How To Customize A Gorgeous Front Porch Using Tiles

Owning property with a white picket fence and porch overlooking the lawn is commonly associated with the mythologized American Dream, but front porches have a historical impact that predates western individualism. African structures called tikay led to the Haitian kombat, which were replicated as shotgun houses in the southern U.S., all of which helped foster community via their approachable front porches. Studies suggest having an inviting front facade leads to happier neighborhoods. If you want a fun DIY project that might just bring all the boys to your yard, consider making a flashy first impression with outdoor tile patterning on your front porch.

Most tile patterns you'll find in your day-to-day are likely to be flat bathroom colors or patterns of non-repeating shapes called tessellation, as seen in places like subway platforms. However, this budget DIY front porch pulls more from museum restroom tile as functional art. You can buy sheets of hexagonal mosaic tile at retailers like Home Depot, ideally sizing a full white backdrop to the shape of your porch before cutting individual hexagons out of the sheet in whatever text pattern you want to convey. They should be easy enough to pull apart by hand. Tiles of a different color, black in most cases, can be slotted into the empty spaces before you place the project out on the porch over a non-slip mat that's been similarly cut to size. Use grout to install your floor tiles, but know it will take around 24 to 48 hours for the sealant to cure so you can walk on it.

If you're going for a classic look, your house number in portrayed in Art Deco style is always a good choice. With that said, there are limitless possibilities as to what your DIY patio tile can convey — so long as you have enough space. A tiled front porch can entirely replace your typical rubber or vinyl outdoor mat, offering up text that reads "welcome" or some other punny greeting. You also don't just have to replace a handful of tiles to convey letters. You could instead buy multiple colors of tile sheets to make your own gradient or rainbow patterns, or if you can't find the colors you want, sand down the mosaic tiles and repaint them.

If you're really thinking outside the box, the customizations for your front porch tile layout don't have to stop at the tiles themselves. Grout comes in multiple colors too, and while you should avoid using certain tile grout colors in your bathroom, you can let your creativity shine in a less high-stakes project like this. Consider what forms of art you already engage in to get the perfect dose of inspiration, and use this as a starting point to showcase your personality and buff up your newly tiled patio. After all, making an engaging front porch is a great way to invite new friends into your life.