Reese Witherspoon's front porch taps into 5 of 2023's favorite outdoor trends – and here's why we love them all
The Legally Blonde actor's beautifully designed front porch is a masterclass in style and substance, and of course, we're inspired
It’s hard to overstate the beauty of an attractive front porch – they're an extension of our homes and add instant curb appeal, after all. For many, though, these often-seen, seldom-decorated spots are downright daunting to style. But not for Reese Witherspoon.
The Hollywood actor and entrepreneur has done it again – she's curated an outdoor space that made us stop and take notice. And once you know the right tricks, you too can recreate a spring front porch that rivals Reese's simple yet oh-so-stylish design.
Beautifully-designed spring porch decor offers a unique experience to create something special, making the most of whatever space you do have and, in turn, offering a wonderful first impression for visitors this season.
Here's how to get Reese's look below. Be inspired to make your spring porch decor ideas brim with life.
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Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon | $17.96 on Amazon
In her book, Reese Witherspoon invites you into her world – infused with southern style, parties, and charming traditions, with a modern-day twist.
How to recreate Reese Witherspoon's spring porch
While it may appear challenging to decorate a front porch area, don't let the diminutive size put you off. Do as Reese has done and use these five fail-safe design tips to turn your porch into a place to enjoy year-round.
1. Go for an earthy green front door
Reese Witherspoon is no stranger to a carefully-curated room, so it’s not exactly surprising that she nailed the look again for her porch.
'The front door colors we use allow us to introduce the "red thread" of the house immediately,' says designer Monique Tollgard, founder, of Tollgard Design. 'For us, the front door is so important; it is the start of the story and first and last impressions are so important.'
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In terms of front door color meanings, the color green is something of a marvel; this wonderous hue has the ability to soothe, inspire and excite. A green front door promises to renew your connection to nature and is said to evoke feelings of balance, vibrancy, and good fortune.
Glimpses of the interior of her house often feature rooms with similar green room color schemes. Her latest photo is only further proof of her expert-level skills with this color trend – and that it’s worth trying in, and outside, your home as well. To recreate the look, try Benjamin Moore's Hunter Green paint, a timeless, deep dark green.
2. Set up symmetrical planters
Reese understands the benefits and power of using symmetry in interior design, and it is the best way to make your front door more attractive. A simple solution is to introduce a symmetrical pair of container planters to your front door ideas, as demonstrated in this space.
While clipped evergreens are perfect for creating a punctuation point in your planting scheme, Reese has thrown the rule book out of the window by choosing to showcase a colorful favorite; the poinsettia.
Often given as a Holiday gift, the poinsettia is a surprising choice for spring, but it works here and is a testament to how well the actor has looked after these beautiful blooms. If kept in good condition, with the right poinsettia care and maintenance, poinsettias can, in fact, last all year round, providing a wonderful flash of color and excitement to a porch.
This Poinsettia with ceramic pot from Walmart is one of our favorites.
3. Invest in woven outdoor furniture
A charming woven bench on the back porch, as Reese has done, is the perfect place to sit and reflect, especially if it's in a spot that catches the sun or gives you a view of the sunset. It's also somewhere you can stop to remove your dirty shoes before setting foot indoors.
Here, the woven seat, which is an outdoor living trend for 2023, allows you to take in the verdant surrounding in quiet contemplation. Wicker ticks all the best outdoor furniture boxes; hard-wearing, versatile, and with a timeless texture that can be styled to suit your overall garden scheme. Over the last year, it has been interpreted into chic new modern designs, elevating it from the retro classic you might remember.
'When aiming to make a porch look nice, pick a palette of blue and white, reminiscent of coastal landscapes,' says Mary Beth Christopher of MBC Interior Design. 'Decorating with blue and white is timeless, and one of the most classic interior design combinations, perfect for creating a serene aesthetic.'
4. Lay a timber deck with a dark stain
Deck ideas are still, and probably always will be, a cost-effective and versatile way to extend your living area.
At its best, a timber deck is a handsome, hard-wearing surface that complements most front and backyard settings. It’s a natural material that provides a sympathetic background to plants, blending beautifully with stone, flowers, and trees.
When it comes to deck color ideas, a dark wood stain is a good choice for those who love a transitional decorating scheme or want to add a contemporary update to an older property. Darker wood tones, like the off-black-colored decking in Reese's home, also feel more sophisticated than paler-toned options.
5. Get the hard landscaping right
Front yard landscaping ideas define the exterior of your home. After all, your front yard is the most seen part of the house, it greets your visitors before you've even reached the door and will set the tone for the house beyond. With such an important function, it is vital that you choose the right material from the get-go.
Of course, natural stone pavers are only one type of the countless flooring ideas which you can incorporate into your patio or porch, but they are not to be overlooked. As beautiful as they are durable, the right stone pavers will be a valuable addition to your exterior scheme.
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Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
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