How To Get The Look Of Erin Napier's Breezy, Coastal Front Porch Design

Is there a better way to spend a lovely summer evening than sitting on your porch enjoying the breeze? Even if you don't live near the ocean, you can trick yourself into thinking you've got a breezy, coastal front porch with a few design tricks from HGTV's Erin Napier. By using a bright, beachy color palette, and furniture that would feel at home in a Cape Cod cottage, Napier brought a coastal vibe to Laurel, Mississippi. But, if we're being honest, adding curtains to the porch is what really put this breezy design over the edge.

To achieve a sophisticated coastal vibe it's important to avoid coastal cliché decor. The key is to tie in beachy colors, natural materials, and the casual friendliness that beach houses inspire. Weaving together blues and greens, nautical-inspired stripes, and wicker furniture can be a surefire way to remind your guests of the beach every time they stop by to sit on the porch. 

Putting together a coastal color palette could not be easier. In fact, a lot of the work has already been done for you. Paint companies like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have developed color combinations for every coastal aesthetic. Whether you're picturing a neutral, mostly white Hamptons retreat or a vibrant, Miami-inspired color scheme, the pros have already got you covered. You can even turn to the bold paint shade Erin Napier used in another cottage with coastal charm.

Right about now, you might be thinking, "Wait a minute, I'm not ready to repaint my whole house!" We get it! If you want a semi-permanent change, consider painting your window trim, or other details, a coastal color that coordinates with your home's existing color. If even that seems like a stretch, simply find accessories to tie into your existing color palette. Bright pillows on your outdoor wicker furniture or colorful planters can help transform the way your porch feels without investing too much time or money. When in doubt, opt for a neutral, organic palette that will evoke serene coastal charm, and coordinate with almost any existing color scheme.

There's something especially beachy about adding curtains to your porch. Outdoor curtains also offer budget-friendly privacy, and you can use them to enhance whatever color palette you land on. You will also want comfortable furniture to invite people to sit and enjoy the porch. Wicker, as we already mentioned, is great, but washed out wood tones can also feel very coastal. Pattern is also a good way to add coastal detail. From stripes to starfish, it should be easy to find accessories that can bring a hint of the beach to your porch.

Planting tall grasses that will blow in the breeze can give the feel of having dune grass right there in your front yard. Hydrangeas are also practically synonymous with Cape Cod, so if you want to picture yourself hanging out in Hyannis Port, consider planting some of these nearby. If you need a place to put your coastal plants, give an ordinary concrete planter a coastal-chic vibe with this resourceful DIY. Before you know it, you'll feel like every day is a beach day.