8 Great Porch Ideas For Your Home

A porch is a great outdoor space that can be used for many things. In this article, we'll discuss porch ideas for your home to make the most of this space.

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1. Create a monochromatic, white porch…

White is a classic color for a reason! A white porch looks clean, crisp, and inviting. To create this look, consider adding white furniture or white accent pieces, like planters on the ground, or throw pillows on the furniture. Keep in mind that white looks best when it contrasted with dark. If your house or patio furniture is dark, you can make everything else in the patio white. A clean, white look is great for a porch.

2. …Or a colored porch!

Although a white porch is great, the same idea works the other way around. If your house is white, having a dark porch will look beautiful since it is a strong contrast. For example, if your house is white, consider using dark furniture, accents, or a dark mailbox. If you want to get more creative, you can use various shades of the same color, since they will match with white. Just as a white porch looks good with a dark house, a dark porch looks good with a lighter house.

3. Add plants

Whether your porch is light or dark, plants are always a good idea. You can line your porch with a series of small shrubs, or with taller plants, if you want more privacy. With smaller plants, you can plant them in some cute planters to match your porch's theme. I would recommend choosing plants that are local to your area. For example, on the coast, you can line the sides of your house with palm trees. In the southwest, you can use plants that do better in a dry climate, like cacti. As you add plants, add some colorful flowers, too. Flowers are another great way to add color to your porch. Bonus points if your flowers and planters match your porch's color scheme!

4. Add some seating areas

When the weather is nice outside, the porch is the perfect place to sit down with someone and have a deep conversation. Make your porch conducive to this by adding a seating area to your porch! You can use something as simple as a few rocking chairs or beach chairs that match your color scheme. If you want to do something more dramatic, you can add a whole outdoor furniture set that includes chairs (or even a couch) and a table. This is useful if you want to eat outside frequently. Clearly, adding seating areas to your porch will make it more useable.

5. Update the lighting

External lighting is an important part of a home. The porch is no exception. On the contrary, it might just be the MOST important! One of the easiest ways to upgrade your porch is to upgrade the lighting. You should choose a lighting fixture that matches the theme of your porch. You could choose a smaller fixture, or a longer pendant one. (When you install a new lighting fixture, be sure to consult a professional; you don't want to be electrocuted and you want to use the correct lightbulb!). Updating your porch's lighting fixtures is an easy way to improve your porch.

6. Add a swing

Continuing off the "seating area" theme, you should also consider adding a swing to your porch. After all, swings are fun no matter how old you are! Again, a swing is a great place to have deep conversations with someone or to enjoy a sunset alone. You can choose one that is cohesive with your porch's theme. In addition to a full seating area, you should consider adding a swing to your porch. You will greatly enjoy it!

7. Screen it in

If you live in a place where mosquitoes and other bugs are prominent, you should consider screening in your porch. When your porch is screened in, you can go out and enjoy it without fear of being bitten by bugs. Additionally, a screen will make it easier for you to eat on your porch since bugs will not be swarming your food. You will be able to spend more time enjoying your porch if you screen it in.

8. Take advantage of the wraparound, if your porch has it

Some porches are a "wraparound" porch. These porches are called "wraparound" because they wrap around the sides of the house, sometimes even reaching the back of the house. If you have this type of porch, take advantage of it! You can use these suggestions for the side of your porch, too. For example, the sides of your porch are a great place for plants and lighting. If you are lucky enough to have a wraparound porch, use it!

In conclusion, if you follow these tips, your porch will be much more aesthetically pleasing, but also more comfortable.

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