Many Victorian homes had ornate front porches featuring decorative encaustic floor tiles. If yours have seen better days or are no longer there at all, consider replacing or restoring them. It’s a small area, so it shouldn’t be too pricey, and it sets the tone for the rest of the house, even if you can’t stretch to traditional encaustic tiles in your hallway. Look for classic encaustic designs that match your home’s period – there’s a huge array available, both original and reproduction.
If your porch is made of glass, you probably don’t want piles of trainers and shoes visible for all to see through your windows and doors. A low-level shelving unit, as here, can be a good solution. If you have a ‘shoes off’ policy in your home, a bench is a double win, as it’s somewhere to sit and put on or remove shoes – it’s never much fun standing on one leg. Don’t forget to keep plenty of spare wicker baskets on hand to sweep up the inevitable shoe overspill, too.
This super-stylish modern home also incorporates a sheltered outdoors porch – complete with integrated slatted bench. Not only does it add architectural interest, it’s a place to prop bikes and leave wet boots, too. The simple canopy is enough to prevent postmen and house guests from getting rained on as they wait for the owner to reach the door. Simple touches, such as a flower pot and shrubs that partly screen the seat, soften the contemporary lines.
don’t miss the opportunity to put in a bench. A simple seat will offer a place to don or remove footwear, as well as creating a defined area beneath to leave boots and shoes. Lighting under these rustic benches helps to both open up the area and light the way to the front door. You could also consider a built-in bench to create storage for those myriad items that tend to accumulate near front doors, such as umbrellas, canvas shopping bags and ice scrapers.
An enclosed porch can be a great spot to store those classic hallway clutter culprits – coats, hats, boots, skateboards, brollies…
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