7 Outdated Porch Décor Trends That Are Reducing Your Curb Appeal

Updating your front porch is the easiest way to give your house a makeover without doing a full renovation. The porch is the first thing people see when they arrive at your home, and it sets the stage for whether your house is living in 2025 ... or 2005.

While some outdoor porch décor is reliably classic, think wicker furniture or stately planters, other pieces have the ability to date your home. Luckily, front porch updates typically fall on the budget-friendly side of home projects. Ahead, we're sharing the outdated porch trends interior designers say it's time to close the door on.

Bad Lighting

Outdoor lighting can be tricky, as the options aren't as endless as those for indoor lighting. It's easy to install lights that feel like they were designed to trap mosquitoes rather than add a glowy ambience to your space. But it's time to leave those cold, harsh, buzzing lights behind.

"Bad lighting is officially out, and we should all be paying more attention to lumens (brightness) and kelvins (color temperature) to create that ideal soft, warm glow—something that’s inviting, not overpowering," says Diane Rath, principal designer and owner of The Rath Project. She suggests looking for improved LED bulbs that cast warmer tones and upgraded fixtures that resemble trends in indoor lighting.

Kitschy Signs

It's time to let go of kitschy outdoor signs that have verbiage like "Sit a Spell" or "Keep Calm," says Cassie Scaldaferri, owner of CASS Design Co. "Instead of being so literal with word art, creating a space that gives off a cozy vibe with accessories like pillows, rugs, and even blankets, is a more elevated approach," says Scaldaferri. "You can send the message to kick up your feet and relax on the porch without displaying a sign that says to do so."

Over-the-Top Wreaths

A perfectly tasteful wreath looks great in any season, but gone are the days of over-the-top wreaths, which too often look cheap or kitschy. Rather than a Christmas wreath with oversized baubles in different colors, opt for an understated evergreen wreath with a simple red bow to complement the rest of your décor. 

All-Matching Furniture

It's convenient to purchase an all-matching outdoor furniture set from an online retailer, but that's not the mark of a well-curated, styled front porch. You'll create a space that feels true to you if you build it out over time. "Rather than all-matching sets, go for a mix of materials like wicker, wood, or cement," says Scaldaferri. "Adding lots of textures creates more visual interest and can give a more collected feel. This will add warmth to your porch, too,"

Oversized House Numbers

Large-scale house numbers had their moment, but interior designers say it's time to retire them. While they can look whimsical and they definitely make an impact, opting for house numbers in a smaller size will make the exterior of your home feel more timeless. However, you can have fun with the typeface choice—select something that complements the look of your home.

Petite Furniture

Small furniture, like a tiny bench or bistro set, is cute, but it doesn't belong on your porch unless it's actually a small space. Skip over the darling petite furniture and instead buy items that fit the size of your porch. "Apartment balcony pieces are scaled perfectly for that scenario, but a home with a yard needs larger pieces. Don't be afraid of a few bigger pieces to ground your space," says Evans.

Farmhouse Décor

There was a time when every front porch was decked out with farmhouse décor, from buffalo check pillows to rustic watering cans to copper troughs. But it's time to let it go and instead embrace more classic aesthetics. "Get rid of farm-everything. If you don't live on a farm, it's hard to justify," says Lori Evans, co-owner and interior designer at Evans Construction and Design.