Step-by-step tutorial for DIY Welcome Sign that is weather resistant and adds instant charm to your outdoor space. This easy and inexpensive wood porch sign that requires NO special tools or machines and can be reversed for the seasons or holidays.
It’s officially Spring! Buds are blooming, birds are chirping, and we had an errant snow/hail shower on Saturday. Yep, sounds about right.
The milder temperatures and new pops of colorful landscape have inspired my annual spring cleaning to commence. As you can imagine, my husband and son are thrilled. We’ve spent our last few weekends cleaning up our front door and deck area each spring.
A simple way to invigorate the front porch is with a warm DIY welcome sign to greet friends and neighbors. This is an easy, inexpensive addition to any outdoor entryway that adds some charm. Pair with spring greenery in these adorable DIY Concrete Planters for an instant spring facelift.
Materials and Supplies
- Letter Stencil
- Pencil or Erasable Marker
- Paint or Stain for Outdoor Use
- Paint brush
- A Pine board rated for outdoor use like a decking board
Much like a recipe, the tutorial for making your own sign is at the bottom of this post in a tutorial card.
Where to get Letters for Stencils
There are several ways you can cut a letter stencil.
- Print out large letters from a program like Microsoft Word. Cut them out or use a simple transfer technique.
- A cutting machine such as a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut.
- Purchase a large lettering stencil. There are tons to choose from.
- Use wood letter blocks from the craft store.
More Sign How-Tos you May Like
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on where you will place it. For uncovered spaces, I like to use wood rated for outdoors such as pressure treated pine decking boards or 2x6s. For covered spaces that aren’t directly exposed to elements, you have a little more flexibility and can use scrap wood. I would recommend sealing the ends of the boards.
They can vary, but most are 4-6ft long, with five feet being the most common height, and six to ten inches wide.
If you use a suitable outdoor stain or paint, there is no reason to add an extra sealer.
Here is a great tip! Paint around the edges with the basecoat color and let it dry before painting your actual stencil color. As long as the stencil lays flat, the base color makes a seal under the edges of your stencil. For example, a black sign with white letters. Seat the edges with black paint first and then paint your stencil color, white.
My favorite fonts to use that are free for personal use include serifs like Abril FatFace, Elephant, and Imprint Shadow.
I have had a wood sign next to our uncovered front door for years (5+). The paint has cracked in some places, but it sort of adds to the charm now and it has held up very well.
DIY Welcome Sign for Porch Designs
In addition to various fonts and styles, you can add some embellishments to your sign such as:
- Silk Flowers
- Wooden shapes
- Ribbon or Bows
- Small Wreaths
- Twine
- Picture Frames
I’ve made several over the years for both our front stoop area and for friends.
This one has a basecoat of stain. You can only see the stain around the edges of the letters. I used white exterior paint (a sample can size) over the top and some leftover baby blue.
I especially love to make them reversible for the seasons! My spring Welcome porch sign reverses to a Christmas Believe sign.
I love having a different one for each season including fall or even for specific holidays. They are super simple to swap out and don’t require much to store at all.
You can see our Spring Porch Decor HERE.
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DIY Welcome Sign for Porches
Tools
- Pencil
- Paint Brush
Supplies
- 2 types Paint Your choice of color
- 1 Stain Your choice of color
- 1 Lettering Stencil *See notes at the bottom for ideas
- 1 Pine Deck Board
Instructions
- Prep the board by sanding smooth and removing any dust. Stain or paint a basecoat. Use a quality primer for paint as well. Allow to dry at least 24-72 hours before adding the stencil or paint color.
- Lay the stencil in place. You can either trace the stencil or paint over top.
- You can also add a reverse side with a different style or season. Allow to dry completely before putting outside.
Notes
- Print out large letters from a program like Microsoft Word. Cut them out or use a simple transfer technique.
- A cutting machine such as a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut.
- Purchase a large lettering stencil. There are tons to choose from.
- Use wood letter blocks from the craft store.
Jamie Lott says
Reversible! I LOVE that!!
Audrey Stewart says
I would love to win this. I want the brights. I have a lot of things I got at a yard sale that need painting.
Rachel says
Oh, I bet you found some fun things at yard sales. Good luck!
Lydi Out Loud says
I love that you made it 2-sided, great idea!
Rachel says
Thank you!
recruitmentagenciesnepal says
I love these too