How to Create a Friendly Front Porch
Follow these 4 steps to make your porch a comfortable, welcoming space
Anne Colby
July 21, 2019
Houzz U.S. Editor
Your front porch can be a place where you greet guests, relax outside when the weather is good and connect with life on your street. You can make your porch a more comfortable and inviting entry area with just a few key elements, or you can turn it into a fully furnished outdoor room. Either way, you don’t need a huge space or budget to create a friendly ambiance. Here are ideas to get you started.
1. Make Your Porch Approachable
Consider the view of your home from the street. Does your porch invite your guests in? A well-maintained appearance, pleasing arrangement of plantings and clear pathway to the front door will make people feel welcome.
The walkway to this South Carolina house guides visitors straight to the porch, and planting borders leave plenty of room to walk. Tall topiaries and porch lights on both sides of the front door make the entry an attractive focal point. Just visible are a pair of rocking chairs on the left and a rustic love seat on the right. The look is spare but welcoming.
Consider the view of your home from the street. Does your porch invite your guests in? A well-maintained appearance, pleasing arrangement of plantings and clear pathway to the front door will make people feel welcome.
The walkway to this South Carolina house guides visitors straight to the porch, and planting borders leave plenty of room to walk. Tall topiaries and porch lights on both sides of the front door make the entry an attractive focal point. Just visible are a pair of rocking chairs on the left and a rustic love seat on the right. The look is spare but welcoming.
Large pavers lead to this small porch, where a single comfortable chair and a couple of attractive planters are enough to communicate a friendly hello. (The tail-wagging dog also helps.) With a sturdy chair like this one, neighbors have a place to sit and write a note, and family members can wait for visitors or pause when coming and going.
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Find a local landscape designer on Houzz
2. Keep It Clean, Attractive and Organized
It’s easy for porches to gather cobwebs and clutter — two things that discourage visitors. Banish those eyesores with regular upkeep. Dust, sweep and wash surfaces as needed, keep plants pruned, and shake out rugs and cushions regularly. Choose furniture and accessories that are pleasing to the eye and fit well in the space — they don’t have to be expensive.
This beach cottage entry area has an appealing look. The chairs and throw rug make a sweet landing spot, and the turquoise, coral, lime and white decor is refreshing against the neutral walls and floor. The painted Dutch door, oversize address numbers and porch light add real style. Although there’s a lot going on here, the area is clean and nicely arranged so it doesn’t look cluttered.
Shop for wicker and rattan outdoor chairs
It’s easy for porches to gather cobwebs and clutter — two things that discourage visitors. Banish those eyesores with regular upkeep. Dust, sweep and wash surfaces as needed, keep plants pruned, and shake out rugs and cushions regularly. Choose furniture and accessories that are pleasing to the eye and fit well in the space — they don’t have to be expensive.
This beach cottage entry area has an appealing look. The chairs and throw rug make a sweet landing spot, and the turquoise, coral, lime and white decor is refreshing against the neutral walls and floor. The painted Dutch door, oversize address numbers and porch light add real style. Although there’s a lot going on here, the area is clean and nicely arranged so it doesn’t look cluttered.
Shop for wicker and rattan outdoor chairs
This attractive Atlanta porch exudes comfort and relaxation with its low-slung cushioned swing, wicker rocking chairs, plump pillows and soft throw. Neutral colors and patterns unify the decor and contribute to the neat look. The porch invites guests to sit down and stay awhile.
How to Hang a Porch Swing and Get Your Relaxation On
How to Hang a Porch Swing and Get Your Relaxation On
3. Balance a Sense of Shelter and Openness
A front porch designed for sitting partially encloses its occupants to create a feeling of safety and intimacy while still maintaining a connection to the street. You can achieve this with hard barriers such as walls and railings, and with softer elements such as plants, shades and hanging decor.
This midcentury Texas porch is fully exposed on the front but has walls on three sides that, along with the ceiling, shelter it from the elements. In place of a rug, a dark border around the floor defines the space. The turquoise Adirondack chairs, large square window and orange-tone door stand out against the neutral stone walls and invite your guests to approach. Succulents and colorful accessories add life to the space.
A front porch designed for sitting partially encloses its occupants to create a feeling of safety and intimacy while still maintaining a connection to the street. You can achieve this with hard barriers such as walls and railings, and with softer elements such as plants, shades and hanging decor.
This midcentury Texas porch is fully exposed on the front but has walls on three sides that, along with the ceiling, shelter it from the elements. In place of a rug, a dark border around the floor defines the space. The turquoise Adirondack chairs, large square window and orange-tone door stand out against the neutral stone walls and invite your guests to approach. Succulents and colorful accessories add life to the space.
A low stone ledge, sturdy columns and other framing elements add privacy to this California front porch while leaving a clear view of the street. Casually placed container plants and a tall side hedge provide light screening. The gray palette on walls, door and flooring, set off by the white ceiling and trim, creates a room-like feeling. The decor is easygoing, with cheerful splashes of color coming from the floral cushions and sunflower arrangement.
On this Dallas porch, hanging ferns, columns and a slatted railing provide a feeling of enclosure without obstructing sightlines. The wide walkway, porch opening and door frame establish a welcoming ambiance. The seating area on the right is designed around a porch swing, with ceiling fans providing a cooling breeze.
4. Arrange Furnishings for Comfort and Conversation
How you furnish and decorate your front porch will depend on several factors. These include:
How you furnish and decorate your front porch will depend on several factors. These include:
- The size of your porch
- Your budget
- The ways you plan to use the space
- The amount of seating you desire
- Your ability to alter the structure with new fixtures, features or paint
- Your porch’s exposure to weather, dirt and pollution
This front porch on a 1911 Craftsman bungalow in Fort Worth, Texas, could seat six people, or eight if you include the wicker bench and woven pouf. It’s arranged so people can converse as a group, or break up into two or more conversations. Four sources of added light — from the ceiling, a wall and two side tables — make it a day-into-evening gathering spot. The cushioned wicker chairs and sofa look comfortable, and the decor is attractive. With just the railing and pillars providing separation from the street, this porch is all about socializing and community.
You don’t need a room’s worth of furniture to create a front porch with a friendly vibe, however. On this Detroit porch, a pair of rocking chairs and ottomans — accessorized with a rug, ferns and a ceiling fan with a light — provide a place for one or two people to relax outside and greet neighbors walking their dogs and strolling by.
The Right Dimensions for Your Porch
The Right Dimensions for Your Porch
On a Sausalito, California, houseboat, a table and two chairs make the porch a pleasant place for a light meal or a cup of coffee with neighbors. The succulent planters and welcome mat add to the ambiance.
Find decorative planters in the Houzz Shop
Find decorative planters in the Houzz Shop
Tell us: How do you use your front porch and how is it decorated? Share your ideas for making a porch a friendly space in the Comments.
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KLM Design-Build: Great solution! It really has the look and feel of a proper porch.
All of that is so nice. I don't have much of a front porch but I am working on making a nice seating area under our eaves in the front so I guess that's a front porch. We have plants and nice bench there now with a chair and small table. Looking to improve the rock on the ground and add more potted plants.
Color coordinated pillows to bring the outdoors onto the porch!