Front Porch Decorating Ideas
The front porch and how it is decorated says a lot about your character and taste. This part of the house is a "welcome sign" telling the community you are friendly and inviting neighbors to drop by for some morning coffee and a chat or for afternoon some iced tea. A tastefully decorated front porch makes you seem more approachable and reveals a little peep of your decorating taste inside your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wind Chimes
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Wind chimes make inviting sounds as they tinkle and chime in the breeze (see Resources). Wind chimes come in many styles, colors and sizes to fit all tastes and are inexpensive. They're easy to fix to the ceiling of the front porch, in most cases involving just a nail or screw. Colored bird feeders are also an ornate addition to your porch decor.
Seats
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Seating has to be decorative, functional, durable, comfortable and, most of all, easy to sit in and get out of. Keep in mind the not-so-young visitors who will be enjoying the porch with you. Wicker chairs and couches are the perfect choice, with their washable seat cushions and easy maintenance. Additionally, wicker furniture may be painted any color to match your porch and decor.
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Other Types of Seating
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You may also wish to include a timeless bentwood rocking chair and a classic front porch swing. These items add a country touch to your decor, even if you live in the city. Rocking gently in the rocker or the swing while listening to crickets on a balmy summer night is a natural stress-reliever with which to forget a hectic day at the office.
Flowers
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The sweet natural scent of flower arrangements or potted flowers, coupled with their array of color, cheerfully brightens up the neighborhood. Sconces can be affixed to the walled part of the porch and filled with flowers to glean many a compliment from visitors. Container plants that bear fruit such as strawberries may be placed on the porch as a big draw for the visiting neighborhood children.
Roll-Up Blinds
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Bamboo roll-up blinds attached to the porch overhang are ideal for blocking out most of the sun when it's too low and in everyone's eyes. When the blinds are down, they allow chinks of light to shine through. This cuts down on the sun's glare. Bamboo blinds look attractive rolled up or down and are easy to install.
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