Harrison Cooper
Our homes are generally a place we take pride in, and nothing welcomes guests like a well-designed front porch. Since it is the first thing anyone sees of your house, how it is perceived from the roadside, as well as by approaching guests, is a detail that can be worrisome to the gracious hostess or host.
The design of your surrounding landscape should take into account the structure, size, and look of your porch and entryway so that one complements the other in a beautiful dance of outdoor harmony.
It may also serve as a place of entertainment or relaxation and should reflect a little bit about the homeowners’ taste in decor.
Just enough privacy and just enough welcome are balanced on this small porch dominated by a framed and contrasted doorway. Comfortable seating makes it a perfect spot to sit and watch life go by, but without an unhindered view by neighborhood passersby.
This wide porch that spans the width of the house draws you in with its simple decor and pops of vegetative color. A comfortable settle provides the perfect touch as a show of relaxation and invitation.
Long, low, one-story ranch homes are known for their big porches and rustic appeal. This long ranch porch provides multiple entryways to a private sitting area that gives you a view of the surrounding landscape.
This elegant country home shares a classic look with more aged brickwork siding all brought together by a ranch-style porch. Simple sitting areas and well-manicured landscaping don’t distract by the welcoming French doorways.
If you’re looking for concrete porch ideas, this lifted patio serves well as a deck complete with long narrow steps and classic brick trim. An in-built grill combined with the mixing and matching of natural wooden hues will provide a warm, comforting feel to relax within.
Brick homes always have a sort of rustic, old-fashioned appeal, but that doesn’t mean your entryway has to reflect that- unless you want it to.
Porches framed by brick architecture provide the perfect contrast to make your choice of landscaping decorating ‘pop’ and be the talk of the neighborhood. Complimentary color choices make the light brickwork pop and allow the natural stone to lead visitors up the front steps into the welcoming porch. Wrought iron porch railings set into the brick columns give it just enough country charm no matter where it’s local.
Contrasting columns and an overhanging covered porch provide a picture-perfect frame to the doorway. Your porch doesn’t only have to be an entryway for your guests, it can definitely take on the role of outdoor living space, complete with fireplace and eclectic lighting.
Contemporary and modern front porch ideas provide simple, clean lines and airy, welcoming spaces. Porches dominate this modern, open architecture to provide easy outdoor living. Lots of light and cool breezes are supported by the multi-level living areas, including an enclosed space for in-climate weather. A shallow porch-style patio blends effortlessly into the surrounding landscape design to make clean lines and simple materials a focal point.
Like many other porches, this shallow terrace helps extend the indoor living space into an outdoor retreat. Wooden materials choices balance the more contemporary lines and colors with the surrounding environment.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, modern benches, and custom lighting provide a unique entry to match your personal style.
Hanging baskets, comfortable furniture, or simple pops of color can all provide an inviting atmosphere.
Smooth details create a crisp, clean, and airy location to relax in and take in the summer breezes. Relaxing sitting areas, and greenery for air circulation create a space specifically for your comfort.
Bold contrasts make big statements and are the perfect way to show off the grand details often found within dated architecture. This Russian colonial uses intricate woodworking and tiered porches to show off their unique, traditional style.
A graceful curving, gabled porch completes the front architecture of this colonial meets contemporary design.
Lighting from the windows that run the length of the porch is sure to provide the perfect atmosphere come sunset. Watch the world go by while taking advantage of a degree of privacy in this well-designed sitting area. Open verandas and vaulted porch ceilings are only a few ideas you can use by taking advantage of the extra height two-story homes provide.
Deep shadows to help cool the house and multiple sitting areas around the side are a great way to welcome guests and enjoy the solitude. This Northern European-inspired design takes advantage of both old and new and provides the second-story walkways popular along the coast to watch for returning ships.
Imposing columns on this heritage house leads the way to the small front porch and through to the beautiful second story.
This upper-level porch is truly the focus of this architectural design and provides a wrap-around view of the surrounding landscape. Stucco and tile provide an old-fashioned, southwestern appeal to this neighborhood home that uses traditional curved openings for shade and privacy. This house even boasts multiple second-story porches and walkouts to complete the overall design.
Another wooden ceiling design shows clearly how this contrasting color and material brings warmth and depth to your outdoor sitting area. This old-fashioned design takes on a modern appeal due to the perfect placement of materials used.
This design truly encompasses the house and provides the added living space to take in the great outdoors so many crave. Regardless of the front porch designs you choose, outdoor lighting can make or break the effect it has on others. Hardy plants like the bougainvillea are apt for this kind of setup, and the best part is that they come in many colors! If you have a smaller porch or if you don’t want to invest in a firepit, how about a portable one where you can relax in the warmth of crackling wood?
Faux fur pillows, a throw blanket, a nice rug, and a portable cast iron fire pit bowl, are all you need to enjoy a memorable evening with your loved ones.
