Originally Published on June 27, 2018. Last Updated on January 3, 2024.

Your front porch is the first thing guests see when they visit. To ensure your home’s initial impression is always impressive, it’s a good idea to give the space’s furniture and design elements careful consideration.

If your entry patio needs a pick-me-up, browse our step-by-step guide to learn how to design a front porch. Decorating tips, style advice, and frustration-free front porch ideas await you, ready to boost your home’s curb appeal and welcome family and friends to stop by anytime.

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Jump to Section:
Step 1: Pick Your Porch’s Function
Step 2: Decide on a Budget
Step 3: Assess Your Space
Step 4: Decorate
Style Ideas
FAQs

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Step 1: Pick Your Porch’s Primary Function

The first decision to make is how you want your front entry porch to serve your family. There are plenty of possibilities—and you don’t have to choose just one. Having a rough idea of what you want out of your patio helps your design take shape, making the rest of the process run smoothly.

Here are a few inspiring entry patio or porch uses to get you dreaming:

• Cozy breakfast nook
• Outdoor living room
• Open-air office or study area
• Private reading spot

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Step 2: Decide on a Budget

Now that you know how you’ll use your front patio, it’s time to think about costs. Determining a budget early on helps create realistic design goals and prevent overspending. To set your budget, follow these steps:

1. Make a to-do list. Determining what needs to be done first helps decide what gets purchased first. If your porch railing is broken, prioritize repairs over decor. If your patio needs a deep clean, put scouring before shopping.
2. Make a need-versus-want list. Place must-have pieces in the “Need” column and items you’d like to have (but can live without) in the “Want” column. Shop the former first and the latter down the road as your budget allows.
3. Research furniture prices. This gives you an idea of how much money you’ll have to spend to furnish your space.  
4. Create a buffer. Add up the costs and tack on 10% to cover sales taxes, shipping fees, and unexpected expenses.
5. Record your progress. Arrange all the collected information in a spreadsheet or planner to keep track of your purchases and timelines.

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Step 3: Assess Your Outdoor Space

Knowing the size, surface type, and shape of your patio or porch helps determine the type and quantity of furnishings it can hold. The key is maximizing utility and filling the space without going overboard.

Measure Your Porch or Patio

Grab the measuring tape, a pencil, and paper—it’s time to get physical. Head out to your entry patio and get the square footage of your floor, wall heights, length of overhead joists, etc. Write down the dimensions and keep the numbers handy when you’re shopping. 

  PRO TIP:  
Don’t skip this step. Otherwise, you may end up with a too-long area rug that dangles off the edges of your patio or a sofa that dominates your space.

Want to measure your entire property? Open our comprehensive guide to learn how to measure your outdoor space by hand or phone app. 

Find Perfect-Fit Furniture

You’ve measured your front porch and are approaching the big decision—what furniture you should purchase. Here are some viable options based on the shape of your space:

• Deep: If you have a deep and spacious front patio, you have room to play. Go big with a generously sized deep seating set or a line of chaise lounges.

• Narrow: Space-saving pieces are the solution when you have less depth but ample length to work with. Opt for a group of rocking chairs and coordinating side tables to span the length of your porch, or angle a few Adirondack chairs in ways that allow for the most legroom.

• Expansive: If your entry patio is substantial, divide it into multiple relaxation areas. Style a brunch spot on one end with a round dining set and a coordinating wet bar. Turn the other side into a comfortable conversation area, filling it with Adirondack chair sets and umbrellas for shade.

• Cozy: Less square footage doesn’t mean less style. Turn the area into a solo retreat with a single statement piece. Decorate around it with a matching ottoman and a multi-shelf side table (which gives you more decorating opportunities without taking up extra space).

• Covered: A covered porch opens you to more furniture and decor options, like porch swings, hanging baskets, and light fixtures. Just make sure your porch roof is sturdy enough to support heavy pieces before you start shopping.

• Walled: Screened porches or three-season rooms keep out the rain and mosquitos, but these barriers eat up a bit of floor space. Keep this in mind when measuring for mobile furniture such as swings and rocking chairs. Moving pieces need extra room to keep from bumping into walls. 

Know Your Surfaces

Is your patio floor smooth concrete or uneven stone? Are your walls brick or vinyl? The answers to these questions help narrow down your furniture and decor choices. 

For example, rocking chairs move best on flat surfaces, so you’re good to go if your porch floor is poured concrete or tile. Do you want to hang lights or shelves on a wall? Knowing its composition helps determine the tools you need to secure your decor properly.

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Step 4: Decorate

While you’re building out your ideal entry patio or porch, keep these design tips in mind:

• Gather inspiration and ideas: Inspiration hubs like Pinterest are great for visual references and ideas from both designers and homeowners. Create your own board dedicated to your dream design and fill it with all the open-air possibilities you find. 
• When in doubt, start with furniture: As the foundation and biggest investment you’ll make here, your outdoor furniture should consist of high-quality designs. Then you can accessorize with rugs, cushions, pillows, and throws to transform a standard outdoor area into a cozy retreat that reflects your personal style. 

• Establish a clear focal point: Ground your layout in a central piece, then let that inform all subsequent design decisions. This could be your front door, a sofa, coffee table, or even a small throw pillow. 
• Add in splashes of color: If you choose neutral tones for your furniture, top them with bright cushions. Other items that add punches of color include rugs, blankets, potted plants, or a new paint color for your front door.

• Build off the design of your house: Use the materials, colors, and architectural style of your house and interior design choices to make your patio or porch feel like a natural extension of your home.
• Invest in storage space: Seek out table and seating options with built-in storage, so you can save space and stow away your less-durable items during inclement weather.

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Porch & Patio Style Ideas

Browse style ideas design pros and front porch enthusiasts created with POLYWOOD furniture.

Light + Dark

This happy customer styled both sides of their porch with deep seating and rocking chairs in one cohesive color combination. The black furniture and vivid red cushions paint a bold picture against the light decking, siding, and trim. 

“Love love my seating area! We had two rockers along with the side table before. The porch is complete! This is the best outdoor furniture.” – Maraly W.

October 2023

Old + New

Meg Caswell, a nationally recognized interior designer, lined Adirondack rockers and side tables along her lakeside cabin’s front porch. The furniture colors pull in navy blue and sandy beige shades from the surrounding landscape.

Dark + Dreamy

This porch’s moody aesthetic is complemented by deep seating and Adirondacks in our rich, fade-resistant Black lumber. 

“Love it—looks amazing on our porch and so comfortable!” – Carolyn M. 

October 2023

Modern + Rustic

Lifestyle blogger and TV personality Eva Shockey chose a modern farmhouse feel for her front porch, leaning into natural wood and black accents against a white backdrop.

Comfy + Cozy

This homeowner made good use of the space in their small screened-in porch. Look at how this  Adirondack duo and complementing rocker fit right in. 

“Love our newest addition to our POLYWOOD porch! The curved back and the waterfall seat front make this the best choice for a rocking chair.” – Roberta M. 

July 2023

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FAQs

How can I make my entrance beautiful?

Here are seven ways to make your front entrance beautiful:

1. Give it a thorough cleaning.
2. Choose decor that coordinates with your home’s architecture.
3. Avoid overcrowding the space with furniture and fixtures.
4. Set the mood with ambient lighting.
5. Reenergize your space with a fresh coat of paint for your front door.
6. Use outdoor-friendly mirrors to make the space look larger.
7. Style planters filled with colorful, eye-catching flowers.

What is the difference between a porch and a patio?

The main difference between a porch and a patio is that the former is attached to a home, and a patio is not. Porches are sometimes covered, raised above ground level, and surrounded by railings. Patios are flat, often paved, uncovered areas that sit flush with the ground.