This post is sponsored by Wayfair.
I call this one a “bucket list project”. You know when you walk through your house for the very first time after you move in and make note of the projects you would like to do one day?
Those are the bucket list projects. The ones you’ve had on your wish list since Day 1. This front door makeover on our colonial front porch is now a big one we can check off the list!
I was sad to see the old front door go, but because of its lack of energy efficiency and warping, it was time for a new chapter on our porch.
Colonial Front Door Transformation
A few weeks ago, we installed a new locally made wooden front door with sidelights and transom to allow more natural light into our front entryway. (The difference is incredible! I’ll show you more of our naturally lit foyer soon.)
We debated whether to stain or paint the front door, and after considering all of the options for front door paint colors, we decided to keep the simple black and white scheme to complement our shutters.
All it needed after that was some outdoor lighting and front porch decor that I got from Wayfair.
Ever since we painted our porch ceiling “haint blue” years ago, I’ve always wanted to embrace even more of the charming Charleston style out here. So I found a lantern and planters perfect for that look to complete the transformation.
This is what our front porch looked like with the old front door:
This is what our front porch looked like when we first moved in:
How to Make Faux Plants Look Real on a Porch
We’ve had these faux boxwood topiaries on our front porch for a few years (and they still look great), but I add real dirt to the planter pots to make them look more realistic.
I did the same to these smaller camellia trees to use in the small blue and white planter pots.
Related: 40 Best Faux Outdoor Plants for Planters on a Porch
Copper Lantern
I’ve always loved the look of the copper gas lanterns all over Charleston, but there was no way we were going to pay to run a gas line to our porch for a real one.
So as an alternative, I found this electric copper lantern outdoor fixture when it was on sale to create the same look. I’m still on the hunt for a convincing flame-like bulb to put inside. (If you know of a good one, let me know!)
Related: Stencil Painted Porch Floor Makeover
Front Door Wreath
As for the wreath on the front door, I just used the one I already had from last year. Since it was still in great shape, there was no sense in replacing it.
Mine is discontinued, but I found these other wreaths below that would be beautiful as a classic look on a front door.
Related: How to Clean and Maintain Limewashed Brick
Related: Traditional Front Door Paint Color Ideas Recommended by Designers
We can finally say this front porch is done! Maybe one day we’ll remove and replace the severely cracked concrete walkway, but that doesn’t count, right?
Curb appeal is one of those things absolutely worth putting in the time, energy, and expense, even if it takes quite a while to get there.
Colonial Front Stoop Sources
You can find all of the projects we did on our porch, plus all of the decor we used from Wayfair below. All of it was on our doorstep within 48 hours of us ordering it, so we could finally finish this spot we were so eager to see completed.
