30+ HGTV-Approved Front Porch Ideas that Welcome You Home

Create a warm space that welcomes the neighbors and guests alike with these front porch ideas.

By: Paul Cox

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Photo By: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim

Photo By: Julie Mannell Photography

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Photo By: Ansley Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

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Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: William C Johnson Architect

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A Front Porch Says 'Welcome'

The kitchen may be where family and guests tend to gather in the home, but the front porch welcomes visitors and makes a statement within the neighborhood. It also makes the first (and sometimes only) impression on passersby.

If a front porch is the face of the home, this front porch surely must express friendliness and hospitality with wide brick steps and rocking chairs that add to its appealing country style.

Whether your porch is a small entry area or a roomy wrap-around, you can create style, curb appeal and comfort in your home's welcome center. See the following front porch ideas for giving your home a friendly face.

See More Photos: 10 Things to Put on Your Front Porch

From: Dale Sorensen Real Estate

1. Welcome With a Bright Front Door

Bright front doors are the perfect way to brighten up a neutral home.

Also See: 59 Inviting Colors to Paint a Front Door

2. Stand Out With Color

Stand out from the rest of the homes on your block by painting your front door an unexpected shade. This pink Craftsman-style door stands in striking contrast to the dark red brick of the home, while the floor features a repeated stencil pattern.

From: Rebecca Rowland Interiors

3. Choose Doors for Function and Style

Consider the style of your door when designing your front porch. French doors, for example, invite light into the home's entryway and add to the welcoming personality of a front porch.

4. Use Color as a Statement

This front porch features a Dutch-style front door in navy blue, complemented by sconces and planters in a matching hue.

From: Ashley Ausland

5. Accessorize with House Numbers

This house number planter box makes the perfect addition to any front porch.

MAKE IT: How to Make a Wall-Hanging Planter Box With House Numbers

6. DIY Your House Number

This front porch gets points for the creative use of old dishes to identify the house number.

Also See: 38 Chic Ways to Display House Numbers

7. Offer Seating for Everyone

Colonial Revival architectural details like columns and graceful railings make this porch stand out, as does the plentiful red seating.

From: Ansley Atlanta Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®

8. Add Style with Railings

Railings play a key role in the overall look of your porch. Think about how you want to capture a view and research local building codes if you plan to add railings to your porch. This open front porch is the perfect place for catching cool evening breezes.

From: Kristi Nelson

9. Frame With a Custom Railing

The clean lines of this cedar and steel cable porch railing creates contemporary curb appeal.

See More Photos: 30 Porch Railing Design Ideas

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

10. Add Charm With Your Railing

The palm tree detail on the porch railing of this coastal home adds a touch of whimsy to the home's entrance.

11. Choose a Bold Railing

The bold pattern of this railing complements the stencil pattern of the stoop as well as the color choices for the door and stucco.

12. Plan for Privacy

This charming front porch with curtains for privacy invites you to come sit awhile on the porch swing.

From: Lotus + Lilac Design Studio

13. Create Privacy, Naturally

A wood slat wall on this porch adds a modern texture and provides a natural surface for plants and vines to climb. Creating a natural privacy wall with potted plants is a simple, sleek addition to a front porch that can grow with the home over time.

Also See: 15 Perennial Vines

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

14. Stir Up a Breeze

Often used as both a decorative and functional feature, ceiling fans are popular on front porches.

From: Noble Johnson Architects, LLC

15. Hang a Swing

A hanging swing is perfect for enjoying summer afternoons under a ceiling fan — or two in this case.

From: Ashley Gilbreath

16. Add Flexibility With a Screen

Screens allow you to use your porch more often and make it better suited for more activities.

17. Or, Have it Both Ways

This front porch as seen on Home Town features an open area to the left of the front door while a screened-in section of front porch to the right of the front door offers opportunities for bug-free relaxation.

18. Extend Porch Season

This cozy front porch has a built-in ceiling heater for comfortable socializing on cool evenings when views can be enjoyed from a loveseat that fits perfectly on the end of the porch.

From: Jeff Pelletier

19. Just Add Wicker

A single white wicker chair provides a comfy spot for relaxing on this clasic front porch.

From: Sawhorse Design and Build

20. ... Or a Few Rocking Chairs

These classic white rocking chairs allow relaxing people-watching from the front porch.

From: Lisa Furtado

21. Go With a Classic Combo

This Asheville, North Carolina, home features a classic comfort combo: a front porch and rocking chairs.

From: Beverly-Hanks & Associates

22. Bring the Color

Stained glass windows line this porch, and the blue front door picks up their moody shades.

From: Latter and Blum, Inc. Realtors

23. Use Colors for Contrast

The bold red of the door provides appealing contrast to the neutral brick exterior and stone walkway that leads to this small front porch.

24. Offer a Preview of What's Inside

The ceiling of the front porch was painted aqua to provide contrast to the home's deep charcoal gray exterior and give guests or passersby a preview of the strong use of color inside the home.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

25. Don't Forget the Floor

This front porch feels classic and timeless with its brick floor and dark wood ceiling.

From: Dale Sorensen Real Estate

26. Style the Floor With Tile

This front porch gets a graceful contemporary nudge from its graphic tile floor, along with the striped pillows and woven chairs.

From: Cheryl Kees Clendenon

27. Add Curb Appeal With Lighting

This home's thoughtful lighting brings it curb appeal even at night. Shadowing adds to the drama and the warmth of the front porch.

From: Designscapes Colorado

28. Don't Forget the Porch Jewelry

A row of pendant lights perfectly match the Colonial farmhouse style of this front porch.

The Best Outdoor Lighting for Every Style

From: Tim Barber Ltd.

29. Complete the Look With Lighting

A pendant light serves as a nice accent to this Colonial home's front porch.

From: Beverly-Hanks & Associates

30. Add Texture With Lighting

Moroccan-style pendant lights cast gorgeous light shapes over the ceiling of this covered front porch. The lights create a unique finish over the texture of the wood roof and brick walls.

From: Mom's Design Build

32. Create an Inviting Glow

Low-voltage lighting gives off an inviting glow from this front porch and makes the texture of the landscaping elements even more dramatic.

From: Landwell Design + Build Co.

33. Light a Pathway

The brick path leading up to the blue door welcomes guests inside with gardens and subtle lighting.

From: Platinum Landscape & Pools

34. Add Hanging Plants

Even a front porch as stunningly beautiful as this one can be dressed up with some well-placed plants.

35. Create Balance

With identical light fixtures and planters on either side of the door, this front porch exudes symmetry and balance.

From: DiMauro Architects, Inc.

30+ HGTV-Approved Front Porch Ideas that Welcome You Home

Related To:

Shop This Look

A Front Porch Says 'Welcome'

1. Welcome With a Bright Front Door

2. Stand Out With Color

3. Choose Doors for Function and Style

4. Use Color as a Statement

5. Accessorize with House Numbers

6. DIY Your House Number

7. Offer Seating for Everyone

8. Add Style with Railings

9. Frame With a Custom Railing

10. Add Charm With Your Railing

11. Choose a Bold Railing

12. Plan for Privacy

13. Create Privacy, Naturally

14. Stir Up a Breeze

15. Hang a Swing

16. Add Flexibility With a Screen

17. Or, Have it Both Ways

18. Extend Porch Season

19. Just Add Wicker

20. ... Or a Few Rocking Chairs

21. Go With a Classic Combo

22. Bring the Color

23. Use Colors for Contrast

24. Offer a Preview of What's Inside

25. Don't Forget the Floor

26. Style the Floor With Tile

27. Add Curb Appeal With Lighting

28. Don't Forget the Porch Jewelry

29. Complete the Look With Lighting

30. Add Texture With Lighting

32. Create an Inviting Glow

33. Light a Pathway

34. Add Hanging Plants

35. Create Balance

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