5 Tips for Elevating Your Front Porch
Looking for simple ways to elevate your front porch? These easy decorating ideas will help you create a warm and welcoming entrance you’ll love.
If you’ve been wanting to give your front porch a little refresh, you don’t need to start from scratch. A few carefully chosen details can completely change the look and feel of your entry.
Today we’re sharing the simple ideas I always rely on to create a porch that’s welcoming, timeless, and beautifully styled.
1. Clean
I shouldn’t have to say this, but I do! I I know I’ve stepped outside only to realize our porch was less than stellar, with cobwebs in the lights or dust on the door. I think the problem stems from the fact that many of us don’t use our front doors to enter the house – I know I don’t. If you’re frequently entering through a garage or side door you may not even realize your porch needs freshening.
So first thing’s first – clean. Wipe down the door (our door is black and looks dusty pretty quickly), sweep up all the debris, and clean the lights if you have them. You’ve already made your porch more welcoming!
2. Add a New Doormat
You may not even realize your doormat is dirty or fraying, and let’s be honest, it’s not a great look. Doormats can wear out very quickly and usually need to be replaced every couple of years, so make sure yours looks fresh and new. It’s honestly amazing how much better a new doormat makes everything look!
While the kitschy doormats seem fun, for an elevated look we want to go with a more classic style, so stay away from the funny or clever sayings. Think timeless woven mats in sisal or coir. If that’s too plain for you, go for one with a simple stripe, border trim or monogram. I added this doormat to our porch this spring and love it!
And make sure you get the sizing right. Many people have tiny doormats sitting in front of wide front doors and it doesn’t frame the doorway properly. To make sure yours is in proportion, order a doormat that is about 3/4 of the door’s width.
That means for a standard 36-inch door, the ideal size is 18″ x 30″ to 24″ x 36.” Double doors need 36” × 60” or 36” × 72” to create the right balance. And if your single door has side lights making the entire ‘door’ portion appear larger, go with 36″ x 60″ or 24″ x 48.” That is what we have and our new doormat is 24″ x 48.”
Generally I tend to go bigger on a doormat. Not only does it look more elevated, but it allows more room for feet wiping as well.
3. Swap Out Your House Numbers
Similar to the doormat, house numbers are something we may not look at often, and as such, they can tend to wear out without our even noticing it. Of course, quality house numbers will last way longer than a doormat, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need attention!
They get dusty and dirty, or can become a haven for spiderwebs. If they are brass they can tarnish, and the black iron versions can fade or look worn. Worse are the faux brass numbers that are peeling and rusting.
So if yours are fairly new, they may just need a good cleaning or polishing. But if they are looking tired or you simply want to add some personality, shiny new house numbers is a great place to do that.
When we moved in the house numbers were one of the first things I replaced as not only were they fading, but the font was a very modern style that didn’t fit the architecture of the house, or my taste. And now the new numbers make me so happy every time I look at them!
4. Feature Florals and/or Plants
To me, this is such an important element for an elevated look. Flowers and plants will literally add life and color to your porch, making it more pleasing to the eye. Think how much you respond to a pretty porch that features beautiful plantings – that’s what we’re going for!
You can go for symmetry with two large planters on either side of the door, or if your porch doesn’t have the space, one potted tree or a large pot of flowers will have the desired effect.
Just make sure you use classic planters like terracotta, stone, or outdoor baskets (no plastic!), and replace the plants if they die. And of course you’re going to use real plants, right? I think faux flowers have their place, it’s just not on the front porch.
In a spot where people will be right next to them and will know they’re not real, it will kill the elevated look you’re going for. You want a timeless and beautiful feel which calls for real flowers. If you have trouble keeping something alive, just get an automatic watering system (I saw Nancy Meyers has these in her porch planters!)
5. Update Your Lighting
Much like the house numbers, outdoor lighting can wear out. They can fade or rust making them feel anything but elevated. Also, we tend to do much larger lights than in decades past, so if your porch lighting is on the small side, that’s a sure way to make it feel dated.
To figure out the right size fixture for your front door, measure the door height and choose a fixture that is roughly 1/3 of the height of your door. If you have double doors and are doing two sconces, you can go slightly smaller, around 1/4 of the height. Anything else will look too small and won’t give you that elevated look.
And keep in mind that lights look smaller from the street. When in doubt, opt for the slightly larger option to maximize curb appeal.
6. Bonus Tip: Create a ‘Moment’
While this tip isn’t totally necessary, it is fun to add some personality and warmth to your porch. This is the time to add a gorgeous brass door knocker or kickplate, a charming dinner bell, a vintage-style mail slot, or pretty wreath.
Just make sure if you choose a faux wreath that it’s high-quality, and keep it clean. There’s almost nothing worse than dusty faux flowers!
Adding a cozy rocker or bench is also a wonderful addition to a porch if you have the room, and makes it much more inviting. And if my last house is any indication, it’s also a great place for the UPS guy to leave your packages!
I hope these ideas have inspired you to elevate your front porch. The best part is that you don’t need a major renovation to create a beautiful, welcoming entrance. A few thoughtful updates can add warmth, charm, and timeless style—making your home feel inviting from the very first step!
Sheila
xo
Shop Porch Decor
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out more outdoor inspiration below:
5 Tips for Elevating Your Outdoor Space
How to Add European Charm to an Outdoor Space
How to Have a French-inspired Summer
