Fresh coffee, homemade snacks, and burning candles are great ways to welcome a guest into your home. But have you considered that your guestd can be welcomed before you even open the front door?
Picture this: your friend walks up to your front door. She knocks a few times, and then waits for you to answer.
What will she do while she waits? Probably take a look around! So, why not welcome your friendly visitors before they even cross your threshold by creating a charming front porch!
Allow your front porch welcome your guests before they even enter your home!
1. House Number
First of all, make sure that your guest can easily find your home.
Nothing is worse than circling the block a few times while trying to distinguish which house is your friend’s! Clearly mark your house number on your mailbox, curb, or front of the house.
Use contrasting colors between the numbers and the background to ensure easy visibility.
DIY House Number Tips: Put magnets on the back of metal numbers to attach them to your front door. Paint numbers on a piece of wood.
Attach numbers to your mailbox, front of house, front door, or a flower box.
Silver numbers on dark wooden blocks create easy visibility for your guests.
2. Lighting
Provide your guests with a clean, brightly lit lamp.
Maybe it’s a fixture attached to your home beside the door, or a hanging chandelier.
Feel free to add a few lanterns to the corner or candles on a small table.
I’ve found that white rope lighting or a string of lanterns adds a bit of ambiance, too!
Line your walkway with solar lights to be sure your visitors make it to your porch safely.
Even if the sun is shining, there is something comforting about a cozy lantern or delicate chandelier.
Lighting Tip: If you’re like me and forget to turn the lights on at night, install a timer or add a mini solar panel to your lights.
Lanterns add light and comfort to any porch.
3. Seasonal Wreath
Having an outdated wreath on your door is worse than not having a wreath at all! Swap out your wreaths seasonally.
I like to keep it simple and change out four wreaths: Christmas, Spring, Summer, an Autumn.
DIY Wreaths: Here are my favorite wreaths: Evergreen wreath for Christmas, Spring hydrangea wreath, Summer monogram covered in moss, and a Berry and Gourd Wreath for Autumn!
Spring flowers add a pop of color to your front door.
4. Doormat
A simple, practical doormat can not only clean shoes, but it also keep your house clean too!
Choose a mat with lots of texture so that it can properly rid dirt and loose debris from the bottom of shoes.
But also pick one that matches your style! Go for a color that coordinates with your front door, one that has your last name or initial, or experiment with a pop of color.
The options are endless, and it’s a simple piece that can coordinate all of your porch decor.
DIY Doormats: Check out how to create a monogrammed or hello/goodbye doormat.
Personalize your doormat!
5. Plants
Flowers have a knack for bringing smiles to your face, and greenery seems to always be inviting.
Add a simple pot to the corner of your porch with an easy-to-maintain cactus, or plant flowers in front of your porch.
Include hanging baskets for ferns or your favorite colorful plants to really give your guests a warm and joyful welcome!
Plant tip: And if you don’t have a green thumb, here’s a tip from my grandmother: buy silk flowers and “plant” them in a pot near your door.
This will keep them out of the elements but still supply your porch with a welcoming touch. She even had four types that she would exchange with the changing seasons.
Real of faux? It’s hard to tell the difference!
6. Furniture
We all have those neighbors that drop by for just a second and end up chatting for half an hour!
Why not have some seating on your porch so that your conversation can last?
Whether your opt for plastic, wicker, metal, or wood, cushions and plush pillows make everything more comfortable.
Bonus if your fabric matches the doormat for ultimate coordination!
Furniture tip: Keep the cushions and pillows for your furniture inside until ready to use; this will keep them fresher for longer.
A simple table can bring so many elements to life on your porch!
And Don’t Forget to Clean!
This may be obvious, but keep your front porch clean and tidy for your guests.
It only takes a moment to sweep away the leaves and dust. Wipe down any railings or columns.
Give a quick scrub to your front door, windows, light fixtures, furniture, railings, columns, or shutters.
Your guests will feel so welcomed by the simple touches you add to your front porch.