We say it time and time again, there is no underestimating curb appeal. But it’s not just for when your selling. The exterior is an extension of your home, and therefor an extension of your decor. Adding a few special features could go a long way towards creating an inviting and welcoming home. It can show your personality and set the tone before anyone even steps foot in your house. You can even transform your porch in a single weekend! Here are some great ideas to get you started.
Paint Your Door – Be courteous to your neighbors with this one. No one wants to live next door to the person with a bright orange or fuchsia door. But a nice accent color will spruce up the place and add a pop of color and a bit of interest. This is a perfect way to liven up a small porch.
Lighten it Up – One yellowish-orange light bulb doesn’t always do the trick. Adding some extra lights will allow you to create an inviting space you can enjoy into the night. Festive lights can also be added for more flair. Don’t forget the areas you eat or even your garden. Just be sure to have plenty of citronella candles or tiki torches to keep the bugs away.
Seating – If you have a small front porch you should skip this one, but a large porch is somewhere you may eat or have the neighbors over for drinks, and a few iron chairs with a wobbly table isn’t going to be very enjoyable for everyone. The decor should match your interior in style. If you have a sleek modern interior with pops of color, don’t create a cozy country porch. Take the decor you like outside, but be sure to use weather safe furniture. Even items on a covered porch will have exposure to elements.
Custom Numbers – Ramp up the fun by incorporating your house number in a more interesting way than just a metal number nailed to the wall. You can stencil the numbers on a flower pot or stitch them into pillows on your furniture. The important thing is to get creative and fun and make it totally unique to you.
Welcome Sign – Direct and to the point, nothing says “Welcome to my home” like a welcome sign. Stencil it on a plaque of wood or get a fancy decal to put add right to the door. Scribble it on a chalk board and leave room for people to leave you messages. Get creative and have fun with it.
Seasonal Decorations – What a fun way to change up your decor frequently without spending an arm and a leg. Just make sure you’re not the jerk in the neighborhood with Christmas decorations up at Easter. You don’t need to go overboard, but adding one or two seasonal items to your porch will add a fresh and friendly vibe to the picturesque view.