Front Porch Styling in a Small Space

Good morning, friends. I am writing this post at 6:40 am with coffee by my side, and my first dose of Advil: Cold and Sinus.  It’s Friday, and it’s been a rainy week.  Wrigley is joyfully chewing on his beloved squeaker, and Mikayla and Glenn are still in bed.  One of my favorite things to do in quiet “me” time is to blog, so front porch styling it is!  Grab a cup of coffee (Advil: Cold and Sinus optional) and join me!

Small Entry?

Front porch styling can be a challenge.  My front porch isn’t big at all and not easy to decorate.   One small change that made a big impact was taking our railing off!  It opened up the porch instead of closing it in.

I can’t begin to tell you how many ways I have arranged our front porch in hopes of finding the right look for the amount of space provided.  I have tried having multiple chairs creating a conversational space, table and chairs, 2 chairs facing the road, and most recently one larger piece big enough for 2 people.

The Purpose

I really thought about the purpose of my front porch.  Will I entertain in this space?  No, we have an entire backyard space that was created for just that.   The most activity that ever takes place on my front porch is morning coffee by myself (sometimes) and occasionally sitting out there when Mikayla is shooting hoops on a nice evening.

Once I fully grasped that our front porch is basically just for welcoming guests, decorating has become easier.   I look at it as the “sitting room”.  You know the room some people have that looks so inviting, but no one ever sits in?  That’s how I am treating my front porch, styled up cozy and inviting with no intent of spending any time out there 😉

A Few Basic Guidlines

1. Measure the space – This will make a difference when deciding how many furniture pieces to add.  Crowding a small space with too many pieces or a one piece that is too large can ruin the curb appeal!  As mentioned, I have tried many options, and keeping it simple in a small space is the way to go.
2. Function – Even though we don’t entertain out here, the purpose of our front porch is to welcome guests.  There is space available for the UPS man to leave packages, space for a neighbor to drop something by when we aren’t home, a quick conversation, and somewhere for an occasional cup of joe.
3. Balance – I still wanted this area to be symmetrical.  I centered the settee in between 2 urns to create balance.
4. Be Bold –  This statement couldn’t be more true in the risk I took painting our front door a light coral, and I am SO glad I did!  It’s just the right amount of POP and charm needed to create interest.  Check out the full tutorial using Americana Curb Appeal Outdoor Paint here.
5. Odd numbers – Follow the rule of groupings in odd numbers, 3 or 5.   According to designers, groupings in odd numbers just adds visual interest, and it’s naturally more appealing to our eyes.

The Result

Once I realized the small amount of space I truly have, and followed basic design principals, styling our small front porch no longer seems intimidating.  With a basic layout determined, changing the front door wreath, seasonal plants, and a few decor pieces will quickly transform our front porch season to season.

So there ya have it, friends! I hope I helped if any of you struggle with the same issue.  This porch is going to be changing a lot with the holidays approaching, so be on the look out for more front porch styling in the near future.

Author and Photos – Martha Knake

Chief Editor – Emily Schunke