front door, or string lights around the railing are all ideas. Solar lanterns work well if you have sun exposure, and add a green touch. To supplement electric lighting and boost the ambiance at night, you can use candles in hurricane lamps, oil lanterns, or battery-operates candles.


Via Gather


5. Accessorize to create a unique space
This is where you can really customize your front porch to be unique to your tastes, preferences and preferred activities. From adding tables near your seating to using a rug to separate the relaxing zone from your entryway or selecting a fun doormat that'll bring a smile when visitors arrive, unique decorative accents really make the space yours and bring the elements of your front porch together. One final way to make your front porch feel inviting is to decorate for the seasons. Whether that's hanging a holiday wreath, adding pumpkins around Halloween, or flying a flag in summer months, your porch decor can change with -- and be inspired by -- the seasons. 

Use these tips to think about your ideal front porch, gather everything you need to create a great space to hang out, and make over your front porch.  For more front porch inspiration click here.

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