I’m a Front Porch kinda gal. I love old wooden, shady front porches with rocking chairs, wooden tables, and a few bric-a-bracks. A front porch that beckons one to slow down and just enjoy the moment.
We grew up in a time where everyone sat on their front porch after dinner. Kids played in the neighborhood until the street lights came on and parents would talk quietly in the dusk. My parents did and my grandparents did and now I do.
My mother was raised in rural Arkansas where my grandfather had a farm and lived in an old farmhouse without even running water. He had money to install plumbing but he didn’t see a need because he had always lived without running water. When we would visit the farm, we would sit outside on the front porch and my uncles and my mom’s cousins would tell big stories. The adults would sit in rocking chairs or other comfortable durable chairs and we kids would sit on the steps and listen. We got to know all those stories by heart. And when I’m sitting outside I can still hear all those loving voices and hear all the laughter. Maybe that’s why I love sitting outside in the evening on the front porch and looking out across the fields.
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The front porch in the evening is a nostalgic time and place for me. And I wish to recreate that warm feeling for my grandchildren here on the Ranch. Our front porch will look out across our front 60-acre pasture where the cows are grazing and the wind is blowing through the cottonwood trees.
I say will because our front porch is in the construction phase. We are adding a 10′ by 73′ front porch by ourselves. The hubby is pretty picky about the construction so he does things himself. We are fortunate because we do work very well together and we are able to accomplish so much just the two of us. Sometimes if you throw in another helper, we stumble.
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As we are building, I am imagining how to decorate a porch that is inviting and enticing. I know generally what I want but I decided to start scanning the internet for great ideas for front porches.
Front Porch Decorating Ideas Starts Now:
I would love homemade signs like a wooden Welcome Sign or a witty sign that welcomes guests. And they can either be purchased or homemade signs. And I am searching for either hammocks or hammock chairs. We would love to have several seating areas and maybe a dining area. But of course, what would a front porch be without a porch swing? To find some of our items, we have been cruising the Antique Farmhouse website for ideas. This amazing Gardeners cart could also double as a bar cart when we are entertaining This old iron bench and vintage farmhouse sign look right at home here. Plus numerous other porch finds. An old wagon wheel adds more visual interest to an otherwise overlooked nook, and a vintage bed frame is a clever spot to hang vintage pots and pans. Front porch signs, cozy sitting areas with vintage items on recycled wooden crates make front porch amazingly inviting Use a vintage ladder as a plant stand. Add planted and freshly cut flowers. It's easy to create farmhouse summer porch decor by thinking outside the box and using old, new, and salvaged items you may not have thought to use. Teaming up a few dandelions with this rusty lantern is totally farmhouse chic! Planting bunching flowers in unique flower pots. plus make a side table with a vintage crate. A shiplap sign made from shutters lists fun porch activities. Plus a wooden bench with burlap lettered pillow. Add Shelves to your front porch and load them with vintage finds Recycle a rustic milk can to make a unique side table. Create an outdoor hanging chandelier using lanterns and an old ladder adds interest to your front porch. Add an outdoor rug to define the sitting area long with painted rocking chairs. Place a farmhouse tray on a small side table and decorate with vintage items. Make or purchase grain sack pillows to add to a metal bench. Shop at antique stores or "junk stores" to find trunks, crocks, large baskets to add to your farmhouse porch. Create cozy sitting areas with rocking chairs with vintage wooden trunk tables covered with farmhouse decor items. Using galvanized buckets, lavender, mason jar lanterns and a rustic fireplace makes this front porch amazingly inviting A simple farmhouse porch with natural touches, fall pumpkins, mums and a stack of firewood. Plant a few flowers and plants (chives) in vintage planters and set on metal tables. Add several beautiful sitting areas and adorn with hanging plants. Don’t you just love this Rustic Table? And we would love to have one just like it. I found this picture on Pinterest without a link to any website either selling this or making it. We decided to go ahead and post it hoping some of our readers would recognize it. So if you know anything about this quaint table under this gorgeous porch, please let us know. Recycled wine barrels make unique tables for chalkboard signs. Plus add a metal pitcher filled with sunflowers or other farmhouse decor Amazingly Inviting Front Porches
Antique Farmhouse is one of our favorite sites to look for decorations, furnishings, or items that bring on the nostalgia of country life. And these can create the feel and personality of our front porch.
Another great site to visit to help with fulfilling our dream of an inviting front porch, we have been visiting Decor Steals. Decor Steals have daily specials, they call them “steals” of reproduced vintage items. And We have purchased several items on there, it’s one of our favorite sites. But remember if you see something you like, grab it because these items usually sell out quickly.
Don’t forget to Pin these Front Porch Ideas to save for later:
corine Mapes
Monday 21st of June 2021
I remember doing the same on my grandpas porch. There is nothing like those memories its fun to pass it on.
Wanda McGuire
Tuesday 21st of January 2020
Evelyn, I love your story about growing up and listening to stories on the front porch. My grandmother lived in a similar fashion, an old raw bones house, no indoor plumbing, a well with a windless to get water... and the front porch. My grandfather was a gifted woodworker and had made a wonderful swing for the front porch. When I was young, I loved that swing and would sit out there for hours, watching the cars create dusts storms as they went down the unpaved country road. Sometimes my grandmother would could out and share the swing with me, wearing her apron over her house dress, and wiping her weathered hands from doing laundry. So many wonderful talks with my grandmother, with my aunts and my mom took place on that porch. I miss it dearly.
Evelyn
Tuesday 21st of January 2020
Oh, I just love stories like yours, Wanda! It makes my heart happy. This is exactly why we are trying to keep the front porch a major part of the grandkids coming to the Ranch.