Whether you live in the mountains or by a beach, you can create the feeling of a cozy farmhouse before even stepping inside the home. Creating a beautiful farmhouse front porch is the perfect way to set the tone before entering the house and make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel cohesive.
Using simple techniques and incorporating elements that match other rooms of the home is a great way to achieve this look on a budget. Try to use the rule of three whenever possible, incorporating items like a lantern, potted plant, and welcome sign together in a cluster to make your space feel full without adding clutter.
The rule of three also helps you place matching and contrasting items together to add a dramatic effect. Using a short lantern in front of a tall and skinny welcome sign, for example, will add different dimensions to your porch, allowing the space to feel larger and taller than it is.
Keeping simple items like seasonal wreaths and flowers will make it easy to maintain this look year-round while providing you with different scenery for each season. With a little bit of inspiration, you can create the perfect spot to kick up your feet and enjoy a glass of iced tea after a long day.
Here are ten ideas to get you started!
1. Make a Wooden Bench
Nothing says farmhouse porch like a wooden bench by the front door. If you’re crafty and have extra wood lying around, you can make your own wooden bench that meets your specific needs. You can stain the wood for a rustic look or brighten up the space by painting it white.
If you use this area to store things like boots, dog toys, and roller skates, consider making the seat higher and using the space underneath as storage. You can add baskets underneath to hide the items or keep them open and line up your rain boots for added color and texture in this area.
If you like the rustic and simplistic look, use a stain that can stand up against the weather and keep it natural. Add a few throw pillows or a cushioned seat to make this your new favorite place to watch the sunrise in the mornings.
2. Add a Rustic Wreath
Adding a wreath or rustic door hanger is a great way to make this space look authentic and welcoming. You can make your own wreath with natural elements from your yard or even spice it up by adding deer antlers to give this item a farmhouse feel.
You can use neutral colors to use the same one year-round or make several and switch them out depending on the season. Making season-specific wreaths is a great way to make the space feel refreshed every few months without having the spend money on larger items or spend time redecorating every season.
3. Use Tin Vases and Jars As Plant Holders
Incorporating seasonal flowers and natural greens around the front of the house is a great way to add an authentic look on a budget. Your home will feel warm and welcoming, and the beautiful plants or flowers will add to your curb appeal.
Try to find tin vases, jars, or water jugs to hold your flowers and plants. It’s a unique spin on traditional pots and adds to your specific design style. They will hold your soil, flowers, and water, making this a practical option that looks great! Try to use different sizes and shapes to give your space some contrast and added dimensions.
4. Incorporate Rustic Lanterns
Adding rustic lanterns to this space is a great way to enhance your design style and add practical lighting options. You can find floor lanterns and keep them on the steps or on the ground next to the door and add candles to them. This adds subtle lighting that could be handy if you need extra lighting options after dark.
They look great, they’re easy to find, and you can light up your steps to prevent guests from tripping at night. If you don’t like the idea of keeping them on the ground, you can add lantern sconce lighting by the door.
This provides the porch with necessary lighting, but the rustic lantern will tie in with other elements throughout your house, making this space feel cohesive with the rest of your home.
5. Use Rocking Chairs
Rocking chairs are a great addition to any front porch, regardless of design style or geographical location. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine at night with the perfect rocking chair facing out towards your view, whatever that might be.
Adding rustic rocking chairs can enhance this style by using a natural wood color and adding a durable stain to them. They’ll look authentic, making this a farmhouse take on a traditional seating option, or you can paint them white, giving it a modern edge but still staying true to the country-inspired seats.
Incorporate a back pillow or seat cushion to take the comfort to the next level. This could easily become your favorite spot in the whole house.
6. Find a Unique Welcome Sign
Choosing or making a unique welcome sign is a small thing that can go a long way. If you live in a neighborhood with homes close together, it’s often difficult to tell them apart or direct guests to the correct one. Using a unique welcome sign can distinguish your home and allow you to express yourself through something creative.
You can create a fun metal welcome sign, paint a wooden sign, or use a cute chalkboard and add different messages throughout the year. Using elements like wood, metal, and chalkboard will add to your style and make your porch feel cozy and welcoming to all guests.
7. Use a Wooden Ladder
Antique stores, old barns, and local thrift stores often have wooden ladders lying around. These could make the perfect addition to your porch because they can hold other decor items and enhance your style.
You can lean the ladder up against the wall by the door and use the rungs to hold things like a throw blanket, small plants, and lanterns. If you have a ladder with large footholds, the possibilities are endless.
You can even leave it blank and just use the ladder as a decor item itself. It will look great, add authenticity to this space, and add dimension and texture to the area.
8. Repurpose an Old Barrel or Spool for a Table
If you have an old barn in your backyard or frequent a local antique shop, you might come across an old wine barrel or spool that could make the perfect table. Using either of these items as a table for your porch is a great way to incorporate the farmhouse style while adding functional furniture.
The bottom of an old barrel is a perfect size and shape for a table that could fit between two rocking chairs or on the side of a cute wooden bench. You could also use an old wooden spool, allowing you to add items like plants to the bottom, which could add color and texture to your space.
It’s always a great idea to add a table to this area because it gives you a place to set down your glass of wine or book while enjoying the fresh air in the evenings.
9. Incorporate a Porch Swing
Nothing says summer like spending time on a porch swing in the evenings. The subtle movement and the comfortable cushion make this a great place for a cat nap and watching the sunset. Whether you use a traditional wooden swing, a wicker swing, or a swinging bed, this is a great option for your farmhouse front porch.
Place your swing in the corner of the porch or on the side with the best sunrise or sunset view. This could quickly become your favorite spot in the house.
10. Create a Sitting Area
Creating a sitting area with several seats, including rocking chairs, benches, Adirondack chairs, or other seating options, is a great way to help your porch feel cozy and welcoming.
If you live in a climate with great weather throughout the year, this could become your family’s favorite spot to spend time and hang out. You can add a side table or an outdoor coffee table to make this space feel like a separate living room in the front of the house.
Add as many chairs as you need to meet your needs, and remember to point your seat toward the sunrise or sunset for optimal viewing experiences!
