By Short on budget but you want to remodel your front porch? Don’t fret, here are 10 front porch ideas that can transform your porch without breaking the bank. Let’s do this!
Check Structure
The structure should be solid with no problem of water damage or rot. Water damage may occur from direct rainfall or water dripping from plants or furniture. Check each post and porch rail for movement. After any damaged area has been repaired or replaced, you are ready to continue.
Paint it!
Paint will improve the appearance and the value of your home tremendously! Always wash the entire porch before painting. Using a pressure washer is the best way to remove any dirt or mildew. If you don’t own one, you may rent one at a reasonable price. You may also borrow one from a friend. Choose a color of paint that will compliment your home. Of course, select a color that you will enjoy.
Improve Flooring
Floors may be concrete, wood decking, or brick. You can give a totally new look to your existing floor by painting or staining. If you choose to give your concrete a new look, concrete stain, or faux finishing are easy DIY projects. Wood decking should be washed thoroughly and either stained or painted with a high quality all-weather mildew resistant paint or stain. Any broken or cracked bricks should be replaced, if possible. Bricks are practically maintenance free. All there is to it is to pressure wash and enjoy!
Light Fixtures
Another front porch ideas involves lights. Light Fixtures will also add to the look of your new entrance. Either polish up the existing fixture, paint it or purchase a new one. Additional outdoor lighting may be added to your landscaping near your front porch. Usually on a timer, these lights not only add drama to your front entrance, but provide security.
Door Handle
Hardware may need replacing. A shiny new door handle would make an enormous difference. This will be the first thing your visitors will touch when coming to your front door. There are many styles and prices to choose from at your local home improvement center. You may also want to display your address. Select a style that will compliment the door handle.
Repurpose Furniture
Furniture you may already have can be used. A fresh coat of weatherproof paint will bring new life to your favorite porch swing, rocking chair, wicker, or wrought iron furniture. You may want to add a small bistro table with a couple of chairs. This would be a wonderful addition to your front porch. Garage sale finds are always a great, economical way to add to your outdoor decor. Replace any worn cushions or add new ones. You may want to wait until the end of the season to take advantage of clearance sales.
Recycle an Old Table
To make a pretty porch functional and comfortable it must have a table and chairs. An old dining room table or coffee table work perfect when paired with a couple of wicker chairs for porch décor. Paint and distress the table if desired or leave as-is to give the porch much needed surface space and give an old indoor table new life outdoors. Old kitchen chairs or small ‘pleather’ chairs that once graced an indoor sitting room can find a new home on a porch. This furniture items can be found at cheap prices at flea markets if you don’t have any of your own.
Let there be plants
Plants are an inexpensive way to liven up your porch. Place a couple of large planters on each side of the door, using healthy plants with foliage and blooms that compliment each other. Select plants that are twice as tall as the pot, with different textures and colors. Mix annuals and perennials of different heights and shapes, with ground covers spilling over the sides. Hanging plants, such as Boston ferns, will give your front porch a Southern charm. Remember to select plants that need shade or sun, whichever your front porch requires.
Soft Seating
Soft seating does not have to be reserved for indoors only, add some seat cushions and throw pillow to porch seating for softness and decorative color. Weather-proof cushions and pillows can be purchased or made for porch chairs to give visitors an invitation to come in and sit a spell. Toss a soft quilt over the back of a chair or porch swing and place a fabric table runner or table cloth on the table(s) to further soften the look and feel.
If you have a large front porch, arrange seating into intimate conversation groups. Circle seating around a center table or place two rocking chairs side by side for comfortable outdoor seating that encourages conversation.
Raid the Inside
Raid the inside of your home for decorative objects that will pretty up your porch. An old pitcher or cookie jar with a broken lid can be recycled into flower vases. Add punches of color to table tops with candles, lamps, knick-knacks and bowls of fruit. If it’s colorful and unappreciated indoors, bring it outside to the porch so it can used or admired. Don’t forget to add a checker board and other favorite board games to the porch tables.
Final Words
The front and back porch is the perfect transitional space from garden to house, making it the ideal space for décor from both sides. For those of us living in the south, porches are an extension of our homes and are utilized as living spaces for three seasons per year so we pretty them up with non-traditional porch décor. Before purchasing a couple of plastic porch chairs and calling it a day, consider some of these DIY front porch ideas for a pretty porch.
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