Small porch ideas – 15 stylish ways to make the most of your space whatever the size

These small porch ideas prove that no matter how tiny your space you can still go big on style with these tasteful tweaks

Floral small front porch idea with bicycle
(Image credit: Bella Foxwell)

On the hunt for cute small porch ideas? Well, we have your covered.

We can't all have an extra living room stuck on the front of our homes (despite what Instagram would have us believe), but that doesn't mean we can't make the most of the teeniest and tiniest of spaces to add a ton of curb appeal to our porch ideas. 

We've rounded up our favorite small porch decor ideas to inspire you to give your outdoor space a bit of a makeover.

Small porch ideas that are crammed with curb appeal

If you haven't got much money to spend on your small porch ideas, let flower power do the talking. Mother nature can provide a helping hand all-year round, though Spring is probably the season where your porch will look most pretty as Bella Foxwell, self-confessed door enthusiast and Instagram photographer (opens in new tab) explains:

'Lavender, clematis and roses are very popular flower choices. For the lucky few that have wisteria, they may find themselves subject to the #wisteriahysteria admirers!” These particular plants are proven to give your home more curb appeal and make it look attractive to passers by as well as potential buyers.'

1. Layer fabrics to create an organic and textured space

Swedish house porch with vintage and plants


What is it about textiles that transforms a small porch idea? Perhaps it's the cozy feel against our skin, when the weather cools. Or maybe it's the visually-appealing patterns and their ability to be styled together or in silo.

Whether you're looking for window treatment ideas, ways to upholster your porch seat or want to adorn your porch floor with a rug, colorful fabrics in jazzy designs can reveal your personality before your guests have stepped into your home.

2. Go cheap and cheerful with front door decals

Small front porch ideas with blue door and 'Hello' door decal by @willowbloomhome

(Image credit: @willowbloomhome)

'To the front door, I added a “Hello” decal from Homeworks Etc (opens in new tab) for a whimsical touch. This was a really easy addition', explains Shawna Liao (opens in new tab).

'I simply cleaned the door with dish soap and water and allowed it to dry. Then, I placed the sticky side of the decal onto the door and pressed it against the door with my hands. Finally, I carefully peeled off the paper, leaving the Hello decal affixed to the door.'

So you see, small porch ideas don't have to cost the earth. Get the look for just $8!

3. Plant flowers in a upcycled bike or swing seat design

Small front porch idea with pink flowers and wysteria using bike

(Image credit: Bella Foxwell )

Wysteria and other brightly-colored flowers are a great way to create an aesthetically-pleasing small porch idea. But, rather than restricting your botanical ideas to potted plants, why not 'branch' (see what we did there?) out to more creative ideas like using an old bike or swing seat design?

Giving an old bicycle a fresh lick of paint and using the storage basket as a pot, you can create a whimsical design that's pretty as a petal.

4. Couple up a decorative wreath and cute knocker

Padlock heart door knocker with floral decorative wreath on pink door frame by Gipsy Hill Hardware

(Image credit: Gipsy Hill Hardware)

Want to spread the love in your neighborhood? Inspired by Victorian charm bracelets, this padlock heart door knocker is the perfect finishing touch to your front porch ideas. Crafted in solid recycled brass, the padlock has decorative details and strikes against a matching heart pad. 

Gorgeously weighty, this hand cast design is made to last a lifetime. Style with a pastel painted front door and a floral decorative wreath for Barbie Dreamhouse vibes.

'Door knockers like bees, chili peppers and pineapples add a point of interest to the front door and are fun way to show off the homeowner’s personality.' explains Instagram photographer Bella Foxwell (opens in new tab).

5. Encourage birds to visit with a bird house or feeder

Small porch ideas by Homesense with rattan chair, blankets and birdhouses

(Image credit: Homesense)

Is there anything more beautiful than hearing the sound of birds sing or watching as they collect leaves and twigs for a nest? If you fancy yourself as the next David Attenborough, then a bird house or feeder is a small porch idea that should be on your shopping list.

Should you be a dab hand at creative carpentry, create your own DIY version and get the kids to paint and decorate it for a truly unique home for your feathered friends.

6. Create an electronics-free zone with an insect house

Colorful insect houses by Ella James

(Image credit: Ella James)

If spiders, worms and creepy-crawlies are more your kid's thing, then an insect house or bug hotel should be coming home from your supermarket or garden center trip.

As well as keeping ants and ladybirds cozy, it could shelter anything from hedgehogs to toads, solitary bees to bumblebees. So save the world one wildlife animal at a time with this eco-friendly addition and create an ecosystem on your porch.

7. Create an ideal reading or morning coffee spot

Front porch ideas by Davey Lighting with porch light, chair, table and faux fur

(Image credit: Davey Lighting)

Enjoy having a cup of tea or coffee in your front yard before the day begins? Then this one's for you. Cozy up with a hot drink and a book in your porch with a pendant light (opens in new tab) and table combo.

Instead of trying to weatherproof a dinky dining set, invest in some small garden ideas such as a round glass table. It's not just durable, but also wipe-clean should you spill something on it

8. Decorate a small porch with the seasons

No matter how small your porch, you can always squeeze in some fall porch decor ideas. With a smaller porch, we would say keep things simple, a scattering of small pumpkins and some orange foliage could be all you need to give the space a fall makeover. If you have seating on your porch, switch out the soft furnishings on that too for some more autumnal hues. 

9. Keep your small porch clutter free

Loving this chic and simple small porch, plus the dog makes it even more inviting! The key to this look is the lack of clutter, making the porch feel more spacious. If you want to add seating to a diddy space just pick a chair that's compact, not too fussy and can be styled in lots of different ways throughout the seasons.

Mix in some smaller potted plants that aren't going to overwhelm the space, pick a cute doormat that's not too visually heavy and there you go.

10. Keep the color scheme light in a small porch

It's interior design 101: use lighter colors in a small space, and that can be true of porches too. Using a paler color pallet will disguise the small dimensions of the space, keeping it feeling light and airy. If you want to add a hint of color, stick with muted pastels and add in a few darker colors in your decor for balance and contrast.

11. Make a small porch feel like an extension of your lounge

If your porch is big enough to cope with a few pieces of furniture, just keep those pieces to a minimum. All you need to make your porch feel like an extension of your lounge is some seating and possibly a small table for perching a coffee.

A compact swing seat works well in smaller porches because they are off the floor, allowing light to flow around it so it won't look too bulky. Decorate your porch with light but cozy pillows and throws so even if the space does feel a bit crowded, it just adds to the intimate feel. 

12. Soften a small porch with greenery 

If your porch really is just a set of stairs leading up to your front door, greenery is going to be your best bet. Get climbers going up your rails to soften the look and dot an array of potted plants in different sizes on the porch itself. Again, this will disguise the size and make a pretty plain space feel more like an inviting entrance to your home. 

13. Paint your porch to 'expand' the space

Note the painted floor of @timberfields (opens in new tab)' fab small porch. The grey 'runner' make the space feel bigger as it almost zones it, creating a walkway down the center and edges to add decor. Throw down a doormat too to add some texture to the floor – this cute pumpkin one was actually a DIY job just a stencil and some paint. Check out the full how-to in Katie's highlights over on Instagram. 

14. Layer your doormats to add texture 

Working with a tiny porch? You can always add some interest with your doormats, because why have one when you can have two? Stick with a practical heavy doormat onto but then add something cute and patterned underneath – we love a checked pattern at this time of year, but you can switch it out with the seasons. 

15. Keep things symmetrical 

How ever you decorate your small porch, at whatever time of year, keeping it symmetrical will always make it feel larger. Decorate your steps with potted plants and lanterns; as a general rule, start small at the top and get larger as you go down the stairs to draw out the space.

'Wreaths are the perfect accessory for city dwellers and those less green-thumbed among us', says Foxwell.

'Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas or any other holiday celebration in fact, you can hang a wreath all year round. Just use your favorite flowers and foliage to wrap around an oasis ring, which can be frequently switched up.'

Hebe Hatton
Hebe Hatton
