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

Reese Witherspoon
(Image credit: Getty Images / Eric Charbonneau / Contributor)

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.

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Recreate Reese's Look

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.'

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 Edwards
News Editor

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.