20 Pretty Front Porch Ideas for the Perfect At-Home Escape

Create the ultimate outdoor oasis with these fresh front porch ideas.

Whether you’re looking to entertain, dine, or just relax, these front porch ideas are guaranteed to inspire your space. To inspire your next porch refresh, we’re sharing our best ideas for outdoor seating, accents, and decor. These front porch ideas fit all sizes and design styles, so you can create the space that works best for you.

Get ready to enjoy the outdoors in style with these ideas for front porches, screened-in porches, backyard porches, and more.

Simple Porch Furniture Ideas

a small porch with large white columns and a matched dining table set

This picture-perfect porch does a lot with very little. The secret? A matching dining set! When you invest in a quality table and chairs, any other accents aren’t necessary. You can add rugs, couches, and decorative pillows, but you don’t need them to create a cohesive space. Make the dining table your decorative centerpiece with colorful cushions and greenery, so the space can change with the seasons.

Cozy Front Porch Seating

Porch with couch, curtains, dog — KIM CORNELISON

A daybed instead of a couch on the porch provides double the seating options: Cozy up to the fireplace for a gathering with friends, or face the yard to enjoy the view. Even on rainy days, the painted ceiling gives the illusion of blue skies above. A two-sided fireplace centers the gathering space and keeps it cozy on cool nights. Outdoor curtains bring polish and privacy.

Small Front Porch Furniture

kohlhepp house porch seating container plants — ERIN KUNKEL

Scaling down your furniture to suit the available space will make your front porch feel more comfortable. A petite seating setup packs plenty of personality on this small front porch. The single chair and low-slung bench are sized right for the narrow porch rather than a complete furniture set.

Small Front Porch Furniture

Front Porch Layout

a small porch with rocking chairs and a fan — JULIE SOEFER

Stay cool in the warmer months by installing a functional and unique fan on your porch. A fresh breeze will make summer porch lounging comfortable again, and add a fun conversation piece to the space.

Pretty Porch Swing

front porch with blue swing and bold painted floor — ADAM ALBRIGHT

Pretty yet practical, porch swings are a fun addition to any outdoor area. Family and friends of all ages will enjoy curling up with a good book or gently rocking to the summer breeze. Add extra appeal to your porch swing with a bright coat of paint—plus some funky throw pillows—to welcome guests before they even step through the door.

Decorate in Monochrome

a dark blue painted porch with some natural decor — TRIA GIOVAN

Using a single paint color for the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling is a great way to make your porch stand out without breaking the bank. Create a moody retreat by opting for a dark tone like this slate blue, or lighten up the space with a pastel. Accessories like this pendant lamp and the hats and coats along the rack help break up the color.

Patterned Tile Porch

Porch with striped chairs, curtains — BRIE WILLIAMS

This narrow porch makes a big style statement thanks to the colorful, patterned tile floor. A trio of chairs outfitted with black-and-white seat cushions provides seating, but the pillow patterns don’t draw attention away from the flooring. A white garden stool serves as a tiny end table. The lightweight furnishings can easily be moved around to create a larger seating group.

Front Porch Design Styles

contemporary porch with high ceilings and pillars — GORDON BEALL

When planning your porch, consider the style of your house and how you’ll want to use the space. Do you want screens? A dining table? How about lighting? Answering all of these questions will help you determine the size, shape, and layout of the porch. For a front porch, plan for it to be at least 8 feet deep and 16-20 feet wide. Have an electrician install any outdoor circuits, outlets, and switches for electronics.

Back Porch Inspiration

traditional tucked-away patio on brick facade — ROBERT BRINSON

Bring a party outdoors by extending living space off the back of your home. This simple porch design features beautiful stone tiling and brick trim tiles, classic columns, and French doors. The furniture looks airy with exposed legs, which helps make the most of the small space.

Paint Your Front Door

To spruce up any porch, consider repainting the trim or even the front door. On this cedar shingle bungalow, the light blue front door demands attention, making the narrow front porch feel more like a place to land. Slim furniture, like the two rockers and the small side table in this cozy spot, keep the seating area from feeling congested.

Timeless Porch Design

house with gray siding and charcoal door and white columns — BRIE WILLIAMS

White rocking chairs complement the timeless design of this classic porch. The primarily gray exterior color scheme and simple white columns provide a versatile foundation for layering in color and style. Floral-patterned pillows and blooming container gardens serve as easy-to-change accessories.

Spruce Up a Classic Porch

a porch with white furniture and lots of plants — JAY WILDE

Simple white furniture with tasteful cushions is a timeless porch look. A low-effort way to take it the extra mile without changing the basics is adding an abundance of greenery. Potted ferns and flowers add a natural, comfortable energy that complements the clean white furniture and makes an afternoon on the porch fresh and relaxing.

Add An Awning

cottage with green and white awning over the porch — LAUREY GLENN

For a big change, consider installing an awning over your porch, with matching ones over the windows. Now only will it add some extra shade and privacy, but it can completely change the appearance of your home and create a cottagecore ambiance to your front yard.

Paint the Front Door

Back porch with painted red door, potted flowers and rustic white table and cow artwork above it — ANNIE SCHLECTHER

Working with a small porch but want to introduce some color? Look no further than the front door. Here, the red pop of color adds a playful energy to a small space, which is complemented by a artwork banner across the entryway and several flowerpots. For some guidance on choosing a color that fits the aesthetic you’re looking for, take a look at our explainer on how color affects your mood.

Source: bhg