One of the most noticeable features of a home's exterior is the front porch. Whether it's a small concrete landing and stairs welcoming people to your door, or a wrap-around patio with room for seating, the porch is an important design element.

Find concrete contractors near me

To make a great first impression, see these concrete porch ideas for dressing up new or existing surfaces.

Elite Crete Corporation in Valparaiso, IN.

1. Unify your porch and steps with stamped concrete

A stamped concrete porch with matching steps make a dynamic duo. Using the same color and pattern for both unifies the look and creates a seamless transition to your front door.

See more ideas for a stamped concrete porch.

2. Give a plain porch a decorative facelift

If you have a plain concrete porch that's in good condition but has no curb appeal, an easy solution is to freshen it up with a decorative overlay. This formerly drab porch was given a thin overlay with a diamond pattern enhanced by stain and dark grout lines. Learn more about this home improvement project and see before and after photos.

Capstone Concrete in San Diego, CA

3. Engrave it to look like natural stone

This plain-gray concrete porch and sidewalk was completely transformed by engraving and acid staining. The stone pattern and reddish-brown stain now complement the brickwork of the home's exterior. Read more about this porch makeover.

Artisticrete, LLC in Noblesville, IN.

4. Mimic brick with stamping or stenciling

It's easy to give your concrete porch the look of traditional hand-laid brick, and often at a lower cost and with less effort. For newly placed concrete, you can imprint the brick pattern with a stamp (learn more about stamped concrete). Or you can cover existing concrete with an overlay and use stencils for the brick pattern (see the step-by-step process). With either method, you can choose whatever color you want for the brick and grout lines.

Allstate Decorative Concrete in Cokato, MN

5. Do a wood plank fake-out

You can also find stamps with wood plank patterns to give your concrete the realistic look of wood without the maintenance headaches of periodic staining and sealing. The plank pattern from this porch extends down the sidewalk, and then forms a border for a large driveway to tie the landscaping into a harmonious whole. See more photos of this project.

Unique Concrete in West Milford, NJ.

6. Start over with a new porch design

This porch and adjoining patio was previously covered with old tiles that were starting to delaminate and spall. Resurfacing it with a layer of unbonded, reinforced concrete and then stamping it with a random stone and tile pattern restored the structural integrity and curb appeal. See more before and after photos.

What about concrete painting for my porch?

Painting may be an affordable and fast fix for your concrete porch floor, but you aren't likely to be happy with the results long term. Concrete paint is notorious for peeling, bubbling and wearing away.

Want more porch ideas?

Check out these photo galleries:
Steps & Stairs
Concrete Entryways