Home Home Design & Decor Exterior Design Ideas 17 Front Porch Ideas That Make the Most of Summer Living Summer porch decor, fixtures, and furnishings that invite laid-back living. By Caroline Biggs Caroline Biggs Caroline is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines and Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a veteran freelance lifestyle reporter based in Phoenix, Ariz. with over 10 years of experience. She covers home, wellness, beauty, and travel for outlets such as Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Insider, TODAY, Bustle, TripSavvy, The Zoe Report, and others. Whether ruminating about interior design with the influential leaders in the industry, on the ground at NYFW talking trends with beauty and fashion pros, or venturing to a new corner of the world, she’s always eager to report on the latest and greatest. Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 7, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Breadmaker / Shutterstock A welcoming front porch is essential to laid-back summer living, which is all about spending time outdoors to bask in the lovely weather and gentle breezes. The front porch is also a great spot to hang out and chat with neighbors, entertain houseguests, watch the kids as they ride their bikes up and down the street, or simply sit in peace with a refreshing beverage and a good book. "Above all else, a well-decorated summer porch should be a relaxing place to be," says Rebecca Hawkins, head buyer at Celadon. "It should feel like you've brought the warmth of your interior outdoors." For the optimal summer porch decor, prioritize comfort and charm. Hawkins recommends furnishing yours with pieces made of solid teak wood, which weathers nicely and withstands the elements. Get inspired by these summer front porch ideas that'll turn your space into an outdoor oasis. How to Stylishly Bring Your Dining Room Outside This Summer 01 of 17 Create an Edible Container Garden ТодоÑÑÑк ÐкаÑеÑина / GETTY IMAGES Build a container garden filled with fragrant fresh herbs, such as basil, chives, thyme, and rosemary. Alternatively, fill the containers with produce that does well in pots, such as cherry tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, and peppers. Along with providing some front porch decor, your container garden will keep giving all season long. 25 Creative Container Garden Ideas to Enhance Your Outdoor Space 02 of 17 Frame Your Door With Planters StephanieFrey / GETTY IMAGES Not sure where to put your planters? Flank your front doors with matching plants and pots to create a sense of symmetry. Choose something with a bit of height for extra drama. 03 of 17 Create Contrast With Bright Blooms njfochs / GETTY IMAGES For a vibrant summer front porch idea, fill your porch with hanging planters or potted flowers filled with colorful in-season blooms. Choose hues that contrast with the color of your home. Any color will look dramatic against a white or cream house, brick houses look beautiful with pink or yellow foliage, and white or pale blue look beautiful against dark-painted houses. 14 Annual Flowers That Bloom All Summer Long 04 of 17 Add Some Rocking Chairs stevecoleimages / GETTY IMAGES Rocking chairs are a classic front porch addition. Sure, they give tired bodies a place to rest, but they also have a lulling effect thanks to the steady and calm back-and-forth motion. Add at least two so you can sit with another, and aim for a high back and soft cushions for a cozy spot to spend your summer. The 9 Best Adirondack Chairs for Comfortable Summer Lounging 05 of 17 Suspend a Porch Swing Nothing says summer quite like a good old-fashioned porch swing. Bring your current seating off the ground by hooking it to the ceiling of your porch with some rope and heavy-duty hanging hooks, or invest in a brand new swing to make your whole porch feel light and airy. Thomas Joseph’s Tips for Using Fresh Spring Produce to Liven Up Your Egg Dishes 06 of 17 Add a Ceiling Fan Katie Charlotte In the summertime, a ceiling fan on the front porch is a blessing. Incorporating one into your porch décor is key to enjoyable outdoor entertaining. 10 Outdoor Ceiling Fans That Will Make Your Porch More Comfortable 07 of 17 Add More Greenery Jon Lovette / GETTY IMAGES There's no such thing as too much greenery when decorating your porch for summer. Layer in as many plants as possible to forge a naturally lush and seasonal porch. "Whether you hang up planters or plant hydrangeas in pots, the more greenery on your porch the better," Hawkins says. 08 of 17 Hang Some Planters Jumping Rocks/UIG / GETTY IMAGES If you're not working with a ton of floor space, do yourself (and your porch) a favor and make your very own wire hanging baskets so you can show off your houseplants in style. 13 Best Indoor and Outdoor Hanging Plants for Your Home 09 of 17 Upgrade a Daybed Pernille Loof What's more relaxing than lounging outside on something soft, cool, and comfy? Instead of traditional outdoor seating, invest in an all-weather daybed with a canvas mattress cover so you can read, nap, and drink frozen margaritas on your porch all summer long. 10 of 17 Grab Some Throw Pillows liewluck / GETTY IMAGES "Update the throw pillows on your porch for an instant refresh," Hawkins says. "Rotate them out seasonally, showcasing brighter colors during the summer." Get the Painted Wicker Sofa How-To 11 of 17 Make a Versatile Sitting Stool Aaron Dyer A reliable sitting stool can provide some much-needed seating when entertaining guests on your porch this summer. Make your own customized camp stool to forge a convenient seat that doubles as a side table for your porch. 12 of 17 Lay Down a Weatherproof Rug Aaron Dyer "Bring some indoor elements outside by adding an outdoor rug to your porch to help define the space," Hawkins says. "Rugs made of 100% PET, a recycled plastic, are fade resistant and easy to clean. You can even spray them down with a hose!" 10 Indoor/Outdoor Rugs That Are Durable and Beautiful, Wherever You Use Them 13 of 17 Use a Fire Pit Aubrie Pick Whether you choose to DIY a firepit or buy one brand new, its beautiful flickering flames is a perfect addition for cozy ambience. Along with setting the scene and providing warmth on chilly summer nights, you may even be able to make some taste s'mores! What Is a Paella Pan? (And Do I Really Need One?) 14 of 17 Add a Fresh Coat of Paint Rob Melnychuk / GETTY IMAGES A crisp coat of exterior paint can go a long way when updating your porch for summer. Whether you repaint your trim and window shudders or just touch up your porch rails, a fresh coat of paint will make your whole porch look brand new. The 12 Best Paint Colors for Your Front Porch, According to Experts 15 of 17 Create Ambient Lighting Cavan Images / GETTY IMAGES Transform a traditional porch trellis into a sparkly summer oasis with nothing more than string lights. Wrap a few strands around your porch's post columns for an instant touch of drama or cover your entire trellis in hanging lantern lights to soften up your porch lighting. 16 of 17 Employ Topiaries Ngoc Minh Ngo Never underestimate the impact of well-placed topiaries on your front porch. Place a pair on either side of your front door to make a sleek and symmetrical statement without overpowering the rest of the area. You can even make your own for a fun summer DIY project. 17 of 17 Paint the Ceiling Getty / Evan Sklar Painting a porch ceiling can actually make the space feel bigger and brighter, as long as you choose the best front porch paint color for your space. For example, a blackened green makes a dramatic and cozy statement, while pale blue creates a serene, cooling effect. 5 Best Porch Ceiling Paint Colors, According to Interior Designers Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit