Spring is finally here! Now that the snow has melted, it has left behind some no-s0-fun surprises…like unkempt porches. It is easy to ignore them all winter long as no one really expects too much more than a Christmas wreath to grace your door. But now that the warm weather is here, does your front porch look just a little sad? This Porch Project I created for a client was ironic timing because this is what my front porch currently looks like:
Yes, when I pulled into my driveway the other day, this was the sight I saw! My hubby just sprung it on me the night before that the guys “might” be over at oh, 7 AM the next morning to install our new front door! More to come on this project later, but as you can tell, my front porch is going to need a LOT of lovin’!
So I was extra excited to design a front porch area for a client! She had lots of great ideas, and even created a Pinterest board just for the project. Here were a couple of her inspirational photos:
Great, huh? She was open to having a bench or small chair, she wanted some space for planters, she liked the idea of lanterns, and was open to the possibility of painting her front door! She wanted some pops of color, but requested “No Red!” So I came up with two different options for her, both around her $300 budget for the space.
So Mood Board #1 has a great $100 Target bench with some pops of color with these great outdoor pillows. She loved the idea of painting her front door this soft aqua color, which will tie in well with all of these accent pieces. Sometimes it is tricky to find something to hang on a wall outside-this iron outdoor mirror has a cottage touch, and it meant to withstand the elements. Using a simple boxwood wreath, she can switch it up with different ribbons and add-ons for all of the different seasons. She actually found this great tutorial on Pinterest on wrapping rope around simple pots for an updated look-I loved it, so I included it in her Board.
OR….
This version keeps her existing door black, and is a much more neutral palette. This neutral look still has a lot of interest with all of the different textures: matte black lanterns, woven rattan planters, and the wood bench. A monogrammed floor mat is a traditional look that never goes out of style. If she wants some color, I gave her an idea to paint her bench this soft yellow color, and layer on the pillows and lanterns onto the bench. I’m suggesting using a chalkboard (paint the frame with exterior paint) and lean it up against the side of the house-write messages for your guests or kids when they get home from school! If she wanted, she could fill her lanterns with seasonal decor-think mini pumpkins in the fall and candles in the summer.
And here is a simple layout of how she can set up her new items (based off of Version #2):
Both porches can be done for around $300 and will make her front porch look as welcome as can be. (She might make some new friends this spring with a porch that inviting!)
Postbox Designs can help you work on any project, big or small, just send me an email at kristin@postboxdesigns.com and we can chat! Or follow me on Facebook and Instagram for oodles of FREE design ideas. Right now I’m participating in the One Room Challenge so for the next six weeks follow me as I makeover our boring hallway into a kid’s homework station! Like I need a new project-just look at my front door! 🙂
Happy Spring my Friends,
Nancy @ Slightly Coastal says
What great designs! My favorite option is option #2. Of course, I’m a lover of neutrals. I’ll be curious to see which one she picked. 🙂
Tania // Run to Radiance says
Wow! I really like both but I am loving the first one! I’ve painted all our doors in our three houses mint, so that aqua paint is speaking my name! 🙂