My Top Rules for Perfect Porches

FRAME THE VIEW

Don’t be too matchy-matchy.

Break up sets with vintage finds and flea market items.
See how one little vintage footstool and a couple of quirky lights break up the matched set of furniture, below? And a couple of roughed-up vintage tables, next image down?

Too matchy-matchy, below:

Propped up Vintage shutters can add interest and depth to a plain long wall:

Keep CLEAN colors together

and MUTED colors together

See what happens when you mix clean [the pillows] with muted [the fireplace stone]? The effect is not as visually pleasing or harmonious.

So, don’t mix “Clean” (the red pillows) with “Muted”(everything else)

If you wish to use humorous or cliché phrases, do so with a little subtlety, like this:

 

Use plants to help carry out your color scheme

(you do have a color scheme, right?)

Use pretty colors as a vignette if space allows, even if no one ever sits there. It can just “BE” pretty.

Respect the architecture of the home when furnishing and styling the porch:

Don’t forget to use plants on your porch! (Look at this no-plant porch. Did you realize what was wrong?)

USE UNDERSTATED OR SOLID UPHOLSTERY FABRIC which can be more easily jazzed up with toss pillows:

Too much graphic upholstery doesn’t work. It looks dated:

Do give a nod to the topographical area of your porch, but don’t go overboard.

These two porches, below, hit the right note of “beach”, without giving in to too many clichés:

AND, IN THE HILL COUNTRY, how is this for rustic perfection? 

 

COMFORT MATTERS

IF YOU WANT YOUR PORCH TO BE USED, you must have comfortable (deep seating) furniture.
Which lovely porch  would you rather sit in for a while?

OR THIS?

 

WHITE IS NOT A NEUTRAL

WHITE PERFECTION:

GO FORMAL IF YOU WISH. 

DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE NOT-OUTDOOR-ONLY THINGS IN A COVERED AREA. But, use only outdoor-approved electrical items on your covered porch.

PAINT THE PORCH CEILING BLUE OR UNIFYING A COLOR.

ADD SPEAKERS FROM YOUR SOUND SYSTEM OR A TELEVISION TO ADD LIVELINESS.