An uncovered front porch holds so much potential. While it may currently feel barren or uninviting, with a little imagination and TLC, an uncovered porch can be turned into a beautiful outdoor oasis right at your front door.
From adding cozy seating areas to embracing plants and lighting, there are countless ways to give your bare porch a makeover. Transforming this underutilized space into a charming, functional gathering spot not only boosts your home’s curb appeal but also creates an outdoor living room to enjoy all season long.
Follow these tips to refresh your home’s uncovered front porch into a personalized sanctuary that welcomes you, guests, and improves the exterior aesthetic of your home.
Assess Your Uncovered Porch’s Potential
Before decorating your uncovered front porch, take time to assess the space. This will help you identify decorating opportunities and challenges to inform your planning.
Take Measurements
Grab a tape measure and jot down the dimensions of your uncovered porch. Note the length and depth, ceiling height, and size of stairs or railings. This will help you choose furniture and decor scaled for the space later on.
Note Architectural Features
Take stock of your porch’s existing architectural details like support columns, railings, alcoves or built-in benches. You can enhance these features with paint, lighting or accessories. Also make note of any needed repairs.
Identify Traffic Flow
Check how you and visitors naturally move through the porch from surrounding pathways. Is there an obvious entry point? Leave enough open space for traffic flow so the porch doesn’t become cluttered.
Determine Use of Space
Decide if your uncovered porch will function as an extension of indoor activities or its own separate hangout. This will inform furniture placement and traffic flow. Some prefer to furnish it like an outdoor living room while others opt for more flexible multi-use areas.
Choose Seating and Furniture for Your Space
Selecting the right seating and furniture is key to creating a comfortable uncovered porch. Scale pieces appropriately for the size and leave breathing room between furniture groupings to allow for traffic flow.
Seating Options
Rocking chairs immediately evoke a quintessential front porch vibe. Their gentle rocking motion encourages you to slow down. For a similar soothing experience, try installing a porch swing. Benches are ideal for chat-friendly seating arrangements. Or make a statement with a hanging egg chair or hammock chair suspended from the ceiling.
Furniture
Look for small-scale outdoor sofas, chairs, and tables suited to modest porches. Nesting tables provide a space-saving option when not in use. Lightweight ottoman cubes can act as extra seating or surfaces. And don’t forget storage like weatherproof cabinets and chests to corral clutter out of sight.
Material Considerations
When selecting furniture, opt for all-weather materials that can withstand sun, rain, and moisture. Teak, aluminum, and synthetic wicker hold up well outdoors. Add weatherproof cushions to wood or metal seats for comfort. Look for removable covers that can be easily cleaned after seasons of use.
Create Inviting Seating Areas
Arrange your new seating into cozy conversation areas. Here are some tips for designing seating vignettes your uncovered porch:
Promote Conversation
Face seats toward one another at close range to promote socializing. Angle chairs facing both in and out from the porch to welcome conversation between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Use Area Rugs
Define seating areas with weather-friendly rugs. Indoor/outdoor area rugs add visual interest while protecting floors from furniture scratches.
Add Side Tables
Place side tables within reach to set down drinks, books, or snacks. Seek tables with integrated storage shelves to keep necessities at hand but out of sight.
Include Throw Pillows
Toss pillows and folded throws introduce comfort and coziness to uncovered porch furniture. Look for fade- and mildew-resistant fabrics to withstand outdoor exposure.
Embrace Greenery and Florals
Incorporating plants and flowers brings life to bare porches. Bursts of green with pops of color immediately increase curb appeal while removing the need for extensive decorating. Here are some simple ways to embrace botanic accents:
Potted Plants
Container gardens allow you to add plants without in-ground beds. Opt for low-maintenance varieties that tolerate both sun and drought. Petunias, pansies, and snapdragons supply seasons of color. Evergreen shrubs and ornamental grasses maintain interest year-round.
Hanging Baskets
Suspend flowering baskets from your uncovered porch’s ceiling beams or railings. Cascading flowers like petunias or ivy geraniums frame the space in greenery. Herb-filled baskets release fresh aroma when brushed.
Window Boxes
Mount window boxes along railings or fill empty sills with blooms. You can also transplant indoor houseplants outside for the summer then bring them back inside for winter.
Enhance Curb Appeal
A few simple upgrades to your front porch’s structure can instantly amp up curb appeal. Draw the eye to your home’s character and welcome guests with these easy exterior enhancements:
Refresh the Porch Floor
A fresh coat of paint or powerwashing transforms old, stained porch floors. For a bold look, stencil a pattern or border onto porch boards.
Update Railings and Pillars
Give railings or support posts a modern lift with a distressed or two-tone painted finish. Accent with built-in lighting.
Add a House Number or Plaque
Install an address number or family name plaque prominently on the porch to identify your home for visitors.
Welcome Visitors
Greet guests before they reach your front door. Flank the entryway with flower-filled planters or pots. Adorn your door itself with a seasonal wreath, garland, or architectural sign.
Define Entry Point
Guide visitors’ approach with accent lighting or a weatherproof welcome mat or rug on porch steps.
Add Ambient Lighting
Proper illumination transforms any space from day to night. Ambient lighting allows you to enjoy your uncovered porch long after sunset while accentuating its charm.
String Lights Overhead
Crisscrossing string lights above immediately make a porch more magical. Opt for durable outdoor bulb strands.
Use Lanterns
Dot LED or real flame lanterns along tabletops, steps, or ledges. Their soft glow contributes to a relaxing vibe.
Install Path Lights
Solar-powered path lights illuminate steps and walkways to safely guide visitors’ approach at night.
Line Perimeter with Luminaries
Encircle the entire porch perimeter with spaced out candle luminaries or Philips Hue bulbs synced to change color.
Embrace Vertical Space
Utilize height and vertical planes to add visual interest and make the most of modest square footage on uncovered porches. Here are some ways to capitalize on vertical real estate:
Suspend Hanging Chairs
Hang swings, macrame chairs, or hammock cocoons from the ceiling. These aerial seats provide an elevated viewpoint.
Mount Wall Planters
Bracket wall planters onto columns or available walls for vertical greenery. Cascading flowers like ivy geraniums or creeping Jenny spill over edges.
Position Tall Plants in Corners
Situate towering potted plants like elephant ears and fiddle leaf figs in corners to dramatize the heights.
Add High Shelving
Install floating shelves or rail shelving mounted well above eye level to display decorative objects and plants. Stagger items for depth.
DIY Touches to Personalize
Incorporate handmade accents for a homey feel that shows off your style. A few beginner-friendly DIY ideas include:
Paint or Stencil the Floor
Apply a fresh color or fun painted pattern onto your porch’s plywood flooring. Use exterior paint and primer for longevity.
Make a Game/Book Nook
Mount a wall-attached hammock, cabinet, or shelving to neatly store playing cards, books, or board games. Add a beanbag toss for entertainment.
Create a House Sign
Paint your last name or house number onto a plank of wood. Distress and embellish with trims as desired. Hang beside the door.
DIY Wall Art
Craft wooden cut-outs into shapes like oversized botanicals for artsy yet inexpensive wall decor. Paint patterns or phrases onto salvaged boards or metal art.
Whether your uncovered front porch is currently bare bones or feeling lackluster, there are endless possibilities to transform it into an inviting oasis that enhances your home’s curb appeal. With the right mix of comfy seating, ambient lighting, plant accents, and personal touches, you can create a cozy and stylish outdoor living space right at your front door.
Follow this guide when planning your uncovered porch makeover, from assessing the space to embracing vertical elements. Include conversation-friendly furniture arrangements, greenery, and DIY accents to reflect your personal taste. Soon you’ll have a beautiful covered sanctuary to enjoy sunsets, host guests, and make the most of your exterior.
Create Shade
If your front porch doesn’t have any natural shade, consider adding a pergola, trellis, or climbing plants to provide some relief from the sun. This will not only make the space more comfortable but also add a beautiful design element. Vining plants like jasmine, wisteria, or passionflower covering an overhead structure create a living shaded ceiling. For manmade options, install a freestanding pergola or affix a horizontal trellis to the house above the porch. Open wood slatted styles allow dappled sunlight through while still offering coverage.
Use Lighting
Lighting can completely transform a front porch at night. Consider adding outdoor string lights, lanterns, or wall sconces to create a cozy atmosphere. Opt for durable lighting fixtures rated for year-round outdoor exposure. String lights crisscrossed above immediately make a porch more magical. Spacing out multiple lanterns along steps, ledges, and tables illuminates the space in a warm, welcoming glow. And wall sconces by the front door enhance visibility and safety on porch steps at night.
Add Outdoor Rug
A rug can add color, texture, and comfort to an uncovered front porch. Look for a durable and weather-resistant material that can withstand the elements. Rugs made from synthetic fibers like polypropylene are mold, mildew, and UV ray resistant. When selecting a front porch rug, make sure it’s designed specifically for outdoor use and has a slip-resistant backing. An outdoor rug adds visual interest and protects your floor from furniture scratches. Use a subtle pattern or lively colors to complement your style.
Use Planters
Plants can add life and color to an uncovered front porch. Consider adding hanging planters, window boxes, or vertical gardens to add greenery to the space. Flowers and foliage make any front porch feel vibrant and welcoming. Pick low maintenance plants like petunias, pansies, and succulents which don’t require daily watering or deadheading. Include a mix of annuals for seasonal pop and perennials that return each year.
Install a Ceiling Fan
If your front porch doesn’t have any shade or cover, consider installing a ceiling fan to provide some airflow and circulation. This will not only make the space more comfortable but also add a modern design element. Opt for an outdoor ceiling fan with weather-resistant blades and housing. The breezy airflow generated by ceiling fans allows you to enjoy uncovered porches despite direct sun exposure. Position the fan centrally to reach all seating areas below. Control speed with a wall switch or remote.
If your front porch doesn’t have built-in side screens, add outdoor curtain panels to provide privacy and shield seating areas from wind or rain. Outdoor curtain fabrics like acrylic, polyester, and olefin resist mildew and stains. Install rod pockets over existing railings or mount new freestanding rods. Draw curtains open and closed as desired. During rainstorms, keep them shut to shelter the interior porch space. Outdoor curtains in cheery colors and patterns contribute visual interest while offering practical protection.
