Does your front porch ever feel a little, well, boring to you? Maybe it fades into the house, or looks rundown due to age and weather.
Well, I’ve got some good news for ya! The front porch is an important (and easy) place to add character. After all, it’s an important part of your home’s first impression!
Sometimes adding character to the front porch can seem a little overwhelming, but I have a way to combat that.
Remember the old English wedding day rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?”
It refers to items a bride would carry or wear for good luck on her wedding day. While this is certainly not a wedding post (or blog), I found that rhyme dancing around in my head as I brainstormed a way to simplify the concept of porch decor.
Here is what I came up with:
Something new, something old, something natural, something bold
Catchy, right?? While none of these things will bring good luck to your front porch, this catchy rhyme can help you remember the elements of front porch decor that will make your house stand out from the rest! Believe me, it’s easier than you might think, and it by no means needs to be expensive (that part is totally up to you).
Let’s break it down:
Something New
This is pretty easy to accomplish, but all-too-often overlooked. I admit I have been known to hang on to a wreath for one too many seasons, and neglect changing out the doormat from time to time. There are so many things to spend $40 on!
While these things may not be priorities in certain seasons of life, they can make the front porch look drab and uninviting.
Adding something new to your front porch decor can be something simple such as the following:
- a seasonally appropriate wreath
- door mat
- sign
- replacing an outdated light fixture
- new pots for potted plants
- new plants
It can also be something grander like a piece of furniture or a new front door.
Something Old (or at least old looking)
Worn objects give a sense of timelessness to a space. They welcome guests with imperfect character (the best kind!) and add depth to whatever space they inhabit. Aged decor can blend seamlessly or stand out to make a statement. Examples of old (or old-looking) decor include, but are not limited to:
- galvanized tin door hanging
- antique concrete planters
- antique-looking signs
- wicker furniture
- A plant you have had for years
- old olive buckets for planters
Something Natural
When we think of the word “natural” most of us immediately think of plants. While I do mean to trigger that thought, “natural” can take on other materials as well, even if they aren’t currently alive:
- wooden crates
- earth tones in your door mat
- stone accents
- wicker chairs
- wooden street numbers
- cascading greenery in a wall-mounted container
Something Bold
This is my favorite part! Incorporating something bold will set your porch (and in turn your house) apart from the street. It will be the element that draws people in and makes them feel welcome before they ever step foot inside your home.
Don’t freak out and think that “something bold” means wacky or weird. I mean, beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I can see some of my more traditional friends thinking, “That doesn’t go with my house.”
Don’t quit me now! Keep reading, traditional friends!
Something bold can really be anything you want it to be, but in keeping with the list theme I’m working today, here are a few suggestions and ideas:
- Fun wall-mounted street numbers that pop either in color or font
- brightly colored planters on either side of the door
- an oversized planter
- a custom door mat
- painting the front door a non-traditional color
- brightly colored flowers
- a witty sign
- a cool, unique light fixture
Your front door is your house’s first impression, and the great thing is these 4 elements will often overlap. Don’t feel pressured to find four individual items if you have a boldly painted antique door or planters.
These concepts are not difficult to achieve, and you may already be doing most (or all) of them. If you memorize this simple rhyme you will ensure that you always know how to add character to your porch and keep your home from blending in with the rest!
How can you incorporate my porch decor rhyme at your house?