A small but social spot
Comfortable seating, cute lighting and greenery all hot trends in porch decor
Back in the days before TV and air conditioning lured people indoors, Americans often hung out on front porches, enjoying the fresh air and socializing with neighbours.
In later decades, when they wanted to relax outside, people tended to do it in the backyard, away from noise and traffic.
But according to the National Association of Home Builders, the front porch is coming back.
On renovation projects, the association says, adding or enclosing a porch is among the most common requests. In a 2016 survey, the group found that front porches were included in about 65 per cent of new home builds, up from about 40 per cent 20 years earlier.
So what are some decor options for this small but social spot?
“Comfortable seating is an important part of any front porch,” says Jenny Reimould of design firm Whim & Willow and a style expert for the retailer Home Goods. She suggests a traditional outdoor bench or classic Adirondack chairs in a fun colour such as teal.
Place a rug to anchor the seating area and provide comfort underfoot, she says.
The rustic farmhouse vibe that’s currently popular indoors can be brought to the porch. Galvanized steel pots can hold real or faux greenery.
If you have no electrical outlet handy, you can still illuminate your front-porch seating area with battery-powered or solar lighting. Ikea’s new Solvinden solar collection includes string lights as well as table and floor lights, with beachy stripe or polka-dot patterns.
“Outdoor lanterns are essential elements for any outdoor space because they’re not only functional but versatile,” says Reimould.
“They can be used with a variety of home styles, from coastal to farmhouse to traditional. Lanterns also transition well from summer to fall, making them a great purchase for year-round decorating.”