Summer Front Porch Refresh: Simple Layers for an Elevated Look

There’s something about summer that practically begs for a front porch moment. The days get longer, the evenings warmer, and your outdoor spaces become the perfect backdrop for the slower pace of summer; extended mornings, evening cocktails, or late-night chats under the stars.

This year, I gave our front porch a little seasonal refresh—simple updates that feel elevated but approachable, and most importantly, easy to maintain all summer long.

START WITH A CLEAN SLATE:

Before anything else, give your space a little TLC- if it's anything like mine, it gets a bit neglected when it's (mostly) only being used for front door package drops

• Trim up/shape and feed any year-round greenery

• Hose off or power wash the porch floor

• Wipe down light fixtures

• Clean glass lanterns

• If you're feeling extra motivated, touch up paint or stain where needed

  
  

Check out my little but mighty power washer, which I bought this year for my own porch refresh-good for the smaller jobs where you don't want to knock the stucco off the walls (IYKYK)

LANTERNS & LIGHTING: THE MAGIC LAYER

Lighting transforms a porch instantly—especially for those long summer evenings. Instead of restocking melted or forgotten candles, I swapped ours out for battery-operated fairy lights tucked inside lanterns.

The effect? Warm, welcoming, and completely maintenance-free. I'm particularly loving the lanterns I purchased from Crate and Barrel last year; they are easy to clean (I have ones with the 'x' bars that go down the center of each side and cleaning them is a bear) and I can easily use the metal prongs that hold the glass to help hold the fairy lights up.

Bonus tip: Look for fairy lights with a timer function—set them once and enjoy the glow automatically every night.

LAYERED PLANTERS: KEEP IT COHESIVE

When it comes to planters, I kept things tight and intentional. I always have my oversized rust pots with the boxwood trees for year-round greenery as the base layer, then fill in around them. I find the rust to be neutral enough, but having any neutral color is a good choice to start with, especially when they are large, because you aren't going to want to be moving them around a lot because of their weight! I then add in other planters along with whatever flower theme I'm feeling for the season. This year was all about keeping the colors super simple, so I pulled black and grey-toned pots and filled them with green and white.

• Color Story: Rust, matte black, and neutral tones

• Plant Selection: Crisp whites, glossy greens, and seasonal texture

• Height Play: Mix taller planters with shorter ones to create visual rhythm

Some planters I'm loving: this stone planter and this one with the scalloped edge. I love these black planters with varying heights or this one if you are looking for something more cost-effective. Also, while you're shopping, this is a favorite potting soil!

COZY TEXTILES: SMALL TOUCH, BIG IMPACT

Textiles dial it up a notch. This cute mat is sure to creat a buzz when welcoming guests. Layering in a few outdoor pillows (like this neutral one, one with a cute pattern, and this one for some varied sizes & shapes) or a throw on your porch chairs makes the space instantly feel like an extension of your home.

• Stick to performance fabrics that handle sun + moisture

• Consider choosing patterns that complement your planters’ color story for a true designer feel.

SMALL PERSONAL TOUCHES:

This is where your porch becomes uniquely yours:

• A side table for morning coffee

• A vintage stool for extra seating

• Seasonal wreath in your favorite greenery

THE END RESULT?

A front porch that feels welcoming, elevated, and completely ready to host anything and everything from Fourth of July celebrations to quiet weeknight conversations under the fairy lights.

It’s not about doing everything—it’s about small, intentional layers that create a space you love walking into.

Tell me, what's your favorite way to refresh your front porch for summer? Leave a comment or reply — I love hearing your ideas!

If you are looking for other ideas for summer entertaining, check out my post on designing a beautiful summer-ready outdoor space here.

Lisa

let's make something beautiful