Hello, summer sunshine! Is there a better place to relish the season of warm days and cold drinks than on your porch? We think not. Here we share seven easy ways to refresh your porch for the summer. All of them are simple ideas to decorate your space, large or small, so that you (and your friends and family!) are sure to enjoy it for months to come.
Whether yours is a front porch overlooking your yard or a screened-in version with a view of the garden, you’re sure to find inspiration to freshen up your furniture and the overall look for your outdoor space in the ideas below. You know you’ll want to slow down and sit a spell outdoors with a good book or a good friend this summer as many days and nights as you can, so why not put a little something extra into how you style the best place to do so?
Add Pops of Vibrant Color
Nothing says “summer” like fun pops of color, and perhaps the easiest porch upgrade for the season is adding some vibrant hues through throw pillows and/or a rug. On this screened-in porch in Texas, designer Meredith Ellis livened up a wicker sofa and log settee with patterned fabric and a striped rug, all in a perfect-for-summer red, white, and blue color scheme.
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Incorporate Seasonal Textures and Textiles
Whatever you add to your porch for the summer, think seasonally when it comes to textures and textiles. What colors and patterns make you think of sunny, warm weather? On this California porch, graphic orange and blue upholstery (including a quilt that covers the swing cushion!) plus a textured woven rug and wicker chair certainly fit the bill.
RELATED: See More of This Coastal California Cottage Packed with Patina
Set Out Plants, Plants, and More Plants
It might seem obvious, but lushly filled planters in all shapes, sizes, and materials bring happy, summery greenery to any porch. Can you really ever have too many? At this lake house, rustic enamel buckets also make for planters with laid-back charm. When deciding what to plant, consider heat-loving plants that will thrive no matter how hot it gets, or perhaps a set of herbs to fuel salads, pestos, and more in your kitchen.
RELATED: Our Hall-of-Fame Decorating Ideas for a Laid-Back Lake House
Refresh the Paint Color on Your Floors
Color isn’t just for the textiles on your porch. Don’t forget about the floors, be they wood or concrete! A fun paint color below can add just the summery refresh you are looking to give your porch, like you see with the happy green (Cypress Vine by Behr) on this porch of a Missouri lake cabin. You can keep it simple with a single color or mix it up with a checkered or other dynamic pattern.
RELATED: Love the Look of a Painted Floor? Here’s Our Expert Guide to Painting Floors
Create a Pretty Wreath for Your Door
Add texture and the best kind of color to the front door on your porch with a wreath or bucket made of fresh blooms. Here, a wooden bucket is filled with a mix of summer flowers arranged in a piece of damp floral foam, and you can choose any array of blooms from your yard (perhaps sunflowers or hydrangeas?) or a flower shop that you refresh weekly. Or for a lower-maintenance pop of pretty, use faux blooms or shop for a summery wreath that can last all season long.
RELATED: 21 More DIY Summer Wreath Ideas That Instantly Dress Up Your Door
Set Up a Party-Perfect Spot
A porch in summertime begs for more than just a place to sit for a spell. Why not set up a drinks bar on an antique table for festive refreshments? The table can hang out there all summer, and you can just stock the bar when you have guests coming over. Set out drink stirrers, a flower arrangement or potted plant, and American flags to round out the look.
RELATED: The Prettiest Red, White, and Blue Porch Decorating Ideas for Summer
Set the Mood with String Lights
In the heat of the summer, porch temps are often coolest after the sun sets, so make sure you hang string lights from the ceiling, along with setting out other ambient lighting (lanterns or candles, perhaps?) to keep your porch lit with happy twinkles. Speaking of warm-weather temperatures, adding curtains made of indoor/outdoor fabric can help shield the sun during the day to create a shady spot you can better enjoy when it’s bright out.
RELATED: The Best Ways to Hang Your Backyard String Lights
