The kitchen may be where family and guests tend to gather in the home, but the front porch welcomes visitors and makes a statement within the neighborhood. It also makes the first (and sometimes only) impression on passersby.

If a front porch is the face of the home, this front porch surely must express friendliness and hospitality with wide brick steps and rocking chairs that add to its appealing country style.

Whether your porch is a small entry area or a roomy wrap-around, you can create style, curb appeal and comfort in your home's welcome center. See the following front porch ideas for giving your home a friendly face.

Bright front doors are the perfect way to brighten up a neutral home.

Stand out from the rest of the homes on your block by painting your front door an unexpected shade. This pink Craftsman-style door stands in striking contrast to the dark red brick of the home, while the floor features a repeated stencil pattern.

Consider the style of your door when designing your front porch. French doors, for example, invite light into the home's entryway and add to the welcoming personality of a front porch.