Welcoming Front Porch Ideas

Whether your porch is large or small, old or new, here are some front porch ideas to help you create a welcoming, beautiful, fun space. 

More on making your porch beautiful: tips on painting your door  –  wreaths for your front door  –  front porch decoration ideas

Welcome Front Porch Ideas

Your porch is the first area of your home the guests see. Make it comfortable and welcoming with these DIY front porch ideas.

Welcoming Front Porch Ideas #1: Add a Greeting

This Chalkboard Serving Platter Porch Sign is genius! The greeting can be changed out for the seasons or holidays and it’s a repurposed project. Win! | A Spotted Pony

We can help you make your own DIY Chalkboard Sign, plus the tutorial has tips for lettering with chalk.

If hanging something on the house isn’t an option, build a post to hang a welcome sign | Shanty2Chic

Make the sign using our tutorial: How to Make Farmhouse Signs the Easy Way

Or stitch the front porch greeting right into your screen door! | Design Sponge

Did you know you can DIY a Screen Door?

An oversized freestanding welcome sign that can sit on the front porch is welcoming, too! | My Fabuless Life on Craftaholics Anonymous

This DIY standing chalkboard easel sign is another way to add a change-able greeting to your front porch. | Her Tool Belt on Remodelaholic

Repurposing an old door to hold your greeting is a beautiful repurposed project. | Meadow Street Memoirs

Front Porch Ideas #2: Add seating

A modern outdoor DIY concrete and redwood bench will hold up to all the elements | Remodelaholic

This wooden bench is simple to build and would look great on a porch, too! | Remodelaholic

If you have the space, try this awesome bench and table duo | Remodelaholic

This DIY Pallet Bench looks inviting! | Remodelaholic

Find more easy DIY benches here: 2×4 Benches to Build

Welcoming Front Porch Ideas #3: Add Comfort with pillows

Throw pillows come in so many patterns and colors. Check out our Colorful Summer Throw Pillows Under $25 and if you’re like me and have some old pillows to upcycle, keep reading!

Spray Paint (yes, you read that right!) your old or thrifted pillows | The Thrifty House at Remodelaholic

Recover pillows with a grain sack cover that’s no-sew and also painted | Remodelaholic

Pillows made from a placemat are also no-sew and super easy | Remodelaholic 

 

And if you are up for sewing, here’s a super simple pillow cover | Remodelaholic

Front Porch Ideas #4: Add a Welcome Mat

Create fun custom mats | The House That Lars Built

DIY pebble mat | Jenny Highsmith (tutorial no longer available)

DIY wooden doormat | 4 Men 1 Lady on Remodelaholic

Welcoming Front Porch Ideas #5: Add greenery

Plants are calming and inviting and add color to your front porch. With help from your local nursery choose the best plants for your porch, then place them in planters like these:

House Number Planter Box | The Scrap Shoppe

Large Monogram Planter Box | Remodelaholic

DIY Easy Wall Planter Ladder | Remodelaholic

DIY Chevron Lattice Planter | Remodelaholic 

Modern Cube Plant Stand (with 3 fretwork options) | Remodelaholic

Related: How to Create Beautiful Outdoor Pots and Planters

DIY Concrete Planters | Remodelaholic

Wooden DIY Plant Stand | Remodelaholic

Elevated Planter | Remodelaholic

Welcoming Front Porch Ideas #6: Paint

Spruce up an old porch with new paint or if you have a newer porch, consider these ideas to add fun and interest:

Repaint the Porch and Add Stair Numbers | It All Started With Paint on Remodelaholic

And paint a rug while you’re at it! | It All Started With Paint on Remodelaholic

If you have an old concrete porch, use this tutorial to bring it new life | Remodelaholic

Paint the porch ceiling, too! | Remodelaholic

Add a special touch by painting your front door | Remodelaholic

 

Front Porch Ideas #7: Add Decorative Lighting

Create a soft and gentle atmosphere with these lighting ideas:

Build a Welcome Porch Sconce | Heart, Hands, Home

Add a Wicker Basket Chandelier | Finding Home on Remodelaholic

Update your porch light for $1 | Style with Cents

And if a new porch light is in order, check these out | Remodelaholic

More Outdoor Decorating Ideas:

• 25+ Outdoor Rocking Chairs
• Easy Creative Flower Bed and Outdoor Planter Ideas
• 25 Outdoor String Lights
• 9 Ladder Decor Ideas for your Porch and Yard
• 25+ Indoor and Outdoor Hanging Chairs

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This post originally published 7/19/2013 — Updated 5/5/2021