Home Rooms Porch
Nick GerhardtUpdated: Oct. 24, 2023
Give your outdoor entry space some wow factor with these amazing porch decor tips.
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Use All Available Space
These homeowners could have stopped with the perennials and annuals in front of the porch. But by adding hanging planters, they effectively use more space. This also helps connect the house and garden visually. And, of course, it adds more ambiance for those seated on the porch itself.Check out our small-space landscaping ideas.
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Have a Seat
Even if you never use it, a chair or bench by an entryway has a psychological benefit. It says, “Welcome! Why don’t you sit a spell?” Go ahead and hide the chair in the photo with your thumb and see if the scene doesn’t immediately seem less inviting. That’s what seating does for curb appeal. If you want some more inspiration to help you liven up your home entrance, then theseentryway plants are perfect.
Plus: Check out our favorite front door decor ideas you can DIY.
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Set Out Plants
A little greenery goes a long way. Whether you pick up a few young seedlings at the nursery or fill hanging planters with cascading flowers, porch plants can change the whole feel of the space. Rather than putting potted plants directly on the porch floor, place them on risers so air can circulate below the pot, reducing the risk of rot to your flooring.
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Accessorize
The best porches look like an extension of the indoor living spaces. To achieve a comfortable, homey look, set out a few accessories to liven up your outdoor space. Colorful pillows and cushions pack a big punch—look for high-performance indoor/outdoor material like Sunbrella. Layer on candles, lanterns, wreaths and seasonal décor for an extra boost of personality.
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Family Handyman
Latticework Porch Trellis
This trellis is an elegant way to get a degree of privacy for a porch, deck or even a patio. It’s also a great place to grow climbing plants. This trellis offers a unique design that allows you to adapt it to fit a variety of sites. And materials for it cost less than $100. We’ll show you everything you need to build it.
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DIY Porch Swing
There's no shortage of porch swings available for purchase, but you can have the satisfaction of a job well done if you decide to DIY it instead. We've designed a classic two-seater made of poplar to be simple enough for a first-time woodworking project. The swing is made up of simple cuts and easy glue-and-screw assembly techniques. You'll need a table saw, circular saw, drill/driver with bits, jigsaw, tape measure, square, power sander, hacksaw and an adjustable wrench.
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Clever Console
Now here's a porch swing design worth its weight in gold. A console holds two drinks in the middle of the seat, leaving plenty of room for two people. When not in use, it can be flipped up and out of the way. The swing, handmade by Amish woodworkers, has a rolled seat bottom and backrest top for comfort and is available for $249.99. Check out these 10 clever ways to foil any potential porch pirates.
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Photo courtesy of Bellacor
Bright Colors
The cheery green finish of this porch swing will pop against more muted house colors. Made of acacia wood, it can fit two adults and has a curved back for optimal comfort. Scope out these backyard swings that will make for a relaxing time as well.
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Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Day Bed
When it comes to this porch swing, comfortable is an understatement. This day bed-style swing comes with a 5-3/4-in.-thick mattress, three square back pillows and two bolster pillows. It's made of whitewashed eucalyptus for moisture and insect resistance. The only problem? Finding the extra time in your schedule for afternoon naps. Find another special getaway with one of these incredible treehouses.
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Intricate Ironwork
This porch swing features a radial design on the backrest and a pretty bronze finish. It's made from solid iron and features rust protection. If you're worried about rust, then check out these tips on how to remove rust from metal.
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Cedar Stain
This beautiful porch swing model features elegant woodworking detailing and built-in cup holders, perfect for holding a cup of lemonade. It's made of pressure-treated-pine, but finished in a cedar-colored stain that provides UV protection and makes it look pricier than it really is. It comes in two sizes, 4 or 5 ft. long, to fit various porch sizes. Check out these pro tips when it comes to staining wood.
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Beachy Vibe
This coastal-inspired porch swing looks like a hammock, with all the function of a two-seat swing. The woven rope seat is perfect for beach houses or to infuse a nautical vibe. The body is made of HDPE lumber that doesn't splinter, fade or rot. Available in other colors. Speaking of beaches, a beach doesn't get much better unless you own it yourself, like one of these incredible islands you can buy.
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Family Handyman
Screened-in Porch
You can add a spacious, airy outdoor porch to your home. We’ll show you everything you need to complete the project yourself, including how to frame the porch, attach it to your house and all of the finishing details. Sure, it’ll take a lot of time and work, but once it’s done, you can beat the bugs and spend more time outdoors during the summer.
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Tropical Lanai
This second-story lanai allows for a different type of vantage point than your typical ground-level view. An exposed-beam ceiling, cypress columns an of course, a swinging day bed make for a dreamy space in which to chill out.
Photo: Courtesy of Grand Floridian Builders
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Treehouse Screen Porch
The architects behind this unique design sought to create a more intimate connection with nature. To do so, they introduced natural materials and organic, rounded shapes. Much like the tropical lanai, this treehouse screen porch is situated high in the sky, with a view of the surrounding forest.Get inspired to make a treehouse of your own with these 50 DIY treehouses made from reclaimed materials.
Photo: Courtesy of Omar Salinas, HiTech Photo, Inc.
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Modern Lake House Screened Porch
When there’s a beautiful view right outside your home, it would be an injustice not to invite it in. The design of this home takes advantage of southern lake views and solar exposure. The result is a sunny, warm and serene space, including the screened porch that’s equal parts modern as much as it is rustic.Getting inspired? Here’s how to build a screened in patio.
Photo: Courtesy of Susan Teare
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Cedar Porch
This slightly more urban home takes advantage of the backyard trees by creating a cedar wood screened porch that allows you to feel a little touch of outdoor paradise while still protected from the elements.Here’s how to build an outdoor living room so you can enjoy the outside from inside too.
Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Webster Photography
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Domed Lakehouse Room
This lake house room makes for one sweet space to chill out with the massive domed ceiling overhead. The natural materials make for a very comfortable area, while the windows bring the outside in.If you love remote nature homes, check out these 16 amazing cabins.
Photo: Courtesy of Northcape Design Build
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Over-water Porch
Located in La Parguera, Puerto Rico, you can actually rent this home that’s situated over the water. The wooden structure, that can accommodate eight people, features a brilliant view of the water from the porch. The massive back porch is covered, allowing you to shade yourself from the sun while still taking in the stunning water all around you.
Photo: Courtesy of VRBO
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Indoor Pool Room
This gorgeous estate, situated in Cantabria—an autonomous region on Spain’s north coast— s done in classic Mediterranean style with a very castle-like feel. Among the best features is surely the indoor pool room that offers incredible natural light to make it feel like it’s outside, but without the elements to get in the way.If you think castles are dreamy, check out these 50 extremely remote castles.
Photo: Courtesy of Estudio Zugazarte
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Rustic Family Room
This Big Sky, Montana log cabin mansion has one inviting rustic family room that brings the mountains in.If you don’t live in the mountains but would like a backyard stream that looks like you do, check out this one-weekend, low-maintenance fountain.
Photo: Courtesy of LOHSS Construction
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French Country Greenhouse Room
This remote home tucked in the woods offers a room perfect for the plant lover. An ode to a typical greenhouse, you can get your hands a little dirty even on a rainy day.If you love this look, here’s how to build a mini greenhouse with an old window.
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Poolside Lanai
Swimming pools contained with a lanai are particularly popular in Florida. Not only does the design permit some privacy, but also protects the pool, patio furnishings and toys.Check out these amazing backyard swimming pools.
Photo: Courtesy of E.W. Tarca Construction
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Enclosed Patio
An enclosed patio lets you use the space even on rainy days. Turn your backyard into a space as comfortable as any other room in your home by building a screened in patio.
Photo: Courtesy of Dayton Deck Builder
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Collapsible Furniture
Nothing screams small patio designs like collapsible furniture. A foldable table is the ideal way to save space.
You can even grill on your small patio with this fold-up grill table.
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MR.TEERASAK KHEMNGERN/Shutterstock
Potted Plants on Wall
If you want to surround yourself with plants while you read a book on your patio but don’t have the floor space for the pots, grow vertically! The sky is the limit, literally. Simply fasten some potted plants to a wall or fence.
Make your wall colorful! Check out these 14 inspiring DIY flower walls.
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Vertical Garden Privacy Screen
Just because your patio or porch hugs the neighbor’s house or looks out onto the street doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of privacy. Simply decorate a privacy screen with vines or lush plants.
Also check out how to build your own patio privacy screen.
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Table Terrarium
If the only thing your small patio designs really have room for is a table and chairs, but you want some greenery, simply combine your needs with a terrarium coffee table. Martha Stewart has a great DIY project for you to follow.
Check out these 12 tips for making a DIY terrarium.
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Convertible Bench
It’s a bench, a 2-seat bench, a table, a love seat and even a chair with an end table, all in one piece of furniture! That’s an efficient use of space.
If you prefer a classic garden bench, here’s how to build one.
Originally Published: November 01, 2018
