6 Creative Ways to Freshen Up Your Front Porch (On a Budget!)
Get that dreamy curb appeal without dropping an entire paycheck.
When it comes to transforming any space, the little things can go a long way. It’s no different for your front porch. There are plenty of ways to liven up your home’s exterior without breaking the bank. Here are seven creative ways to jazz up your front porch so when you come home after a long day of work, you’re excited to walk through that front door.
Sarah Dorio
1. Paint the Door
Let's start with the front door: it's typically the first thing the eye is drawn to when looking at a home's front exterior. That's why painting it is an easy and affordable way to instantly add some character. Go for a bold color, or give it a fresh coat of paint. Get tips and tricks on painting a front door here.
iStock/David Papazian
Fresh Front Door Color Ideas
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Pretty in Pink
The innovative color palette for this Craftsman home combines navy blue, white and pink for a look that feels both masculine and feminine at the same time. “The whole idea was to pack the exterior with colors that people would really stop and look at and also think about,” says designer Brian Patrick Flynn.
Photo By: Robert Peterson; Rustic White Photography
Unique Coral
You might think coral would be a tough color to pull off, but it looks right at home paired with the dark slate gray siding of HGTV Urban Oasis 2020.
Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White
Mediterranean Sea
Inspired by the architecture in Greece or coastal Spain, the homeowner painted the stucco exterior pure white accented in black with a bold pop of an Aegean-like blue.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa + Sherwin-Williams Caviar + Do-It-Best Quality Paints French Valley Blue
Photo By: Agnes Lopez
Spice Things Up
Everybody knows and loves the classic red front door — but the shade people usually pick is cranberry, which has blue undertones. To turn the temperature up a notch, push your red towards orange instead.
Photo By: Rustic White Photography
Forest Green
The sharp-pitched roof on this 1937 home gives it a quaint English cottage vibe, so the landscaping and color scheme was kept informal. The dark green was inspired by the Green Bay Packers, the homeowners' favorite football team.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore Golden Lab + Benjamin Moore Lafayette Green + Benjamin Moore Atrium White
Photo By: Jennifer Hughes
Trendy Tan
On any other house, a tan or dark beige door may look bland. But against the dark navy of this stylish cottage from Kate Marker Interiors, this paint color gives off cozy, laid-back beach vibes.
Photo By: Margaret Rajic
Gorgeous Gray
This 1935 home keeps its style crisp and classic with a white exterior and gray accents.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore Spanish White (siding and trim) + Benjamin Moore Rodeo (shutters) + Benjamin Moore Northern Cliffs (front door)
Photo By: Moya McAllister
Slice of Lime
It's hard to resist painting a contemporary door a vibrant shade, like this delicious Overt Green by Sherwin-Williams. The simplicity of the clean, modern style door acts as a great blank canvas to apply a bold citrusy color.
Photo By: Dionel Fisher- The Mittentog
Easy Breezy White
A half-glass door and sidelights painted a pure, clean white augment the white shiplap ceiling of this breezy front patio, enhancing the beauty of the pale cedar shake shingle on the home's exterior. Multitoned flagstone draws hues from both while a pair of pretty ficus trees add natural color.
Photo By: Jessica Alexander
Golden Green
The classic black-and-white color combo on this farmhouse-style home is given a boost of personality with the vibrant gold-green front door.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams Pure White + Sherwin-Williams Black of Night (shutters) + Sherwin-Williams Independent Gold
Photo By: Ashley Gieseking
Soft Salmon
Built in 1929, this white stucco Tudor-style home with fairytale charm is given an extra shot of personality thanks to the pale pink door and shutters.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore Standish White + Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray + Benjamin Moore Crimson
Photo By: Moya McAllister
Pretty Peacock
Built in 1940, this home's gorgeous stonework is accented with white and gray trim, but it's the jewel-toned, deep green-blue shutters and door that amplify its unique personality.
Paint colors: Valspar Sequoia Glade (front door and shutters) + Valspar Pam’s Lace (trim) + Valspar Ivory Brown (siding)
Photo By: Jennifer Hughes
Whipped Coffee
This historic home was built in 1869. “This blue beauty has seen a lot! We love its historic Colonial style and the copper portico roof with its blue-green patina,” say homeowners.
Paint colors: Valspar Sharkfin + Valspar Quarry Pond (shutters) + Valspar Wave’s Crest (trim) + Valspar Coffee Whip (door)
Photo By: Ashley Gieseking
Muted Oak
If you have a Craftsman-style home, you'll want the intricate architectural details to stand out. With a rich wood color like Sherwin-Williams' Cut the Mustard, your front door will complement your home's design instead of taking away the spotlight.
Photo By: Frontier Group ©Photographed by Frontier Group
Ruby Red
The arched ruby-red door is the perfect contrast to the traditional dark-brown timber and white stucco Tudor-style palette.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams Navajo White + Sherwin-Williams Black Bean + Behr Ruby Ring
Photo By: Photography by Ashley Gieseking
2. Add Porch Drapes
I love the instant change a set of outdoor curtains can make to a porch. It's a great way to add visual interest and in this case, a lot of color. If your porch allows for a seating area, curtains can offer privacy and shade for the days when you want to curl up with a good book.
Vibrant Outdoor Space With Hanging Daybed and Draperies
Quick and easy updates brought springtime charm to the covered deck of the 2015 HGTV Spring House.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
3. Update Your House Numbers
Here's a cheap, easy and fun way too add a little spunk to your home's front porch. Freshen up the exterior with new house numbers. Explore all the options and pick or mix-and-match a set of exciting numbers. Don't feel confined to placing them on your wall or mailbox! Hang them on a planter box and add plants for a fresh look.
Modern Seattle Courtyard with Metal Planter and Concrete Wall
A metal planter displays the house number just outside this modern courtyard. Drought-resistant plants fill the rustic container, which accents the contemporary concrete wall that separates the patio from the street.
Photo by: Coreen Schmidt Photography
Coreen Schmidt Photography
House Number Ideas
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Wall Planter
A metal planter displays the house number just outside this modern courtyard. Drought-resistant plants fill the rustic container, which accents the contemporary concrete wall that separates the patio from the street.
Photo By: Coreen Schmidt Photography
Flower-Filled Front Door Basket
Give a front door basket double usefulness by adding house numbers. Make the addition permanent by attaching metal versions with heavy-duty outdoor adhesive, or opt for a temporary fix, like these budget-friendly vinyl stickers. Tip: Make it easier to visually align the numbers by noting the basket's center with a piece of removable painter's tape.
Photo By: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith
DIY Cement Board
Heavy-duty cement board is long-lasting, affordable and you can make them in any font you wish.
Photo By: Emily Fazio
4. Flourish With Flora
Get creative with your plants and flowers. While the flower pot route is a great one, and I highly recommend adding them around the porch, get creative with your flower containers. Use pitchers, wheelbarrows, old cans and sprinkle them throughout the exterior. It is an easy way to bring life and color to the front of your home. Check out fresh and fun DIY planter ideas here.
Clever Vessels
Interior designers arrange objects with a range of heights and widths to keep the overall look balanced. To add height to potted evergreens or planted winter floral, try placing vessels on top of vintage stands, chairs or stools.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
5. Create a Seating Space
If your front porch has the space for one, consider adding a small seating area outside for entertaining. Patio furniture can get a little pricey, but there are some great steals at estate sales that would be perfect DIY projects. Add benches, chairs, tables and an outdoor rug to cozy up the space.
6. Install a Porch Swing
It's the classic front porch element and you should definitely have one if you have the place for it! This is on the higher end of the budget but it can make a big difference with a few pillows and a cushion, so it's worth considering. Learn how to install a porch swing here.
Vibrant Color and Pattern Enliven Classic Porch
Bold patterns and vivid colors bring life and personality to this charming front porch. A white swing is adorned with pillows for ultimate comfort, and yellow ottomans serve multiple functions as foot rests, coffee tables or extra seating.
Photo by: D2 Interieurs
D2 Interieurs
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