These Popular Porch Designs Remind Us to Relax
Sit back and enjoy the changing seasons with ideas from these trending covered outdoor spaces
Porches big and small provide a space between home and garden to gather and relax. They are especially enjoyable during transition months, as they allow us to experience the changing seasons up close while shielding us, somewhat, from the elements. In reverse order, let’s look at 10 of the most popular porch hangout spots, from photos uploaded from July through September, as measured by the number of people who saved them to their Houzz ideabooks during those months.
9. Picnic chic. In Atlanta, this back porch is broken down into two gathering areas, with a dining area in the foreground and a lounge space in front of the fireplace.
The elegant picnic table marries the warm wood of the ceiling and chandelier with the cooler colors of the floor and lounge furniture. The long benches make it easy for plenty of friends to gather — there’s always room for one more to squeeze in.
Browse picnic tables
The elegant picnic table marries the warm wood of the ceiling and chandelier with the cooler colors of the floor and lounge furniture. The long benches make it easy for plenty of friends to gather — there’s always room for one more to squeeze in.
Browse picnic tables
8. Living room luxe. This three-season porch takes indoor-outdoor living to the next level. The windows on all sides create the feeling of being outside, but they can all close up, so it’s possible to use furnishings that might not otherwise be able to withstand the outdoor elements.
While many of these furniture pieces would need to be in a more enclosed porch like this one, this is a great example of how a porch can be a secondary living room, with seating areas, rugs and throw pillows and textiles.
While many of these furniture pieces would need to be in a more enclosed porch like this one, this is a great example of how a porch can be a secondary living room, with seating areas, rugs and throw pillows and textiles.
7. Cozy camp. When we imagine a rustic camp porch, the image we conjure is probably pretty similar to this photo. A metal daybed does double duty as an outdoor sofa, opposite a pair of folding wood chairs. Lots of cushions soften the metal and wood pieces.
`6. Kitchen pass-through. Pass-through windows make it easy for food from the kitchen to make it outside to the table. This New England pass-through window looks like it could also be a place to linger, enabling someone to hang out with the chef as the meal is being prepared but the party is going on outside. Open the casement window, pull up a seat and sit at the bar with a snack or a drink.
5. Contemporary dining. Indoor-outdoor dining is the emphasis of this Australian porch, with a standout pedestal table anchoring the space. It would be an especially enjoyable place to be during a rainstorm, with the water pinging against the corrugated metal roof.
Straight lines are everywhere, repeated in the tabletop, decking, corrugated metal roof, window louvers and pillows, but having subdued colors and no additional patterns keeps everything feeling clean and balanced.
Straight lines are everywhere, repeated in the tabletop, decking, corrugated metal roof, window louvers and pillows, but having subdued colors and no additional patterns keeps everything feeling clean and balanced.
4. Cottage-style hanging daybeds. In some climates, porches make it possible to stay outside as the fall rain comes or the weather cools off. In the hot, humid South, they help make summers more enjoyable. This screened wraparound porch in Florida keeps the bugs out, doubling as a lounge area by day and sleeping spot at night.
3. Multiple seating areas. In this wraparound porch in New England, white patio furniture and blue-and-white cushions tie multiple seating areas together, as well as reflect the East Coast beach style of the home. Outdoor area rugs help make each seating area feel distinct and self-contained.
Find outdoor area rugs
Find outdoor area rugs
2. Oversize porch swing. If space and structure allow, there’s little better than an oversize porch swing to pass the hours. As is the case with this porch in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s especially great when there’s a good view to take in.
1. Taste of the tropics. Warm-colored wood, woven patio furniture and sea glass votives remind us that this porch is in the tropics, not that we need a reminder — the crystal blue skies and palm trees are giveaways.
Matching the lounge furniture to the dining furniture creates cohesion, while the distinct tables set the two seating areas apart.
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Key Measurements to Help You Design the Perfect Front Porch
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Matching the lounge furniture to the dining furniture creates cohesion, while the distinct tables set the two seating areas apart.
More
Key Measurements to Help You Design the Perfect Front Porch
See the latest porch photos
Find design pros near you
The chairs’ light wood and classic shape complement the Mediterranean architecture while also contrasting the heavy-hewn columns of this Carmel, California, portico.