19 Beautiful and Affordable Front Porch Decorating Ideas

I’m sharing 19 inviting front porches that are filled with smart, budget-friendly front porch decorating ideas including ideas for front door decor, seating, floors and more.

I have to confess I’ve always thought houses without a front porch look a little bit naked. Even the tiniest little front stoop just adds so much character and coziness to any home.

So if you’re lucky enough to have a front porch, I think it’s well worth putting a little time into making it beautiful!

Of course, even if you are lucky enough to have a home with a great front porch, figuring out how to decorate it isn’t always easy.

Front porches come in all shapes and sizes, each one with their own unique challenges. Some porches are tiny stoops with barely enough room to actually fit anything. Others are long and wide with so much space, it’s hard to know how to fill it all!

My own house has a long concrete porch stretching across the front of our brick ranch. It’s always been a bit of struggle to decorate well – mainly because it is so long and narrow. But also because I’m not a fan of the color of our brick but also can’t commit to changing it.

Over the years I’ve made a lot of progress with figuring out how to decorate my own less-than-ideal porch. And I’m planning to make a few more updates this spring, so I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to decorate a front porch that is beautiful and inviting and also functional.

Today I want to share some simple tips for decorating a beautiful front porch. And I’ve included lots of photos of gorgeous porches of all sizes and styles so you can find inspiration that’s just right for your own porch.

(To see more photos and details about any of the beautiful porches below, just click the link below the photo).

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Front Porch Decorating Ideas

Whenever I decorate any space, I always start by thinking about the space’s purpose. A front porch typically serves a few purposes.

The front porch houses the front entrance to your home. This may be the entrance your family uses daily or it may be mostly used for first-time guests and package deliveries. Either way, the front door to your home is a major feature of any porch

If there is room, your front porch may also have a seating area where you can relax with a drink and take in the neighborhood.

And finally, no matter how big or small your porch, it has a huge impact on your home’s outward appearance. Decorating your front porch can add major curb appeal to your home.

These decorating ideas address each of these three functions of a front porch: the front entrance, the seating area, and the home’s curb appeal.

Make a statement at the front entrance

The most important part of any front porch is the front door to your home. This is where all the action happens on a daily basis; it’s literally the spot where you welcome your family and guests into your home.

So it only makes sense for the front door to be the focal point of your front porch.

On it’s own without any decor, a front door tends to look boring and uninteresting and it can easily get overshadowed by the rest of the porch.

Framing your front door with a great rug and other accessories can really help it stand out and feel more inviting.

Paint your front door

One of the easiest ways to make your front door stand out is to paint it a fun color. There’s nothing wrong with a white or black front door, especially if the exterior of your house already has a lot of color. But a pop of color on the front door can really help it become more of a focal point.

Add a great door mat

One of the easiest ways to add style to your front entrance is with a beautiful welcome mat or small rug. Generally your welcome mat should match the width of your front door, so if you have wide double doors, you’ll need a larger rug.

The last few years, it’s become popular to layer a colorful rug underneath your basic welcome mat. This is a great way to add more color and texture and really help ground the area around your front door.

Add a pair of planters

You can also help draw the eye in by flanking the door with a pair of large potted plants. The symmetry of a pair of matched planters helps give the front door a sense of presence and importance.

There are tons of gorgeous pots and planter options out there so you can easily choose something that matches any style. (I have a whole collection of DIY planter options you may want to check out if you’re looking for budget-friendly ideas.)

The plants you choose can also make a statement whether you go for perfectly sculpted topiaries or more free-flowing ferns. And if you don’t exactly have a green thumb, you can even get some pretty nice faux plants so you don’t have to worry about accidentally killing your plants.

Hang a wreath on your front door

Wreaths definitely aren’t just for holidays. Hanging a wreath on your door is another great way to add color and personality to your front entrance.

There are so many gorgeous wreaths these days from the super minimal to the extravagant. And there are also lots of of fun wreath alternatives like the beautiful basket of flowers in the photo below.

Decorating a Super Small Front Porch

When your front porch is teeny tiny, it can be extra challenging to know how to decorate. You want to create a welcoming front entrance, but there just isn’t a lot of space to do much.

But even if you have a tiny front porch, it doesn’t have to be empty and boring.

When decorating a small space, it’s even more important to use the space you do have to make an impact including the floor and the walls. A great rug on the floor and some welcoming art of the walls can go a long way.

Having a small porch doesn’t have to mean you can’t have any furniture. If you get creative with placement, you may have room for a bench or single chair which can really help make a porch cozy.

Front Porch Furniture Ideas

If your porch is bigger than just a tiny entry, you’ll probably be adding some sort of seating.

There are all kinds of different seating options you can include on your porch: rocking chairs, a glider, an outdoor sofa, Adirondack chairs, and more.

Most front porch furniture is arranged a bit differently than other seating areas. Instead of being grouped into conversation areas, front porch seating is usually arranged to face the yard and street.

You may choose to mix up the style of your furniture to add variety. Or you can stick with one style of furniture throughout your porch. Either way can look beautiful.

Porch swings and hanging chairs

Porch swings have been a staple of front porches for more than a hundred years. If you’ve ever swung on one, you probably know why. There’s nothing as relaxing as swinging on a porch with a cold drink on a pretty day.

If you have room on your porch for a swing, it will likely become the most popular spot on the whole porch.

Another more modern alternative to the porch swing is a set of hanging chairs. They have more of an updated look without giving up that classic swinging comfort.

Bring Indoor Furniture Outside

I’m a big fan of repurposing indoor furniture to be used outdoors. Outdoor furniture options can be extremely limited; when you can add indoor furniture into the mix, there are so many more possibilities.

When using indoor furniture outdoors, you need to choose the right pieces. Look for wood or metal furniture that is well-made and sturdy.

Once you’ve chosen your furniture, you’ll need to make sure that you seal it well to protect it from the elements. I have a post that walks you through all the ins and outs of making indoor furniture safe to use outdoors if you want more details.

I’ve used indoor benches, tables, chairs, and more outdoors on my own porches over the years and with the right prep, they hold up really well.

Decorating Porch Floors

Since most front porches only have one wall, the floor has a huge visual impact. Many of us have a welcome mat at our front doors, but you can also add rugs to other areas of your porch.

Adding a rug can really help define a seating area and it can also help cover up a boring or outdated floor.

If your porch floor isn’t looking the best, one inexpensive way to give it an upgrade is to paint it. You can paint your floor a solid color or add extra style by stenciling your floor.

Hang Art on the Walls

When we’re decorating an outdoor space like a front porch, we often forget all about hanging art on the walls. Some porches may not have the wall space for art between all the windows and doors, but if you do have a big blank wall, hanging some art can help it look more finished.

Wooden signs, wall planters, and unique house numbers all make fantastic art for a front porch.

A statement mirror can also make a fantastic piece of art for a front porch, especially if you have a more protected area where you can hang it.

Add plants and accessories

Accessories may be a small thing, but they really help bring a space together.

When you’re choosing accessories for a porch, of course you want to choose things that can stand up to moisture and changes in temperature. Depending on where you live, you may also need to make sure your accessories are heavy enough, they won’t be blown away by a strong wind.

Outdoor pillows, lanterns, stools, trays, and blankets all work well to add personality and detail to a front porch.

And of course, my favorite accessory for porches of all times is plants. You just can’t go wrong with a few green plants. Plants can really help bring your space to life and connect it to the rest of the front yard.

Protecting your Porch Decor

As you are choosing decor for your porch, be sure to choose items that can hold up outdoors. The things on your front porch may be exposed to moisture, temperature swings, pollen, dirt, and strong winds.

Be careful about the materials you use. Make sure that any fabric items you use are made for the outdoors or are treated with a water-proofing spray. Likewise, make sure any wood furniture is treated with an appropriate outdoor sealer.

Depending on where you live, you may also want to bring some of your decor inside during the harshest weather.

Taking a few precautions will help ensure your porch decor continues to look beautiful for years.

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I hope these ideas have inspired you to make your own front porch a more warm and inviting place to be!