Usually when I talk about porches I am referring to the porch on Pinecone Cottage.  But today I want to talk about the porch on the front of my house.  It’s very sad looking right now and needs a redo.  By this time of year the flower pots are looking scraggly and it’s time to add some cozy to my furnishings.

Do you need a fall update for your porch?  It just might be time to refresh your porch too.  Keep in mind that your porch doesn’t need to be big.  In fact my porch is postage stamp size so over the years I have extended it to a front flower bed.  I would love to have a wrap around porch but that’s not in my future.

Here are some ways to get your porch spiffed up for the season in no time.

5 Ways to refresh your porch…

Start with a good cleaning

Let’s face it, we don’t want to put a pretty necklace on a dirty shirt.  So start by giving your porch a good cleaning.  Sweep off the debris.  Wipe or hose the walls down.  Wash your windows and front door.  Clean your outdoor furniture.  Cleaning your porch first will make everything else sparkle.  I have a Porch Cleaning Checklist below that you can use to get started.

Clear out the old flowers and plants

If you have potted flowers and plants that are looking worse for the ware, then it’s time to get rid of them.  This is an internal struggle that I have every year.  Pulling up and discarding perfectly good plants is hard for me to do.  But when they look bad then it’s time for them to go.  The petunias are leggy, the calibrachoa are browned at the base and the verbenas are starting to die back naturally.  I am talking to myself here as well as you.  Rip the band-aid off.  Just get rid of those old and dying plants.  They are not adding beauty or value to your home.

Replant or replace the flowers

Once you have a clean slate then you can decide what to do for the autumn season.  Here are a few options.

• Fill the pots with cold loving plants such as cabbages, kale, asters, pansies or mums.  These plants can handle the frosty fall weather and will often last through a hard freeze.  So they will definitely keep your porch looking cheery and fresh.
• Use faux plants in your flower pots.  There are really nice looking plants and flowers that you can buy that look like the real thing.  So if you love the look of flowers but you need to take a gardening break then fill in with some seasonal faux material.
• Fill your pots with non-growing seasonal items.  Stack pumpkins, either real or faux on top of your pots.  My pumpkins are the real deal that we grew in our garden this year.  Use branches sticking out of your pots surrounded by a wreath or evergreens.  Set lanterns on top of your pots and surround them with mini pumpkins.  There are lots of alternatives for your flower pots if you don’t want to plant them for the season.
• Just remove the pots until next spring and replace them with a still life such as a mini wheel barrow or wagon filled with pumpkins and gourds.

Update your porch furnishings

If you have room on your porch for a seating area then it might be time for an update.  I like to periodically shop my house for alternatives.  Do you already have any chairs or benches that would look great on the porch?  Maybe it’s time to replace the wicker chair with a metal or wooden one.  If you have room then maybe your porch needs a new side table.  Changing things out periodically makes your porch feel brand new.

Add in touches of the season

Now for the fun part.  Finish up your porch refresh by dressing up your porch.  Add in some festive pillows.  Throw a blanket or 2 over your chair or couch for those chilly nights.  Get a new mat for your front door.  Hang up a seasonal wreath.  Stack some pumpkins and gourds around your porch.  Add in a seasonal sign such as ‘Gather’ or ‘Hello Autumn’.  Hang a leaf garland or strands of lights around your door.  If you need a little inspiration you could check out my Fall Days Board on Pinterest.

We want our front porches to say “Welcome” but when we don’t periodically spruce them up then they’re not very inviting.  Make sure and take some time this autumn to clean and brighten up your little corner of the world.  It will make you happy and cheerful when you see it.  And it’s like throwing the welcome mat out to your friends and neighbors.

Related: 6 Tips for Decorating Your Porch

I created a checklist for cleaning up the front porch and getting it ready for the season.  If you would like a copy of my free Clean Your Porch Checklist just sign up below and get it instantly.