24 Brilliant Front Porch Ideas to Make Guests Feel Welcome (2024)

I’m a southerner. Front porches are a silent requirement of living in the south. You’ll find few homes which don’t have some type of front porch.

I’ve moved into two different homes since I married a southern man and relocated to his home state. One of the first things we did when moving in, was to adda bigger front porch.

Front porches are where all of the action happens. You spend your summer evening breaking beans on the porch. You spend the mornings on your front porch with a good cup of coffee.

This is also where important life talks happen. You can imagine how important it is to have a functional and welcoming front porch since this is where a great deal of time can be spent.

If you have a front porch and are looking for ideas on how to make it feel like an extension of the home, here are some of the internet’s best ideas in one convenient location:

1. House Number Planter

If you’re looking for a fashionable way to display your house number, this could be a great idea. You can purchase it or make it yourself.

Either way, it’s a planter with a place to display both your last name and house number. You plant flowers inside the box to draw attention and add natural beauty to the front of your home.

2. Painted Front Door

Is the paint peeling on your front door? Does your door look dated? If you have a front door which looks old or in disrepair, the front of your home doesn’t look welcoming.

But don’t be discouraged. You don’t have to buy a new front door. Instead, use this tutorial on how to paint your front door to give it a new look.

3. DIY Corner Bench

Having ample seating room for your front porch is important. Thislittle bench will ensure everyone has a comfortable place to sit and relax.

What better way to use every inch of the front porch space while providing seating than by constructing a corner bench with a built-in table?

4. Nova Scotia Front Porch

There’s a home in Nova Scotia which has made the internet smile because of its country charm. This is an image from the front porch of this lovely home.

If you’re looking to add welcoming, country charm to your front porch, then consider borrowing a few tips from this picture.

5. Welcome Sign

This welcome sign can be purchased or used as inspiration for your own creation. Whichever option you choose, having a welcome sign is a good idea for the front porch.

Simply put, if you want people to feel welcome at your home what better way to accomplish it than putting out a large sign which beautifully says it.

6. The Wire Spool Table

Who says adding charm to your front porch has to come with a hefty price tag? It doesn’t. Instead, you can upcycle items to create a gorgeous look.

In this case, a wire spool was painted and used as a table. With the right décor, your home will be screaming, ”charm” in no time flat.

7. Monogram Planter

Do you have a vacant wall on your front porch? Don’t leave it that way. Instead, use this tutorial to create a giant wooden monogrammed letter.

When the letter has been built, hang it up, and use it as a large planter. This will add a personal touch to your porch and a burst of color too.

8. The Pair of Chairs

Do you have a front porch which is slender in design? Perhaps it’s narrower than it is wide?This can feel like a challenge when attempting to decorate.

But this design idea is great. It shows you how to have a welcoming front porch with less furniture.

9. The Envirotile Makeover

Is your front porch made of concrete? Does it feel cold to you regardless of how you try to dress it up?

Then you’ll love this makeover. They used a product called Envirotiles which can be purchased at any big home improvement store and changed the entire appearance of their porch.

10. DIY Sectional

Having a sectional on your front porch is a great addition because of the amount of comfortable seating it provides.

However, purchasing a sectional can be costly. Which is why I’m bringing you this tutorial on constructing your own sectional.

11. Tall Outdoor Planters

We all know plants work wonders on making a porch feel more welcoming. You don’t have to go with traditional window boxes or hanging baskets.

Instead, go with these DIY tall outdoor planters. They’d be perfect by your front door and could add a touch of color in less vibrant locations.

12. Shades of Summer Front Porch

If you’re someone who prefers to go with more neutral or natural coloring, this is a great design idea. Here ferns are used by the front door to offer a boost of natural color.

But they also went with a darker front door and matching door mat. Yet, they chose a slight boost of natural color for the wreath on the door as well.

13. No Shrubs, Only Plants

This design idea is a unique option for the front of your home. Instead of going with traditional shrubs, consider planting potted plants.

You’d use pebbles for mulch to keep the weeds down. Insert perennial bulbs in pots and let them produce year after year.

14. Modern House Number Sign

You might not realize how much pizzazz your house numbers can add to your home, but they’re capable of adding a nice touch to your curb appeal.

Instead of using traditional numbers, use this tutorial to make a modern sign. Your home will seem more unique and stand out from the rest.

15. House Number Flower Pots

You may not realize what a big deal your house number can be. If you get creative with how you display the house number, it can make all the difference.

In this case, you stack three potted plants together and fill them with flowers. Display the house number on the big bottom pot.

16. The Bagged Front Porch

I like this front porch design. It makes a big statement with a small front porch area. They use a smart color scheme as the gold gives it pop, but the white offers a subtle touch of color.

They also include a chair for a place to sit, a modern plant, and a unique wreath with flowers inside.

17. $40 DIY Farmhouse Swing

A front porch swing is a perfect place to have a chat, drink a cup of coffee, rest, take in the scenery, or snap peas.

If you’d love to add a swing to your front porch, consider this tutorial. It’s a farmhouse style swing with plans which is said to only cost around $40.

18. DIY Porch Curtains

Another front porch trend which is booming lately is porch curtains. If you try to purchase your own, they can become pricey.

However, this tutorial shows you how to make front porch curtains from drop cloths. Itadds more charm to your porch and offers privacy too.

19. The Yellow Front Porch

Do you want a modern front porch with lots of color? You should check out this design idea. They use a colorful wooden doormat.

Plus, they paint the front door yellow and use a yellow flowered wreath as well. The look is finished off by yellow flowers planted by the front door.

20. Unique Coffee Table

Your front porch sitting area needs a coffee table if you have the room. But don’t spend a fortune on finding the perfect table.

Instead, buy a galvanized tub and turn it upside down. Purchase a sizeable wooden top and place it on the tub. It’s the perfect farmhouse coffee table.

21. The Large Front Porch Swing

This front porch swing doesn’t come with a tutorial, unfortunately. However, if you’re great with building things, this may inspire your build.

If you’re not the greatest at building things from scratch, you can shop around and be able to purchase this large, comfy swing.

22. Colander Hanging Flower Basket

Flowers make all the difference on a front porch. If you want to give your porch a welcoming touch with natural beauty, use hanging baskets.

But you could take it one step further by stepping away from traditional hanging baskets and use colanders in their place. It will undoubtedly draw the eyes to your flowers.

23. The Flowering Dresser

Do you have an old dresser you’re getting ready to toss to the curb? Don’t toss it until you see this idea.

Instead of using a basic planter by your front door, use the dresser. You can paint it any color you’d like and fill it with gorgeous flowers. It’ll bring your porch to life in a whole new way.

24. Steps to Screen Your Porch

A screened porch is your best friend. The reason being is you can enjoy it throughout the year without being eaten by bugs and being spat on by the elements.

If you pay someone to do it, it can become expensive. Which is why I wanted to share this tutorial which breaks down screening in your own porch and makes the process much more manageable.

Now you have 24 different ideas on how to make your front porch more welcoming, more functional, and more gorgeous.

These ideas should inspire you to make your own creation with your front porch, and many memories will be made there.