This is the front porch, any ideas on what I can do to dress it up any? I wanted to put an arch over it but I can't find one wide enough. Thought about a pergola? Found some of those that were a little wider. The problem is they are pricey. What if I just put some very large planters on both of the corners? I am going to of course be putting lots of plants around it when I get that far. If it were your porch, what would you do with it? I'd love to put a big roof over it that ties into the main roof, but that is out of the budget of course Keep in mind I have to leave room for the screen door to swing/open-it opens toward the right side of the photo. I'd rather not have a screen door-kind of a nuisance, but I'm stuck w it. -thought about a slant roof, that does not tie into the existing roof but Husband does not want to mount any posts to the concrete, but I think if I put posts in the ground it would look odd

It's a beautiful home and lovely entry but I am NO help on things like this and hope someone will come along with ideas. I do, of course, love the idea of potted plants on your porch.

There's a rain gutter and I'd guess you have little or no snow in winter, so I wouldn't mess with the roof.

Looks a bit tight for potted plants– I think they'd get knocked off pretty regularly: deliveries, etc. I might set posts at the corners, a bit higher (18") than the walkway, and lay planks on either side, with lag screws to the posts. The plants would flank the concrete but be high enough so they wouldn't get kicked off by mistake. For more plants, you could set another four posts and add a higher (24") level set back from the one nearest the walkway (and keep the inside row from being knocked off). Plastic or pottery planters and pots would work nicely.

In winter, you'd take the pots in and have a pair of benches.

I forgot to add that the porch area is 7 ft wide, and it faces south. I thought about putting a concrete planter on each side, maybe then just leave it in the winter. To be honest from day to day we really use the side door, package delivery used both doors, I prefer the side door as you can't see it from the yard though.
Yes we do get snow here in the winter, I'd say 6 inches is a big snow for us, but we do get tons of rain. Was thinking of a roof/pergola type thing more for looks as it seems bare looking to me? Also as a way to shade the door area as it gets really hot in the summer w the south face.

Our front porch is very similar and I have tried to have plants out there, but there is only room for one pot and even though I would love a covered porch it's not feasible because of the construction of the house. It would damage the roof, which is new, and the guttering, and probably start leaking so that's not happening.

Here is what I would do: Buy a very nice trellis, one that will be sturdy for holding climbers and not break easily. I guess you could go to a Salvage store and find a bargain. The new trellis's at the big box stores are either too flimsy or too expensive.

I would place the trellis in front of that small window. You already have a Pencil tree in front of the big window, but I would put one more on each side of that. It would balance it out.

I would purchase a great climber that blooms most of the year or at least twice a year. It will add texture, color, interest, and also draw the eye to that corner and make a statement.

I have been putting in all kinds of plants and I am ready to put my trellis on the left of the door. I have added a tiny Loropetalum that is not visible to you in the photo, but it is close to the porch edge. It will still give me room to make a vertical statement on the trellis. Not sure yet what I want to plant, but I'm leaning toward Honeysuckle Vine. It stays green all year here and that scent in the spring is divine.

Thank you! I had not considered just a trellis, that may help distract from the bare porch a little.

In image #2, put large planters, two of them on those corners just above the watermark in the image.
Then add a third planter where the sidewalk makes a 90 degree turn towards the door.
You could put colorful annuals in all three. Either the same plants or companion colors. If it were me, I would consider both purple and bright greenish sweet potato vines hanging down from all three. The bright greens and purples of the vines would look cool with the green of your home!!!
Put a tall, slender leaved Dracaena in each one. That might create a nice effect.

On the corner of the house, I might suggest a stark white trellis, either against the green or brown, or both. I would put those tiny flowered, profuse blooming roses on them! I think that would look just perfect!!! Imagine hundreds of blooms on trellises! So sweet!!
Good luck!

Try this site for ideas: https://walpoleoutdoors.com/

Thank you Bill! Yes I'd like to find some tall narrow pots, so going to start searching for that.

Arlene, thank you for the link, I will check it out!

Frillylily, Is that a yew in front of the front window?

That is a Japanese Holly Sky Pencil. They get tall and stay narrow. You can also try Boxwood Green Tower if you need something tall and narrow, I have those too and I have had better luck w them than the sky pencil. I have had lots of trouble w mites/scale on the holly, no issues w the boxwood though.

Bill - you need to be a landscape decorator
Arlene - Thank you for the link

Well thank you!
I can't take all the credit though because no matter where I have lived, I always take notice of these things as I drive around or while I walked my dogs.
I always liked a cascading effect when it comes to planters and I try to KISS all of them!!!

I know that you guys know kiss, Keep It Simple Stupid!! It has never steered me wrong.

With such a big window facing the same way, covering the door with shade will not cool down your house in any meaningful way.

I would put the arch over the slimmest part of your pathway leaving a space between your door and the arch. Moving down then from 7ft wide to a more manageable width. If the archway is too short (bumping peoples heads), you can put planters there and put the archway in the planters to raise it up somewhat. Also makes it easier to grow climbers onto it. Although it may then need anchoring to the roof with slim cables to stop it blowing over.

Perhaps grow a dwarf maple tree to block the sunlight through that huge window. The pencil holly plant is doing nothing useful there in terms of cooling your home.

A few planters around might be nice, also.

Here is a little mock-up. Just for fun.

plasko20 said: With such a big window facing the same way, covering the door with shade will not cool down your house in any meaningful way.

I would put the arch over the slimmest part of your pathway leaving a space between your door and the arch. Moving down then from 7ft wide to a more manageable width. If the archway is too short (bumping peoples heads), you can put planters there and put the archway in the planters to raise it up somewhat. Also makes it easier to grow climbers onto it. Although it may then need anchoring to the roof with slim cables to stop it blowing over.

Perhaps grow a dwarf maple tree to block the sunlight through that huge window. The pencil holly plant is doing nothing useful there in terms of cooling your home.

A few planters around might be nice, also.

Here is a little mock-up. Just for fun.

oh wow that is an awesome photo! Yes I know the holly is not cooling anything, I just put it there years back to add height cause the area needed some interest and it is ever green. I did not realize the heat would be so bad. The window is 9 ft long. When I open the front the door in the summer, I am shocked at how much heat is sandwiched there between the glass storm door and the main door. I had not thought of putting a tree there honestly, but even though the heat is an issue, we love the clear open view we have. So not sure what we will do there.

I had not thought of putting an arch over that more narrow area, I will have to toy with that idea!

Orion - That is BEAUTIFUL

If the front door and storm door are trapping heat, that is exactly what they are supposed to do. If the front door lets the heat seep through, then it would be ineffective.
The reverse process happens in the winter. They combine to keep warm air in and the cold air out.
I would plant whatever makes your home look the best in your eyes.
Just by planting bushes and small trees it might lower the temperatures a bit. If you really want to cool it down, plant a fast growing, fall color producing shade tree. Perhaps something like Sweetgum?

Thanks Vic, Pirl and Frillylilly for the acorns.

Edited to add that that roof looks perfectly positioned for solar panels.
You can at least use the energy you make when it is sunny to power the AC to cool your home down a bit, then keeping your window view clear.

Also the arch over the more narrow area keeps plants from touching your home (if you grow plants up the arch).
Any plant that touches your home is a vector for insects to invade your house (ants, termites, other bugs). A property inspector taught me that nugget of information, prior to buying our home. No plant should ever touch your house.

I know I am a little late here but I just finished planting a new 8' wide by 22' long bed. I used phlox, both in a light pink and a darker Rose pink color. I planted both a raspberry pink group of Salvias and several smaller purple or blue purple Salvias. Everything in pinks and purples using groups of either 3 or 5! I just love the idea of that color combination! The Salvias are going full blast and the phlox are just starting to bud.
I am excited so far with the look of the bed. Plus as you guys might know, they all re-bloom if you dead head them.
I have two areas towards the back of the beds where I am going to put some tall, feathery Liatris or Gayfeather in there. It has a pink/purple flower and should offer a certain texture with its leaves and a little more height.

Um I have to disagree with the tree idea. Sweetgums are beautiful but messy. Leaves, etc in the gutters would be a no for me. However everybody has great ideas. Were it mine to do, I would extend the archway all the way to the left of the front window. Paint it white to match your trim. Get slightly larger outside lights. The view will still be there to see but it will be framed by flowers and greenery. Left of the house in that recessed corner a panicle hydrangea-white of course. It wil fill that corner perfectly and can take a heavy pruning in the spring to control its size and keep it away from the house. Then some variegated grasses to give height and movement strategically placed. Finally the color. Salvias, phlox, coneflowers, blackeyed susans, agastache for the hummers-whatever your heart wants. Pick a vine-honeysuckle, silver lace, hyacinth bean, cardinal climber, clematis. roses. Your house is charming. Love the color! with all the suggestion here your bound to find a few ideas to work with.