Outdoor Living Space Makeover: Tips for Front and Back Porch Decor

When summer rolls around, it can be so relaxing to sit outside in the evening, watch the sunset, read a book, or relax with your family. Spending more time outdoors presents the perfect opportunity to update your outdoor living space, so we asked our national interior design team for their best tips on how to decorate your porches for summer. Their advice did not disappoint when they started with this humorous analogy we knew we were in store for some great information: “Porches are the mullet of your home – they should be business in front and party in the back”.

Whether you have a front porch, back porch, or both, you may want to change it up with the seasons. After giving it a quick clean to remove the dirt and dust, let our design team of experts give you the best tips on how to decorate your porches for summer. 

How to Make the Front Porch More Welcoming

The front porch sets the tone for your interior to welcome your guests into your home. You want it to be clean and welcoming. After using a pressure washer to clean things up, think about painting the front door. Lights and plants can also help brighten up the space by adding a wreath or sign to the front door along with a welcome mat. If you have room, adding seating and flowers is a nice touch. It can make the space not just welcoming but functional since this would be a great spot for your morning coffee. Matching your front porch to the feel of your entire home can be cohesive. For instance, giving it a farmhouse or tropical oasis vibe with outdoor materials such as wood, metal, or stone accents.

For those who really love to entertain, you could have a TV outdoors or a projector screen for outdoor movie nights. It can be fun to blow up air mattresses and have tons of blankets to cozy up and watch a movie or use the outdoor furniture you already have. Hammocks are another way to relax and watch a movie or read a book in the gorgeous weather. 

If you’re looking to maximize your space with furniture, outdoor sectionals are a great idea. Dining tables that can be moved to create different seating styles can help accommodate different types of get-togethers. Glass top tables are great for helping to allow your space to feel even bigger than it is. Accent rugs can also help create different zones from eating areas to places for conversation. 

Don’t forget to have storage. A shed or storage cabinet can keep your pillows, rugs, and other items away from the elements and stored away completely for the winter. 

Do you have a front and/or back porch area? What kind of entertaining outdoors do you love to do?