Did you know that you have a real space in your home where time doesn’t exist? It’s not the closet that leads to Narnia, it’s your porch. You sit down for five minutes and suddenly two hours have passed without you even noticing. A quick coffee turns into a phone call, a book turns into a nap, and a conversation ends up in watching the sunset. The best porches aren’t the biggest or the flashiest – they’re the ones that feel personal and pull you outside again and again. So if your porch has been collecting dust, these design tricks are here to change that – because your porch deserves better than a single chair and a sad doormat.
Start With the Proper Seating
If the porch isn’t comfortable, nobody’s staying, including you. It’s that simple. You need a proper seating area to make it more inviting, so treat your porch as your living room and decorate it to your liking. Start with the basics, like a porch swing, a hanging chair, and a low-slung L-shaped sofa with deep cushions so that every guest or family member has a comfortable place to stay. You don’t need to aim for the picture-perfect Pinterest look; in fact, the more you mix and match things, the better, and you can bring some variation by combining both modern seatings and vintage finds.
Keep a Throw (or Five) Within Reach
A porch without a throw is unimaginable, and since there’s nothing charming about freezing in your hanging chair once the sun goes down, make sure to always keep one on hand. Throws, especially one with texture, are also excellent for making your porch seem like it was thoughtfully designed by a professional. Wool Irish throws are the absolute best for this, since they feel good against the skin and they have stunning Aran stitches that instantly transform your porch into something straight out of home design magazine. They come in all sorts of colors and patterns, and on https://www.gaelsong.com/prod_detail_list/celtic-tapestry you can find both long, decorative Irish throws and chunky king-size blankets. Some of these Aran throws are even machine washable – despite being made of 100% merino wool – so you won’t have to worry about taking them to a dry cleaner every time your kid decides you snuggle in a cozy blanket after running through a puddle.
Always Add Rugs
No matter how much you love walking barefoot, the floorboards can feel cold even in August. Rugs are an absolute must for any porch, not only to keep you warm, but also to make your porch seem more put together visually. You can use an old inside rug if it’s in good condition and you won’t feel bad for messing it up with dirt, but we highly suggest investing in an outdoor one instead. These rugs are practically bulletproof, so you won’t have to worry about spilled coffee, a sudden rainstorm, or your muddy dog ruining it – one powerwash and it looks brand new. Plus, if your porch is on the smaller side, this trick actually makes it feel bigger by creating a clear visual zone.
Use Curtains
People often forget that curtains are just as essential for outdoors as they are inside the house. They can shield you from the sun, come in handy to protect your furniture in case of rain, but also completely change the vibe of your porch. If you prefer an open space, go for it, but if you’d like your porch to give you a bit more privacy against noisy neighbors, curtains are your best solution. Start by adding a few white panels, then you can experiment with burlap or heavier canvas to transform the porch into its own little room with walls that move in the breeze.
Bring Some Greenery
Just because your porch is already outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t make it even more connected to nature. If you live on a busy street with nothing but concrete in sight, the right greenery will help you make the place more welcoming without looking like it’s replicating the botanical garden. Herbs are a great way to start, so if you’ve always wanted a little garden but never had the space for it, planting a few aromatics in clay pots is a great way to make your porch smell amazing and look fresh. For smaller spaces, hanging plants and vertical gardens are the best to make everything feel lush without taking up too much of your limited room. Also, skip any plant that’s too high-maintenance, as those are often too fussy to survive outdoors.
