The front porch is one of our favorite places to decorate throughout the year and Spring is no exception. Each season we try to spotlight those things that are inspiring us so every time we leave the house or walk through the front door, we’re reminded of what we love most.
This year, the birds have been singing at our house since early February and to honor that we’ve incorporated a lot of bird’s nests in our Spring décor both inside and out. In case you missed it, I posted a super simple guide on how to make a diy bird’s nest in clay pots. They are really easy to make!
Honestly you would never believe how cold it has been in Florida lately with the way they’re singing and dancing about. The whole thing is kind of wild because last week it was so cold when I was scrubbing the front porch and picking out flowers, I was wearing a fleece pullover and a cuddl dud!
Now that it’s officially Spring though, we’re excited to celebrate warmer days and hanging out on our spring inspired front porch.
If you’re new to seasonal porch decorating, I would say the easiest way to start is with a color palette you love. We picked up this mix of different fabrics at Hobby Lobby and then headed over to the Lowe’s garden center to pick up some plants and flowers that would help complement them.
I adore neutrals so decorating with yellow this year as been a fun way to step out of my comfort zone. We love those sweet little daisies though and have vowed to try them out in our flower beds soon.
This is the first time we’ve ever tried to grow Freesias in containers, and we’re excited to see how they work out as well.
Of course, we couldn’t have a Spring front porch without Lavender. They’re pretty much a staple around here in the spring and summer.
We’ve been growing the Dusty Miller since last November and the Lantana is crazy easy to grow too. Just a heads up though if you have mischievous pets, lantana can make them sick if ingested.
I couldn’t find a Spring wreath I loved this year, so I borrowed this one from my Mom. She always has the best stuff.
Along with Spring decorating we’ve also been Spring cleaning. Have you guys been having major purge sessions at your house too? I’m trying really hard to only buy those seasonal items I love, love, love or will be able to reuse throughout the year because this house doesn’t have a lot of extra room for storage.
Speaking of love, a few years ago, we broke the front porch up into zones and it made a huge difference! It used to kind of feel like a hodge podge of eating and seating areas but creating zones for how we actually use the front porch gave it a more cohesive flow.
There’s plenty of space out there now to relax on one of the wicker couches and cuddle up with a book, enjoy an afternoon cup of tea or watch the dogs play. Well, I say play – at 16 and 17 they mostly walk around sniffing for a hot minute and then lay down to bask in the sunshine. They love to be outside!
A lot of people ask us how we keep a porch this big cleaned and maintained during busy seasons. The easiest way to keep it cleaned is to put it on the same schedule as the rest of the house.
For example, on our “floor days” which are usually Fridays we clean the floors on the inside and sweep the porch floors on the outside of the house too.
On linen days which is usually Saturdays, we’re sure to wash the pillow covers and the couch covers. The top covers are made of drop cloths and the white ruffle covers are twin dust ruffles which can easily be thrown in the wash. Sometimes we leave the drop cloths in their original oatmeal color and sometimes we dye the drop cloths to fit our seasonal color palette.
Of course, there are a lot of pine and oak trees on our property and the pollen build up can be totally bananas, so the surfaces have to be dusted and brushed each week as well. I know it seems like a lot, but it actually goes pretty fast each week.
Keep in mind, you don’t have to have a front porch this size to decorate for Spring. When I was in graduate school, I had the tiniest porch in a not so great neighborhood and I still decorated for Spring.
I know it might seem silly given the neighborhood, but I wanted my front porch and door to feel welcoming to everyone that walked into my home.
Honestly, it doesn’t take a lot of money or have to be anything fancy just a few flowers, a wreath and a rug will do fine. Ok, maybe just add a small piece of seasonal inspiration like this Easter Basket Centerpiece.
After all, it’s Spring!
Be sure to check out my sweet friends Jenn & Vicki of 2 Bees in a Pod and the rest of the fabulous ladies that are on the Spring Festival Blog Hop! There are so many creative posts to inspire you this season…
DIY’s on Monday
Joy In Our Home | Timeless Creations | The Tattered Pew CityGirlmeetsFarmboy |Life on Kaydeross Creek
Vignettes on Tuesday
anderson + grant | Follow The Yellow Brick Home | White Arrows Home | Worthing Court | Camelot Art Creations
Front Porches on Wednesday
Mantels on Thursday
DIY Beautify | The Painted Hinge | Making It In the Mountains Grey Birch Designs | The Homemaking Momma
Recipes on Friday
Love In My Oven | Noting Grace | Beyond the Butter Confessions of a Baking Queen | The Sugar Coated Cottage
I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow with scenes from our week, a few menu ideas and all our favorite things from around the web. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Many blessings, CoCo
CoCo – you’ve done it again! Your Spring front porch is gorgeous! We wish that we could be sitting there right now, sipping coffee and eating donuts! Your attention to detail is evident in your vignettes and color palette. Well done! Much love!
You guys are so sweet, thank you! Having you guys hang out, eating donuts and sipping coffee sounds like the perfect day. We would definitely have the best time. Sending you both hugs and love, CoCo
Coco, everything looks beautiful! I have yet to decorate our front porch, just haven’t gotten around to it, but I love the look of how you’ve decorated yours! So pretty! I love the pot full of pots! Too cute and quite clever! Hugs!
Such sweet compliments, Benita, thank you so much! It definitely took a bit of work to wash away all the pollen and grime from the winter but I’m glad we were able to knock it off our to do list so we can enjoy sitting on the front porch with the flowers for the rest of the season. The ironstone pedestal bowl was a gift from my Mom and is one of my most treasured pieces. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo, your porch has always been an inspiration to me. It’s better than going to a greenhouse or nursery! Your seating areas are so inviting and your vignettes are precious. If I would have tried to put tiny pots inside a large bowl, it would have looks ridiculous but everything you do is beautiful! I LOVE IT ALL! Pinned.
Such kind and thoughtful words, Cindy, thank you! I feel the same way about all of your creative vignettes and porch inspiration. You put together things I would never think to put together and it’s positively magazine worthy. The ironstone pedestal bowl was a gift from my Mom and definitely one of those pieces that I treasure most. Hugs, CoCo
Forgot to mention how I loved seeing your bee skep too! I feel so smart knowing that. I made some the other day and never new what they were called. LOL
Oh my gosh, Cindy, that is so cool! I’ve always wanted a bee skep but I swear they are like unicorns down here. After years of looking I finally found that one at this big outdoor antique event for just a dollars and man you would have thought I hit the lotto ha ha. I can’t wait to check out the ones you made now too. I bet they are fabulous! Hugs, CoCo
I love your different zones on your porch and how inviting both are! The terra-cotta pots in the big bowl looks amazing. It all does!! You always inspire me!
You’re making me melt, Kristin, thank you! The porch covers a good portion of the front of the house so changing it up into zones really helped us make it more efficient. The ironstone pedestal bowl was a treasured gift from my Mom and you can find the tiny pots at Hobby Lobby. Hope your day is a special one! Big hugs, CoCo
Your porch is always one of my favorites in blog land! I seriously can’t get enough of how you style it each season. I love the zones, almost like two mini porches but you tie everything together beautifully. I am totally crushing on the pot of pots!
How awesome to have so many blooms so early! We are just now getting plants in at our local garden centers. I can’t wait to pick up some lavender. Yours looks beautiful with the dusty miller.
So happy to be hopping with you this week. Happy spring!
I appreciate your sweet words so much, Amber, thank you! We really do try to use the porch as much as possible during each season. Thankfully, it’s covered so we can just sit out there and relax with as many pillows and cookies as we want ha ha. My Mom gave me the ironstone pedestal bowl as a gift and it’s one I treasure. I had only seen them in magazines, ebay and etsy so I was blown away when I opened it up. The garden center is one of my favorite places to be especially this time of year so I can completely appreciate the anticipation of flower season. They really do make an ordinary day feel special! Sending you hugs, CoCo
What a perfect cottage porch! I love the little nests and all those gorgeous pots!
Thank you so much, Cindy! The front porch is definitely one of our favorite spots to hang out. Hope you have the best day, CoCo
Such a beautiful and welcoming porch! I love all of the terra cotta pots! Well done!
I really appreciate it, Karen, thank you! I know you love all sorts of pots, plants and flowers too so I can’t wait to see all the beautiful things that will be growing on your property this season. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo, your porch is amazing!!! I love all the live plants and flowers, the terra cotta pots arranged in the bowl and your pillows and cushions on your amazing wicker furniture! And that beehive! I find something new to love every time I look at your pictures. So happy to be hopping with you this week!
You’re the sweetest, Michelle, thank you! I appreciate your kind words so much. We love being outside and celebrating the porches in every season. I really feel like they’re such an easy way to welcome home friends and family that come to visit. You are welcome any time 🙂 Sending you hugs, CoCo
CoCo you always inspire me! I love your porch and those darling little pots…happy Spring my friend!
I feel the same way about you Kelly! It’s always fun to see your creativity and the way you put things together in every season. I hope spring is full of fun adventures for you and your family this year! Hugs, CoCo
Your porch is so lovely, CoCo! I love all of your special touches and beautiful flowers! I can hardly wait to be able to garden around here again!
Thank you so much, Linda! Having flowers arrive early for spring is definitely a perk of living in Florida. We’re not quite ready to put any plants in the ground just yet since we wake up and the temps are in the 50s and go to sleep with the temps in the high 70s. I’m totally with you though ready to get my hands dirty and plant a garden! Big hugs, CoCo
I love your front porch! It really inspires me to get out to my own, clean it up and decorate it a bit.;) It is in a sad state right now! Your plantings in the terra cottas are so lovely 🙂
Thank you bunches, Cindy! Believe me when I say, this porch was covered in all sorts of dirt, grime and pollen. I couldn’t believe we had let it go so long. Thankfully, the weather cooperated long enough for us to give the porch a good scrubbing. It felt good to get it out of the way and I know your porch will be clean, decorated and totally fabulous soon too! Hugs, CoCo
Hi Coco! Your porch is so beautiful! I love all your little details with the clay pots, all of the textures and I love the basket on the door. It’s super inspiring and I’m so happy to be on this hop with you this week!
Thank you so much, Colleen, I appreciate it! The porch is definitely one of our favorite places to decorate and hang out during the year. I can’t wait to use your tips and try my hand at making a wreath now. Hugs, CoCo
Such a lovely front porch! I just adore that sweet lamb! It’s perfectly welcoming for the season. Have a great week – it’s been fun hopping with you!
Thank you bunches, Jen! It’s always fun to decorate the front porch and change things up each season. Hope your week is a happy one, hugs, CoCo
Just lovely, Coco. And i love that you have the porch set-up on your cleaning schedule with the rest of the house! Genius! Pinned, and thanks for sharing on Homestyle Gathering!
Oh my gosh, Julie, it makes such a big difference when you have the porches on the same schedule as the rest of the house. They’re mostly covered but you never know when storms, pollen, dirt or grime are going build up and then it takes twice as long to clean ha ha! Hugs, CoCo
How I love learning from you! Thank you for sharing all your creative juices with us – you are amazing!
You’re sweet, Kelly, thank you so much! I hope you and your family have the best spring season. Hugs, CoCo
Oooh absolutely beautiful! I love it all! I’m very jealous that you can have your flowers out already! Here in Minnesota we can’t put flowers out until about May…But all of your planters are so lovely!
Thank you, Kristen! One of my friends sent me a video of it snowing at her house in Maine earlier this week and I could hardly believe they were still getting snow. It seems like all you guys have had a long winter this year so I’m wishing you a speedy spring season with lots of sunshine and flowers very soon. Hugs, CoCo
Your front porch looks so cozy and inviting, wishing I had a porch now!!
You’re sweet, Elizabeth, thank you! When I was in graduate school I had the tiniest little porch stoop and always dreamed about having a big porch. Now that I have one I can definitely appreciate all those days I spent waiting for “one day.” Sending you hugs for happy spring season, CoCo
Your porch always stops me in my tracks, friend! Truly beautiful!! Love all the terracotta lots on your coffee table and the plants make it look so springy already! Such an inviting spot! Always glad to have you on these blog hops CoCo!!