6 Key Elements to Designing a Beautiful Porch

Generations ago, the front porch became the ‘living room’ of the home.  It was the social spot to converse with neighbors and watch kids as they played outside.  The front porch was also a symbol of relaxation and taking time to enjoy life as it went by your home.  As houses evolved families begun taking their activities indoors, electronics replaced playing outdoors and the porch moved to the rear of the home in modern architecture. Today, everyone is trying to bring back the elements of a great porch, and here are some key elements to include.

1.) Evaluate how much space you have: Some porches have an entrance path going through it, while others are set off to the side of the entry to allow for ample seating and conversation area.  Determine this first to ensure you will accurately design and layout your porch.

2.) Choose your activities: Depending on the amount of space you have your options for activities could be sitting, dining, and area for kids playing and possibly a corner porch daybed! Choose your activities by your lifestyle and the climate in which you live.  If harsh winters are common, permanent and expensive patio furniture may not get enough use to make the investment. Opt for more versatile furniture that can be moved and stored in a garage throughout this season.

3.) Choose seating to fit your wallet: Let’s face it; we all don’t live in an expensive outdoor furniture magazine! This doesn’t mean that your porch should be any less gorgeous to look at, as well as relax in.  Consider buying furniture in the fall, when the summer season is coming to a close and stores are trying to make way for holiday merchandise. Check garage sales, online classified sites, and thrift stores, they may surprise you!

4.) Porches feel better with added flooring material: When choosing flooring materials consider how much overhang you have on your porch.  If your porch isn’t covered consider using a porous area rug in the seating area.  Remove the rug and let air dry when not in use to prevent mildew. For covered porches, consider using jute, or seagrass rugs to bring color and texture into this normally dull and sterile space.

5.) Add greenery and live plants: Subconsciously humans enjoy porches because you can enjoy the outdoors, without having to be overly immersed in the outdoors!  Consider adding hanging basket plants, urns filled with flowers, and planters filled with plants leading to your porch. Part of the experience is the view from the street and sidewalk, so stand back and look at your porch from this vantage point as well.

6.) Personalize your front porch : Your front porch should feel like an extension of your home interiors.  There are no formal rules, so go for it. Hang hammocks, porch swings or daybeds to have a place to take a nap and relax.  Use decorative wall hangings, throw pillows and outdoor baskets to store porch activities in.  Remember, you are outside so ensure materials like metals, and fabrics are able to rust, and absorb moisture.  Bring out decorative items when having over guests, or while enjoying your great porch.  The porch can always change decor, depending on your mood!

Enjoy bringing back the front porch to your home.  Many of these tips can be used for apartment balconies, and high rise terraces.  Wherever you feel relaxed to enjoy life and nature going by – there is your great ‘porch’!

Freshome reader’s what makes your porch so wonderful to relax on? Share some of your secrets!