Johann Hunt
Your front porch sets the tone for everything beyond, and you’d want to paint a good picture. However, if you turn this space into an impromptu storage unit or a museum of forgotten items, it hints at the minus points of your home and lifestyle. So, take some time to make sure you don’t display these 20 things on your porch.
Empty Amazon Boxes
The cardboard fortress growing outside your door is just advertising that you’re too busy clicking “Buy Now” to handle basic recycling. Those boxes tell a story, and it’s not a “responsible homeowner who values curb appeal.”
That Treadmill You Swear You’ll Use
It’s the biggest thing (literally) that talks about your abandoned fitness goals. Exercise equipment gathering dust on the front porch invites all sorts of judgment from passing joggers. Either recommit to your fitness journey or admit defeat and sell it.
A Growing Army Of Half-Dead Plants
It’s time to channel your inner plant parent or ask someone to adopt the dying plants because a botanical graveyard is straightaway unappealing. Those brown, crispy leaves are sending an SOS to every neighbor who values nature and is fond of house plants.
Mismatched Plastic Chairs
Random plastic chairs in various colors and states of fade create an impression of impromptu solutions becoming permanent fixtures. If your porch seating looks like it was assembled from yard sale leftovers, it’s time to invest in a cohesive outdoor furniture set.
Last Year’s Holiday Decorations (In July)
That weather-beaten wreath and those once-jolly Christmas lights spread concern about your home’s cleanliness. Santa isn’t coming back any sooner if you leave his landing strip intact year-round. So, pack them up and tidy up your home’s exterior.
“Temporary” Storage Bins That Became Permanent
What started as a “just for now” solution can evolve into a permanent exhibition of procrastination. Your neighbors might start using them as landmarks when giving directions: “Turn left at the house with the pale-blue bins.”
Your Kids’ Outgrown Bikes And Toys
Little Timmy’s first bicycle might hold sentimental value, but it’s not gaining value as a porch ornament. Those outgrown toys are telling stories about childhood memories, but they should be telling them from inside the garage or, better yet, at another family’s home.
Unraveled Wicker Furniture From 1995
A weathered wicker set has seen enough seasons. If the chairs don’t look like furniture anymore, and the table is holding on by what can only be described as sheer determination, it’s time to accept that “vintage” and “deteriorating” are not the same thing.
A Tower Of Old Newspapers
The news may be history, but your porch shouldn’t be a time capsule of unread headlines. Those growing papers can become a fire hazard with a side of a musty smell. The yellowish color is just a sophisticated version of litter.
Indoor Furniture
A living room sofa isn’t built for outdoor life, and it shows. When indoor furniture sits on the porch, it becomes a clear sign of temporary decisions becoming permanent problems. Rain, sun, and humidity will turn that once-nice piece into an eyesore.
Random DIY Tools And Materials
Mysterious metal parts scatter about on the porch? They’re evidence of a project that’s clearly stuck in first gear. Unless you’re planning to finish your DIY repair project, remove those tools and materials before anyone gets hurt or decides to steal them.
Garbage Bags
Nothing screams, “I don’t care about curb appeal,” quite like garbage bags on the porch. It doesn’t matter if they are filled with actual trash or stored items. Garbage bags make everything instantly repulsive. Keep them where they belong—in garbage bins or inside storage areas.
A Carpet That’s Been “Airing Out” Since Spring
Think about a deep clean or let it go because some things aren’t worth saving. Rolled-up carpets will collect moisture, mold, and curious glances from neighbors. If it needed fresh air last spring, it’s probably ready for a permanent vacation now.
That Political Sign From Three Elections Ago
Update your porch to reflect the present. Old political signs don’t make statements anymore—except about your attention to detail. Whether the candidate won or lost, those faded cardboard or plastic reminders suggest you’re living in a time warp.
An Extensive Bug Zapper Light Show
While keeping insects at bay is important, turning your porch into a bug execution chamber isn’t welcoming. The constant buzzing and flashing ruin the whole ambiance of your home’s entrance. Pick more subtle pest control methods that don’t advertise the insect population around your house.
Faded Fake Flowers
Artificial flowers might seem like a low-maintenance solution, but sun-bleached blooms look worse than no decorations at all. When your faux flowers have lost their original colors and are collecting cobwebs, they’re not fooling anyone—they’re just advertising neglect.
Broken Garden Tools
Are broken rakes, worn-out shovels, and cracked watering cans leaning against your porch walls? Try to repair, replace, or remove them from public view because they give off an abandoned garden vibe. These tools make visitors think you’ve given up on yard maintenance.
Old BBQ Grills
An outdated or damaged BBQ grill is of no use. It starts rusting, which isn’t safe if you have pets or kids that might touch the grill and hurt themselves. When it starts to look like an archaeological find, retire it. A deteriorating grill also suggests abandoned summer plans.
The “Free” Sign On Items Nobody Wants
When nobody asks about your collection of 1980s magazines, mason jars, or that Japanese doll set for weeks, take the hint. Some items tend to lose their value even if you give them away for free. Before someone else points out, do what is needed.
Dusty Or Weather-Stained Pillows
Outdoor pillows and cushions need regular maintenance, or they quickly become cautionary tales. Looking at the stains and dirt, guests will naturally hesitate to sit anywhere close to them. It’s unhygienic and unsafe. So, commit to proper cleaning and upkeep, or skip the soft furnishings altogether.