Summer Porch Ideas

The size of your porch, and if it’s covered or a screened-in porch, determines how you’ll use and furnish it. From folding chairs for small balconies to roomy sectionals on a grand wrap-around porch, you’ll find plenty of furniture options to suit virtually any size porch.

Take a moment to measure your outdoor space and see if these furniture pieces will fit:

• Outdoor bench: Use to fill in the blanks on a small porch or balcony. Place it by the front door or outside a sliding glass door.
• Outdoor sofa and loveseat: Choose one or both for relaxing with family and friends.
• Outdoor sectional: The ultimate piece for entertaining and napping.
• Outdoor chairs: Grab a book or glass of iced tea and have a seat.
• Outdoor rocking chairs: Line the porch with as many as it will hold and rock all your cares of the day away.
• Outdoor accent tables: Form and function make these chair-side companions a front porch must.
• Garden stools: Serve as side tables, especially in a small space.
• Porch swing: Lazy days are even better when swinging and relaxing on a swing. A plush swing cushion makes being on it even better.
• Outdoor dining set: A fun destination for brunch, pizza and playing cards.

Because porches are usually one empty area, it’s important to define the space with places where you’ll relax. Outdoor rugs and door mats can help you distinguish an area for seating or greeting. As the season shifts into summer, replace the floor coverings to freshen your outdoor porch’s look. A neutral color rug opens the area up and makes it appear larger. While a brightly colored rug provides a cheerful greeting for passersby.

Tip: Layering a small area rug with a door mat makes the front door entry feel two-dimensional and more intriguing.

Potted greenery, annuals and colorful hanging plants are natural ways to bring color to your front porch. The amount of sunlight the porch receives, and your growing zone, will factor into what plants work best. Artificial plants are a great, low maintenance solution for those who take long summer vacations, have second homes or live in arid regions. If you have the space, window boxes underneath windows or hanging off a porch railing add more lush layers to the look.

Tip: Spruce up a wall with panels of artificial greenery.

Summer is the time for your front porch to shine, and adding layers of porch decor enhance its leading role. Whether you want the porch to turn heads or be totally private, these tips will help.

• Frame the front door with a beautifully decorated wreath.
• Greet guests with a porch sign.
• Toss colorful pillows on every seat.
• Drape throws across seat backs, or roll the throws up and toss in baskets sitting nearby.
• If the porch allows it, hang all-weather curtains to create a sense of privacy.
• Stage lanterns on the steps and around the perimeter to help guests safely navigate their way around the porch.
• Use bird feeders to welcome feathered friends.
• String patio lights across the porch ceiling.

Tip: Use battery-operated LED candles inside your lanterns and program them to turn on at dusk.

If your home is wired for it, installing an outdoor ceiling fan can help make the porch a more comfortable spot to cool off in the heat. It’s important to note indoor ceiling fans are not for use outdoors, even on a covered patio or screen porch. Look for wet-rated ceiling fans that stand up to salty ocean spray, rain, wind and snow.

Tip: Damp-rated ceiling fans are made for enclosed porches and moisture-rich indoor areas. These designs can withstand air moisture, dew and mist, but should not come in direct contact with rain, sleet or snow.

It’s amazing what a gallon of paint can do to revive the curb appeal of your home. Paint the front door a bold color that coordinates with the rest of your color palette. If the front door is stained and faded, freshen it up by sanding and re-staining it.

Tip: Always check with your neighborhood association (HOA) for approved colors.