I don’t know about you, but I grew up with the most amazing porch in the entire world—wooden porch swing, iced tea, and all! Even if you didn’t have the privilege of this sort of upbringing, you know what I’m talking about, and I know it’s what we both are craving! When standards are set that high, it’s hard to think that my 5’x5′ slab of concrete will ever satisfy, but I believe that with the right accessories any shape and any size of front porch can feel just like we want. With a little help from Diana over at Our Vintage Home, I’ll show you how to get the look of that cozy front porch anywhere!
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Shut the Front Door
The base for your entire porch, slab, step—whatever you’ve got—is your door. An amazing front door will make any space look amazing. Don’t be afraid to go bold here. After all, there’s nothing that an hour or two of painting can’t fix. Maybe you have the budget to splurge for a new front door or maybe a coat of paint will do the trick! Map out your plans and consider purchasing accessories before you commit to your color and style of door.
On the Floor
Another foundation piece for the feel of your porch: the floor. Maybe you’ve got something great already like wood planks or brick. Or maybe you’ve got a concrete slab with some potential! Wood and brick sometimes need a good power wash or a little touch up stain and they’ll be back to new in no time. Concrete is a perfect candidate for staining, painting, and stenciling! Get creative and see what you can do with what you have now. Another great option is a trendy outdoor rug, rather than a typical welcome mat.
Bring the Indoors Out
Speaking of rugs, let’s talk about the latest trends of making your outdoor space look like indoor space! There’s nothing more homey than being inside your home, so why not start before your guests even get through the front door? A great little café table and a few accent pillows are perfect for smaller spaces, or try an exterior couch or chairs if you have more room! Curtains made from drop cloths are all over Pinterest, or check out other exterior curtain options! Here’s a great tutorial for an outdoor curtain rod! Rugs, chairs, curtains, lighting, and larger pieces of furniture really make the font porch shine.
Bring the Outdoors In
I know, I just said to bring the indoors out, but getting the right look takes a little bit of both. By incorporating plants and planters, you’ll be creating a natural flow from outside to inside that will put all your guests at ease. Accessorize that café table with a favorite or useful herb like cilantro mixed with some pansies or marigolds…whatever you love!
Get this chair set on Amazon.com.
Get Creative with Numbers
Click on the image above to order your own modern house number!
If your budget looks like mine, you might be thinking that I’m talking about money, but I’m talking about your house numbers! There’s thousands of fun and interesting ways to display your house numbers. Just type it into Pinterest or Google and you’ll see what I mean. If your family loves spending time at the lake, dig up an old paddle or life ring. Find a vintage mailbox, fill it with flowers and find some cute numbers for the front…the options are endless!
Hit Every Level
The biggest challenge that I’ve found with my front porch is making sure that something is happening between the 8′ door and the stoop. As you can see in these images, they’ve created a great flow that leads your eye from floor to door and back down again. The biggest helpers in this situation are that paddle, table, and crate bursting with greens! Try to keep different heights in mind as your shopping and scavenging for your perfect pieces!
Have Fun!
Most importantly, have fun with your porch! You don’t need to spend a small fortune or pretend to be something you’re not. Make sure to incorporate pieces that reflect you and your families personality. You can’t go wrong with that!
I’d love to see your porches in the comments below & make sure to tell me your favorite parts about it!
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All images used with permission of Our Vintage Home