Tips for freshening up your front porch area to make the first impression of your home, the best impression!

After looking at our door all winter, I decided that I was going to paint it. As one thing usually leads to another, refreshing the front porch area was no different.

With our backyard renovation delayed until next year (bummer!), I still wanted to take a little time to freshen up the front porch area and share a few ideas before summer is in full swing.

1. Paint the Door A New Color

The front door has always been blue, but I knew as soon as I painted it a few years ago, it was not the right blue. As soon as the temps warmed above 50, repainting the door was the first thing on my list and what an impact it made! I put it up in my Instagram stories and the winning color was Valspar Indigo Streamer.

2. Add a Fun Wreath

This might seem like a no-brainer, but there are so many options for great wreaths that will last through both spring and summer. I shared how to make this hoop wreath a few weeks ago for under $35 and now I can’t wait to make some matching ones for Fall, Winter, and maybe even Christmas. Officially hooked!

3. Layer an Outdoor Rug under Your Door Mat

Especially since our front door isn’t covered, I wanted to make sure to use a mat meant specifically for outdoors. I found this great neutral one for $16!

I also love these beautiful options that are perfectly sized to layer with various doormat sizes. My mat is 24×36, so I chose a 30×50 inch mat.

4. Add 1 Unique Decor Piece

Home should reflect you! I am a big advocate of that and choosing 1 or 2 items that you cherish is a great way to welcome people into your home. An antique watering can for a gardener or maybe a stone dog for a pet lover, let it be authentically you.

While I won’t say that my DIY welcome sign is particularly unique, I hand stenciled it myself, so I feel that it reflects who I am while brightly welcoming guests and friends (which I looooove entertaining too!)

5. Buy or DIY a Few Planters

I bought these self watering planters a few years ago, and I love them. The self watering makes them virtually maintenance free, which is good, because I often forget to water the plants in containers.

They felt a bit boxy to me though, so I added these super versatile ones on the steps to soften the boxy planters.

I also made several fun planters a few weeks ago for cheap. You can find that tutorial here, but these will be going on the planned patio area.

6. Wash or Paint the Walkway

A little maintenance can go a long way to freshening up a space. We pressure wash our concrete every-other-year, but if your walkway area needs a little more love than that, repair any chips and paint it.

There are generally two types of paint suitable for outdoor concrete – outdoor acrylic paint/primer and pre-mixed epoxy floor paint. Epoxy paint is definitely more durable, but the color choices are a bit more limited.

7. Plant Some Bulbs

I love layering plants, especially low maintenance ones like ferns and hostas. For a splash of color, add some bulbs like Bearded Irises or Asiatic lilies. There are hundreds of varieties, and they are perennials so they will come back year after year. Most flowers want mostly – full sun, but I’ve gotten bulbs to grow in all kinds of places.

We have so many plans for our home’s exterior, but the big stuff will have to wait until next year. Either way, it’s nice to have a freshened up entry way to welcome friends and family.

Have any other ideas to add to the list to freshen up your porch? 

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