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nkoritz

Need ideas for my dark front porch

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

We have a Mediterranean style home where the front porch does not get much direct light. Stone with Espresso Painted Trim.

How should I add color? Something like a large planter with red begonias?

Thank you.


Comments (20)

  • 6 years ago

    For Some Reason I can't get Houzz to upload my photos


    . Let's try again:

  • 6 years ago

    I would paint the front door a much lighter color. Maybe light blue. Then put a blue pillow on the bench.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I love your door color! and porch.

    But it is not working with your overhang.

    As mentioned above by emmarene, changing out the door color and adding pillow on the bench to bring over the color may be all you need to get the look you like .

  • 6 years ago

    I wouldn't paint anything!! I like the dark trim with the stone and it compliments the other elements (black urn, bench, wrought iron gate).

    Bright red begonias would be a great addition! And I'd probably add more than one planter :- ) And a red pillow to accent the bench. And maybe a more colorful doormat or indoor/outdoor carpet for the porch area, with red highlights.

    It is just a personal opinion but I think brightly painted front doors are more of a fad than an actual design statement.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    you don't have to paint it a bright color in order to lighten up the porch. you could pick a very neutral tone that's in the stone. (and bright doors are hardly a fad. they're all over certain parts of the country and are quite normal for that area. just depends on the style of the home. MCM and beach cottages are known for bright doors)

    however, I'd think about doing a diff door. something in a lighter, warmer wood w/glass in order to bounce around the light.

    one of these would be perfect, but in a spanish style. Bonus, it will let light in your dark entryway.

  • 6 years ago

    Beef up the landscape a bit by adding some color in to the landscape with flowers and in the pot(s) flanking the front door... that's all I see is needed.

  • 6 years ago

    A door such as the last one Beth has shown with simple glass would look very pretty as well!

  • 6 years ago

    Slightly off topic, but colorful doors have been around for a long, long time. In biblical times a red door signified piety (mimicking the blood from an animal sacrifice). In Scotland, a red door signifies that you’ve paid off your mortgage and own your home outright. In London, where row houses are common, the door is often the main distinguishing feature of a home, and bright colors are common. In the States, door color was used to signify a friendly home on the Underground Railroad, among other things. So, if you like the idea of a bright door, go for it! If you don’t, then move on. But I wouldn’t say that bright doors are a “fad.”

    Nancy K thanked Faith
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I like Beth H's suggestions. Here are some landscape design ideas:



    Nancy K thanked Dig Doug's Designs
  • 6 years ago

    Love what Doug did, as always! However, looking at his pic makes me think the door could be lighter.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I think it's great!....You may think of it as dark, but I see it as cool and calming and inviting.

    I would change the seating and add fragrant plants to invite visitors to linger, but that's it...

    Nancy K thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    I like how Yardvaark made the door show up in the shadows. I like everything about his rendering.

  • 6 years ago

    I like the lighter door...really gives it more life.

  • 6 years ago
    Grow a daphne in big pot by your front door, the fragrance is beautiful
  • 6 years ago

    I still love Beth's inspiration of a plain paned glass front door to open up the front a bit.

    I feel a front door such as Beth has shown with nice simple glass some landscape is all that's needed. I don't recall seeing the location of the home. However, a Sago palm might look beautiful in a spot with some color around the home with flowers. I'd consult a few landscape people and pick their brain(s).

    maybe one Sago strategically placed and some flowers in the landscape?

    Perhaps 2 chairs angled toward one another on the porch with light cushions with a darker frame or not? Again, depends on your location in the world...





  • PRO
    6 years ago

    First, you have a very charming house. The house has such strong structure, I think it needs a color line to enhance the porch area. Here's my take.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    You could even do a proper window box and repeat the color


  • 6 years ago
    Beautiful home. I'm not sure if it would work for your style home, but I've always loved the look of a mirror styled like a faux window on front porches. I think one would fit well over your bench. I would also add a colorful (yellow?) bench cushion, maybe a chair in a matching color off to the right, and a colorful wreath on the door (forsythia?).
    I would also add two planters on the first step where it widens out toward the lights. And, maybe you want to consider adding a pendant light over the front door- you could just leave it on at all times and choose a daylight warmth bulb so it's not obvious the light isn't natural.
  • 6 years ago

    So many options on this pretty home. Still think as most or all here you need

    some colorful plantings. A Sago strategically placed would be pretty and a lighter bench in an iron with off white fabric cushions. Again, no idea the zone of this house so?

    Nancy K thanked Porter Edun