While decks and back patios get plenty of attention in the outdoor living months, don’t forget about that gorgeous porch of yours.
Whether you have a front porch, a wraparound design, or a back porch, there are so many options for decorating it. With the right touches, it’s more than just an entryway or spot for holiday decorations — it becomes a place for entertaining and relaxing, too.
I highly recommend channeling some focus into your porch for this upcoming season. You can put as much effort (or as little) as you like into this home upgrade, because even small changes can be transformative.
In doing so, you boost your curb appeal and refresh everything just in time for summer. You’ll enjoy it so much more and you’ll have a space that you love where you can eat meals with your family, lounge around on sunny days, and spend long evenings with friends.
Need some front porch inspiration? Here are a few summer porch decor ideas I suggest to completely elevate yours.
Summer Porch Decor Ideas
Square Away Chairs and Seats
Porches are made for sitting! Once you have this foundational element squared away, you can continue decorating. Seats can also double as decor, adding to the overall theme you’re going for. Nothing beats a classic rocking chair or a porch swing. Rounded cushions, benches, and smaller outdoor couches give much more function to this space too.
As another gorgeous addition, try bistro and conversation sets, which make it easy to chat with friends or have a glass of wine in the evening.
Harpen Metal Bistro Outdoor Dining Set
Tiburon Sofa
Abbott Acacia Woven Outdoor Lounge Chair
Calhoun Hanging Daybed
Add Planters or Hanging Baskets
The key to perfectly framing a porch lies in plants. Hanging flower baskets, elegant planters, and window boxes or hayracks are all wonderful ways to enliven this area, both for front and back porches. With all the flower hues and leaf shapes that exist, you’ll have an easy time creating a porch with texture, dimension, and beautiful color.
I suggest picking a mix of tall, trailing, and shorter plants to create levels in your porch decor. Then transplant them into planters that match your outdoor aesthetic.
Ronan Ficonstone Indoor/Outdoor Planters
Mission Square Handmade Outdoor Planters
Zinc Hayrack
Paris Planter
Spruce Up Your Welcome Mat
Don’t downplay the power of a great welcome mat. Replace any old coir mat that’s become a little worn out over the years with something that’s functional (keeping sand, mud, and dirt out) but also pretty enough to contribute to the whole look of your porch.
As a little tip, I’d recommend placing a slightly bigger mat or rug under your doormat for a layered look.
Stripe Ivory and Natural Indoor/Outdoor Doormat
The Rope Co. Doormat
Three Striped Jute Doormat
Neighburly Initial Stripes Indoor/Outdoor Monogram Doormat
Infuse a Little Color
You have so many choices when it comes to bringing a little color to your porch. If you want a bigger-scale project, I think tackling the front door with a new coat of paint is a gorgeous way to revive a porch. For your back porch, you could go bold with a colorful new dining table or simply infuse your favorite shades through candles and rugs.
It doesn’t have to be much color if you’re a fan of minimalism or have a neutral scheme, but a small pinch goes a long way. I personally adore a blue and white palette and mix both colors around all of my outdoor spaces.
Eastport Umbrella
Bistro Dining Table
Sunbrella Single-piped Outdoor Chair Cushion
Cord Stripe Outdoor Performance Rug
Include Plenty of Comfy Pillows
Just like your indoor pillows, outdoor pillows bring a touch of warmth to a porch. Without these accents, couches and chairs sitting outside might feel a little bare or look more like they’re in a store showroom instead of a happy, loving home! Cushions and pillows instantly change this, and give you and your guests a comfortable place to chill. With all the cute patterns and colors available, it’s another fun way to bring some vibrancy to your porch.
Ishani Printed Outdoor Lumbar Pillow
Cadyn Outdoor Pillow
Floral Diamond Outdoor Pillow
AERIN x Williams Sonoma Home Jane Outdoor Embroidery Pillow Cover
Warm Up Your Porch with Lights
Let your porch truly shine (no pun intended) by lighting it properly! You can instantly make a dark, dingy space feel more inviting with the right bulbs and fixtures. For around your front and back door, try wall-mounted sconces. Pendant lights and lanterns are also great for placing on top of tables or next to chairs. I think this is a serious boost to your curb appeal and adds functionality to your space, too. You’ll be able to spend much longer on a porch if you can see each other and your nibbles and drinks.
Summerland Outdoor Lantern
Dahlia Sconce
Summerland Outdoor Bell Pendant
Pure Metal Lanterns
Adorn Your Door With a Summer Wreath
Wreaths aren’t only meant for the fall and winter holidays. A summer wreath is a beautiful way to decorate your door or any wall around your porch. It’s also a chic way to bring a little plant life to your porch outside of your usual planters.
Try a succulent wreath, a ring laden with flowers, or a simple and sleek grass or woven option. There are just as many summery wreaths as there are design styles, so you’ll find a pick that works for you!
Faux Cream Lunaria Wreath
Fresh Ruscus and Statice Wreath
Painted Salal and Eucalyptus Live Wreath
Faux Olive Wreath
