Reese Witherspoon’s 3-Item Formula Works on Even the Smallest Spaces – It’s Traditional But Stunning
You don't need a complete remodel to transform your porch into an elevated experience, and the actress's outdoor space is the proof
What if you could elevate any porch with just a few small tweaks? No matter the size of your front patio, Reese Witherspoon's Nashville home shows how to do exactly that.
The actress's front porch is simple, extending from a traditional red-brick facade with white pillars. As spotted in the background of a recent Instagram photo, Reese then imposes a simple formula on top of this pretty start: black lantern sconces plus mini topiaries in black square planters. Her calculation is simple, but it instantly elevates this outdoor space.
Below, Homes & Gardens explores how you can follow Reese's example and make the most of any porch this spring. Starting with a sneak peek of the outside of her home, we then deep dive into how she decorates her front porch with an edit of the best products for recreating Reese's look. Finally, we spoke with experts to unpack using tiny adjustments to make a big difference in your outdoor space.
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Recreate Reese's Look
Shea McGee designs the prettiest lighting, and this classic lantern sconce is the perfect example. It comes in a textured black finish that can be used both in and out of doors.
This striking square plant pot is perfect for flanking your doorway with small trees or showcasing climbing ivy, ideal for tapping into Reese's traditional style. The wooden construction is perfect for complementing red brick walls.
A great candidate for creating mini topiaries, this holly bush, also known as Ilex Crenata or Japanese holly, is an easy-care evergreen that can be grown just about anywhere. It’s a hardy evergreen that can tolerate low temperatures. It is popular with birds in the winter due to berry production.
Lighting is the most powerful way to upgrade your porch, and this 2-pack of wall lanterns makes it effortless. With a matte black finish and distinctive seeded glass panels, these lamps work with both LED and Edison bulbs for beautiful illumination.
These Felco pruning shears have hardened blades for effortless trimming in your yard, making light work of tough topiary pruning jobs. Our Garden Content Editor swears by them for even the toughest shearing jobs calling them the 'best pruners you can buy.'
The classic American Arborvitae is a perfect starting point for recreating the look on Reese's porch. Its rich green foliage and upright growth make it ideal for adding height and structure to any outdoor space, or it can be pruned into spheres, as Reese demonstrates.
As Reese demonstrates by setting an elegant tone with just the space in front of her home, you don't need a massive yard to create an impact. Matthew Lock, garden furniture specialist at Luxus Home and Garden states: 'Gardens and outdoors areas play an important role in everyday life for many of us, but not everyone is blessed with large amounts of space. Whether you have a small balcony or piece of land beside your house, a little creativity can make a big difference.'
To achieve this luxe look on a small front porch, it's important to carefully plan. A formula like Reese's three-part idea will ensure you don't get lost in overadding. Matthew states: 'When space is at a premium, it is about working smarter to turn even the tiniest plot into your own outdoor haven. It’s important to make sure everything deserves its place in your garden and ensure no wasted space can be used in a better way.'
He advises: 'The look and feel of your garden is also important, and clever lighting tricks and items such as aromatic plants or a small water feature can make a big difference.'
Joe Wren, outdoor furniture expert at Royal Finesse agrees, explaining: 'If you don’t have lots of space to work with, it’s about working smarter and not harder to make the most of it. Even a small plot of land or balcony can be transformed into a place you can escape the outside world and enjoy time alone or with loved ones. Keeping it simple and free from clutter is also advisable to make sure the space doesn’t feel cramped or uncomfortable.'
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As Reese's stunning lantern sconces demonstrate, it's important to choose the best outdoor lighting if you want to achieve a stylish porch. Joe recommends: 'The right outdoor lighting can make a huge difference in creating the ambiance you want. Solar-powered string lights and lanterns and battery-powered candles can be scattered around the space to good effect, while hanging pendant lights can combine functionality with chicness. Ground-mounted spotlights or candles can help uplight your garden and add dimension and atmosphere.'
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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.
In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.
Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.