5 Small Front Porch Ideas to Increase Curb Appeal

I pulled into our driveway a few weeks ago, looked at our small front porch, and thought.

“Woah, Batman. You’re in winter hangover mode.”

The period from January to March was not kind to the front of our house, and because we had not-so-fun foundation repair work done to our front facade last fall (old houses are super fun, ya know), our flower beds along the porch were destroyed. So Robert got out the trusty power washer and I got out the usual bucket of limewash to make our front door feel welcoming again by using planters and flowers from Walmart’s Better Homes & Gardens line. The flower beds still need some attention, and the patchy grass is a little worn, but just these 5 small front porch ideas on a budget made a huge difference.

It can certainly be done in one sunny Saturday to bring a drab winter porch back to life (or to help add kerb appeal when selling a house) as an inviting first impression.

Small Front Porch Ideas: Make Sure It’s Symmetrical

To make a small porch appear inviting, mimic the symmetry of your house’s architecture with your decor.

A planter on each side of the steps, a planter on either side of the door, and a simple wreath are hard to go wrong with.

Small Front Porch Ideas: Install a Welcome Mat That Is Extra Wide

I swear by using an extra large welcome mat to make a standard-sized front door feel a little grander, just like the right-sized right can make or break a room.

Keep It Simple and Free of Clutter

Less really is more. As much fun as it is to put small ornamental outdoor decor on a front porch, it can quickly become junky.

When viewed from the road, the porch decor can often appear to be a jumble of items. Going oversized and using fewer items rather than more of smaller-sized items always pays off when it comes to making a front porch’s decor feel intentional.

Select Large Planters

To make a small porch appear stately without adding clutter, use a few large or oversized planters instead of multiple small planters. I adore the look of these traditional urn planters, which I would have never guessed were only $30.

I also found these fluted resin planter sets from the Better Homes & Gardens line and used leftover cans of spray paint to create a faux DIY concrete planter look. They resemble the more expensive designer versions I’ve seen!

Doesn’t it resemble concrete? I can’t believe it’s just sprayed paint (see the faux DIY concrete planter tutorial here).

Plants That Add Height and Colour Are Ideal

I like to include one plant that adds height and one plant or flower that adds a pop of colour

Topiaries, boxwoods, and cedar trees all draw the eye upward. To highlight the front door, add a bright pop of seasonal potted flowers like Better Homes & Gardens hydrangeas, begonias, geraniums, or azaleas.

Related article: Small Porch Ideas with Charming Decoration