A front patio can enhance your home’s curb appeal and create bonus outdoor space for relaxing or entertaining. Because it is visible from the entrance—and, sometimes, the street—it’s important that it is both attractive and functional.
From materials to landscaping, privacy solutions, lighting, furniture, rugs, and decor ideas, there are a number of ways to upgrade your outdoor space to match the style of your home.
Check out these front patio ideas for inspiration.
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01
of 25Set Up a Seating Area
Design by O’Hara Interiors / Photo by Andrea Calo
Set up a cozy seating area on a small front patio. Decorate with modern touches like a raised planter to house a tall cactus and black and white furniture.
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02
of 25Include Whimsical Touches
Decorate the front patio of a white brick house with white furniture that fades into the background for a streamlined feel. But don’t forget to add in hints of color and whimsy, like the animal figurines on this small stone patio edged with bright flower beds.
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03
of 25Cover With a Pergola
Design by Forge & Bow Dwellings / Christa Tippmann Photography
Make your front patio more comfortable to use by partially shading it with a pergola. This space includes a low curving brick wall to delineate the space and add a modicum of privacy from the road.
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04
of 25Source Vintage Furniture
Source vintage patio furniture sets with a well-worn patina to give your front patio a timeless feel. Add seat cushions made from weather-resistant outdoor fabric to old metal ice cream chairs to make them more comfortable to use.
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05
of 25Fill in With Gravel
Create a budget-friendly front patio by edging your backyard guest house, home office, or granny flat with gravel wide enough to accommodate a pair of armchairs and some planters.
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06
of 25Tile the Floor
Tile the floor of your patio in a contrasting stone to make it stand out from other front yard hardscaping features such as a concrete paver walkway. This Mediterranean painted stucco house pairs terracotta colored walls and floor tiles for a tonal look.
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07
of 25Hang Sconce Lighting
Be sure to install outdoor lighting fixtures that allow your front patio to be usable day and night. The enclosed front yard of this Spanish-style home has a stone patio with seating for one, with simple gooseneck sconce lights installed under the arch of the facade.
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08
of 25Celebrate Midcentury Style
Mary Patton Design / Photo by Molly Culver
Preserve the minimalist feel of a midcentury modern front patio with spare furnishings and pops of color. A yellow bench and a blue door complement the brick facade of this home, while modern planters make it feel updated.
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09
of 25Finish With Decking
If your home includes a slightly raised open patio at the front, finish it with composite wood decking. This low-maintenance material will stand up over time and complement natural wood siding.
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10
of 25Choose Modern Furniture
Design by Mindy Gayer / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
If your front patio is raised off the ground and exposed to the street, choose modern furniture that will give it the air of an outdoor living room. This will create cohesion between indoor and outdoor spaces and keep things neat and tidy to boost your home’s curb appeal.
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11
of 25Fence It In
Create a gravel base for a small front patio that shares space with the front yard. Set up a pair of modern chairs to create a conversation area that’s private thanks to a fence around the periphery, like this Spanish-style bungalow.
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12
of 25Hang Privacy Curtains
Add privacy to a front patio by hanging outdoor curtains that can be drawn when you don’t want an audience. Choose a black-and-white stripe for a classic look.
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13
of 25Plant Some Vines
Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis
Cultivate a romantic feel by landscaping your guest house front patio with climbing vines. Furnish with simple French garden furniture for an effortlessly chic and timeless look.
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14
of 25Embrace Symmetry
Give a small front patio a sophisticated feel using symmetrical decor elements. Flank the front door with a pair of topiaries and hang matching sconces to create a slightly formal feel to balance casual seating.
Tip
Make a small front patio feel more expansive by swapping a small doormat for a larger outdoor area rug. Choose bold horizontal stripes to make the space feel wider.
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15
of 25Accent With Tile
If your backyard pool house or other accessory dwelling unit has a tiny front patio that’s more decorative than functional, elevate it with decor. Add patterned tile on the walls to complement terracotta tile floors, hang a pretty sconce light, and place an oversized plant in a modern vessel for a polished feel.
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16
of 25Set Up a Fire Pit Area
Maximize a small front yard by installing a compact stone patio with a fire pit seating area. Complement a square patio with a round or spherical fire pit for a mix of shapes.
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17
of 25Incorporate a Water Feature
Consider adding a water feature to upgrade a large front patio. A sleek concrete waterfall fountain complement this midcentury modern exterior alongside minimalist xeriscaping.
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18
of 25Install a Garden Bench
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Make a small front gravel patio more inviting by installing a garden bench. This will give you a place to rest between weeding or a spot to meditate on a sunny day.
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19
of 25Use Brick Pavers
Give your front patio a lived-in feel using brick pavers. Set up a cozy seating area under a mature tree that will become everyone’s favorite spot.
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20
of 25Convert the Driveway
Once you have converted your garage into a rental unit, your driveway becomes a de facto concrete patio. Make it more welcoming by installing seating and dining area, and decorate it with budget-friendly string lights for nighttime entertaining.
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21
of 25Match Flooring With Walkway
Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis
If you live in a small home with a modest covered porch or patio at the front entrance, make it feel integrated with the front lawn by using similar flooring. This renovated Cape Cod-style house has a flagstone walkway that continues onto the front patio.
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22
of 25Choose Colorful Planters
Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier
If you live in an apartment building with a shared courtyard, you may not want to hang out on your front patio. But give it a boost with a pair of modern planters in a bright color to mark the entrance.
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23
of 25Install a Floating Deck
Design by Handsome Salt / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Install a slightly raised floating deck to create outdoor space for a modern home. Pale wood complements window awnings and steps and adds contrast with the dark facade of this space.
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24
of 25Hang Chairs and Pendants
Give an enclosed front patio an indoor-outdoor feel by decorating it with sophisticated furniture and hanging glass and metal pendants from the ceiling. This space has large format gray concrete-effect flooring and a neutral palette of cream and black for an upscale feel.
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25
of 25Set Up a Pop-Up Canopy
Ajai Guyot for Emily Henderson Design
Turn your street-facing driveway into a private entertaining space by installing a pop-up canopy for special events. Tie back the curtains while the sun is out, and pull them closed once the sun goes down for a cozy candlelit ambiance.