Summer Front Porch Décor For A Small Porch

Have you got a tiny front porch and don’t know how to decorate it this summer? If the answer is yes, then I’ve got good news for you. A small porch is easier to decorate than you might think and you can likely decorate the entire porch on a small budget. In this post, Summer Front Porch Décor For A Small Porch, I show you how to decorate a small porch with all the comforts you’d expect on a much larger porch, from a cozy spot to sit, to layered rugs, to flowers and candlelight. If you’d like to see how I decorated this tiny porch for Christmas, click here.

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There are a few guiding principles that I use in every space I decorate, and they definitely apply to a small porch.

Choose A Cohesive Colour Scheme

I think this is the most important “secret” of all, and one that is essential in a small space. Décor is all about repetition and contrast, and finding the right balance between the two. Too much repetition, and the look is boring or contrived. Too much contrast, and the space looks chaotic and unplanned.

Start with the thing or things you cannot change. My starting point was the beige and golden beige brick. I love this brick colour because it reminds me of the old buildings in Provence, France. I decided to repeat these neutral tones in the rugs, chair, and throw pillow. If you have neutral brick, then repeating some of those neutrals is a good idea. If you have red brick or coloured siding and don’t want to further emphasize it, then use neutral accents to bring some calmness to the space. You don’t want to repeat a colour that you are trying to minimize.

Then I picked up on the golden undertones in the brick and decided to use mostly yellow flowers this year, with some white ones for a little interest. The wreath and planters are almost entirely in shades of green, yellow, and white.

Since every space needs a touch of black or dark charcoal grey, I added new light fixtures, a planter, and a lantern in dark shades. The house number and door hardware were already black.

Finally, add one additional colour that appears in one significant dose. In our case, it’s the blue front door (Benjamin Moore Silver Streak).

Every Detail Counts

When you have a small porch, not only is it easier and more affordable to decorate than a large porch, but every detail makes more of an impact. Every component has the potential to be a lovely feature that will attract notice. So, start with the front door and give it a fresh coat of paint if needed. Examine the lighting fixtures and see if they need replacing or maybe just a good cleaning. Look at handrails, mailboxes, and trim and see if they need or cleaning, repair, or painting. Once these more basic elements are refreshed, then it’s time to add some inviting outdoor décor items.  

Our light fixtures were very affordable and purchased locally from Home Depot. They are much more substantial and provide better lighting than our previous fixtures.

There’s Always Room For A Place To Sit

Even the smallest of porches can use a chair or small bench. A place to sit will encourage you to sit for a moment and take in the fresh air and calming sights of nature. It can also encourage more social interactions with neighbours and people passing by. I used an outdoor wood chair, and when topped with a pillow, I think it makes an inviting sight. Even if the chair isn’t used often, you can place a plant or decorative accent on top. If you have room for a bench, make sure to cozy it up with a couple of pillows and a throw blanket.   

Every Space Needs Living Things

A potted plant or floral planter is the single more important addition to your front porch. Even a home in disrepair will look prettier and more cared for if there is a planter full of beautiful flowers present. I think that a small porch looks better with one or two large planters than with several small planters. For my main planter, I used an assortment of annual plants in shades of green, yellow, and white. I followed the simple planting formula of a tall spike in the center of the pot, flowers for the main area of the pot, and trailing plants for the edges.

The Finishing Touches

Since groupings of 3 or 5 are pleasing to the eye, I grouped the chair with a large planter and a black lantern.

To the front door, I added a “Hello” decal from Homeworks Etc for a whimsical touch. This was a really easy addition. I simply cleaned the door with dish soap and water and allowed it to dry. Then, I placed the sticky side of the decal onto the door and pressed it against the door with my hands. Finally, I carefully peeled off the paper, leaving the Hello decal affixed to the door.

I think every door can use a pretty wreath to celebrate the season. This wreath was a DIY project and I made it by combining greenery, white magnolia flowers, yellow gerbera daisies, and some seed pods. You can buy an inexpensive base wreath and add extra flowers to it to make a more full and unique wreath.

In front of the door, I added two rugs to give a layered look. Layering rugs is a great trick to use for a small porch because it adds detail and dimension as well as coziness. A trellis mat looks beautiful under a cute coir mat with welcome message.

Introducing Additional Colours

If you like a more colourful look, try adding one additional colour. Since our lilacs and pansies are in bloom I added some to the porch for a couple days this week. Use your eye to determine when you have enough (or too much) colour. Stepping back and snapping a photo can also help you examine your design with fresh eyes.

Summary

I hope you have enjoyed my post, Summer Front Porch Décor For A Small Porch. Do you have any tips you’d like to share for decorating a small porch?