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Paint Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

Help me design/decorate our front porch entry

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We inherited a lot of brown from the previous owners and have done a lot of work inside, but now I need to turn my attention to the blah/ugly front porch entry. The covered concrete pad area is 6'x6' and aside from power washing the concrete and general cleanup (and weeding!), I'm at a loss as to how to make the entry shine and be inviting all year round and not just during the holidays. Help!

Featured Answer

karrilouwho

5 years ago

Well, i think that's to your benefit, because now you can paint it! Can you post a pic standing further back so I can get a sense of the whole front of the house?

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Comments (10)

karrilouwho
5 years ago
is that vinyl or wood siding in the covered porch area?
iamtiramisu
Original Author
5 years ago
It's painted wood. No idea why they didn't side it all the way around, but since it's wood, it can be painted, which I am definitely up for.
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You can post more than one. Just add a picture as you did; leave a space and then copy and paste the URL of the next photo you wish to add. But bring this picture over to the Discussion side. You'll get more activity over there.
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Hi, I don't really think that you need to go to the expense of moving and adding a column and railing. Try the least expensive road first. Some ideas: You could put a wicker loveseat to the right of your pantry window, but it would be sideways....not facing the road. Would the view be good for someone sitting there facing that direction? Then put a chair to the left of the window at an angle. You could probably seat three people this way. Put a low bench type table under the window. Like this one. This bench may not be the perfect size but you can get the idea of what I mean. You could put so many cute and colorful things on this with the extra shelf below. Now you have the large space between the door and the chair. I am thinking maybe shutters for your door and then maybe a good size palm to the right of the shuttered door. OR instead of the palm maybe put a barn star in that space instead of the palm. I hesitate to say barn star because they are much over used right now, but this way you could get the picture of what I am saying. I kind of like the palm because it puts something on the floor. OR you could find a large wood American flag(Ebay) and hang in that area (more color) . Also a round container of flowers on the floor on either side of the column. This way it will soften the column and not look so tall. It looks like you might have some gingerbread at the tops of your columns already. This is nice but thinking you could go bigger on that. Might be ok when the flower containers are there. Maybe somone could photo shop this for you. Hope this will give you some ideas. Putting a railing there will make the porch even more narrow and you won't be able to see the cute decorations from the road!!
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Honestly? I think the gable adds nothing to the look of the house. In fact it doesn't go with the style of house. I would do as you have in the second plan but have the overhang just go straight across the front. Here's an idea of what I mean.
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Comments (16)
Hello! I’m submitting some inspiration pics to show you the shades of soft wood which would look great in your home! It’s a hard choice choosing between the table and the bench, I think a wooden bench would add more to the effect of rustic and help take the whole place away from the so formal structure it has, but then your entry does have that great art lighting fixture to highlight a piece really nice above a table. With a high gloss paint white on the doors, it could offer your home that nice shine look we all strive for, if your keeping them white. You have the setup for a nice piece of art with the light but I think a small gallery wall would look better, black frame, matted, black and white photo.
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iamtiramisu
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
True - it is a plus! Does this work?
Izzy Mn
5 years ago
Maybe a outdoor rug and some metal art on the back wall. Paint a turquoise blue or some brighter color. Or a wreath even if you like them.

Like this:https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/three-posts-4-piece-wall-decor-set-thps3885.html

Even if you find something thats more for indoor use a coat of Rust-Oleum spray paint would give it enough protect in that covered area.

I would definitely paint the entryway white or some other much lighter color to brighten it up.

A colorful pot with dried flowers or pine cutting for fall/winter. You can paint a red clay pot with any acylic indoor or outdoor paint. It weather's off a bit over time and looks "rustic".
karrilouwho
5 years ago
Definitely paint the entry...I'd go with a warm white. And to liven things up, paint the door a warm red. Get a new, larger black light fixture, or even hang a pendant in the middle. Add an outdoor rug....a little wrought iron bistro table and chairs, and a black pot with a lively flowers. Rework the landscaping so you have a little height without blocking the entry...everything looks very flat, but it could be the season. But i'm no pro...so there's that:)
Izzy Mn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I just noticed, you need to have the dirt by your front steps and along the side of house lower. It looks like dirt was added for the flagstone walkway to make it higher. Maybe add a small step. I think you can buy prefabricated ones. Dirt shouldn't be that close to your siding, even if vinyl.
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
5 years ago
I would get rid of that make shift flagstone walkway and install a paver walkway that takes up the entire area from the porch to the driveway. Then put out some tall colorful flowerpots and possibly a bench.
katinparadise
5 years ago
What colors have you used on the inside of the house? I would paint the vertical siding as suggested and add a pretty, bright, cool color to the front door to counteract some of the warm browns. Then you could add a bright patterned 3x5 indoor/outdoor rug in the entry.

Metal wall art on the back wall is a great idea.
iamtiramisu
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the feedback, it has helped. I think I’m going to start with tiling the concrete step, then work on paint. I do want to get rid of the makeshift walkway (not my favorite and the weeds are awful) and put in something different/nicer but that will probably have to wait until spring.

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