10 Must-Haves To Update Your Front Porch

While front porches are often the very first impression visitors have of our homes, they are sometimes forgotten spaces when it comes to liveability. They may shine with seasonal and holiday decorations at certain times of the year, but many porches are neglected during the off-months — littered with faded straggly welcome mats and cracked planters. At worst, they become cluttered and unkempt. At best, they can be generic and impersonal. Porches often serve merely as transitional spaces, but with a little design, they can also become a place to sit and stay awhile. 

While much of the advice for keeping an attractive and well-maintained porch is simple, like decluttering and cleaning (via Home Light), there are other great ways to think in new ways about the space. A few great additions can make the front porch not only the gateway to your home but a stylish and functional space all on its own. 

Starting from the ground up, every welcoming porch of any size needs a welcome mat. Whether it's a small door mat with a fun message or a great indoor/outdoor rug like this eco-friendly woven rug from Pottery Barn ($73), a rug immediately gives a cozy feeling to your porch, no matter how small or large.

Every porch needs some sort of seating, whether a small stool or bench for smaller spaces or this gorgeous, wide, and luxurious porch swing from The Porch Swing Company ($772) is perfect for lounging, reading, or napping. 

While our front porches are one of the most public-oriented spaces in our homes, sometimes, a little privacy is required from nearby neighbors or the street. These attractive, durable PVC shades from Home Depot (starting at $17) come in various sizes, are easy to hang, and look great from either side.

Whatever the style of your home, bright and attractive porch lighting is key to making your entryway welcoming and well-lit. Well-chosen lighting also serves as functional illumination for whatever you might use your front porch for. These lantern-style fixtures from Walmart ($44) are affordable, durable, and classic, with frosted glass and metal ribbing.

Perfect for porches or anywhere on your exterior, these large midcentury-inspired house numbers from Etsy ($16) are large, stylish,  and very visible from the street. Their sleek style also makes them a perfect match for mid-century homes.

The Ring Video Doorbell ($59) is a great way to not only increase your safety and security when someone knocks but also is a great way to ward off package thieves. The sleek design is modern, inconspicuous, and a must for any front porch. 

Sometimes, the front porch is a perfect spot for that first cup of coffee. This bistro table from Article ($449) provides a perfect, cozy surface for morning lingering and watching the neighborhood come alive.

Even if your front porch area is on the smaller side, a bench may be a perfect seating solution in lieu of bulkier chairs or a swing. This sleek modern iron bench from The Build Club ($139) is a perfect spot to chat with visitors or stop to pull on shoes or boots.

Plants and flowers provide a welcoming dose of beauty to any front porch. If space is at a premium, these wooden planter boxes from Flower Window Boxes ($224) are a great way to house plants in a single container with a lot of impact. They are also great for defining the space or different areas on the porch.

A fountain or other water feature is a great way to welcome visitors and create a sense of calmness and zen in the first space they encounter. This cascading tiered fountain from Lowes ($146) is compact and fits perfectly next to a door or in a corner, instantly providing visual interest and a sense of luxury.