How to Decorate a Small Porch for Fall
Today, I want to share how to decorate a small porch for fall. Maximize your space, while keeping it both functional and beautiful.
Do you have a small front porch that is a struggle to decorate? If so, hopefully some of the tips in this post will help get you on your way to a beautiful, fall inspired, front porch – no matter the size.
The truth is, I am just learning how to decorate a small front porch myself. In our last house, we had a small uncovered front stoop in front of our house. We had a couple of planters on the stoop that I used, and I would sometimes put out a festive door mat, but other than that, I didn’t do much exterior decorating.
So, when we moved into our current house, I was excited to have a covered area at the front door, even though it is small. It is more of a front stoop, than it is a porch, but fun to decorate, nonetheless.
Here are some things I learned about how to decorate a small porch for fall.
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How to Decorate a Small Porch for Fall
1) Use Some Staple Elements
Staple elements that can be adapted from season to season can really help to make changing decor easy. Instead of changing every.single.thing. every single season, use one or two base pieces that can transition between seasons to make things easier on yourself.
I had this wooden crate and Coca Cola box sitting in a storage room unused. So, I hauled them out for the front porch, and I love they way they look. They provide some height, along with the ability to layer, as well as a slightly rustic/outdoor feel with the wood. Plus, they are neutral enough to be used all year long.
I also had this concrete planter sitting in a corner with nothing in it. So, I threw it in for some height, also.
2. Greenery or Flowers
Plants and greenery add so much texture and life to any decor, and personally, I don’t believe you can ever go wrong with flowers. I absolutely love flowers, although I can’t claim to have a very green thumb.
I love using flowers in my home decor, but the truth is, most of them are fake. I have recently (within the past few months) started keeping a few small house plants and flowers, and so far, it’s going really well! I’ve only killed a couple of them, which I’m quite excited about. 😆
For the front entry, I decided to grab a couple of classic fall mums. I purchased a couple that had not yet bloomed, thinking that they wouldn’t die out before the season ended. And they still haven’t bloomed… Whomp, whomp. Fortunately, greenery never really goes out of style.
3. Pumpkins or Gourds
You can’t decorate a small porch for fall without at least one or two pumpkins. Pumpkins are so fun to use in your decor because there is so much variety within them – different colors, different sizes, different shapes. It’s not hard to find the perfect pumpkin to fit whatever your needs may be.
My youngest picked the larger orange pumpkin from the patch for carving. Smaller pumpkins and gourds are usually fairly inexpensive at the grocery store, though. So, that’s where the rest of them came from.
4. Height and Layers
Two important elements when decorating a porch, or stoop, are height and layers. Most people who approach your front door are going to be well over 4′ tall. So, you don’t want all of your decor to be at their feet. You want some pieces to help draw their eyes up a bit. This is where pieces like my wooden crate and concrete planter come in handy. They provide a bit of height and allow you to then layer pieces around them.
You can even layer your pumpkins by creating a pumpkin stack!
5. Unique Seasonal Pieces
It is not necessary, but it is always fun to have something a little different within your decor. A statement piece, if you will. I have had this metal cart for years now, but have only used it once or twice. I always felt that it really belonged outside, but as I mentioned earlier, I didn’t used to do much exterior decorating. So, it has been sitting, mostly untouched, in my attic for quite a few years. I could never bring myself to get rid of it because it was just too cute, and now I’m glad that I didn’t.
It was great to be able to actually pull it out this year and use it. It’s fun, it’s cute, it fits the season, and it’s not something that everyone else is going to have sitting on their front porch. I absolutely love being able to use that type of thing within my decor.
6. Cute Doormat
Finally, every porch needs a cute doormat. The layered look is popular right now, and I have to say, I am a big fan. Layering a larger rug, under a small mat, can actually make your space look bigger. It helps fill up the space, adds layers (see above 😉 ), and provides more interest and texture.
I hope these tips have been helpful for those of you who have a smaller entry space. There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of having to decorate a small front porch for fall. It can easily be both beautiful and functional, if you keep these few small tips in mind.
Happy decorating!
Such a warm and inviting spot Amy and I love how Mother Nature added her own little decor touch with a few fallen leaves.
Thank you! And yes, I chose not to sweep the leaves before taking photos because that is what it actually looks like right now. 🙂