Everything in this slideshow
-
Curtain Call
Simple curtain rods and outdoor-friendly drapes shield a section of a porch from too much sun or nosy neighbors.
- A glass-and-metal lantern offers a beam of light for the entry and porch.
- If a porch floor is wood, it can be stained or painted; either way, it will require periodic retouching or refinishing.
- Oversize cushions provide casual, flexible seating.
- An eclectic mix of furnishings maintains visual consistency by relying on similar colors, including rich browns and greens.
-
A Place to Unwind
Classic details dress up a roomy screened porch.
- Whether for show or for structure, columns offer an interesting detail inside a screened porch.
- Three layers of light — overhead, task, and accent — provide plenty of opportunities to set varying moods.
- An outdoor rug protects the floor and supplies a softer surface underfoot.
- On a porch, a ceiling fan increases ventilation during still, warm days.
- Accessories such as baskets — used to stash blankets and pillows — can eliminate the need for shelves or other storage.
-
A Dose of Sunshine
Details welcome visitors to this cheery front porch.
- Three rectangular pieces of lattice shield the porch from the side.
- Painted a pretty spring green, a trio of vases hung from the lattice supply a place to display an array of fresh flowers.
- Window boxes are often placed on the outside rail of a porch; here, they hang toward the inside to provide a pretty backdrop.
- To maintain a degree of material consistency, pieces of lattice frame the outside of the window boxes.
- Ordinary but interesting yard elements transform into art when hung in an interesting way. Here, a piece of iron fence dresses up a wall.
-
Porch Perfect
White finishes and furniture brightens a covered space.
- Typically used inside a home, a mirror on this porch provides a unique accent and bounces light around the space.
- Beaded board is a porch staple; here, the planks are painted a bright white to keep the porch from feeling dark.
- Ceiling fans come with or without lights; if you want to include a fan in your porch design, have an electrician install an on/off switch for more resourceful use.
- Even in a space that receives plenty of natural light, such as a porch, layers of light are still important. Here, spotlights offer overhead illumination while a portable lamp supplies task light.
- If a porch is mostly covered, as this one is, it’s still important to choose furniture and fabrics that can withstand outdoor conditions.
-
Fireplace Focus
A rustic feature warms this screened porch.
- A fireplace can extend the use of a porch; here, the dramatic design of this stone version gives the porch a focal point, too.
- If the railing to a porch is placed inside screens or porch openings, it shields the screen from holes and tears.
- Contrast draws the eye around a space; here, a ceiling stained a lighter tone stands apart from painted trim.
- To create a color scheme for a porch, start with one hue — here, a warm, rich brown on wood and floor — and add pops of color, such as the yellow cushions and bright striped throw pillows.
- Another idea to warm the floor of a porch? Consider including radiant heat under paving stones.
-
Contemporary Cool
Restrained tones and furnishings greet guests in this screened porch.
- If a porch is mostly shaded or secluded, consider a skylight to brighten a space.
- Since a porch is typically attached to a home, it’s important to maintain consistency in either paint or stain. This porch follows the warm gray palette used on the house.
- Subtle contrast adds visual interest to a porch, too; here, the stained wood floor adds warmth.
- Furnish a porch as with any other room — utilize pieces that work together and complement a home’s style. Here, the vibe is definitely minimalist and easygoing.
- A sturdy, outdoor-resilient rug underfoot can help to grab dirt from outside.
-
Roll Out the Welcome Mat
A wood porch welcomes with chairs and a dining set.
- Ceiling fans offer flexibility and a minimal footprint; this one contains two adjustable fans.
- Part sculpture, part light fixture, wire orbs illuminate from above on this porch.
- A porch may need additional sun protection only on one side (often the west). Here, a pair of cream-color curtains shield from late-day sun.
- A sleek metal railing guards the base of the screen and adds a minimalist detail.
- Porches have six surfaces to address: four walls, a floor, and a ceiling. Use paint to complement, contrast, or — as this porch exemplifies — unify all the surfaces.
-
Porch View
From inside this wide-open porch, the countryside beckons.
- An overhead chandelier serves as a dramatic ceiling-height sculpture.
- Screened porches often include rails for security and protection. Eliminating them, as this one does, opens up the view.
- Shelves (here, above the fireplace) provide a spot for display of accents or other knick-knacks.
- While many porches are located off the front of a home, consider the best place for a dramatic view — in this home, at the back — before choosing a site for a space.
- Opening a porch up to the ceiling timbers provides dramatic architectural interest as well.
-
Screened Scene
Accents supply bursts of color in this neutral, finished space.
- Hung from support beams, a series of intricate metal light fixtures supplies pretty accent light.
- Composite wood is another option for flooring; it offers durability and doesn’t need periodic refinishing like painted or stained wood flooring does.
- An interesting pattern provides visual relief at a porch’s rails.
- A bright ceiling lightens a space; here, the beaded board is painted bright white.
- Turquoise, orange, and green in furniture and accents pop against the mostly neutral color scheme.
-
Four Square
A compact porch deftly segues a house from outside to inside spaces.
- Porches needn’t be large; a small screened area can provide a nice transition to either a front or back space, as this intimate room does.
- A five-panel door offers a rich design statement for the porch’s entry.
- Planks on the floor visually connect the porch spaces with the exterior stairs.
- Since the wood frames on the porch are stained, accent colors in the furnishings pick up the accent colors on the house
- Protect a porch floor as you would a floor inside a house by elevating planted containers to prevent damage from water accumulation.
-
SOURCE:http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/porch-ideas/