Pretty things that spruce up your porch and that you’ll never have to water

So you don’t have a green thumb. No need to worry. You can still keep up with the Joneses without having to sacrifice some poor plant’s life. Sprucing up your porch is easy — all you need is a splash of color and some fashionable decor, and you’ll be on your way to being the envy of your neighbors.

Photo credit: Pamela Moore/iStock/360/Getty Images

The entrance to every home tells a story, so who wants a front door that says bland and boring? Splashing your front door with a vibrant, eye-catching color lets passersby know your home is special. Valspar Reserve, a premium interior and exterior paint sold exclusively at Lowe’s, relies on its unique HydroChroma technology that bonds the color to the paint so the color stays true longer on your door. It also holds up well to accidents, scuffs and anything else that comes with an active family.

Since the front door is your guests’ first impression of your home, go with a color that makes a statement. We love Valspar Pantone Poppy Red (Lowe’s, $3, 8 oz).

Nothing is worse than waiting under the glare of harsh light. Entries should be bathed in a warm glow so guests begin to relax as soon as they reach your door, says Alisa Carroll, design expert and editor in chief of the new San Francisco Cottages & Gardens magazine.

For your table on your porch, check out this JOI Lantern (Gaiam, $160) that uses thermoelectric outdoor eco LED lighting, or wow guests with this very affordable allen + roth 52-inch Aged Bronze Outdoor Floor Lamp (Lowe’s, $100).

Think of decorative hardware as jewelry for your door.

“Just like your own fashion accessories, statement pieces can really establish your residential style,” Carroll says.

Restoration Hardware has a beautiful selection of door hardware, from this round embossed doorbell ($7 – $10) to ring door knockers ($40 – $50).

Your home’s personal signature, door numbers convey your style.

“I love arriving at a modernist home to see bold, backlit numbers — or clambering up the front porch of a Victorian and being greeted by a vintage set,” Carroll says.

Try hand-painting numbers on your door, or check out these cool house numbers featured at Design Within Reach ($24). Looking for something with an antique feel? Try these copper house numbers (House of Antique Hardware, $24) that feature an unlacquered finish for natural aging. Bonus: They’re eco-friendly, made with a minimum of 95 percent recycled material.

One of the easiest ways to spruce up your porch is with inviting seating. An inviting bench conveys you’re in no rush to see guests leave, and seating can add a sense of warmth to any porch area, Carroll says.

This Recycled Outdoor Bench (Gaiam, $479) is made from recycled wood and iron, and it makes a sturdy addition to your porch. Or try this beautiful Lutyens Eucalyptus English Garden Bench (Plow & Hearth, $200), which is crafted of eco-friendly, weather-resistant eucalyptus and is inspired by the designs of architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

With the right accessories, your front porch can quickly become a conversation piece.

This Rookwood Wishbone (Rookwood, $98) is a ceramic art piece sure to attract attention. Or try this Tall Hanging Lantern (Rodale’s, $34) that will elevate your porch with modern rustic flair. Have a cluttered porch with kids’ toys? This Apple Cart Crate (Maine Heritage Timber, $65) is a practical storage solution for any porch, but it also adds charm and is a great conversation piece. It’s made in Millinocket, Maine, using 400-year-old virgin-growth trees, which were felled a century ago and floated down the Penobscot River as part of the logging boom at that time.

What are some of your favorite accessories that you use every year to spruce up your porch? Share with readers below!

This post was sponsored by Lowe’s.

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