Spring is around the corner and it’s time to think about sprucing up those outdoor spaces. A front porch refresh is a visible, though sometimes overlooked, way to greet the season. Rachael Dolan of Dolan Co. Design says outdoor areas in the back of the house tend to get much of the seasonal spotlight, making the front porch “a missed opportunity” for homeowners to create an inviting entry.
“The front porch offers a different view, [a] really relaxed, you’re just enjoying the air around you [vibe],” she says, noting that backyard spaces are most often reserved for entertaining and hosting.
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“A fun approach is looking at the front porch as the transition between your exterior and your interior,” adds Meagan Cooperman of Cooperman & Co. Interiors. “I love the idea of the porch showing a glimpse into what your interiors look like, whether that’s through the materiality or the colors that you’re using.”
Consider these specific components for bringing out the best in your front porch spaces:
DOORS
The front door can make a big impact on your home. It offers an opportunity to show your style or complement the architecture of your home. “Right now, we’re in such a natural look on a lot of exteriors, where people are going back to that wood look on a door,” says designer Caryn Boultinghouse. If you can’t do a full replacement, she suggests updating a door by adding windows with one of the many glass options on the market, from clear to light filtering.
For a bolder look, add some color. “I love a painted door,” says Cooperman. “I think painted doors add a lot of personality and they’re a great way to link your indoor and outdoor spaces.”
LIGHTING
Lighting is a key component to creating a cohesive look and feel in your outdoor spaces. Start by building layers of light, says Cooperman. “You can do sconces, have a really beautiful overhead pendant–there are so many great lighting options that are wireless too, like chargeable lamps and lanterns or even the candles in lanterns,” she says.
Simply using the right bulbs goes a long way, says Dolan. “We’re in the era of the LED, so people tend to get those bluer daylight bulbs and, for the front of your house, that’s not very inviting.” She recommends sticking with 2700k or 3000k bulbs for a clean but warm light. “Look at the size and proportion of your lights,” she adds. “A lot of people tend to under scale them, and nice big lights really enhance your entry.”
Don’t forget about landscape lighting, says landscape designer Paola Behner of Frisella Landscape Group. In fact, start there. “Soft warm lighting, especially along the path or near the porch, creates a sense of comfort and safety in the evening. It also creates that warm feeling of an invitation to come in,” says says.
RUGS/FLOORS
Outdoor-friendly rugs and doormats add visual interest to a space, while lending a homey feel and hiding cracks or other blemishes on the porch floor. Boultinghouse likes to layer rugs for a more stylish, up-to-date look. “I like to do something that’s got a color or a scallop or a trim as your larger piece, and then top it off with something that is going to allow you to wipe your feet.”
For that top mat, Dolan suggests classic and durable because that’s what’s going to stand the test of time. “I would get a really nice, thick, coco mat (mats made from coconut-husk fibers). Those are the gold standard,” she says, adding that they both wipe clean the soles of shoes and also look great. “One with a classic border or even a monogram formalizes your entry.”
FURNITURE
Whether or not you incorporate furniture on your front porch depends largely on the size of the space. A small porch might allow for a small chair or bench. Larger porches offer more options for quantity and scale.
Shelley Niemeier, interior designer and principal at SPACE Design and Construction, says comfort is as important as style. “When I think of an inviting front porch, it’s one that has comfortable seating. Think about who is using the space and what suits those bodies. If your parents come over often and they’re older, they might like chairs that don’t sit too deep or low and that have arms they can use to help push themselves up. If you have little kids, think about how messy they are and the fabric that’s on them.”
If you have room to create a conversation space, Boultinghouse suggests at least two matching chairs and a table in between them. “I like the chairs to have some kind of architectural feeling, whether it’s done in an all-weather wicker or great metal chairs with cushions.”
When a larger seating area isn’t an option, a porch swing is always a crowd favorite.
PLANTS
There’s nothing like plants to make a front porch feel more welcoming and connected. Whatever your style, only real foliage will do, says Boultinghouse. “Don’t fill your planters with faux florals!” she says.
When selecting planters, Dolan suggests letting your home’s architectural style be your guide. “If your house is very symmetrical, then run with symmetry. If it is asymmetric, that’s your opportunity to do one big planter and make that the focus, because that’s going to balance out your front door. You can do groupings, too.”
“Most homes have strong, straight architecture lines, so adding softer layered plantings or rounded containers helps balance and make the entrance feel more welcoming,” adds Behner. “Something that frames your entrance like a boxwood or something a bit more columnar adds character.”
She suggests adding drip irrigation to containers for easier maintenance, as well as mixing perennials with annuals. “Adding some coneflower or catmint, native perennials that bloom for a long time and do very well, requires less maintenance and watering. Also adding grasses like prairie dropseed looks lovely. I think bringing in texture is really important–contrasting grasses with the perennials and some cascading annuals.
If you need help getting started, Frisella Nursery offers a variety of classes and workshops, including an Early Spring Pansy Porch Pot Workshop on March 21 and Spring Porch Pot classes on April 18, April 26 and May 2.
