One of the things that signals the arrival of summer around here is opening my back porch. It is truly an outdoor room and consists of screens, a cement floor and a hinged screen door that slams when you go in or out. It’s a long and narrow room…and the honest truth is that it doesn’t have much going for it. Over the years, I have collected wicker furniture and accessories to make this space live like an indoor room. Anyone can take these DIY Porch Decor Ideas and do the same. This year I’m a little late, but the porch is open!
There were not big changes or improvements this year. After a good cleaning, I was able to put the room together in about an hour. I store the cushions and accessories in big bins in my garage. After several trips back and forth, from the garage to the porch, it was feeling like home.
The vintage wicker sofa was a Craigslist find. I recovered the cushions with a vintage matelasse quilt. The chairs are part of a set my family gave me the first year we lived here…25 years ago. I found the striped pillows at TJ Maxx and there was no way I could resist them. The furniture arrangement is a bit different from last year so the room feels fresh. Just moving one or two pieces can give a room a completely different feel.
Click to see last year’s porch: 5 Summer Porch Decor Ideas
Of course having the peonies in bloom helps up the freshness factor tremendously! I always try to have garden flowers on the porch because they really do make any room feel welcoming. I’m the only one who uses this room, so taking the time to cut some flowers is a little present I give myself.
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Shop for the rug: Oriental Weavers Caspian Blue Rug
The dresser belonged to my Grandmother and lived on her back porch. Her back porch was more of a walk-through. There were hooks to hang coats, shelves for storage and this dresser. It was painted brown and held nails, screws, rubberbands, old tools and all sorts of other wonderful stuff. When she passed away, no one wanted it so I brought it home. It moved around our house until a few years ago when I decided to paint it white and use it on the porch. Somehow it seemed appropriate that the dresser moved from her porch to mine.
The old garden gate has a very special story behind it. I brought it home from my daughter’s house and it is one of my favorite things. Ever.
Click to read the story: Vintage Garden Gate
I made a “Summer” banner from my Floral Alphabet Printables. I think it looks perfect on the garden gate…after all, this room is at its best in the summer.
Click to learn more: Floral Alphabet Printables
When I shared my Coffee Table Succulent Garden I mentioned that I hoped to use it on the back porch. I switched from a wood tray to a weather-proof metal tray (from IKEA) and I think it’s perfect. I can easily move it out to the deck when it needs some sun.
Helpful links:
Fabric for chair cushions and footstool: Solarium Rydell Summer
Green fabric on pillow covers: Solarium Mojo Kiwi
Green paint on table: Rust-Oleum Fern
Container Water Fountain Tutorial
Rug: Oriental Weavers Caspian Blue Rug
Now it’s time for some DIY Tips and Tricks from my Farmhouse friends!
