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Front Porch LIVING

Throughout our lives, we are given much advice. The one word of advice that has always been true is that first impressions count. If we took this advice seriously in business and dating, why wouldn’t we for our homes? What is your front porch saying about you? Your front porch is one of the key elements that contributes to the curb appeal of your home and gives people a first impression, whether they’re driving by or walking up to ring your bell. It is the best place to receive your guests; it creates a sense of community, and, essentially extends an invitation to your home. Plus, when the weather is just right, it can be a great place to relax and enjoy your quiet time.

There are many front porch decorating ideas. First, tackle the immediate porch surrounding areas. To prevent your house from sticking out like a sore thumb, simply clean your home’s exterior and tidy up your landscaping around the porch for instant curb appeal. Make sure the attraction matches the character your front porch portrays.

Paint is the easiest way to make bold statement choices. While you should consider a neutral for most of the home’s exterior to maximize its value, you can go bolder in your color selection for the front door. Consider your front door a blank canvas. Start by painting your front door with two coats of hi-gloss paint. Cheerful hues of crimson red, canary yellow, cobalt blue and grass green can be dramatic and bold. If your home is on the market, consider shades of grey or ebony.

If you are looking to a add a little southern charm to your porch, I suggest painting the porch ceiling. This southern tradition is thought to ward off evil spirits. A few hues that work very well include Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue H-144, Artic Blue 2050-60 and Clear Skies 2054-70.

Next, check the hardware and details on your door and porch (knobs, knocker, mails slot, hinges, numbers). Make certain the finish is not peeling or chipping. Do they coordinate well and are they polished properly? Attractive door hardware and accessories can make a great statement for minimal money. When it comes to porch ideas, the thing people seldom think about changing are the actual numbers on their house—most still display the original ones the builder installed! But new numbers can contribute a lot of personality to your front porch with little effort. Lastly,

make certain you pick styles that reflect the age of the home and the architecture.

Another great idea is to extend your living space by installing appropriate lighting. From the street, passersby see the inviting light at eye level and gain a sense of sanctuary. From inside a home looking out, it’s a satisfying feeling to fill the blank, black space outside. For creating an atmosphere of entertainment and engagement, I recommend installing overhead lights with dimmers or up-lighting around the perimeter of your porch. If you just want to avoid darkness, simply place a lamp on an end table by the door or hang an elegant pendant lantern. When shopping for fixtures, go with oversized pieces since they’ll be seen in proportion to the house and you don’t want them to appear dwarfed. Options include gas lanterns flanking your front door, copper pendant lights hanging from the porch ceiling, or architectural stair lighting. These all add a warm, welcoming glow to your front porch façade.

Plants carry a sense of nature from the front yard onto the porch. Eighty percent of your plants should be strong and hardy while twenty percent should be dedicated to bringing color to the space. Try mixing a variety of urns, planters, and containers planted with different colors, textures, and dimensions. If your patio is nearby, continue the same theme with planters and flowerpots there as well. Consider mixing taller plants with ivy and moss spilling over the sides. Bold color combinations such as orange and purple look really great and impactful. Lastly, perch a mix of succulents in planters or baskets on a table or chair to add to the visual interest of the space.

Finally, make the front porch a place to linger by adding a comfortable place to sit and enjoy conversation. Depending on how much room you have, porch ideas may include a small bench or two, rocking chairs, or a porch swing. Be sure to add a couple of side tables or garden stools for a place to put your favorite book or a glass of lemonade. The Danish concept of being cozy—is quickly becoming a household term in America. Practicing the art of ‘hygge’ on your porch by starting a morning ritual of enjoying your coffee

outside, wrapped in a cashmere throw and people watching, or light candles and come out at night in your favorite slippers to sit on the porch and star gaze. Good Feng Shui also goes hand in hand with hygge. Try adding an outdoor mirror which offers a multiplying effect for your plants, making your front-of-house retreat seem even more lush. Exterior mirrors are also said to bounce back the cacophony of the street to maintain the serenity of the space. Lastly, add or layer rugs as a way to brighten up your front porch. It compliments patio furniture and feels great on your bare feet. Textured rugs pull the entire look together and also is a great way to hide any scruffs or scratches your porch might have. Don’t forget the clean and neat welcome mat. Not only does it look crisp, it helps to brush dirt from your shoes as you step into your house. A small investment of time and money can go a long way in adding curb appeal as well as increasing your living space. There is no time like the present to begin!

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