How to make your front porch more welcoming

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a front porch, but if you have one, then you should make it as welcoming as possible (unless you want to scare away neighbours and friends). In the summer, you should be taking advantage of all your outdoor space, and that includes the front of your home.

We’ve put together a list of helpful tips that will help you make your front porch much more welcoming.

1) DIY furniture

Building some DIY furniture is a great way to add a personal touch to your front porch. Eieihome.com has some pretty great ideas, including using cinder blocks for planters, tree stumps as tables, and wood pallets and painted tires as seating.

2) Outdoor living room

You should treat your front porch as if it is an outdoor living room. There should be comfortable seating and accessories. For the seating areas, don’t just have a single chair looking out into the street. That’s what intimidating front porches have. At the very least, have two-seater bench style seating. Ideally, you can seat four people in a comfortable way.

3) More lighting

Your home probably has a front porch light, but sometimes one light isn’t enough! If you live on a street where kids and neighbours stay out late on a summer evening, then the more lighting you have, the more welcoming your home will be! Try using string lights or battery operated candles in terrariums or mason jars.

4) Chalkboard sign

A simple chalkboard sign that you change on the regular would be very welcoming (depending what you write or draw); way more creative than a welcome mat. The sign can also be used by visitors that stop by while you’re not home. You can instruct them to leave you a kind message.

5) The right amount of plants

It’s important to strike a balance with the amount of plants on your front porch. If you don’t have any, it’s okay, but you can definitely benefit from a planter or two. If you have too many plants, then you become that house on the street that people are afraid to approach or you become known as the weird jungle house.

We hope these tips help you make your front porch more welcoming this summer. If you’re buying a new home with a spacious front porch, then keep these tips in mind when you go to decorate it!