Tips for adding instant curb appeal to freshen up your front entry area. From plants to fabulous front porch decor, these awesome DIY ideas will make your home’s first impression the best impression!

Spring is in the air and as you set foot outside the house, you realize that your front porch is still in winter hangover mode. It’s time to get around to those small maintenance projects like staining the deck, organizing the garage, or power washing the exterior to enhance curb appeal.
A small front porch doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style though. I have gathered my favorite ways to enhance function with clever accessories, DIY upcycled items, plants, and other simple design ideas.
Here are some of our favorite small front porch decor ideas that show off your personal style!
1. Paint the Front Door A New Color
Choosing a new hue is fun whether choosing paint colors for your home or choosing paint color for your front door.
The most popular door paint colors:
- Black
- Dark Grey
- Dark Blue or Navy
- Pastels (Aqua, Yellow, Pale Pink)
- Warm Natural Stain
Looking for something more dazzling? Choose a door color that is opposite your house’s main shade on the color wheel.
Pro Tip: Paint colors often look much lighter or brighter/bolder outdoors than the sample on a paint card appears. Try a sample swatch and be prepared to go darker than your original choice.
2. Add a Fun Wreath
A new wreath is the most cost effective way to decorate your front porch. With my tutorial, make a hoop wreath for less than $35, even if you don’t think of yourself as crafty.
Searching for something a bit more elaborate? There are gorgeous, preassembled options right at your fingertips.
Design Tip: A 24-inch wreath is just the right size for a standard 36-inch wide front door. Hang it about 14 inches from the top of the door so that it’s centered.
3. Hanging Baskets
Bringing plants up to eye level makes an instant impression and is an efficient use of space. One of my favorite ways to use a hanging basket is on a mailbox. It’s a super easy and fast way to brighten up the lowly mailbox.
4. Window Boxes
Enjoy the sight of flowering blooms peeking through your windows inside with window boxes. Or plant herbs, hanging vines, or seasonal annuals. You can find the plans for these adorable window boxes from Pretty Handy Girl.
5. Personalized House Numbers
Personalized house numbers add stylish charm to your front porch. Choose a color that has enough contrast with your home or mailbox to maximize visibility.
6. A Welcome Sign
Give your small porch decor a cozy but uncluttered vibe by focusing with just a few accessories. Choose one or two items that reflect your esthetic and build from there. Craft a DIY welcome sign to warmly greet visitors.
7. Hanging Wall
Don’t neglect your vertical space! A plant/herb wall like this pallet hanging wall from Jenna Burger Design is suitable for almost any size abode and works especially well for a small front porch. Repurpose a pallet or old fence gate for a creative DIY take, or purchase flush planters crafted specifically for the purpose.
8. Unexpected Finds Small Porch Decor Ideas
There’s no rule against showing off your favorite thrift hauls or affinity for antiques from the safety of your front porch, as long as it is well covered.
- Use an old buffet as an outdoor serving station or as a handy place to stash package deliveries.
- Flank your door with a set of antique urns.
- A vintage sign or mirror make great conversation pieces.
- My friend, Roxanne, is flawless with her vintage porch decorating like using an old milk jug as a side table.
9. Play up Architectural Features
Some houses are blessed with columns, archways, or balanced steps that create height and symmetry to draw the eye. If, like me, you don’t have beautiful columns or a natural framework for your front porch, it’s easy to achieve the appearance with planters, window boxes, or shutters to add height.
Design tip: Highlight special features such as corbels, stonework and stucco with shades of white. Contrasting colors will especially make them pop.
10. Add a Unique Doormat
Rugs bring warmth and texture to a porch. Whether you have brick, tile, or concrete slab flooring, the right rug can anchor the space and pull your décor together.
Since our front door isn’t covered, I purchased a mat tailored specifically for outdoor use. I found this great neutral one for $16! I then layered an outdoor rug to better fit the scale of the door.
11. Curtains
Saw Nails and Paint created a stunning summer seating area above with soothing colors natural textures. I especially love the outdoor curtain that provides privacy and a bit of protection.
12. Elevate your Outdoor Lighting
Modern lighting solutions are so fun and one of my favorite front porch decor ideas. It’s also easy to draw inspiration for your porch light scheme from entryway lighting ideas.
Not all lighting choices have to be practical! A combination of lanterns, battery-operated candles, and votives placed strategically creates a warm welcome. Don’t leave your garden or walkway area in the dark either. Spotlights, spike lights and floodlights help to illuminate your landscaping feats.
13. Stencil the Floor
Transform a bland cement porch into a visually dazzling work of art like BrePurposed did here. Stencil patterns are the perfect way to achieve the look of tile at a fraction of the cost. With an array of designs available for purchase, your porch makeover will be far from cookie cutter.
14. Rustic or Cottage Vibe
Avoid getting lost in the details and overwhelming the porch with accessories. Streamline your focus and simplify your decor by choosing a theme. For a rustic aesthetic, think cozy blankets, stacked logs, a natural jute rug, and perhaps this fun wooden moose head or a set of antlers.
15. Small Porch Swing
This lovely modern porch swing from Mostly Lovely Things is ideal for small spaces! Front porches and swings go hand in hand. There are many modern styles and sizes available for retail, including single seat hammock style swings for tight spaces.
Fun fact: Placing outdoor furniture in a space has a psychologically welcoming affect. Whether your space is large enough for an outdoor farmhouse table, or only big enough for a swing, adding seating is guaranteed to make guests feel at home.
16. Colorful Greenery
The front porch is an outdoor space. Featuring fresh flowers and potted plants is a no brainer. Lush greenery enhances any area.
Easy Perennials for beginners:
- Ferns (annual in some areas)
- Hostas
- Succulents
- Bulbs like Irises, Tulips and Lilies
- Hydrangeas
- Boxwood
Pro Tip: I make all of my pots into self-watering planters with this tutorial, and I love them. They are virtually maintenance free. Our concrete planters are also a fun DIY to create custom planters without the hefty price tag.
17. Add a Pop of Color
Budget friendly ways to add color:
- Paint your house numbers or doorbell. Break the rules a little.
- A bold front porch rug.
- Spruce up flea market finds with an eye-pleasing color paint palette.
- Outdoor throw pillows are an affordable way to play with color year-round on the porch.
- Draw inspiration from your plants. If you want your accent colors to pop, play off what’s blooming in your garden.
18. Refresh your Walkway
A little maintenance can go a long way to freshening up a space. We pressure wash our concrete every-other-year. If your walkway area needs a bit more love than that, repair and paint the concrete walkway. We also built this super budget friendly walkway for my parents.
Have any other ideas to add to the list to freshen up your small porch decor?
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PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!
Irene says
Thank you! Your ideas were very helpful. I feel inspired!