Guest Post Winter Front Porch by Balsam Hill

Hi all!  Jessica Phan from Balsam Hill is sitting in for me at my keyboard today.  She's here to share a few tips on enhancing your outdoor space during the winter. 

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Making an Impression: Inexpensive Tips to Help Decorate your Winter Front Porch

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to think about decorating the front porch for the rest of winter. Transitioning your décor from Christmas to something that will last throughout the winter is easy, even when you have a tight budget. Here are some ideas.

1. Paint your door in a bright color.
   Sometimes, all you need is a splash of color to change the look of your home and improve your mood. A brightly colored door makes a porch look inviting and cozy. Use a glossy exterior paint in red, blue or green and top it off with a polyurethane coat to make it last longer. Since you will only be painting the door and not the whole porch, there's no need to buy a full gallon of paint. A quart should be enough to cover everything. Let the paint dry completely (at least 24 hours) before putting up any accessory.
   
   
2. Spruce up your front steps with a bright, inexpensive doormat.
   Doormats come in different colors, patterns and textures. Visit your local department store for a low-priced but stylish doormat that coordinates with the other colors on your front porch. Make sure to get one that will withstand the frigid season and the coming and going of visitors. If you want a mat that you can use through the seasons, look for something made from more durable materials, although this may be more expensive.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Scour flea markets for bargain furniture pieces.
   To make your front porch more welcoming, look for cozy furniture pieces such as benches and swings. These pieces make a charming addition to a space; just throw in a couple of cushions or a handmade quilt and you're all set. Hunt for great furniture bargains at flea markets and thrift stores. Craigslist is also a great source of secondhand furniture that you can upcycle using basic DIY know-how.
   
   If you purchased a piece that is chipped on some areas, fill the gaps with wood filler before sanding it down for a smooth finish. If you want a distressed look, skip the primer and go straight to painting. Wait for the paint to dry completely and then sand the edges to give your furniture a shabby chic appeal.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Update your lighting.
   Good lighting is essential in any front porch design, even more so if you're decorating for winter. Breathe new life to your lighting by adding small details. Update old brass hardware by giving it a fresh coat of paint. You can also add ribbons and fresh evergreen on outdoor lights to give them winter flair. Tuck pine sprigs or boxwood branches behind a wall sconce and insert clusters of berries for a pop of color.
   
   
5. Add visual interest with colorful planters and other containers.
   Flowers and shrubs instantly add a gorgeous curb appeal to homes. Display them in planters and window boxes to bring life to your front porch. Dwarf evergreens look elegant on sleek planters. Choose plants of different heights, sizes and color to create varied points of interest.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Accessorize with what you already have.
   You probably have plenty of home accessories sitting in the basement or attic. Winter is the perfect time to showcase them ñ don't wait for another year to bring them out. You don't need to purchase new decorations every year just to achieve the homey look that you want. Use old baskets, glass vases, throw pillows and colorful blankets to embellish your front porch. If you still have the wreath and garland you used for the holidays, leave them on your door and make a few tweaks as needed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Add a winter scent to your décor.
   The sense of smell is just as powerful as the other senses, yet we often miss to include it in our decorating plans. Cinnamon, berries, and evergreen all smell of winter and perfect as front porch embellishments. Insert a couple of cinnamon sticks on your door wreath to delight your guests.

As the seasons roll around, you only need to make minor adjustments to your outdoor home décor. Make the design transition from holidays to winter an easy one by using only a few key elements on your decorating plan. This helps you enjoy the seasons and your decorating efforts much longer.

Jessica Phan is a designer for Balsamhill.com a purveyor of high-end artificial Christmas Trees. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is perfect for her because she has a wide range of interests, including Art & Design, Fashion, Photography, Painting and Thrift Store Shopping.

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Thanks, Jessica.  I liked the tip about adding cinnamon sticks to the front door.

Note:  I was not compensated in any way for this post other than taking a "day off."