How can I make this tiny stoop more attractive? END RESULT at bottom

J Brown
by J Brown

I am stuck as what to do with this tiny front stoop that no one ever sees, except me when I need to water at least 2-3 times a week. The floor is painted concrete I usually use the hose so need to be water tolerant. The wicker baskets are newly painted but easy to paint again. I have used the larger on the right because it opens into the back of the flowerbed blocking that "view". As you see I have several pots that need to be replanted, even painted or different all together. Have thought of a wall planter on the brick wall under the plaque? Opinions Please

  17 answers
  • I would try and figure out a color scheme that you would like and if you want to leave the door the color it is or you could easily paint it... then match the pots to a contrasting or similar color to the door. I know farmhouse style is really popular right now, you could do something with whites, greens and gold metallics.

    • J Brown J Brown on Oct 15, 2019

      We just had our house painted so probably to soon to be thinking about repainting the front door.

      I am NOT a farmhouse girl, pure eclectic free spirit

  • Gk Gk on Oct 15, 2019

    I think it looks very pretty just the way it is! If you really think you want to change something I would just repot the plants in the pots! Perhaps matching pots. I like the green of the wicker baskets.

    • J Brown J Brown on Oct 15, 2019

      Always nice to find another who accepts green, it's always been my color.


  • J Brown J Brown on Oct 15, 2019

    I moved things around, drives my husband crazy. I think both wickers on the same side is too heavy, thoughts? Back to separated and with the larger pot with the larger wicker. Thinking I would like a low narrow plan bench on the brick wall, but still thinking a wall planter to keep it light.

  • Judy in Canton. Judy in Canton. on Oct 16, 2019

    Less is more. Remove the smaller pots and add some plants with color to the wicker pots. I know you like green but I would consider painting the wicker pots white to match your other house trim. Purchase a bright color door mat and and matching indoor/out door carpet to part of the entry walkway. Add a small bench under the plaque.

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Oct 16, 2019

    I agree that less is more! And in a small area like this, if you want both carefree and attractive you'll really need to make a few conscious choices. Everything in this area should 'speak' to the others. With the door (any color!) all the components seem to be saying "look at me!" not "look at us!". First, consider going with similar plants in the wicker planters. Even if they're not identical, they should be taller and closer to the same color. Thinking about the shorter pots, they should look alike as well. A door mat could pull the eye to the center - even with a fun motif like "wipe your paws". And although the welcome sign is lovely, the style and the hanger just fight with all the other pieces. I would not add more - but rather select a feel for the area and make sure all the components jive with it. Hope that helps.

    • J Brown J Brown on Oct 17, 2019

      I photo shopped the welcome plaque to beside the door for consideration. Now what to to do with the brick wall, would be bare.

      And I did de-clutter

  • J Brown J Brown on Oct 16, 2019

    Agreed. Time to un-clutter.

    First step keep the wicker baskets removing the other pots and work on "matching" the plants using the large planter.

    I'll update a photo when done and then be ready for more input.

  • J Brown J Brown on Oct 16, 2019

    OK I'm home from work and have "dug in". I have de-cluttered keeping only the wicker and as one suggested performed a quick "divide & conquer" on the plants in taller planter to make them match. Now looking at the "less is better" result I realized the heavenly bamboo at 5 feet tall was overgrown and I gave it a good trimming back to 2-3 feet.


    What do you think of moving the welcome plaque to the wall right of the door?

    My quick photo shop attempt.


    I hate to throw out plants so have posted all the unused on Craig's List for FREE, usually find homes rather quickly, fingers crossed.

  • 516maria 516maria on Oct 16, 2019

    It looks better. If you can’t part with the welcome sign it would be better to the right of the door. It’s more welcoming to see it as you walk up

  • Linda Linda on Oct 16, 2019

    Here's a post I wrote on how I decorate my small porch.


    https://lifeonsummerhill.com/small-front-porch-decorating-ideas/

    • J Brown J Brown on Oct 17, 2019

      I had looked at your post before, was nice to revisit. My problem is tiny 4 x 6 I think and recessed back. I'll take some more pictures showing the structural challenge.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Oct 17, 2019

    I think you've done a great job decorating, but you can totally change that space by adding a door mat or rug. A large black and white striped door mat or plaid would look really cool.

    • See 1 previous
    • J Brown J Brown on Oct 21, 2019

      Holly,

      I did get a new door mat scroll to the very bottom of the post.

      Thanks you for your assistance.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 17, 2019

    “Tiny” was your first adjective.

    I’d buy more pavers, fill in both sides and then dilute the gray porch paint used on the concrete porch stoop and soak that grey paint into the pavers.


    I’d Keep the bushes on the side cut back.


    I’d also add a new decorative light to whatever electrical source is already there. Something eye-catching.

    • See 1 previous
    • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 17, 2019

      Maybe something less “generic”?

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 17, 2019

    Looking better, yay.

    Since TINY was your #1 adjective, I would install more pavers, widen the bark/mulch areas.

    Then I would dilute the left over porch paint and stain the pavers porch gray to match. (My phone doesn’t work like PhotoShop, lol).

    I would install a new decorative light at whatever electrical source is already there on the porch. Personally, I would have something that sparkles (brass or stainless) so that it sparkles even when not on.

    • See 3 previous
    • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 17, 2019

      I can too. But Hometalk doesn’t pay me to do that, lol. That was me just scribbling on my phone screen, more lol.


  • J Brown J Brown on Oct 17, 2019

    I will take more pictures so you can see more of the not so grand scheme of my challenge.

  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Oct 17, 2019

    Just adding an indoor/outdoor, or an outdoor mat would do the trick as it already looks balanced and welcoming. Or you could remove some plants from 1 side and place a narrow bench as well.

    • See 1 previous
    • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 17, 2019

      The mat fights with the big gray planters.

      The door is enough orange for me, personally.

      They key to keeping a small space from looking busy is a simple and neutral color scheme.

      Two gray tones, brown brick are neutral. Orange door is the one accent piece, IMO.

  • J Brown J Brown on Oct 17, 2019

    The are multiple challenges. first distance from the "curb" over 100 feet from the street and then almost 50 feet from the "parking area". Then "recessed/tucked behind the drop beam where the house numbers are attached, then the brick column (red pot is leaving) on the right as you finally do arrive. The brick wall side is blazing hot and the column side is full shade almost all day.

    Can't add more pavers because of the irrigation system. I did have the wicker planters painted off white and they just didn't do much, found an old picture.


    I can easily repaint the concrete slab but what color?

  • J Brown J Brown on Oct 20, 2019

    Huge thank you to all who offered suggestions and ideas. I stepped back and started from scratch, almost.

    Realized the green floor paint was not enhancing anything. I had the color on hand and it did at the time look better than what the off white full of stains that it covered. The brown defines the stoop and matches the brickwork.


    Before jumping in to begin painting the wicker planters over and over I got a new door mat with a pop of color, actually has the existing planter color in it.


    I have not moved the welcome plaque yet, its actually seen more on the wall than it would be by the door. Does it need to move?


    Clean, fresh, plain & simple. What say you?