5 Summer Porch Decor Ideas
5 Summer Porch Decor Ideas that will add a cozy feeling to your outdoor space, and make it function like an indoor space.
Welcome, once again, to my back porch…and a very special welcome to the first ever bHome Summer Open House! I’m sharing 5 summer porch decor ideas and then at the end, I’ll be linking to a few other talented bloggers who are posting their summer homes too. There are four of us today and the line-up for the rest of the week is incredible. I’ll be coming back every day to update the schedule so by the end of the week all the links will be here.
*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.
Opening our back porch signals the beginning of summer and gives me a new place to hang out. Working from home has a million perks, but I have to admit I get tired of being in the same place all the time. In the summer, unless it’s really hot, I can move my office out to the porch. It’s amazing what a change of scenery does for your attitude! I try to make this outdoor space function as an indoor room. Here’s how…
5 Summer Porch Decor Ideas
1.) Add a rug.
If your porch floor is less than lovely, a good way to make it go away is to add a rug. It should be an outdoor rug for sure because it will definitely get wet. My rugs are about three years old and still look great. I don’t worry about them getting wet because they dry out quickly. In the fall I roll them up and they live on my porch during the winter. A rug adds a great pop of color and makes an outdoor space cozy.
Click to shop the rugs! Oriental Weavers Caspian Outdoor Rug
2.) Comfortable seating.
If you plan to spend any time in your outdoor space, comfortable seating is pretty important. If you have hard chairs, a good way to make them more comfy is to add cushions. Even inexpensive plastic stacking chairs would be OK if you added a small cushion…and maybe an ottoman. It’s so nice to put your feet up and really relax. My wicker furniture borders on being classified as vintage. It’s the real deal and needs a coat of spray paint every few years. If you can find weather-proof furniture that’s in your budget, that’s definitely the way to go. One of these days I may splurge and get some myself!
3.) Add fabric.
If it’s possible, adding fabric to an outdoor space definitely ups the cozy factor. Even if it’s just a few pillows it will make a difference. My porch has only screens so I opted for simple white valances made from washable cotton duck. I sewed ribbon tabs on them and they hang from hooks. It’s an easy alternative to curtain rods. One thing I’ve learned about using fabric outdoors is that it does fade over time. Synthetic outdoor fabric is a great option and it is pretty much weather-proof.
4.) Lighting
One of my favorite times to be on our porch is in the evening. I turn on the lamp and as daylight vanishes, the porch remains lit and snug. If your porch is open with no outlets, solar lighting is a good option. One thing I would also recommend, if possible, is a ceiling fan. In the evening, when even the hottest summer day cools down, a fan makes it possible to still enjoy the porch…especially if there isn’t any breeze.
5.) Fresh flowers and accessories.
Fresh flowers and accessories are the finishing touch and will make your outdoor room feel complete. Keep it simple or not…but even just a jar of fresh flowers makes the space feel special. Just recently I made a container water fountain for our porch and I have loved hearing the sound of water. The vintage garden gate is from my daughter’s yard and you can read the story of how it ended up on our porch HERE.
I checked sources for the fabrics I used but they are no longer available. Here, one more time, is the link for the rugs.
Click to shop the rugs! Oriental Weavers Caspian Outdoor Rug
For a bit more information on layering a room click HERE.
 Thank you for stopping by…I am honored that you chose to spend some time with me today.