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Country front porch designs


50 Charming Front Porch Ideas

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Outdoor oasis, here we come.

By Hadley Mendelsohn

Joe Schmelzer

Remember Allie Hamilton's wrap-around porch in The Notebook? We've had a thing for porches ever since we saw it, and while we may not have our very own Noah to build us one from scratch, we do have a few more ideas to share with you. In fact, these designer and landscaper–approved back and front porches would elevate an outdoor oasis even more than Nicholas Spark's imaginary one did. Comfortable, stylish swings? Check. Mood lighting? Check. Ability to stand up to Mother Nature? Check. Now just add a good book and refreshing cocktail, and you've got a getaway that's just a step outside your front door. Get inspired by the 45 picturesque porches below.

Read McKendree

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Frame Windows and Screens with Paint

Bella Mancini enlivened this screen door and its wood frame with Santa Clara by Benjamin Moore. The color feels right at home with cedar shake and hydrangeas but has a note of distinct cheerfulness.

Victoria Pearson

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Build a Secure Closet for Packages

Between all the online orders and foot traffic, a secure spot for deliveries and accessories (like umbrellas) is more essential than ever. A delivery closet on the porch of our Whole Home Concept House 2018 even had a garment rack for dry cleaning.

James McDonald

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...or Just Stash Them In a Dresser

An antique dresser on a porch is the perfect place to have delivery drivers stash packages. Nicola Harding treated this one like it's in a grand foyer, embellishing it with plants, artwork, and lighting.

Karyn Millet

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Create Cover With a Small Awning

Mix-and-match tiles aren't just for your interiors—they add instant intrigue to a front porch. Here, Sharon Lee alternated patterns on the step risers for an unexpected dose of personality. A custom awning in Sunbrella fabric provides a hint of shade.

Paul Costello

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Consider a Breezeway

From the outside, this green breezeway—which doubles as a flower-arranging room and was designed by Rebecca Vizard—makes a strong first impression, and the garden flowers pop against the gravel and tile path leading to the front door. To pull this off in your own home, keep it ground level and opt for a partially covered walk-through space instead of an elevated porch.

Paul Raeside

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Make It Cheerful

Potted sunflowers and plaid throw pillows on the garden bench align nicely with the quaint feel of the stone exterior home by Shazalynn Winfrey.

Phoebe Howard

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Disguise Tech Features

The rounded door is framed by bougainvillea, giving the front porch entrance to this home by Phoebe Howard. secret garden vibe. Colorful blooms also distract the eye from the high-tech keypad over the door handle.

Tamsin Johnson Interiors

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Build In Your Garden

A built-in garden bed is bursting with succulents, the ideal match for a modern home exterior. They're just tall enough to enhance privacy without totally blocking the view from the living room designed by Tamsin Johnson.

Emily Followill

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Tease a Color

This shade of blue paint was used throughout the home designed by Meredith McBrearty, so the front porch sets the tone for what lies ahead (and cools of the brick and warm tones in the entryway!).

Joe Schmelzer

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Hook Up a Water Feature

Designed by Cuff Home, this porch has major curb appeal. From the black shutters to the turquoise front door, and manicured hedges. But what really sets it apart is the fountain, since water features always create unbeatable zen energy.

William Abranowicz

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Go Porchless

This modern stunner designed by Kathleen McCormick speaks for itself. The concrete steps, blue door, and steel and glass facade need no introduction.

THOMAS LOOF

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Scatter Seating Areas

Setting up multiple sitting areas will help you accommodate more people while also ensuring you get more use out of the space. To spruce things up, consider painting the columns, ceiling, and balustrades a fun color. Designer Amanda Reynal chose a mossy green hue for this nature-inspired porch.

Romanek Design Studio

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Optimize It With Lighting

If you want to be able to safely enjoy your backyard once the sun goes down, make sure you've optimized it with integrated lighting in the steps and sconces on the exterior of the home, as Romanek Design Studio did here. It'll also just make your life easier when coming and going.

Abney Morton

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Set Up an Herb Garden

Step up your style and cooking game by arranging a mini nursery or herb garden on the porch. Here, Abney Morton Interiors propped some pots of herbs up on a console table by the hanging swing.

Stephen Karlisch

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Keep It Simple

This Texas home designed by Jean Liu strikes the balance between natural beauty and practicality, perfect for its urban environment. The key: Pavers that complement the home's exterior material with a few trees and planting beds. Then, there's a slim overhang for extra lighting creating a more decorative impression over the front porch.

Trevor Tondro

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Truck It Away

Madeline Stuart gives this SoCal home by architects Wallace Neff and John Byers a sense of place with agave plants flanking the entrance and blooming bougainvillea spilling over the wall. Though the front porch isn't visible from the street entrance, it still has plenty of curb appeal.

Eliza Carter

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Secure It With a Gate

Create the illusion of extra privacy (and an extra safety barrier for toddlers and pets) in a city home with an iron-wrought gate. They're a natural fit for Victorians and brownstones, like Eliza Carter's NYC home featured here.

Max Kim-Bee

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Screen It In

There are so many cozy window seats in this 1890s carriage house that it's hard for interior designer Lisa Tharp to keep track, and the screened porch is no exception. Overlooking the green New England countryside, it's a beautiful setting for a screened porch. Wherever your porch is, adding screens will keep the bugs out while still letting the breeze in so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

JESSIE PREZA

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Spotlight a Motif

Flank the stairs to your front porch with stone sculptures shaped like a motif that speaks to your family or locality. On his Jacksonville, Florida, front porch, designer Fitz Pullins chose these fun pineapple-shaped sculptures in a corresponding stone material so they both pop and blend in.

Romanek Design Studio

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Treat It Like a Mudroom

Secure some hooks and slide in a bench or a pair of chairs to let your beach and pool gear dry instead of dripping throughout the house. Think of it as an outdoor mudroom. Romanek Design Studio opted for casual, minimalist furniture and decor for an understated, stylish impression in this Malibu home.

VICTORIA PEARSON

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Add a Fireplace

If your porch is large enough, add a fireplace and television so it can function as an outdoor family or living room. Take a cue from this leafy open-air porch designed by Sherry Hart and Jennifer Jones Condon and built by Ladisic Fine Homes.

Peti Lau

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Install Cameras

Install extra security, like a camera, but be sure to camouflage it into the surrounding environment. In this modern home by Peti Lau, the polished concrete flooring and wooden materials blend in with the surroundings and feel connected to the natural landscape, so you hardly even notice the little camera in the corner.

THOMAS LOOF

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Go Island-Inspired

When Clos-ette founder Melanie Fowler hired friend (and House Beautiful Next Wave designer) Caroline Rafferty to make over her Palm Beach house, she brought one major piece of inspo: The famously chic Lyford Cay Club in the Bahamas, which Rafferty wove in through the house's pale-pink exterior and treillage-inspired woodwork. The lush surroundings were executed by landscape designer Fernando Wong.

JESSIE PREZA

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Hang a Bird Feeder

Pavers lead to this elevated front porch on a property designed by Krystal Matthews. While the understated planters and sweet-swinging bench certainly help set the mood, the details framing the area help, too, like the bird feeder hanging from a tree.

AP Design House

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Weather-Proof It

Enjoy your outdoor space rain or shine with details that can stand up to the elements. AP Design House weatherproofed this porch by adding timeless and design-forward Bermuda shutters and galvanized steel corrugated panels overhead.

Jane Beiles

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Add Shutters

Another way to weather-proof? Add the appropriate shutters. Here, Charlotte Barnes opted for classic shutters with slat-like louvers on the windows as well as Bahama shutters that attach from the top of the opening between the columns and open like an awning. They'll protect your porch from heavy tropical wind and rain while the hardware and paint color can add some aesthetic perks.

PHOTO: Tom Ferguson; DESIGN: Arent & Pyke

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Lay Graphic Floor Tiles

A graphic floor tile will personalize your front porch just enough. Take a cue from this design by Arent & Pyke, where a planter introduces greenery and an outdoor chair adds a dash of color. Clean, simple, and classic.

Joshua McHugh

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Keep It Open

If your front porch features a little alcove like this one designed by Raji RM, maintain the open airflow with a cutout or two that mimic the rest of the home's windows. Then add a bench to make it easier to get everything sorted as you come and go.

THOMAS LOOF

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Let Nature Take Center Stage

Looking out at the sea ahead and draped in a canopy of tropical plants, this porch features minimal decor, allowing us to focus on the natural environment. Instead of a sitting area, there's a casual dining nook for al fresco meals.

PHOTO: Scott Hargis DESIGN: Regan Baker Design

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Make It Cozy

This back porch by Regan Baker Design is a perfect private spot to unwind in. To make it conducive to entertaining, bring in large outdoor floor cushions for additional floor seating.

65 Chic Patio Ideas to Try in Your Own Backyard

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

60 Warm and Welcoming Front Porch Ideas

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 07/14/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto 

Your front porch is your home's best chance to make a good first impression. No matter how big or small it might be, whether it is showy or unassuming, and regardless of the style of architecture, your front porch deserves as much attention to design and decor as your interior space.

A front porch can function as nothing more than a pass-through space or double as a second outdoor living room. It can create a convenient landing space for comings and goings, or simply sit there looking pretty, inviting passersby to wonder what else you have going on inside.

Whether you are looking to enhance your home's curb appeal, create a welcoming portal for both you and your guests, or make life a little more pleasant for all of those hard-working delivery people who visit your doorstep every day, check out these front porches in a range of layouts and sizes that don't skimp on style for some clever ideas on how to beautify your own outdoor space.

House porch design - 55 photos of amazing porch design ideas in a private house

A modern country house must have a small porch. After all, before you get inside the house, you will definitely have to walk along the porch. Any porch is a separate decorative element that gives the building an unusual and unique look.

The design of the porch has many different features, while the porch has a different design and structure.

So an ordinary porch can look like a small staircase with only a few steps, as a rule, they are installed directly in front of the entrance to the house. However, there are options when the porch is girdled around the veranda, or girded around the terrace.

Therefore, the design of the porch of a private house depends entirely on the style of the building itself.

The style of a beautiful outdoor staircase

For different types of houses, different types of materials are used in the design of the porch. For example: a modern house of a prestigious and elite class with a porch, modern materials are used in its design, such as glass, plastic, sometimes stainless steel or metal with a high chromium content is used.

But for the porch of an ordinary classic country house, you can use ordinary tiles as a decor, while malleable metal elements can be used as an addition. Well, country-style houses have a large number of different decorative elements made of wood, for example, various wooden columns with decorative carvings.

At the same time, for a longer preservation of the natural color and for a long service life, it is recommended to treat all wooden decorative elements with an oil composition for wood.

Original design ideas

So when creating an unusual porch of an ordinary and simple house, you can combine different materials for a unique unique design of the porch. Wood and natural stone can be called a good and simple combination, these natural materials will make the porch very beautiful and unique.

Concrete can also be used. The main feature in the design of the porch is the embodiment of design ideas or imagination.

How to decorate an outdoor staircase. Porch decoration

One of the main components of the porch is the staircase, and it can have a different design. For example, if the porch has a concrete base, then it is mainly lined with ceramic tiles or natural stone of natural or natural origin.

Decorative design with such materials is ideal for a brick building.

But the porch of a country house made of wood can have a large selection of decorative designs. But, many owners of such houses are trying to emphasize the importance of the material from which the porch is made. For this, the wooden porch is treated with a special oil composition.

In some cases, as a decoration for wood, it can be fired and then treated with light wood varnish.

It is also quite common to find a porch with metal stairs. Of course, this option has an aesthetic and beautiful appearance.

However, there are small nuances: firstly, the stairs of such a porch should not have a high location, and should not be very steep, besides, in winter, the metal becomes slippery under the influence of low temperatures.

How to build a beautiful original staircase. Railing design

The second decorative element of any porch is the railing. Therefore, the design of the railing is of no small importance, because the general appearance of the porch itself depends on it. So the most common design of the porch is the use of vertical balusters with horizontal crossbars having an unusual shape.

All handrails have handrails made of wood or plastic. So, when decorating the porch of a cobbled or ordinary village house made of wood, it is necessary to use wooden handrails, but it is recommended to use plastic handrails when decorating the porch of a modern country house made of concrete or brick.

However, a porch made of wrought iron may have a metal railing.

How to make a beautiful decoration of the canopy

The canopy above the porch is another additional decorative element of the porch, it is made of materials such as wood, polycarbonate or profile sheet. For example, the porch of a wooden house must have a visor made of wood, while the visor itself can be painted or artistically carved on its surface.

But for houses with a concrete or brick structure, it is recommended to install sheds made of professional sheet or polycarbonate. In order for the design of the porch with a canopy to have a beautiful and unique look, you will have to work hard to get the desired result.

When doing this, observe a clear sequence of work.

Before you start making a beautiful and unique porch for your house, you need to develop a design idea and, based on this, make a plan for the porch. Next, you need to decide on the material from which the porch, railing and visor will be made.

But the most important thing you need is your imagination. Therefore, the porch at the house is not just an ordinary staircase, but a work of art.

Photo of elegant decoration of the wing of the house

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Types of porch design

Before you start building a country porch, you should carefully consider its design. First of all, it must match the appearance of the cottage. The color solution must also match. If the country house is built of wood, then the porch must be wooden. It is the easiest to build, but short-lived. Although, if you make an effort and imagination, it looks very original, and sometimes like a work of art. If brick, aerated concrete or concrete blocks were used in the construction of the dwelling, then the entrance to the house must be built from expanded clay, metal structures or clinker. The porch should look proportional in accordance with the country house. For a small cottage, it is absolutely unacceptable to build a huge porch. The photo shows some variants of the buildings described above.

It is of course possible to design a porch with a combination of different materials and colors. But at the same time, it is necessary to correctly combine the finishing material, color and design. For example, it is very original for a brick cottage to build a porch from standard steps. And if you veneer them with ceramics of the corresponding color, we get a very interesting design. This is very clearly visible in the photo.

Important! When constructing a porch for its long-term service, waterproofing is mandatory. This is especially true in cold and humid climates.

Sometimes columns are used in the design of the entrance to the house. But this option is not always suitable for giving. Firstly, the columns look appropriate for massive buildings made of impressive building material. Secondly, not all materials are in harmony with the columns. This design is mainly used for brick or stone houses. But there are options for using a columned porch for small log cottages. True, the columns are also built of massive logs. This type of device is visible in the presented photo.

In regions with a cold climate, it would be appropriate to build a porch with glazing. It's quite a lot of work, but it's worth it. This is a reliable protection against cold and precipitation. A porch of this type is a reliable protection for the entrance part of the cottage.

Important! It is necessary to accurately determine the choice of materials for the construction of the porch, since this is an open structure, which is constantly influenced by various destructive factors.

Styling solutions

When designing a porch, you should adhere to a certain style and color. Consider some directions in the design of the country porch, and for a better idea, add some photos that will display a certain style.

Classic is a style that involves the arrangement of a gable canopy. For this style, the presence of chiseled railings and decorative rounded balusters is mandatory. Decorative stone and tiles are used for decoration. With a classic style, it is necessary to observe the severity of lines and restraint. Everything should be moderate. The highlight is the decoration with several flower pots.

Country style. This style is appropriate for wooden houses. Carved elements, various decorative patterns are used. Railings must be made with a special charm. They don't have to be the same. If flowers are used, then it is better to hang them. A wooden bench and a wooden walkway of the same color will add originality to the style.

For small houses, the porch can be designed in the form of a "fortress". This style symbolizes the protection of the house. It looks massive and decorative or natural stone is used for its device. To give the uniqueness of style, you can use decoration from torches, lattice structures. Plants that weave along the lattice look unique. Their color should be light tones.

The European style in the arrangement of the porch implies the content of clear shapes and lines. Usually it is constructed in a very small size. Stone is used for finishing. It can be real natural, or artificial. But, most often used ceramic tiles. In the decoration there is an abundance of flowers and various figures for the garden. The highlight is the presence of a wicker chair.

The French style of the entrance to the house is similar to the previous one. But still, this option has some differences. The main principle of the French style is the presence of a glass door, decorated with a decorative openwork lattice. The presence of furniture woven from a vine is welcome. The colors are varied, but you should stick to calm tones.

With all porch styles, there are some general guidelines to follow. For example, when using flowers in pots in the decor, they should be placed on both sides of the steps. For more comfort and additional protection from the sun, you can use curtains. In the case when the porch is an element of the veranda or terrace, you should use cozy furniture.

Practicality and creativity of the porch

The first thing that catches your eye when examining a country house is the design of the entrance to the house. From its design one gets the impression of the taste of the owner. Let's try to draw the attention of readers to the most creative design solutions for the country porch. After all, the dacha should not only be cozy, but should also look modern, stylish and practical.

Porch with a small canopy

In the modern design of the porch, the canopy is a continuation of the roof. A canopy is not an innovation in the style of the entrance part of a country house. After all, it carries an important role: protection from rain or sun, provides comfort at the entrance to the house.

If the structure of the cottage is such that it is impossible to extend the roof, then you can equip the canopy separately in the form of a small canopy. It can be made both rectangular and semicircular. Such a solution will not only perform the function of protection, but also enliven the design of the house and will be its main decoration.

You can also provide a light solution with the visor. If you arrange a backlight, then in the dark it will be an indispensable convenience. The photo clearly shows all the alleged advantages of this type of porch.

Small outdoor terrace

If the summer cottage allows and there is little space, it is very practical to combine the porch with a small outdoor terrace for relaxation. It is indispensable for families with children. On such an equipped porch it is very convenient to equip a playground for small residents. Or you can simply arrange a recreation area where you can hold quiet family tea parties. The photos below give an opportunity to appreciate the dignity of such a porch.

Porch-veranda

Basically, a veranda is a glazed terrace. The veranda can be arranged as a continuation of the porch, and in the modern solution, the ideal complement to the glazed veranda is sliding glass doors. At the right moment, you can push the doors and get an open terrace.

Types of landscape design around the porch in the country house

An important role in decorating the entrance to the house is the design of the landscape. Around the porch, you can arrange front gardens that will bring a lot of pleasant emotions when relaxing on the porch. Again, to achieve certain goals, you should follow certain rules in the design of the landscape:

If the landscaping of the house is properly and tastefully arranged, it will advantageously decorate and accentuate its entrance.

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