12 front porch ideas to set your house apart from the rest and give your entranceway extra kerb appeal

It’s pretty surprising that the spaces of your home that are responsible for the first impressions of your abode - like your front porch or the hallway - are also usually the most forgotten about when decorating. So don’t be one of those that make that grave mistake and instead, give your entranceway some TLC, taking inspiration from our list of front porch ideas.

If you’re lucky enough for your entrance to be rocking a front porch, it would be a shame to neglect it. Instead, make the most of it – this is the sight that you and your guests will be greeted by every time you walk through the front door. Which reminds us that our front door ideas should also not be overlooked to make your entry look nice and stylish.

Front porch ideas

No matter the size of your porch - whether space is no issue or if small front porch ideas is what you’re after - there are creative and chic ways to elevate your space and set it apart from the rest on your street.

1. Add a new coat of paint

Sometimes, all you need to makeover a space are some paint ideas – and the front porch is no exception. The power of paint and colour should not be underestimated.

‘Let's not overlook the impact of a fresh coat of paint in a classic shade like Farrow & Ball's Railings or Pigeon – it does have an aura of understated luxury about it,’ says Sam Sutherland, Flitch interior stylist.

Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography and film at Cox & Cox, continues, ‘Colour can impact how big your porch looks. Go for a clean and bright white to create the illusion of more space. Or if you’re wanting some colour in your home, try lighter tones, light baby blue or green, to brighten the space without sacrificing on your style.’

2. Consider your porch lighting

Most porches are on the smaller side so every element of the space should be used for maximum impact. And porch lighting ideas are one of those that can make or break your entranceway – and therefore should be given enough thought when choosing your styles.

‘Upgrade your porch lighting with a statement pendant, lantern wall sconces, recessed lighting or eye-catching string lights,’ says Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi. ‘Not only does this make the porch look aesthetically appealing and welcoming – it’s also brilliant as an added security measure. Neglecting lighting is a missed opportunity as this can make the porch feel dull or uninviting, especially at night.’

3. Keep the space clean and uncluttered

Nothing makes a space look worse than dirt and clutter. Especially if the area is on a smaller side. So when it comes to your front porch and making it appear more expensive, it’s best to keep it clear of any of that, especially since this is supposed to be the first impression others get of your home.

‘It sounds obvious, but don’t forget to keep your porch clean and tidy! Keeping everything well-maintained, sparkling surfaces, and well-kept plants always ensures a polished and upscale vibe. Another key element is too much clutter,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

Danielle at Cox & Cox suggests how to manage any clutter, ‘Baskets can be the perfect storage solution to a smaller space. They can be placed in small cubby holes to keep clutter at bay whilst presenting a pretty finish to your space.’

4. Opt for an open porch

If your home is currently porch free, you’re in a great position to design the space from scratch. But when looking for front porch ideas, consider whether an open structure or one that is enclosed will be best for you.

‘One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is that they instantly think a porch should be watertight and enclosed,' says Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors. This really is not the case and your starting point should always be asking yourself, what practical elements, other than aesthetic, would benefit you from having a porch.’

‘If you want to be protected from the rain whilst trying to find keys buried at the bottom of your bag, then an open porch will not only suffice but most likely look better too,' he adds.

Before committing to the build, really be clear about what you need out of the space.

5. Create a garden room

A chic glass garden room doesn't have to be reserved for your garden ideas. If you want to add interest to the front of your home and create an in-between room that can house parcels and wellies then creating an enclosed porch with glass doors and a ceiling will be the perfect contemporary touch.

If your home already has a glass porch which is looking a little bit dated, swapping the doors out for black Crittall-style frames will instantly update the front of your property.

6. Add in a spot to sit

If you opt for an enclosed porch and have space to include some porch seating ideas, go for it. By including a bistro set, bench or even a small modular couch, your porch could provide you with another seated area to enjoy in your home.

Seating can work in an open porch too, just be sure to go for hardy, structures and outdoor fabric. Also, think carefully about how to arrange the pieces so they don’t obstruct foot traffic flow or become a nuisance for posties and pets.

'Depending on the size and situation of your porch, well-chosen wood, rattan, or wrought iron furniture can go a long way to transforming a porch from a simple entryway into an inviting, liveable space. A simple bench can maximise space in a smaller porch and foster a high-end appearance without overwhelming the space. This type of practical seating also provides a convenient spot to sit down and take off muddy shoes. Avoid overcrowding though,' Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

7. Incorporate greenery

The greenery you go for depends not only on space but whether your porch is open or enclosed. For an open porch, Dobbies' horticultural director, Marcus Eyles says, ‘To create a showstopping porch display, pansy and viola plants are great as they work well in containers and will give your pots a wonderful fresh look. Pair their vibrant flowers with containers in complementary tones for maximum effect, and make sure you water well when planted and then regularly to keep the soil damp.’

'My unenclosed front porch is pretty nondescript, but styling pots of plants either side of the doormat makes it feel far more like an ‘entranceway’. Opting for pots means it’s also easy to swap the plants out with the seasons to make sure there’s pretty much always something in bloom, whether that’s tulip bulbs in the spring or evergreen shrubs in the winter,' says Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, Amy Lockwood. 'It's a great way to add some seasonal style and create as much of a statement focal point as you want’.

8. Make a statement with decorative tiles

In recent years, porch flooring has gone from something very much over-looked to being a major focus of the space. So when considering front porch ideas, don’t be scared to choose something bold for your flooring such as decorative flooring tile ideas, just make sure they’re practical too.

Eloise Street from The London Tile Co. says, ‘Vitrified porcelain is an excellent choice as it's unaffected by changes in temperature, plus it's extremely durable and fade resistant. And check for a high slip resistance rating if you're using the tiles in an area that gets wet often.’

For grouting ideas, Eloise recommends, ‘Choose one that's suitable for outdoor use and go for a darker shade in high traffic areas to help hide any marks and reduce cleaning.’

9. Choose discrete built-in storage

A porch can be an ideal place to store chopped wood for a wood burner and house umbrellas and muddy boots, but as it’s the first introduction to the home, you want to avoid clutter greeting your guests.

‘Generally small spaces, a porch can be one of the hardest working rooms in the home. Welcoming in friends and bidding fond farewells, but has the potential to become a dumping ground, so storage to neatly hide away shoes and coats really is key,’ says Teresa Buck, head of crand creative at The Cotswold Company.

If space allows, include a couple of low-profile storage solutions that won’t block windows or archways. For an enclosed porch, slimline cupboards built in under the windows work well.

10. Add warmth with window dressings

If your porch is enclosed, how you dress your windows will set the tone, from the outside and inside. ‘If you want to add interest to the front of your home, opt for curtains or Roman blinds with a coloured lining in your porch,' says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys.

Before committing to window dressing think if it’s privacy you want, or decoration or a mix of the two? A combination of blinds, flowy voile panels and door curtain ideas could work.

Also think about light and temperature. Yvonne says, ‘Venetian blinds offer ultimate control of heat and light while also creating a uniform look from outside, especially when used in all windows at the front of your home.’

11. Decorate with wreaths all year round

An easy way to add colour and personality to your porch is to add seasonal décor in the form of real or faux garlands or wreaths, all year round. Think gypsophila and daisies or wildflowers for spring, sunflowers, tulips or peonies for summer, maple leaves and eucalyptus for autumn and berries, pine cones, pampas and fir for winter.

Use hooks for the wreaths or add a trellis to wrap your garland around the porch posts and swap them out at the start of every new season to keep your porch feeling fresh and interesting. Keep an eye on home decor discount codes to discover what seasonal styles you can find for less.

12. Welcome guests with terracotta tiles

Terracotta is trending at the moment and is the perfect way to add warmth to a porch.

'Providing a rustic, earthen texture, terracotta feeds the prevailing desire to connect our interiors with the natural world,' says Diane Hyde, marketing manager at Craven Dunnill & Co. 'Terracotta is also ideal for porch tiling, creating a welcoming and distinctive entrance to a home.'

FAQs

Can I add a front porch to my house?

Working out if you need planning permission for a porch will depend on a couple of factors. If you intend to build a porch that is less than 3 metres, you may not need planning permission, though it’s best to check.

However, regulations aren’t the only thing to consider when deciding on size and style. Kunal Trehan from Touched Interiors says, ‘The first thing to do is to consider the size of your existing property and what size and shape of porch would enhance the entrance.'

'A porch should enhance and not be the main event, so use the basic principle that it should only surround your front door way, to avoid adding a monstrosity to your sanctuary. When it comes to depth, ensure that it does not protrude so excessively that it makes the rest of the house look unbalanced. Balance on width and depth is key to get this right.’

How can I make my front porch look nice?

It’s best to avoid too much clutter, trinkets and decorative items if you want your porch to seem inviting and spacious. Avoid lining the windowsills with too many items so it doesn’t look messy. And think about layering your textiles, patterns or pops of colour can be introduced through rugs and pillows if you have seating in your porch.

Plus painting your front door and changing out your number/name plate and letterbox can really revitalise a tired porch.

What to put on a small porch?

A small porch should always have lighting and a doormat, it could also have some small baskets or boxes for storage of clutter or shoes and dog leads.

Greenery is a must too, plants and flowers help add interest to an otherwise boring entrance. When deciding on plants for a smaller porch, Marissa Carrara, design assistant at Rachel Bailey Design, suggests, ‘If space is limited, consider alpine plants, as most alpines enjoy dry, conditions, they are perfect for containers. Using a mulch of grit or gravel on the top surface to that their foliage doesn’t sit on damp soil.’

She adds, ‘A porch with good light levels could accommodate vegetables like tomatoes or consider herbs, perhaps a large pot of basil, Rosemary or salad ready for the salad bowl.’ Which would be a great additional use for the space.

Now that spring and summer are here, this is the perfect time to style your front porch and create a beautiful vision to welcome you home on a gorgeous evening.