6 Creative Ways to Freshen Up Your Front Porch (On a Budget!)

Get that dreamy curb appeal without dropping an entire paycheck.

By: Kayla Suazo

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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.

Go Gray

A gracious front entrance is flanked by lofted beams and new siding in variations of charcoal gray.

Photo by: Sarah Dorio

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.

Home Exterior With Blue Front Door

A front entrance of a home with a blue door, yellow siding, and a flowerpot in daytime.

Photo by: iStock/David Papazian

iStock/David Papazian

Fresh Front Door Color Ideas

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Cool Turquoise

Inspired by an antique cabinet she saw, Beyond the Screen Door blogger and designer Sonya Hamilton painted her own front door a brilliant blue-green and applied a glaze to mute the effect. The color is Sherwin-Williams Nifty Turquoise.

Burst of Sunshine

You just can’t sustain a bad mood in the presence of a bright yellow door. This one, which belongs to blogger Erin Loechner, is set off by charcoal-gray shake siding and a decal applied to the glass sidelight that says sweetly, “Hello.”

Statley Red

"The strong ocean blue and bright red shown here hold their own against the color of the exterior stone,” Erika says. This color combo is bold but still classic — it complements the historic feel of this home without imparting an ounce of stuffiness. Image courtesy of Behr Paints

Elegant Indigo

A Victorian home is a license to indulge in brilliant paint and trim choices. "This style of architecture has so much detail that it takes a dark or bold color to draw your attention to the front door as a focal point," says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. This shade, Sherwin-Williams Indigo, harmonizes with the copper trim above and the brass hardware and kick plate below.

A Slice of Lime

It's hard to resist painting a contemporary door an acidic shade, like this delicious Overt Green by Sherwin-Williams. "The simplicity of the door — which isn't interrupted with panels, windows or other details — acts as a great blank canvas to apply bold color," Jackie says.

Powder Blue Meets Stripes

Blogger Ellen Mallernee Barnes (blackandwhiteandlovedallover.com) got so inspired while she was painting her front door blue — that’s Benjamin Moore’s Wythe Blue — that she decided to go all out with porch stripes. Those colors are from Sherwin-Williams: Perfect Greige and Antique Ivory. “It turned out so fun and bright,” Barnes says. “I love pulling into my driveway now.”

©Ellen Mallernee Barnes

Energetic Orange

The color orange is associated with vibrant energy, according to award-winning designer Lori Dennis, ASID. For that reason, orange can be hard to pull off — but pairing it with a cool gray exterior as Lori did here keeps the mood balanced and bright.

Black Ink

There's just something about a glossy black door — it's elegant, bold and impossible to ignore. But it makes an even bigger statement with the right trim. Here, the black entrance door of this historic home is enhanced with accents of olive green, cream and red. Image courtesy of Behr Paints

Minty Fresh

This confection of a front door was snapped by DIY blogger Brittany Bailey (prettyhandygirl.com) on a neighborhood stroll. The pale Jordan-almond color is a close match, she suggests, for the Sherwin-Williams shade Aqua Tint.

©Brittany Bailey

Soft Grape

"Nontraditional colors can trigger an emotional response," Erika says. "This can be used to your advantage in making your home feel more approachable." This purple door adds just enough whimsy to put visitors at ease. Image courtesy of Behr Paints

Bold Blue

Got a stodgy brick façade on your hands? An electric blue front door will certainly breathe some life into the picture—and knock your neighbors’ socks off. DIY blogger Brittany Bailey (prettyhandygirl.com) spotted this one on vacation in the United Kingdom.

©Brittany Bailey

“M” Is for “Marvelous”

If you’re going to paint your front door, why not go all out? Lifestyle blogger Jill McKee, who dishes on DIY home decor at meandjilly.blogspot.com, gave her door a much-needed makeover with a strip of crown molding and a can of Benjamin Moore paint (color: Iron Mountain). Then she took it up a notch by painting a houndstooth pattern on a papier-mache “M” from a craft store in a lighter shade of gray, distressing it with sandpaper and attaching it to the door to achieve the final look.

©Jill McKee

Sunny Yellow

Cass, blogger from That Old House, describes the hue of her front door as "summer squash yellow." It's actually Benjamin Moore Imperial Yellow, which pops out like a happy surprise from behind the charcoal-colored screen door frame and trim.

Cottage White

White is a versatile choice for a front door, says Erika Woelfel, director of color for Behr Paints. A bright white can add pop to a blah exterior, while a softer white such as Behr's Cotton Fluff can bring things into balance, as it does for this cottage’s welcoming entrance.

Easy on the Eyes

This cool grayish-blue (Behr’s Oslo Blue) makes a great complementary pairing with the warm neutral palette of the surrounding house. The color also echoes the soft blues on the stone porch.

©Behr

Candy Red

A red front door may seem awfully dramatic when you're looking at paint swatches, but don't fear it. Red is such a popular way to add interest to a neutral exterior that it's now considered a classic choice. This shade, Behr Licorice Stick, is a source of energy and an instant cure for "the taupes."

In the Navy

This deep, rich blue shows off seasonal décor to great advantage (lush spring ferns also look fantastic against it). The door belongs to blogger Ann Drake (onsuttonplace.com), who likes to change up her color and accessories to keep her look fresh. The color shown is Sherwin-Williams Naval Blue.

©Ann Drake

Eye Candy

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. As shown here, it makes a totally unexpected but satisfying pairing with weathered brick.

©Sherwin Williams

Tone on Tone

Your front door color doesn’t have to be high-contrast to be beautiful, especially if your house is already a distinctive color. This door — painted in Behr’s Tuscany Hillside — deepens the effect of the green siding without making the look too busy.

©Behr

Grape Expectations

DIY blogger Brittany Bailey (prettyhandygirl.com) knows a thing or two about home improvement, but for this project she didn’t have to lift a finger. She inherited this purple front door from the previous owners of her home and decided to keep it as is. The color, unique to Bailey’s neighborhood, pops against white trim and also picks up the color in the mosaic tile on the brick porch.

©Brittany Bailey

One of a Kind

Interior designer Lucy Williams (lucywilliamsinteriordesign.blogspot.com) helped pair one of her clients with a local custom millwork company to create this fabulous wood door. The intense turquoise color makes a strong statement against soft yellow brick, especially flanked by mirror-backed lanterns on either side.

©Lucy Williams

The Flip Side

Don’t be afraid to commit to a front door color just because it won’t work in your living room! The turquoise door shown in the previous photo was painted white on the reverse side to keep the foyer calm and neutral.

©Lucy Williams

Sea Blue

A saturated blue door keeps this two-toned house from fading into the landscape, but it still maintains a traditional feel. The paint color shown is Sherwin-Williams Regatta.

Photo By: © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Spicing Things Up

A photo in a magazine inspired crafts and décor blogger Korrie Bastian (redhenhome.blogspot.com) to paint her front door a warm orange. The tasty pumpkin-pie color is Behr’s Maple Leaf.

©Korrie Bastian

Put It in Neutral

If your house is a neutral color but you’re squeamish about bright hues — not everyone can handle a candy-apple red or a neon green front door — try a paint color that is also neutral but has the opposite “temperature.” That is, choose a warm door to go with a cool house, or vice versa. Here, taupe siding with warm yellow undertones is nicely complemented by a charcoal gray with a cool bluish vibe.

©Sherwin Williams

Classic Red

You can’t miss with a blue-toned red, which is so ubiquitous it’s practically a neutral these days. Shown is Behr’s Morocco Red — it’s like a cherry on top of the vanilla siding sundae.

Look To Fashion

You might think coral pink would be a tough color to pull off, but it looks right at home paired with a pale cream brick. A pinkish-orange is a good companion for any neutral siding color — witness the recent fall fashion trend of salmon paired with olive green. (If it looks good on you, chances are it’ll look good on your house!)

©Brittany Bailey

Green Light

According to Feng Shui principles, you can’t go wrong with green, the color of balance and renewal. Don’t worry that it will blend in with your landscaping—using green can actually draw out the different shades that are found naturally in your yard. The saturated hue shown is Behr’s Precious Emerald.

©Behr

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.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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.

From: Project Groundwork

Photo by: Coreen Schmidt Photography

Coreen Schmidt Photography

House Number Ideas

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Moss-Covered House Numbers

Add color and an organic vibe to your house with numbers made from pressure-treated plywood and sheet moss. See how easy they are to make >>

Photo By: Rustic White Photography, LLC

Dual Purpose Planter Box and House Numbers

Add curb appeal by building a brightly colored planter box that also identifies the home's street address. Get the step-by-step instructions >>

Wall Planter

From: Project Groundwork

Photo By: Coreen Schmidt Photography

Oar Inspiring

Krista from the Happy Housie blog upcycled an old boat paddle into a nautical-inspired way to display her house number.

Photo By: Krista Aasen

Upcycled Wine Bottles

A variety of wine bottles were melted down flat then adored with numbers. Project by Glass With a Past.

Photo By: Jodi McRaney Rusho

Fishing Cottage

Joan from Scavenger Chic made her house numbers using upcycled pallet wood, rope and driftwood. Create a silhouette that matches your home's style and use it to display your number.

Photo By: Scavenger Chic

Concrete Retaining Wall

This house is easily identified by its large numbers that were cleverly embossed into the wall that seperates the lawn from the sidewalk.

On the Softer Side

These homeowners opted to use a throw pillow to display their number.

DIY Cement Board

Heavy-duty cement board is long-lasting, affordable and you can make them in any font you wish. See how it's done >>

From: Emily Fazio

Photo By: Emily Fazio

Orange Door and Numbers

Matching the house numbers to the door makes both elements stand out and makes a fun statement. The color orange is associated with vibrant energy, according to award-winning designer Lori Dennis, ASID.

Stained Glass Transom

The entrance of this historic home is identified by a pretty stained-glass transom window above the glossy black door. Image courtesy of Behr Paints.

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.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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.

Front Porch Sitting Area With White Bench and Rustic Table

A white bench, cozy cushions and rustic industrial coffee table set an inviting home on the front porch of this ranch home remodeled by the Rafterhouse team on HGTV.

From: Rafterhouse

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.

From: D2 Interieurs

Photo by: D2 Interieurs

D2 Interieurs

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DIY Network Blog: Made + Remade

6 Creative Ways to Freshen Up Your Front Porch (On a Budget!)

Related To:

Go Gray

1. Paint the Door

Home Exterior With Blue Front Door

Cool Turquoise

Burst of Sunshine

Statley Red

Elegant Indigo

A Slice of Lime

Powder Blue Meets Stripes

Energetic Orange

Black Ink

Minty Fresh

Soft Grape

Bold Blue

“M” Is for “Marvelous”

Sunny Yellow

Cottage White

Easy on the Eyes

Candy Red

In the Navy

Eye Candy

Tone on Tone

Grape Expectations

One of a Kind

The Flip Side

Sea Blue

Spicing Things Up

Put It in Neutral

Classic Red

Look To Fashion

Green Light

2. Add Porch Drapes

Vibrant Outdoor Space With Hanging Daybed and Draperies

3. Update Your House Numbers

Modern Seattle Courtyard with Metal Planter and Concrete Wall

Moss-Covered House Numbers

Dual Purpose Planter Box and House Numbers

Wall Planter

Oar Inspiring

Upcycled Wine Bottles

Fishing Cottage

Concrete Retaining Wall

On the Softer Side

DIY Cement Board

Orange Door and Numbers

Stained Glass Transom

4. Flourish With Flora

Clever Vessels

5. Create a Seating Space

Front Porch Sitting Area With White Bench and Rustic Table

6. Install a Porch Swing

Vibrant Color and Pattern Enliven Classic Porch