It’s almost that time! Dust off the pollen and break out the patio cushions. Front porch sitting is right around the corner. Or if you live in the South like me, it’s already here! I’ve got some gorgeous front porch decorating ideas and inspiration for you today!
One of my favorite things to do in the afternoon while waiting on the bus is swing on the porch. It’s been a while since I could since we’ve been covered in pollen. But now that it’s gone, it’s time to get the decorating in gear.
I’ve changed mine up a bit this year and gone a little bolder with the color. Whether you love neutrals or bright colors, it’s easy to give your front porch some cozy and beautiful touches.
Gorgeous Front Porch Inspiration
Front Door
Add some charm to the front door with a DIY wreath or even a store-bought one. Pick up some bright flowers or greenery and add it to a simple grapevine wreath. I used my favorite faux peonies (these are seriously so cheap!) I’ve bought a few different colors of these in the past and they don’t disappoint.
Faux Flowers
I used a group of faux flowers I found in a yard sale to add to the metal buckets this year. It was originally a flower vase, but it was broken so she gave it to me for free! I snipped off the stems and just pushed them into the dirt in a random fashion. It gives a great pop of color on the vintage boxes!
Hanging Plants for the Front Porch
I’ve had too many real plants in the past and it gets overwhelming to water everything. I only added a few real plants, including my trusty Calibrachoa in the hanging planters. These plants are amazing – if you’ve never planted them, get some now!
They’re gorgeous, constantly flower, and as long as you water them and feed them a bit, they’re low maintenance. Mine are brand new in these pics, but eventually, they’ll trail over the planters and they’re just the prettiest flowers.
My front porch takes a beating from the afternoon sun, so I need container plants that love full sun out here.
Repurposed Items for Planters
And I can’t forget my vintage toolbox. I use this along with a few other DIY Planters every year to plant a few annuals. This box came from my husband’s uncle so it’s nice to be able to use something sentimental in an unconventional way.
This year I planted impatiens in it and they’re teeny tiny because I just planted them, but they’ll spread out and fill up the whole toolbox soon. Impatiens are perfect for the partial shade on the porch and as long as I keep them watered, they thrive.
Update – This pic above is about a month after planting the Impatiens – crazy how fast they grow!
Cozy Seating for the Front Porch Area
We were discussing front porches the other day with my mother in law and her husband and they were reminding us that people used to just sit and visit on the front porch. On Sundays, they would go drive around and if someone was out sitting, they’d stop and chat for a while.
Wouldn’t that be amazing? Sitting and chatting just because you can.
It helps with the sitting and the chatting to have some cozy seating areas on your front porch if your space allows for it. We picked up a few super comfortable chairs years ago from Garden Ridge – I don’t think it exists anymore or maybe it changed names?
The cushions were from a neighbor and they’re thick and comfortable. I found some similar options on Amazon for chairs and cushions.
And who can forget the porch swing? I asked for a porch swing for Mother’s Day one year and it’s one of my favorite things on the porch. It’s completely blocked from view on one side so I feel like I’m in my own little world.
We opted for a rust-proof metal version, but there are so many options depending on how much space you have.
In total this year, I spent about $20 on our front porch for summer. There are several things I’ve got my eyes on – I need some bigger outdoor pillows for the swing and a new doormat would be lovely, but for now, it’s a pretty good summer front porch.
More Front Porch Decorating Inspiration
And I asked for help from some blogger friends in sharing more gorgeous front porch decorating ideas – everything from DIYs to plants, farmhouse style, colorful and everything in between! Be sure to visit their posts for all the fabulous details!
Enjoy!
More Front Porch Decorating Ideas
Maureen from Red Cottage Chronicles has some of the most beautiful plants on her porch and she shows that it’s possible to have major style in a small space. I think my favorite is the color combos she chose for her plants. It makes me want to run out to the garden center again for more!
This DIY Plant stand from Charleston Crafted is incredible! If you’ve got some building skills, this would be a perfect front porch DIY. I would love to build this because I’m always finding more plants than I have space for! Be sure to check out her post for the full building instructions.
I love how Jenny from Cookies, Coffee, and Crafts turned an ordinary toolbox into a beautiful piece of porch decor. The options for this are unlimited. If you’ve got a little patio table, you could add whatever you want to the box to dress it up. Of course, my farmhouse loving heart is partial to her mason jar decorations!
Ashley from Handmade Haven has a crafty idea to change a plain metal planter into a gorgeous zinc planter and she’s got all the instructions on her blog. I’m a sucker for pretty planters, but so often they are way out of my price range. This is a thrifty way to turn an ordinary pail into something fabulous for your front porch!
And if this front porch from Leen at Sand Dollar Lane doesn’t bring on the cheerful vibes, I don’t know what will. The plants, the chairs, pillows, and her amazing choices of blues, greens, and yellows are just so happy and inviting. This is one porch I’d love to just sit and chat on!
Hydrangeas are in my top five favorite flowers. They’re full of stunning, huge blooms in a gorgeous variety of colors and they make perfect cutting flowers to bring inside and decorate your house. Toni from Girl, Just DIY made this amazing wreath using faux hydrangeas and she’ll show you exactly how to do it. DIY wreaths are a perfect option for decorating the front door.
Whenever my kids ask me my favorite color, it’s always black. And this sweet little porch from Laura at Inspiration for Moms has my wheels spinning on a new outdoor rug in black and white. I’ve been searching for pillows like that – it would be perfect for a Mother’s Day gift! (hint hint family).
Jen from Rambling Renovators has some spot-on tips for updating your front porch area. Can we just talk about that front door color?? It’s amazing how much impact a new paint color can have. Her porch just has calming vibes all around – like it’s begging you to come to sit awhile.
We’ve all seen the cool Welcome signs, but Emily from Table & Hearth has a unique creation for a welcome sign and it’s fantastic. I can imagine the fun my kiddos would have writing different sayings on this one. And I love how it has a touch of vintage charm – like a sign outside of an old sweets shop.
How cute is this DIY Door Basket from FrugElegance? And those white tulips are perfect! I love DIYs that can be versatile and change with the seasons. You could update this to summer, fall, and even winter.
Galvanized metal, white, and greenery – it’s a perfect combo for a farmhouse style front porch. Debbie from Confessions of a Plate Addict shows how you can update even a small porch with big style. Those olive buckets are perfectly farmhouse!
These DIY Planters from Jane and Sonya at Sustain My Craft Habit would brighten up any porch or patio. The vivid blue and the bright yellow flowers are a perfect combination for a fabulous summer front porch. I love how simple it is, yet bold.
These are on my list!! I know my vintage boxes will give out sooner or later and when they do, I’m going to build some DIY Cedar Planters like these! Jessica from The Vanderveen House has all the materials, cuts, and instructions you need to make your own.
And even if you don’t have a sprawling porch, it’s possible to add your own style. Meegan from Meegan Makes created her own beach themed porch for her condo by shopping her house (I love thrifty decorating) and a few DIYs. And it’s adorable!
And this one from Sand Dollar Lane is stunning! The rocking chairs, the flowers, and the perfectly painted ceiling make this one of my faves! If I was out Sunday driving, this would be a great stop for sure. It’s what you want your front porch to be – cozy and inviting!
Hopefully, you’ve found some gorgeous front porch inspiration. No matter your style, budget, or skill level – there are ways to create an inviting and happy front porch.
Related Posts
$12 Thrifty Summer Porch Update
Container Plants that Love Full Sun
Long Blooming Flowers for Continuous Color
Plant Shelf Makeover
Pin these Front Porch Ideas for Later!
Wendy
Thursday 2nd of May 2019
Wow what great ideas! I would die for a porch swing! I also love the stripped rug, the hydrangea wreath that the coastal front porch. I want them all!!!!
create and find
Friday 3rd of May 2019
Thanks Wendy! That porch swing is one of my favorite gifts ever! Aren't they great ideas? So many pretty porches!