Hello! Today I’m showing our home’s easy-care front porch decor for Spring and Summer. I’m joining other friends to feature our doors and Spring wreaths…in my case a hanging basket. Their links for inspiration are at the end of the post.
If you are new here, welcome! Last year, we moved from California to Atlantic Beach, Florida. Since we travel a bit with family living on the west coast, we wanted a low-maintenance, neutral outdoor space that could basically be hosed off but with plants that are hardy.
Here’s what we did to welcome guests on our small front porch.
Hanging Basket With Faux Flowers and Greenery On The Front Door
I can change the foliage seasonally and the texture is nice with this large Ballard Design hanging basket.
The eucalyptus, mums, and pampas grass reeds are from Target. I simply placed them inside the basket starting with the greenery (four of five bunches), then the flowers (three stems), and ending with the grasses (two bunches) on the left and right inside the basket.
Outdoor Rug By Threshold
I’m not crazy about our slate-tiled porch. Just a little too busy. It feels more mountain-like than coastal.
I was texting my friends, Annie and Cindy about it and they suggested a larger jute rug which was exactly what I was thinking about doing! In fact, I had this one on the small porch above so I knew it would be the right size.
What do you think? Alternatively, Annie also suggested painting the slate a dark grey (sort of like the real honed slate that we had in our Newport Beach kitchen).
I want to keep a fairly neutral color scheme with soft colors so that I can add bright colors if I feel like it (like say, at Christmas).
Durable Polywood Rocking Chairs For a Seating Area
These Adirondack chairs with modern clean lines stay looking like new. Howard loves to read the paper out here. It makes another outdoor living space. Polywood makes great outdoor furniture that can withstand the elements like the salt air and high heat that we have here in Florida.
Performance Fabric Throw Pillows
The Pottery Barn striped cushions sold out quickly last year (others here). They hold up to sun and moisture.
Easy Care Front Porch Decor with Drought-Tolerant Potted Plants
Chief is the head of the welcoming committee. As a former San Francisco city dog, he LOVES having a front and backyard. #FloridaRetirement
The small and large terracotta planters are from Home Depot.
The pot toward the front (back ordered) is from McGee and Co. The plants here have to be manually watered so I wanted them to be able to withstand a little neglect. The ZZ Plant and Snake plants require little water. You can use these plants inside too. They are awesome.
The other shrubs in the ground are on a watering system. The new front door, hanging lantern, and landscaping have helped with the home’s curb appeal.
Shop The Patio:
I hope this gave you some front porch decor ideas. Let’s see what my friends’ DIY ideas are!
Blogger’s Best Spring Wreaths
- Modern Spring Wreath | My Sweet Savannah
- How To Make A Hydrangea Wreath | Modern Glam
- Moss Wreath DIY | Eleanor Rose Home
- The Fifteen Minute Spring Wreath DIY | My 100 Year Old Home
- Our New Home’s Easy Care Front Porch Decor | Classic Casual Home
- Spring Mushroom and Moss Wreath | Tatertots and Jello
- How to Make a Birds Nest From a Wreath | Craftberry Bush
- Book Page Wreath DIY | Happy Happy Nester
- Easy Birch Twig Spring Wreath | Most Lovely Things
jennifer hadfield says
Your porch is so beautiful for Spring, Mary Ann! Pinned 🙂
xoxo
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thank you, Jennifer!
Laura says
Hi Mary Ann, are you able to share info on your new door? The porch looks like a perfect spot to relax.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Laura, it is metal and obscured glass from Pella Windows and Doors. You could show them a photo. It’s special order since its 8′ tall…took seven months to get.
Bonita Gillespie says
Good Morning! . You’ve got a great start. I know you want to keep to a fairly monochromatic color scheme. It looks to be a green yellow walls and your cushions are blue striped.: What about adding some yellow or orange floral cushions, or a colorful throw to contrast your blue cushions. Also I’d paint out or get brighter terra pots which would add color. I know you’d like it to look more coastal, what about adding some drift wood pieces.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Funny you should say that about the driftwood as we have some as a centerpiece on our back patio table!
Allison says
Lovely porch Mary Ann! I agree with the comment about replacing the cushions with a black stripe fabric. I just think it would balance better but still keep everything neutral. I like your rug it’s so light and pretty. The front door is beautiful! After living through last fall’s Fiona I can appreciate it being hurricane proof. We were terrified our door would be ripped off if the wind got in behind it though a small opening so we locked it and wired it shut! One neighbour nailed up plywood over her door and backed her pick up truck against that! Your door is a much prettier option.
Mary Ann Pickett says
How scary about worrying about your front door! Striped cushions would be an easy addition. The ones there are a dark stripe but I guess it could be darker.
ASHLEY STRINGFELLOW says
Your porch looks so beautiful and I love your basket wreath!
Amy says
Thank you for your content and sharing your home with us. Have you had any issues with birds or other creatures wanting to nest or inhabit the hanging basket? I really like the idea of being able to use one door hanger year round, but my neighbor had an issue with birds nesting in her spring wreath. Given its depth, it would difficult to spot unwelcome tenants in the basket.
Mary Ann Pickett says
not so far, Amy. But we go in and out of that door often so I don’t think a bird would be comfortable there!
Heidi says
Your porch is beautiful Mary Ann! I love the wreath you created, it looks beautiful hanging on your door. Pinned!!!
Karen B. says
Mary Ann,
Your front porch looks so inviting. Even Chief looks like he’s smiling with approval. Thanks for always giving us links to the great things you find.
Have a great weekend.
Karen B.
Tracy says
Honestly it looks beautiful! You’ve done a great job, I wouldn’t change a thing. If you’re like me we spend so much time fretting over simple design things, you just have to do what makes you happy! Seasons are so short and things are so fleeting, sit back and enjoy a glass of wine on your porch!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I will, Tracy!
Rita says
The porch is stunning. You’ve done a great job (as always). I know you don’t like the slate, I look at it and see colours of tumbled shells and rocks by the ocean. Different perspective.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I like your perspective, Rita!
Nancy says
I love the rug! Very serene and beautiful. The rest is too neutral IMO, but you did say, that’s how you wanted it.
I wouldn’t paint the slate, I think the rug does the trick.
I would have to add a pop of color! A few brighter flowers in the door basket, brighter pillows, or maybe pillows that are neutral, but have a colored tassel, or a fun tin lizard crawling up the front column…maybe?
To me there’s nothing eye catching or fun! The greenery is pretty, though. All a matter of decorating style, right?
In one chapter of my past life, I was an interior decorator, so I love talking about it!
Gail says
I love your front porch, the door and light are beautiful. I especially love the rug, but I kind of like the idea of painting the slate. I know all about having to do things that are more important first and holding off on areas that with a bit of love, can be made to looks good until you can do a major change. Your porch looks great!
Tricia says
Did I miss the link for your friends DIY’s?
Mary Ann Pickett says
Oh no! They were missing. They were there this morning but we have had internet problems all day.
Thanks so much for telling me.
Lori says
Wow! People are critical. I think it looks great! You have a beautiful home! Work with what you have and you, do YOU!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Well, I asked for opinions, Lori!
Susan from Wisconsin says
I love your front porch and wouldn’t paint the slate. Your porch looks inviting. I like the size and color of your rug. It compliments the siding. I think pillows with some black in them would be pretty with your door or for a fun change, brighter pillows would also add a punch of color. The pillows could pick up the color of the flowers on your door, when you change them.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Great advice, Susan!
cindy says
Hi Mary Ann
Ahhhh if only we had unlimited funds to tweak everything at once! As I said yesterday I am not personally an outdoor rug person (I don’t think we could keep one clean), but I think the rug does a great job of camouflaging the areas that bother you. I think Annie’s idea of painting the slate is a great idea. You can paint anything anymore as you know!! Your entryway is so inviting. Makes me want to pull up a chair and have a glass of sweet tea!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Or an Arnold Palmer, Cindy!!
Wren says
Hi Mary Ann, I don’t want to come across as too critical but this is what I see when I look at the porch. Too many different materials and transitions. The jute rug really softens the look of the slate but leading up to that, there is different brick on the walk, a different size, color and material in the stepping stones leading off to the right, then brown bark and on the left of the walkway, white rocks. Is there some way that you could make the pavers all the same and maybe extend the bark to where the rock is? Anyway, some way to minimize the number of colors and materials being used. I hope you didn’t mind my frank opinion!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Well, Wren, I’m working with what we have as I can’t change everything all at once. I feel great that I could change the door and light. And I love the chairs. I’d love to put the white crushed stone and shells on the right…but it started to get too expensive…perhaps down the road we can change some more things.
Pat says
I totally understand needing to work within a budget, but agree there is too much going on. I would live with the beautiful slate, but reinforce the dark tones of your chosen door and light fixture. So…remove the light jute rug which looks like you are trying to hide something, use darker pillows on the light chairs, and if anything needs painting, it would be the pots to again provide some grounding. Black would be stunning with the potted plants! Right now I’m seeing a mix of mid century modern, beach, and cottage, and it needs more direction. Your home is beautiful, as most would agree, and perhaps it needs less decoration, and more breathing space with just a few pieces?
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Pat. This is my first attempt! The hurricane-resistant door was $5500 installed so we are going slowly with the rest. I just don’t like the slate much.
Wren says
You’ve done a great job of making changes already with the door and light, and by adding the rockers, rug and plants. I apologize if I was overly analytical with other details. I know that you can’t just wave a magic wand and have everything done. Baby steps….and you’ve had lots more to do with the interior and back yard!
Mary Ann Pickett says
You are right with your thoughts, Wren. So much to change though. And we have done a lot to the inside as you know. Also there is a new little pool in the back 🙂
marcia Rayne says
Mary Ann, I had a similar situation. We moved to a different county in Texas and our outdoor furniture did not blend in as it did in our
old house. I purchased an outdoor/indoor rug from Pottery Barn with all my colors in it and it was perfect and the best part it could be washed off with the hose! Since we are dog lovers, I ended up buying 2 more for inside the house and one was a 9×12. So every spring we take them outdoors and lay them on a flat surface and spray them off with the hose using a spray nozzle. After 8 years they still look great. Have you tried a smaller rug on your porch? Just to make the sitting area a little more cozy?
Mary Ann Pickett says
I could do that as I liked the rug upstairs too.
Melaine Thompson says
Your front porch is so inviting!
Shari says
I wonder of your porch has been “sealed”? If not you might think odpfmstaining it rather than painting???
Also I wonder if a rug with some pale color might pick up the slates tones yet “tone” it down??
Pretty basket! Thanks I’ll copy it!
Nancye H. says
Love the rug idea! Definitely tones down the busy! We don’t have a front porch but we did recently do some artificial turf on our front lawn so I ordered some similar Polywood modern Adirondack chairs from Target that were on sale this week! Hoping we get them in time for Easter egg hunting on the lawn with my granddaughter!
Mary Ann Pickett says
So great that you got them on sale at Target!
Holly says
Love the new door & the basket of greenery & the jute rug really helps tone down the varied slate colors. I would not paint the stone, especially with it being humid there. I would think that it would peel & become a maintenance nightmare. The rug makes a huge difference & looks great! Your porch looks lovely with the potted plants & does look like a wonderful relaxing place to be. Love the American flag there too!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Holly!! I am a little afraid of painting such a large space.
Diane says
Love how you’ve decorated your front porch! It’s warm and inviting, and makes a person want to come and settle in for a good visit with a friend.
Mary Ann Pickett says
That’s the best compliment ever, Diane.
TAG says
I too think your porch is coming along nicely and is very inviting. We, too, love our (CR Plastic brand) poly furniture at our coastal home. Perhaps a bold stripe rug (black?) would look nice and provide more of a distraction. I have a black stripe Dash & Albert indoor/outdoor in front of my kitchen sink and it still feels neutral whenever I change out table linens or accessories. I personally think the slate is fine, but a rug does break it up nicely.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks SO much for commenting!
Annie Diamond says
Mary Ann, your porch looks beautiful. It was fun chatting with you and Cindy and now seeing it all pulled together. Love how the rug looks! And so smart to use a snake plant and a ZZ plant on the porch! Love tyour door basket wreath! Pinned!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Annie!!