We love a high-impact renovation on a budget, and few external projects add va-va-voom to your home like a front porch revamp. Every neighborhood has a showstopper. That one house that catches your attention as you drive by. Maybe it’s the front yard, maybe it’s the architecture, or maybe it’s someone with a clever eye for adding some charm to their home’s front porch.
There’s a bit of an art to creating an inviting exterior entrance to a home, but it’s absolutely an achievable project for any homeowner. One of the best moves before you begin your own remodel is to do a little reconnaissance. Either online or in person, scope out some home exteriors that make your little heart go pitter-pat, then try to decide what it is that makes those spaces work so well.
For instance, a popping front door color, or a unique light fixture makes a home stand out. Artfully arranged pots and plants or creeping vines add whimsy. A playful set of house numbers, or even a comfortable-looking Adirondack chair might be the magic equation.
Go Bold with Your Front Porch Revamp
Because your front porch also has to function well, it’s important to take stock of which items your front porch needs. Are your house numbers visible from the street? Can a person easily navigate the path to the entrance? Will your front door be lit well and safely at night?
Texture is an important consideration for any successful front porch makeover. Adding stone or brick veneer, even if it’s just a low trim, or framing your front door, will add interest. So will bulking up your trim, or beefing up pillars and posts. If your porch or stoop has railings, consider swapping them for something more interesting.
Grab the Paint!
Fresh paint can do wonders for any exterior. But you don’t need to tackle the entire exterior of your house! If your siding is in good shape, consider hosing it down to give it a refresh. Then, just paint your trim! A new color does wonders to update your home’s look.
You shouldn’t feel constrained to traditional earth tones. Look at Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration and consider a bold choice. Rich tones can really change the personality of your home, as can dark or light ones. Consider a color that contrasts with your roof or stonework.
Wood Warms Things Up
Another look that could work for your front porch is wood. Whether a decorative beam or post, wood railings, or wooden shutters, the warm tones of wood are always in style. If budget is a consideration, go for just one impact wooden item. Like a box beam or post.
If your front porch doesn’t have a covered roof area, wood is a great choice to build one. This works even if your home doesn’t have any other wood on the exterior. The key is to be thoughtful when choosing your wood type and stain colors. Try using a swatch against your existing exterior to see how well the tones will live together.
Unique is a Good Thing
We’re not going to recommend that you install a circus tent on your front stoop, but being the unique house on the block is not a bad thing. Injecting your personality into your home’s exterior is a great idea. Maybe you include an homage to your favorite sports team or artist.
Sometimes you’re at the mercy of the architecture of your home, but not always! You can make cosmetic changes that make your house seem like it’s been transplanted from thousands of miles away. Look at doors and light fixtures from Europe or Asia.
When adding unique architectural features, consider toning down your color scheme. This allows your unique features to really stand out. Contrasting trim colors can also help highlight interesting character details. It’s a great way to show off period historical aspects of your home as well.
Green Green Green
Don’t forget to bring something living to your front porch. Flowers, plants, potted trees, whatever you like most put a pot or two on your front porch. Sure, you can overdo it, but as we look around most neighborhoods it seems like people are more likely to underdo the greenery. This is a chance to make your home look vibrant and alive.
While it’s a great idea to add greenery, don’t feel like you need to neglect environmental concerns. Choose native or drought-tolerant plants. That way they’ll have an easy impact on your water use and thrive in your climate. There’s nothing wrong with fake or preserved plants or flowers, either! We have seen some fantastically preserved boxwoods and fake topiaries that will last for years.
No matter how big or small your front porch revamp is, there’s no reason not to start today!
