Small Back Porch Decorating Ideas

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80+ Best Front Porch Decorating Tips for Making the Coziest Space

Inviting guests for an outside visit? Make this space as cozy as can be.

David Hillegas

These days having guests over indoors can be a fraught experience, which is why many of us are moving our hosting events outside. You might have been dreaming up plenty of great backyard ideas for entertaining (or just relaxing when the weather is warm) but don't forget that there's plenty that you can do with even an relatively small front porch! The special space is really just an extension of your house itself—which means it's equally as important. In fact, because your porch and patio are the first things your guests are likely to see when they arrive, it might even be doubly important.

In that spirit, we've put together a comprehensive list of our favorite front porch ideas. These inspired displays, tutorials, and DIY projects are intended to elevate your home's curb appeal without requiring you to break the bank. And even if you don't plan on hosting guests anytime soon, you might find a personal reason to update your porch or back patio. Maybe you'd like to create a cozy corner for sipping your morning coffee, or maybe you're interested in the relaxing benefits of installing a porch swing. Whatever you choose, you're bound to have fun getting the job done—and an even better time enjoying the fruits of your labor with these best front porch ideas.

Feeling inspired? We've got tons of other ideas for front yards and backyards, including landscaping ideas, small backyard ideas, vertical garden ideas, and more.

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Nature-Inspired Palette

This Low Country porch finds color inspiration (predominantly blues, browns, and greens) from the natural surroundings.

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Stone Path

Here, a beautiful stone path leads the way to an elevated patio. It's a great way to upgrade the entrance to a home that's a little bit out of the way.

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Vintage Tins Decoration

Terra-cotta pots are lovely, but why not opt for something a little more original this year? These particular tins once held potato chips, and their bright, cheerful colors make for a beautiful addition to this porch.

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Grapevine Wreath

Who says you have to save wreaths for the holiday season? Made with a base of grapevine, the oversized one pictured here can be left up all year long — or customized with the colors of the month.

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Painted Ceiling

Yes, colorful chairs and pillows are lovely enough all on their own. But why not take things up a notch with a painted ceiling? We love this inspired, out-of-the-box idea.

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Rocking Chairs

There's a reason rockers are one of the most popular choices for front porches: They're weather-resistant, they require little to no cushioning, and they're fun and relaxing too!

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Flower Power Porch

Country Living regular Nancy Fishelson, pictured here, has a longstanding affinity for whites and neutrals. But, to offset her upstate New York front porch, the renovation extraordinaire gives guests a warm welcome with vibrant hydrangeas and matching topiaries.

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Vintage Furniture Display

There's no rule against showing off your favorite antique pieces from the safety of the porch rather than inside the house—they are the first things guests will see, after all. Make a worn table your new outdoor serving station.

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Fall Flair

It doesn't get much cozier than this Colorado farmhouse, where lanterns, plenty of seating, symmetrical plants, and seasonal wreaths all contribute to an overall homey vibe.

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Countryside Chic

This homeowner and mother of three wanted to call it quits on city life, and thus moved to the English countryside. With a patio this exquisite—decked out in a rose arch, box balls, and benches—the pastoral shift makes perfect sense.

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Second Floor Galore

Who said anything about porches being confined to the ground level? If you're constructing your own from scratch, consider the setup of this incredible garage-turned-weekend-home, which boasts a wraparound porch atop two sets of breezy swing doors.

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Muted Patio

The best way to subtly contrast a white palette? Gray and black undertones, which this Orchard Park, New York patio implemented through seating and stone tiling.

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Quaint Porch

Mossy window and door frames, along with an assortment of florals, give this cozy Washington cabin extra curb appeal in the porch department.

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Pot Shed Patio

If your patio backs up to your potting shed (or she shed!), complement the outdoor nook with an assortment of galvanized pots and old French beach chairs. This California-based family also laid Calstone pavers to match the plant storage and amp up the style.

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Marvelously Modern

Take a page from Diane Keaton's book—the star's Pinterest-worthy residence is an exposed brick-lover's dream come true. While the outdoor area is rooted in rustic allure, black French shower doors (even on the fire pit, mind you) give this space a refreshingly contemporary nod.

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All Reclaimed Everything

This Texas facade, created by two antique dealers, is about as rustic as it gets. The homeowners pulled repurposed materials, like the metal sliding and iron trim, from barn roofs and a Victorian-era farmhouse in Iowa.

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Outdoor Urban Nook

City slickers, know that you can still seamlessly meld cozy and metropolitan, no matter how cramped your outdoor space is. These New Yorkers used climbing greenery, terra cotta pots, and matching rockers to turn their terrace into the ultimate cozy outdoor oasis.

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Church Pew Porch

The sky's the limit when it comes to porch seating, as evidenced by this church pew installation. We're also loving how the statement piece ties into this monochromatic scheme.

See more at Liz Marie Blog.

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Blue and Gray Hues

For longer porches, designate one corner as a spacious seating area. Cool-colored chairs and decor will make the section feel inviting year-round.

See more at Saw Nail and Paint.

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Party-Ready Porch

Get your porch ready for summer parties, last-minute get-togethers, or casual hangouts with rocking chairs, ample storage, and a long table to display food and small bites. Then, set the scene by adding green garland and comfy floor pillows. Be sure to have a cooler ready to go (a wheel barrow also works!) and your favorite sangria recipe on hand.

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Retro Seating Area

A metal porch glider, a pair of retro chairs, and a table that doubles as a two-seater bench easily accommodate a half-dozen guests on the porch of this backyard cottage.

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Wall of Windows

In the far corner of this porch, battered windows portion off a seating area and provide respite from the lakeside wind.

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Picture-Perfect Porch

With ceiling fans, rocking chairs, symmetrical planters, and a loyal dog, this Texas home's porch couldn't be prettier.

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Bright Colors

Add some punch to your porch by painting the exterior and ceiling contrasting colors and adding a bold striped rug.

Rebekah Lowin Lifestyle Editor Rebekah Lowin is the Lifestyle Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering food, entertaining, home decor, crafting, gardening, and holiday.

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