Our Favorite Ideas for a Spring Porch Glow-up!

Forget curb appeal. This spring is all about porch appeal!

So, whether you also call it a portico, stoop, or the deck of the front yard, our spring porch ideas will help make your home shine.

Clean What Winter Left Behind

Before we get to all the fun stuff, your porch will probably need some work to get ready for its spring glow-up.

That means sweeping away any lingering leaves, collecting those fallen twigs, and shaking loose the bits of dirt and dust left over from winter storms.

But beneath nature’s debris lies an even more abominable foe. We’re talking about the green and black stains that have taken up residence on your outdoor furniture, door mats, and other exterior surfaces.

Now, you could reach for a harsh porch cleaning solution, such as bleach. Or you may be tempted to unleash the power of a pressure washer.

Unfortunately, each of these common cleaning comrades is just as likely to worsen the situation.

Bleach can leave behind ugly stains or corrode certain outdoor surfaces. Pressure washing can also chip away at these surfaces, making it easier for mold and mildew to linger.

And, of course, a pressure washer can cause broken windows or dented cars if you aren’t careful.

For a more productive porch cleaner, turn to something gentle and effective. Wet & Forget Outdoor is a porch cleaning solution that’s safe on just about every outdoor surface you encounter.

In the case of outdoor furniture, apply the spray thoroughly wherever you notice black or green stains. Then, the next day, give your chairs, tables, and stools a quick rinse.

For door mats and outdoor carpets, again spray the surfaces until stains are thoroughly saturated. Wet & Forget Outdoor works over time with the rain and wind to gently clean your exterior places and spaces.

So, if your mat or carpet finds itself sheltered from precipitation, give them a periodic rinse to simulate rainfall. 

Of course, you can also apply Wet & Forget to other outdoor surfaces connected to your porch. Siding, banisters, and gutter downspouts are all places that can become speckled with stains.

And if you’re concerned about painted or stained surfaces, don’t be. Wet & Forget Outdoor will gently lift away stains without damaging the underlying surface.

Add Porch Planters for Color and a Touch of Nature

Another entry in our list of simple spring front porch ideas is to add flowers. A porch planter or planter box can help bring in color and a touch of nature without too much time or effort.

Beginning with planter boxes specifically, you should be able to find a wide variety at your local nursery or garden center. However, with just a couple of afternoon’s work and a basic comfort with woodwork, you can build a custom planter box that perfectly matches your design aesthetic.

If you want a rustic look, consider using inexpensive scrap lumber. You can also use the basic lumber available at most home improvement retailers.

With a little wood sealer to protect it from the elements and a little paint of a contrasting shade to your home, you’ll end up with a planter box ideal for any cottage or farmhouse-style home.

And if you prefer things sleek and modern, a solid shade of white or black with wood detailing can be the perfect porch addition.

Of course, you can also open up your options for plant containers by deploying planters made from terracotta, metal, or wood. You’ll also gain some plant placement versatility.

So, you’ll be able to rearrange your planters to give your porch a quick refresh. Planters also make it easier to shuffle plants in and out of sunlight as needed.

 

Speaking of sunlight, if your porch faces south or west, you’ll want plants that prefer to soak up the solar rays:

• Cosmos
• Hydrangeas
• Marigolds
• Petunias
• Succulents
• Zinnia

If your porch faces east or north, consider these shade-loving plants:

• Begonias
• Coleus
• Ferns
• Fuchsias
• Impatiens
• Ivy

New Numbers, New Look

Your home identifies itself in two ways.

First, the appearance of your home’s road-facing exterior helps show off your style and aesthetics. Second, your house numbers literally identify which house is which.

So, why not combine these two methods and creatively display your address?

To borrow from the last section, you can use porch planters or a planter box to turn a boring numerical display into a more floral one.

If you’re using porch planters, consider stenciling a number on each container. A quick trip to the hardware store — as well as some supplies you probably already have in your home — will offer everything you need to spruce up your house numbers.

Of course, you do have to be careful not to rearrange your porch planters to not cause any confusion for guests and delivery drivers.

So, if you’d prefer a slightly more permanent arrangement, consider stenciling a planter box instead. Regardless of where you place the box, you can ensure the numbers are in the correct order.

A slightly more intensive approach would be making a faux-grass design. Your house numbers will pop in front of artificial turf that stays green all year round.

Really, the only limit to your creativity here is your imagination. So, if the above ideas don’t quite get the creative juices flowing, consider these spring porch ideas for your house numbers:

• Go rustic-chic by using reclaimed lumber.
• Placement is everything. Instead of keeping your house numbers confined to the limits of your porch, hang numbers from a handrail, roof overhang, or even a tree.
• Create a 3-D effect with either nails or screws. A simple piece of lumber and a couple dozen nails or screws can give your house numbers texture and depth.

Spring Porch Ideas that Impress and Delight

Your porch is where your home will make its first impression on guests. So, this spring, reclaim your porch from winter’s doldrums by giving it the glow-up it deserves.

For other home improvement tips to keep your home the pride of the neighborhood, click here.