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Spring is here! Create a welcoming front porch!

by | Mar 23, 2010 | exteriors, Gardens & Outdoor Rooms, spring decorating

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Spring is here! Create a welcoming front porch!

Now that spring is here, it is time for us to poke our heads out the front door and begin to look at the outside of our house again. It is the perfect time to start thinking about first impressions and how we would spiff up our front door and the surrounding porch area to give us a little more curb appeal. As the weather cooperates, we can spring into action!

Adding Curb Appeal

Look around!

Do you still have your crunchy winter Christmas wreath on the front door? Oh dear, my dear dear friend, it is time to toss that former beauty out. Don’t just keep walking by it thinking you’ll deal with it later. It is time. Now. Go ahead, I’ll wait. It would be better to have a nekked front door than that pitiful dead holiday wreath, just sayin’ — save yourself some embarrassment and take it down. Now. Please.

Spring is here! Create a welcoming front porch!

Once the weather warms up enough, you might want to paint the front door, the surrounding frame & threshold and even the porch itself. Now would be a fun time to start looking for porch and front door paint color inspiration! I love this green trim with the wood door! I might have to steal this idea. I was going to paint my front door, but now I’m thinking about the trim instead. Sometimes thinking a little bit more creatively or outside the box makes things more interesting. Hmmm.

Take a look at your house numbers, hardware, mailbox — could they use a fresh coat of paint? I know my numbers are not visible enough and no one can ever find our house number. Good time to fix that problem! And it is always fun to start out the season with a new clean mat.

One of the biggest design mistakes I see with porch lights is that they are too small, lacking in personality or have become outdated! If the size and style still work, you could cover or remove the glass and spray paint them with some outdoor paint.  But if they are not making the statement you want, take a look at a hardware store. I find a lot of great looking fixtures at affordable prices at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot. You’ll be amazed what a difference a new light fixture can make!

Think Spring!

Once the basics are addressed, you can have fun with seasonal decor. Put something unexpected, creative, fresh and alive on your front porch. Maybe think of something more unusual than a wreath — think about how to make a unique statement. Even using a fun ribbon and a pop of yellow on a simple green wreath can be a fun way to make it more spring-like!

Spring is here! Create a welcoming front porch!

Add greenery to bring your entry to life!

Fill some pots and urns with spring plants or evergreens! Fresh and healthy plants are therapeutic to come home to after a long day of work or running errands. If you don’t have a green thumb, I know how you feel. But give a few container pots a try this year even if you think you’ll kill everything in it. I know I find that I really enjoy digging in the dirt and planting pretty garden areas, once I get going! Even if everything dies, at least I had fun and it looked pretty for a short time. Containers are the best because they give such an instant face lift and aren’t as overwhelming as an entire flower bed!

Spring is here! Create a welcoming front porch!

Add some “outdoor room” furniture to make your entry way special and inviting.

Try a simple bench near your entry, or if you have a covered porch, you can use real indoor furniture like a table, an old charming desk, or a shelving unit where you could put plants and accessories. Yes, you can use real furniture. I’m telling you, there are no furniture police. No one is going to write you up for abusing furniture, so live dangerously!

Here is some outdoor porch accessories and ideas to help inspire you, and here is a how to do a fun porch makeover too!

And if you are lucky enough to have a front gate I am totally jealous, I mean, happy for you. Make it even more special with a big star or a unique accessory that really invites you in and welcomes you home!

A simple outdoor makeover can be fairly easy and inexpensive. Make it fun and you’ll be glad you did all season long.

Spring is FINALLY here and I am ready to get outside and do some spring clean up! Are you?

All photos from my infamous Drive Bys. I’m totally due for another one.

What are you looking forward to this spring?

37 Comments

  1. Dianne

    great post! i’m definitely on the lookout now for lots of inspiration for my front porch. i just painted the front door black, and now i’m contemplating painting the table and chairs on the porch turquoise…just for some fresh spring color!

  2. gina

    love those beautiful porches. I just gave my porch a spring makeover and posted about it a week ago. We’ve had a couple of beautiful spring weeks here in Texas. Then, this past Saturday, it snowed! I posted about that too. So I have a before and after and after. What a crazy to start to spring.

  3. Mary Jean

    Every year I say I’m going to do something outside and I don’t! Thanks for the inspiration. Maybe this year I’ll actually do something. I’m clueless when it comes to the outside and I can’t keep anything alive!!
    .-= Mary Jean´s last blog ..When Life Comes Crashing Down! =-.

  4. Franki Parde

    Is that your bench?? I JUST ORDERED that bench and can’t wait! You know, there isn’t anything like PANSIES to get you “in the mood.”
    Cost: $2.98 Effect: Happy! Think SPRING! franki

  5. Kathy

    I’m really drawn to the grey houses you are showing here, Melissa. Although they are all lovely front entrances. We have to get our house resided and I’m leaning toward grey ~ I’ll have to show my hubby these pics. I totally agree with your post ~ I spruced up our front beds last year after we lost some bushes that had to be removed. I also need to spray paint our black front door lights as the black has worn rather badly.

  6. Abbie

    I hung up a spring hanging by the front door a couple weeks ago, but I guess I could take the snow shovel and ice melt to the garage! Oh, and yes, the mailbox, house and porch all need paint, but I think the only one I’m going to tackle myself is the mailbox – as soon as I pick a color!

    Thanks for the pretty pictures to inspire us!
    .-= Abbie´s last blog ..Gummy worms =-.

  7. Mary Joy

    I’ve been keep up with the seasons and holidays for door decorations until now…Valentine’s Day…St. Patty’s Day…and now I need to go buy an Easter one before the holiday sneaks up on me!!! But reading your article did remind me that I might want to clean up the winter yuck off of the porch while I am at it! Love the pics! sigh! They are lovely!!!
    .-= Mary Joy @ Life Moments´s last blog ..Welcome to my Nest!! =-.

  8. Brooke

    Great ideas, I am getting ready to recover my pillows and such, fabric makes all the difference, love to add lots of color!
    .-= Brooke´s last blog ..Renee’s Garden Seeds =-.

  9. Vee

    Oh yes! Time to get the Christmas wreaths down. Do you mind if I print that off and send it to some of the neighbors? :D

    We’re not thinking paint or flowers or anything that costs money at all, but we have cleaned up the flower beds, raked the lawn, powerswept even (because of all the sand and salt), and washed the drive and outside windows. That’s about all that we’ll be doing this year, but I sure wish we could do some of the extras.
    .-= Vee´s last blog ..Quote Collecting =-.

    • Melissa

      Vee, even the clean up makes a big difference doesn’t it? Have fun tidying up! :-)

  10. Beverly

    We are in full getting ready for spring mode at our house. My pink bunny has been placed in the greenery wreath I keep on our front door.

    And, I order spring green throw pillows for two of our wicker rockers. I have been hesitant to put the plants back on the porch because we are still having chilly nights, but the time for that will be here soon.
    .-= Beverly´s last blog ..A Tune For Tuesday =-.

  11. Sandy

    You’re new look looks great, Melissa!

    I’m so looking forward to Spring. We’re cleaning up our backyard, patio area, etc. this coming weekend and getting ready for Easter!

    Happy Day!
    .-= Sandy´s last blog ..Live with Gusto: Goodbye Auntie Ellen! =-.

  12. Stacey

    What beautiful pictures! I long for a bench like the one in the first pic, so pretty! Great tips for making your entry welcoming and ready for spring!! I’d love to have you link this up on Sat. for my Green Thumb Gardening Linky party! :)
    Blessings,
    Stacey
    .-= Stacey @ The Blessed Nest´s last blog ..Green Thumb Gardening Day =-.

    • Melissa

      Oh, I might need a reminder but thanks for the invite! Link me up if I space out…I’d love to be a part of it! :-)

      Thanks for stopping by today!

  13. 31everything

    I like all of the entrances in this post! Beautiful.
    .-= 31everything´s last blog ..Taylor’s Closet =-.

  14. Richella

    I have what I think is a great front porch, and now you’ve inspired me to get busy sprucing it up for spring! It’s definitely looking tired from the winter. . . and spring has certainly sprung around here, so I need to get busy!

  15. Gina

    Can’t wait to get some green, living things on the porch. Unfortunately we have to wait a few more weeks-still too cold at night! The bummer of where we live.
    .-= Gina´s last blog ..My Bedroom Has the Blues =-.

  16. lea helmerich

    well, i guess i needed a kick in my old
    backside!

    just looked up and saw some greenery.
    it just keeps appearing . . . out of nowhere!

    thank you for the lovely ideas.

    blessings,
    lea

  17. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger

    I’m so excited to have my doors and windows open now that it’s Spring! Not only do I love the weather and the sounds, but I LOVE seeing all of the Spring colors!

    YAY, SPRING!
    .-= the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last blog ..Tool Talk Tuesday: the Dremel =-.

  18. Christy

    I just got home from a little spring-spruce-up shopping at Lowe’s! You offered some great tips – I hadn’t even thought of the house numbers and outdoor lighting. Freshening those up will only serve to accentuate my new garden flag, flowers and birdfeeder. Thanks!

  19. Irene

    I really believe that the outside of your home should show the same care you put into the inside of your home. You have terrific tips here.
    .-= Irene´s last blog ..Reading in Comfort =-.

  20. Pinky

    I dressed up my porch last week: went and bought a flat of pansies, planted them in my 2 big pots on the porch alomg with some curly willow,and along the front of the house, hung my Easter basket on the door and put my SPRINGY pillows on the chairs along with a bunny pillow, and on the 2 tables; a lantern and a bunny on each table. I am READY!!!!!!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky

  21. Melanie

    As a Floridian that just moved to the north, I could not be wishing for spring or summer any more than I am this year. I am in need of some sunshine and warm weather!

    We have a new home so there will be much to plant and a new porch to decorate. I can’t wait.
    .-= Melanie´s last blog ..The First Pioneer Woman Recipe! =-.

  22. Kacey

    Love the inspiration! I live in AZ and it’s already warming up here – I would so love to put out some fresh greenery but I’m afraid they’ll die right away. I’m thinking just a few pops of color couldn’t hurt…
    .-= Kacey´s last blog ..The picture-less post =-.

  23. Kimberly Aardal

    For those of us that live where winter is still trying to hold on, the idea of planting some flowers like pansies in a pot on the front porch will remind us that spring is just around the corner. I can’t wait to get outside and clear away the remnants from fall and winter and bring some spring color to our front door.
    .-= Kimberly Aardal´s last blog ..Sleigh Glider in White =-.

  24. west coast nester

    Wow, you have me inspired. So glad to hear I am not the only one who does a drive by now and again.

  25. The Virginia House

    This is perfect for me. No I don’t have an old wreath, but I do have some crunchy leaves and hairy cobwebs. Thanks for the inspiration!

  26. Anna kintigh

    Hi Melissa,

    I’ll just address this like I really know you and we’re friends sitting down for coffee, since I wish we were!
    I love your blog and I just received my order, the Rosanna, Inc – DBB White Footed Square Bowl, from your shop. I ordered it for my sister’s birthday and it will take everything within me to follow through and give it to her :-) The picture on your site was pretty, but seeing this firsthand…it’s gorgeous! I’m so pleased. Even the box is a piece within itself.
    The order came so quickly, was boxed so carefully and professionally, and the item was incredible. I will for sure be keeping your lovely shop in mind for my next gifting purchases. I’m so excited to give this to my sister; I know she’ll love it.
    I wanted to say something, because I know you work hard, since both your blog and shop are so classy and lovely.
    Thanks again for providing me with such an item that I am thrilled to gift.
    Blessings on you and your ventures
    Anna
    .-= Anna kintigh´s last blog ..Here’s the challenge scoop… =-.

    • Melissa

      Hi Anna! I am so happy we sat down for coffee :-) and I am super excited that you love your footed square bowl! Your recommendation is wonderful, I may have to quote you on this because it is so helpful for people to know that something is WORTHY of getting!

      Thank you for taking the time to share this with me, it really means a lot. Enjoy the bowl, while you have it… :-)

      Have a blessed evening!
      Melissa

  27. Stacy

    I love the “drive bys” gives me inspiration and ideas for my front porch! Thanks so much for sharing such great ideas!

    Stacy
    .-= Stacy @ thehearthandhome´s last blog ..Fresh Flowers are Best! =-.

  28. Jessica

    Oh I love front porches! Thanks for the reminder that mine needs some attention. It’s time to freshen things up again.
    .-= Jessica @ These Are The Days´s last blog ..The Silver Lining =-.

  29. Lyndsy

    Great post and the front porch “drive by” images are wonderful! I am so ready for spring and can’t wait to head outdoors to revamp, clean, repot all my plants, on my side porch…. Thanks for sharing!
    .-= Lyndsy@ L Kae Interiors´s last blog ..Flower Power =-.

  30. ann marie

    You’ve gotta love drive-bys!! I think spring cleaning applies to both inside and outside. It’s amazing what a coat or two of paint will do. I guess it’s time to get to work!
    .-= ann marie´s last blog ..Quail? Partridge? =-.

 

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