Create a welcoming retreat on your porch
When my husband and I bought our home more than two decades ago, a welcoming front porch that spanned the width of our Victorian-style house was a major selling point. Over the years, it’s been well used.
When our kids were young, they hung blankets across the railings to create makeshift forts with friends, giggling as they tapped on a front window to request PB&Js and lemonade.
We’ve watched countless lightning storms from the comfort of the porch, which we decorate seasonally.
Especially in the summer, it’s my favourite place to curl up with a cup of tea and a book or to catch up with friends while watching the comings and goings of the neighbourhood. I can’t imagine our home without it.
“Having a front porch is a bonus because it’s an extension of your living area. Add some comfortable seating paired with plants and décor items, then sit back and enjoy,” says Catherine Yuen, a designer on HGTV Canada’s Worst to First.
“Another great option is to make it a garden space, especially if you don’t have much yard space to work with. Grow fruits, vegetables and herbs or plant some beautiful flowers and tropical greenery.”
Don’t know where to start? Yuen offers a few tips:
Use textiles to play with patterns, colours and textures. Add curtains/shades, toss cushions, blankets for getting cosy at night and poufs for extra seating. Don’t overlook the value of an area rug.
Decorate with candles, lanterns, and ceramic planters and woven baskets filled with lush plants. Don’t forget mood lighting for late summer nights.
Wire mesh and Scandinavian rattan and wicker are great materials for outdoor furniture. Not only are they visually and literally lightweight, they’re also uber stylish.
Like your backyard, your front porch can extend your living space but it also creates a first impression so avoid decorating faux pas.
“Be careful not to overcrowd the space by making the front porch look cluttered and messy. Think about flow, positive and negative space, and make it your relaxing oasis,” says Yuen.
“Don’t forget to add greenery. Biophilic design connects the space to nature and is important for both indoor and outdoor spaces.” (Biophilic design is about appeasing our innate desire for nature by integrating natural elements and processes into the built environment.)
When purchasing furniture, opt for dual-purpose pieces like a coffee or side table that can be used to store pillows and blankets, advises TV personality and design and DIY expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault of Hue La La.
An area rug adds a touch of softness underfoot while also creating another place to sit.
Pay attention to your home’s architecture and colours when choosing furniture and accessories.
“If you have a modern home, that doesn’t mean you can’t do an ode to French country but you might want to give it a modern twist,” she says. “Having an antique rocking chair in front of a modern esthetic with clean lines, for example, can look disconnected.”
Don’t overlook the impact of a freshly-painted front door.
“It’s a non-verbal way of saying ‘hello’ to people,” says Allaire Perrault.
“If there’s only one project you’re willing to tackle this spring or summer and your front door is looking a little worse for wear, give it a fresh coat of paint.”
When choosing a colour, consider your home’s façade, your personality and your home’s interior.
Beefing up the trim around your front door can make it look robust and spectacular.
Another easy and inexpensive DIY project is to spray paint outdated or rusted light fixtures, mailbox or door hardware. Be sure to select a paint meant for metal finishes.
“It can make a big difference in terms of sharpening up and fine tuning the overall esthetic of the home,” Allaire Perrault says.
Choose the same light bulbs for fixtures on either side of the front door and/or garage door. Make sure the address number or plaque is close to the lighting source so it’s easily visible from the street.