On occasion, we get the realization that we are used to how things are – so much so that we don’t even notice those things anymore. It is at this point that you know something needs to change. This holds true for a lot of things in life. It could be hairstyles, clothes, cars – but today, let’s talk about your porch.
Whether your house is brand new or it has been your home for a while, the porch is always a great place to begin when you want to spruce things up. It is what most people will see first when passing by or paying you a visit. As such, it is important to make it feel welcoming.
Your porch plays a key role in the curb appeal of your home. If not for others, it is important to do it for yourself. Think about coming home after a long day, looking at your house, and seeing a beautiful porch ushering you into your fortress of tranquility.
Read on to find out how to make your porch feel more welcoming. If not, read on anyway. Your mind is guaranteed to change by the time the last period comes about!
The Basics – Clean and Spruce It Up
Where else to start? Make good use of the available space. Set some time aside to give your porch some TLC (Tender, Loving Care). Sweep the cobwebs away, dust off all the surfaces, water all the plants and flowers, and re-align the sitting arrangement to feel efficient and homey.
Consider giving the surface a fresh lick of paint and changing the colors up if you want to. If repainting the whole porch is too arduous a task, focusing on your door should be what you focus on.
And remember to fix any broken furniture you may have on there. Your porch may only require a little attention to recapture its former glory.
Lounging Area – Make it Homey and Comfortable
Is your porch somewhere you can go sit and relax with your friends and family? A great way to make your porch feel welcoming is making sure that you can lounge on it. Get furniture that gives you enough sitting or lying-down room. Make sure that the cushions are fluffy and comfortable, and consider adding tables to the designated sitting areas.
With this, you can have your breakfast while watching the sunrise, lunch while bathing in the sunshine, and dinner with the setting sun in your background.
A Welcome Sign – Go for the Obvious
A “Welcome” sign may sound cliché, but it does the trick. What’s more welcoming than an actual sign spelling it out for you and anyone else who walks into your home?
Welcome signs are simple but impactful addition to create a homey mood. But not just any generic welcome sign. Find a way to personalize it to reflect your personality, hobbies, favorite things, or just your family.
Feel free to go crazy with the design but make sure it complements the overall feeling of your porch and your home by extension. You can add a message or quote beneath the welcome text to further drive the warm feeling home (pun intended).
Plant Some Plants
You can never go wrong with well-maintained greenery! Mother nature has a way of setting a serene—almost rejuvenating—atmosphere.
Consider having plants around your porch if not on it. There is a whole lot you can do with them. You could go completely green if that is your preference. With this, your porch enjoys a lush and healthy look. Remember to go for plants that can survive the elements and look good all year round.
Another option you could go for is seasonal blooms. These will paint your porch and everything surrounding it with different shades depending on the season—from the white of snow to a beautiful array of colors in spring.
You could also get some house number flower pots to add some flair to how your house number is displayed.
And the landscaping around your porch area is just as important to make it feel as welcoming as your actual porch is. The visual lead-up to the porch is part of the experience. With this in mind, make sure it looks as beautiful and spruced up as possible.
Porch Swings
Porch swings should be a staple for any porch, provided the space is available. The vibe they bring to a porch is unmatched and is very welcoming, to say the least. A porch swing can supplement or replace any sitting arrangement you may already have on your porch.
For the porch swing, consider having it installed professionally. Make sure that you can tweak the swinging to suit whoever will be using it. If you can, have one that can accommodate at least two people so that friends and family can share moments or just relax on it.
Fans and/or a Screened Porch – Counter the Elements
Plan for the hotter seasons by having fans installed – overhead or otherwise. In addition to having fans, having a screened porch is another great way to nullify the elements. You do not want to forfeit your time on the porch just because it is too hot.
If there is no direct shade for your porch, you could choose between an actual screen or some curtains. While it may sound like the opposite of making your porch feel more welcoming, your porch isn’t just for your visitors. It also needs to be welcoming for you.
A screen porch will reduce the potential bug problem you may have, allow you to sit on it in the rain, and even reduce the dust build-up.
Lighting is Key
When the sun sinks on the horizon, you still need to be able to sit on your porch. This is where good lighting comes in. It helps make the porch feel safer and more welcoming—taking your curb appeal up a notch.
Have a light at the door or above the seating area—and lights leading up to your porch.
Bottom line
Give your home entry space some love. Bedazzle your porch and give it some wow factor with these décor tips and tricks. They don’t break the bank, but they leave your porch feeling as welcoming as it has ever been to you and your visitors.
Which porch décor idea are you looking forward to trying first?
