I wouldn't put anything out there until I had steps off the porch. Also, your porch opens directly to the street - things may "disappear" off that porch.

I think the steps are in front of the door. As for decor I would stick with stuff you can anchor on that porch or get a big dog to tire out there when you are not there.Put a railing up and then figure what your style is and go from there. Since you have not shared that with us we can only guess

I agree it would be good to have a railing, and it looks like you can do just two sides. And since you like rockers, have you considered gliders? I think a glider love seat at the far end (perpendicular to the house) and one or two chairs in a dark wicker with colorful cushions would look nice, with a small table or two. But as mentioned above it would help to know more about what style/colors you like, and also a drawing that shows the scale would help too, for furniture placement. I think you have some potential to make it really nice, with some furniture and hanging plants.

I believe that a railing would add to your front porch ,you can use indoor outdoor cushions on the chairs since the porch is covered also have a nicer light fixture like a lantern for example a small carpet will anchor things together and plant something all around the porch when you can.

Rockers go with everything, you just need to find the right style. Get what you love to sit in.

I agree -- nothing like a couple of rockers on the porch -- I would go for the wooden teak ones (similar to the last picture only not white) or some wicker ones that ARE painted white. A small table between and you're good to go!

Yikes on kind of rude...There are steps and a large arched entrance...and no one steals in our neighborhood...and the color I picked and love so-thanks but no thanks :)

Here is where the steps are...if this helps. And it is 'to code' as it was just built 2 years ago. I don't think I'd want a railing because I'd feel closed in. I think I may go with rockers Frontgate has...I sit out there often to watch kids play so I want comfort.

I don't understand the stealing concept, many neighborhoods are safe. I think a railing might look nice, but aren't necessary with rockers at the rear of the porch. I might move your chairs to the left in the picture so the post isn't in the way and the view from the window won't be obstructed by chairs.

Ditto what cmarlin said about lack of neighborhood stealing. We've never had any decor stolen and none was fastened down. A railing would likely block your view of the kids playing. Your home is beautiful.

I spend so much time on this front porch and I watch my little kids like hawks. I want to feel cozy and comfortable on it. It's a corner lot so neighbors stop by more times than not...I'd like them to feel welcome, too.

I have lots of space for this and your ideas are gorgeous!!! Thank you so much. This helps me greatly

Hi noelleparker3-

How great to have a porch on which to while away a lazy afternoon!

How to furnish it does require some thought about how you would like to use the porch.

Do you need seating primarily for yourself and your significant other or will other people be using the porch as well?

If you think you may have more than just yourself and your significant other out there, and might want to serve drinks and snacks, then you do want more than a swing.

Depending on the porch measurements and how many people you think you can accommodate, you might want seating for four and a table large enough for a tray with a pitcher and drinks, as well as snacks. Maybe an ottoman.

If the porch is not that deep, you can have two chairs with a table large enough for drinks and snacks in between, and still have a swing if you like that at whichever end of the porch will give you the best view of the flora and fauna of the neighborhood or the sunset, whichever you prefer.

Am I mistaken, but do I not see any lighting at your front door? Was it just taken down to be painted? If none was ever installed, you might want to think about getting a light, not only for safety reasons, but also because it does dress up the entry.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/all-about-front-entry-lighting

You can further beautify your porch with hanging planters (I see the hooks are already up) as well as planting colorful perennials and annuals in front of the bushes in front of the porch. That will bring the butterflies and hummingbirds, and won't it be grand!

If your children consistently play on the porch or in the front yard with the same things, and there is room on the porch, you could keep a chest there to store there things for easy access, or better yet, get an ottoman that has storage under the cushion.

Bake a plate of cookies and bring out a big thermos of coffee and watch the neighbors beat a path to your door!

No one steals in our neighborhood either ... they come from outside of town to steal and rob our homes.

I have a Spanish house with several big decorative ceramic pots. They are filled with rocks to make them heavy to move. The previous owners had the first batch stolen soon after they put them out, so they added the rocks to the next batch.

Still a valid concern, even though our town is safe and very desirable.

You need a railing. It's not going to block any view and will look a lot better to match the railing on the steps. It will make the porch look complete.

I agree about the railing. I have been reading about porch railings lately because mine needs to be redone and one of the most interesting things I've seen is what a difference the height makes. Code requirements often mean that your railing winds up taller than it should be in relation to your windows, etc. However, since your porch is already up to code, you can add whatever height railing you want. If you keep it around 24" or the height of the bottom of your windows, it won't block your view and will make the porch look finished and charming.

I think your porch looks really lovely. The pictures Sueb20 posted look like they would fit your porch really well. Specifically the furniture is a little larger scale and really comfortable looking. Your porch looks like it has some room and the only "blah" thing about it to me is that the furniture looks a bit dainty for the space. Would you consider some larger "lounge" chairs or maybe a "lounge" style sofa? I'm not a plant expert, but flanking the seats with some large potted plants would be nice. I also really love the rug idea from Sueb20 as well.

I look forward to seeing what you do with the space.

Wow, code in your area is so different. My little front porch had to have a railing and the drop down to the yard is only 8 inches! I would love if I could skip the railing.

The porch is a great size, I’d have a bit more than just 2 rockers. At least an L shape so you could have a conversation feeling. Still have 2 rockers but add a swing or sofa at the end. Absolutely an outdoor rug, a side table between the rockers and a coffee table in front of a sofa. When my kids were young I had a group of girlfriends with kids all the same ages. We got together every Friday after school for coffee at different homes. In nice weather we would sit on the porch with our coffee and watch the kids. Kids are all off to college and life so now we get together for wine!

So being me, I would take advantage of not having a railing and add some low planters. For color and to make it feel more cozy but still be able to see over.

Maybe on the side section put a trellis in the planter to give a backdrop and block the view from the street.

I would have railing..because I am the sort of person that would fall off !! and i think they would look nice

Lovely house. I would get an outdoor area rug to anchor whatever seating you use.

I know you didn't ask about railing but since it's been mentioned, I wouldn't add it. I CANNOT STAND our railing because it obstructs my view (eye level) and also makes it feel more closed in. If you don't need it per code, don't.

Whatever you put out there will be dirty in a manner of months. Get something that's easy to clean.

Would totally NOT do a railing! We had one in our old house and I hated it - always blocking the view. I did a comfy bistro table/chairs on one side of our porch and a glider on the other. Definitely an outdoor rug - adds so much color! And plants, like Annette suggested. And lanterns. I have plants all around my porch, then put up little displays at halloween/thanksgiving Pumpkins, hay bales, etc). I don't have many pics where the kids aren't sitting in them, but here's a few examples. Comfy visiting chairs... :)

Ok you have inspired me...I'm going with what I love and feel comfortable in. I'll send pics when I'm done so you can see the after. Thank you!!

I live in a popular tourist town & every house in my neighborhood has patios In front, adjacent to sidewalks/ street. I’ve lived here 18 years & I've yet to have anything stolen. I even have some copper wall art that wasn’t cheap, no problem, it’s still there:). The only thing I don’t leave unattended there is my little dog!

So here is my back porch, I just measured as I’d forgotten the dimensions. It is 11’6” deep by 16’. Just to give you an idea of how much you can fit in your space.

This is my little front porch that I was required to have railings :(.

Regarding the stealing comments, I would be more concerned about packages being stolen off the front porch than furniture or pots. I suggest having something (pots works the best) where a delivery person could hide a package behind so it's not visible from the street.

It's odd that packages are NEVER stole off of porches in our neighborhood - haven't been in nearly 34 years. But people have had things stolen from in front - a pair of HUGE, very heavy concrete greyhounds and large pots. It's not the neighbors stealing them - it's people coming into the neighborhood (some people think it is workmen, as it would take a truck to move these things).

What is it with the rug obsession ..rugs in the sitting room ..rugs in the dining room ..rugs on the patio ..rugs on the porch ..even seen rugs in the kitchen !

Snaggy

What
is it with the rug obsession ..rugs in the sitting room ..rugs in the
dining room ..rugs on the patio ..rugs on the porch ..even seen rugs in
the kitchen !

***********************************************

Did somebody have issues on a bearskin as an infant, ;-)

It's because they're non-permanent way to change your decor ,,,and soft on the feet/legs

BTW, a rug in a kitchen is not all that unusual esp in front of a sink or under a table.

Snaggy, I’m all about a great rug. Assuming it makes sense for the space. A great way to bring in colors to work from, or make a cold space feel cozy. I don’t have rugs in my kitchen cooking area as it would drive me nuts worrying about spills. But I do have one under the table, it saves the floor from chairs being pulled in out from table.

Like chijim said, I also like their non permanence.

I like rugs on the patio & porches. It defines the space, adds warmth & color, even if just textural. I live in a popular tourist beach town, everyone ‘s patio ( in my neighborhood ) is in the front of the house, including mine. In 18 years never anything stolen either, & I have some copper art ( not cheap ), Corten planters, furniture. Etc., knock on wood, never had a problem.

chijim ..lol..no ..people put down lovely expensive floors ..then cover it with a bloody rug !... I don't like rugs because I trip over them ! I have vinyl floor in the kitchen so the chairs dont damage it ..the sitting room is the main transit through the house and it would get filthy between the hubby and the cat and his presents !

In addition to blocking the view, every time you go out to sit you end up having to sweep all the cobwebs off the railing.