• Decorate your porch stairs with seasonal plants.front porch image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com
  
  Porch stairs are one of the first parts of a house that visitors see, and there are many ways to decorate them that don't require a lot of time and effort. Aside from the aesthetic value, you should also consider the durability and quality of the porch stairs when building them. They should be strong enough to hold several adults and able to withstand harsh weather conditions.
  
  

Structure and Material

• Porch stairs can be simple structures only three stairs high. For a more complex look, porch stairs can be built in an appealing curved design. This can also be done to widen a porch entrance; simply build porch stairs that spread outwards.
  
  The structure you want to achieve may dictate the material you use and vice versa. For instance, if you want curved stairs on your porch, concrete is a good material choice because it can be molded into whatever shape and measurement is desired. On the other hand, use wood for traditional-looking stairs.
  
  

Design and Decorations

• Beautify your porch stairs according to season. This makes a house look more lively and dynamic. For instance, during Christmas, add Christmas lights on the railings. During spring, place potted plants on the stairs. In the fall, place artificial autumn leaves if there are no trees close enough to decorate the stairs naturally. For the summer, go for a clean and freshly-painted porch.
  
  If you’re not one to periodically redecorate, consider adding details that stay relevant and beautiful all year long. Start with the paint or stain of the stairs, and choose a color which complement the colors of the house. If you like flowers but don’t want the hassle of keeping them alive, place artificial potted plants on the stairs instead of real ones.
  
  

Upkeep and Safety

• For porch stairs to appear beautiful all the time, clean them regularly by sweeping or hosing them off. Your porch stairs welcome every person that enters the house, and they should be well-kept to avoid a run-down appearance.
  
  To ensure safety, install anti-slip strips on the stairs and make sure the light on the front porch is functioning. Get a decorative light fixture that complements the look of your porch stairs. When choosing a light bulb, keep in mind that a soft white light can look much better than a harsh yellow one.