If you have a small front porch, you may feel a bit stumped by the lack of space. But, don't be deceived—there is plenty of style that can be packed into the tiniest of porches! Need some inspiration? Take a look at these small front porch ideas and see what I mean!
The Best Small Front Porch Ideas
Every house has its own unique front porch, ranging from modest to massive. Then, we also have one of my favorite styles: the small front porch! Tiny but mighty, this space may not grace the covers of Southern-style magazines, but it can still be the perfect spot to greet guests.
Take a look at these small front porch ideas and see what I mean!
1. Add (Small) Seating
If at all possible, a small seating area is an inviting way to welcome visitors to your front porch. The idea is to make the porch cozy, not crowded, so scale will be very important.
This vintage wooden folding chair would work well on a very small porch. Of course, if you want to actually sit on the porch, you would remove the geraniums.
Some additional small furniture ideas for a porch:
- Bistro Set
- Rocking chair
- Bench
- Stool
- Small side table
- Crates stacked on top of each other
2. Layer Doormats
Using two doormats, one on top of the other, has become very popular over the last few years. It's a chance to increase your porch's curb appeal with minimal effort.
Laura from Inspiration For Moms shows us How To Mix And Match Door Mats to create the perfect combo for your front door. She has lots of examples too!
Layering doormats like this can be done year-round. In the winter months, you can swap out the bottom for a plaid print or something festive, while keeping it more neutral in the spring and summer.
3. Stencil Your Porch Floor
Stenciling your plain Jane concrete is a fun way to elevate your front porch decor with just a little bit of paint and a couple hours of your time.
Robert and Lauren at Blesser House stenciled their concrete porch and it turned out wonderfully! And they have lots of step by step photos to show you how.
4. Use Plenty of Flowers
Every porch needs at least one pot of flowers. I think it's the law.
I showed you this farmhouse look using two crocks, a peach basket and a few geraniums earlier this year in my article on Favorite Plant Combinations For Container Gardens. Very simple look for a pop of color.
Want a more formal look than crocks? You can use a classic black urn which can be used season after season and swapped for different types of foliage. Ferns, topiaries and small pine trees look wonderful in urns.
If you have a front porch that truly won't allow for even a small planter, don't despair! You can add a planter to your wall with something like this, or simply opt for hanging baskets of flowers that takes up no floor space whatsoever.
5. Buy - or Build - Custom Planters
If a traditional flower box or urn is still to wide for your space, you can always build your own.
This narrow tiered planter box from Anika's Daily Life fills her small front porch perfectly! No wonder, as she built it for under $10! Even if you aren't particularly handy, you should be able to handle building this project geared toward beginners. Or you can always hire a local builder to do these for you if you're getting hives just thinking about picking up a hammer.
Of course, you have the option of purchasing planters as well, but this narrow rectangle shape makes the most of otherwise unusable space (and it doesn't block access to the door).
6. Add A Lantern
To add even more personality to a small space you can add a simple lantern to the porch, like this one I used on my Summer Porch a few years ago! It adds an additional layer and takes up very little space.
By using an outdoor battery-powered candle with an automatic timer there's no need to remember to turn them on and off. The outdoor rated ones do not melt in the hot sun (aka plastic) and are water-resistant.
7. Add a Pop of Color with the Front Door
Here's my own front door! This is one of my favorite small front porch ideas because you can pick the color to match your style! I'm a fan of the vintage look, so I painted my door a pretty teal shade (without removing the door from its hinges!).
If teal isn't for you, my post on Front Door Colors That Pop might interest you.
8. Add Textiles and Warmth
If you can fit any kind of chair, rocker or bench on your front porch, a cozy throw or pillow will be an inviting extra layer of decor! I used a plaid winter throw for this winter porch shown below, but you can also use a lightweight throw or pillow on your spring and summer porches.
Cheater Tip: If you don't plan on using the "throw" as an actual blanket to keep you warm you can also use a fabric tablecloth, a large scarf or a couple yards of fabric to get the same look.
9. Dress Up Your Door with a Wreath
Another great idea for adding decor to a small porch is to adorn your front door with a wreath. A wreath can be as bright or subdued as you make it!
This quick and easy hydrangea wreath I showed you how to make last summer is the perfect example of an inexpensive and simple subdued version of a wreath.
As opposed to my Watering Can Wreath that was bright and whimsical (it even lit up at night).
10. Add a Porch Leaner
This is one of the best small porch ideas because it adds a punch of personality with a relatively small footprint. If you haven't heard of one before, a porch leaner is a tall, vertical sign that leans against your porch wall.
Porch leaners have been a trend for a while now. They work well for any space, but I particularly like them for smaller spaces because they give you a ton of visual impact. This is particularly true if you make a porch leaner like this one featured from The House On Silverado (she has a great tutorial on how to make your own DIY Reversible Porch Sign).
Which brings me to my Bonus Tip: make your porch leaner double-sided! That way when you tire of one design, you can swap it for the other side. This works really well for seasonal designs where you can do a Thanksgiving-theme on one side, and a Christmas design on the other.
Final Thoughts on Small Front Porch Ideas
So there you have it - 10 brilliant porch ideas that will work in any sized space! Don't fall into the trap of thinking that bigger is better, but instead learn to work with what you have.
Which one of these porch ideas will you be trying first?
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
Tammy
I have to ask about those wonderful yellow pots. Did you thrift those? Just found your blog and love your style. Thanks for the inspiration.
Pam Kessler
I found them at a church rummage sale!!! They are heavier than heck though. They have to weigh at least 25 pounds each even when empty!
Laura Jarnagin
Hello!
I have a very slick front porch! Any suggestions to prevent me from falling?
Thanks
Laura from Dallas
Tammie Houston
I love how you made that cutesy farmhouse look by adding flowers around your front porch, they definitely add life to the small space. We're planning on having a porch built in front of our house but I was worried that since our land isn't that big our porch will be too small to decorate. I'm glad that even with a small amount of space it's still possible to make it look lovely. I'll have to keep these ideas in mind for when the porch builders finish their job and it's time for me to decorate it on my own.
Mandy Williams
Really good ideas! My porch is a good size but my issue is that it’s very far from the street so I have to go pretty big and strong to have any impact. Also, it faces west so that hot Georgia sun is…hot! A pretty sunny yellow door has been really helpful. You’ve inspired me to add for more.
Diane
Pam, we just have a front step. With a few steps going down to the walk. I did not get any potted flowers on the steps, or here and there along the front this year. Too, too hot in MN, and everything seemed so beat up once I did force myself to give it a try. I am going to MUM the heck out of my front steps, put up my fall wreath, work on a small 'barn' quilt for the perfect space on the front of my home. All of your thoughtful ideas will guide my way. Altho I have no desire to hurry summer along, with still no relief in sight, can't help but look forward to late August, early September!
Pam Kessler
Love your "mum the heck" idea!!!
Kevin
GREAT ideas!
Small space, large space its about quality space every time do the best with what you have.
Kevin
Kevin
I like that wreath with the red plaid bow please tell me where I can get one of those?
Kevin
Pam Kessler
I bought both the flocked pine wreath and the bow separately from JoAnn Fabrics and just wired the bow on. It was way back in 2016 though, so not sure if they'll have similar styles this year. Plaid never goes out of style though, right?
Kathleen Kistler
My dilemma is space. I will start with folding chair. Put a window screen above with wreath. Add pastel rug.
20" deep 63" wide BUT have 28" width because of condo door entry.
Very challenging..I will put your ideas to good use.
Cathy from New Ken
Carolyn Dinger
Love the idea of stenciling the porch floor. Beautiful.