- 1). Measure the porch space, including the length, width and spacing of all railings. Sketch several plant arrangements for hanging baskets if hanging plants will be appropriate for the space. However, don't overpower the porch with too many baskets. Arrange to hang just four to six baskets across the front, for example. Refer to gardening magazines for climbing or hanging plants that will work in your particular climate.
- 2). Select materials for the hanging baskets. Buy pots in clay or wood, for example, for a more upscale look for the house. Keep in mind that natural materials look most appropriate with brick or stucco houses. Use plastic pots to hang plants on a side porch or back porch. Shop for pots that are large enough to allow for plenty of root growth. Buy extra potting soil to add to the new baskets and containers.
- 3). Create a design for the front door area. For example, buy a couple of large ceramic plants that will hold one evergreen tree each. Place these containers on each side of the front door. Create a topiary, which is a trimmed bush cut into a design, for each container if the house is extremely formal. These container plant styles work best on a porch with an open front and few railings.
- 4). Build shelves if the porch is informal. Construct shelves at one or both ends of the porch to hold a variety of plants. Use heavy containers, which may be weighed down with stones inside the soil, to keep the wind from shifting the plants. Make sure that you have the time to water and prune the amount of plants you purchase, since a grouping of plants will take a significant amount of time to maintain. Add shelves against the house's facade at a level no taller than the porch railings if many plants or types of plants will be incorporated into the design.
- 5). Add awnings or roll-down porch blinds that can be used in hot weather. Make sure that a porch in extreme sun or a hot climate uses shade to preserve its plants. However, don't use blinds on the front of the porch, unless it's a side porch or back porch. Keep the design work more formal for curbside porches, even if the house itself is not overly formal. Consider adding some lattice work along the railings for informal porches to shade plants.
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