Porches often serve as the place for activity throughout the day, whether you’re enjoying coffee in the morning, hosting a play date, working from home, or hanging out with neighbors and friends in the evening. With all the use — and attention — it may be time to update your porch to make the most of the outdoor space this spring.
From reusing items to investing in new pieces, design experts shared their top tips for perking up porches, and patios too.
Turn old into new: Transform an old watering can or metal colander into a planter. Then add color to the front porch with flowers such as pre-potted perennials, suggests home stager and real estate agent Krisztina Bell, owner of Virtually Staging Properties (virtuallystagingproperties.com) and No Vacancy (novacancy-atl.com). "That adds instant pop," she said.
Add a splash of color: Brighten up your entry by painting the front door (plan ahead to attain approvals from a homeowners association or historic preservation group, if required). A coat of colorful paint can redefine the look of your home, said Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design for the Home Depot, who adds that homeowners should follow the natural wood grain of the door when painting. Frame the newly painted door with colorful ceramic planters filled with pre-mixed containers of vibrant spring flowers. For ambiance, install lighting such as sconces or flexible tube lighting that says party central (or just keep up those Christmas lights).
Create comfy seating: Every year, different sets arrive on the market (such as Brown Jordan's new patio collections at the Home Depot) or you can browse antique, thrift and consignment stores to create your own outdoor look. A bistro set is a good choice if your outdoor space is limited in a condo, apartment or townhome, for example. Add multipurpose pieces such as ceramic garden stools from Pier 1 Import, HomeGoods, Ballard Designs or other retailers in primary colors, pastels, or a silver, gold or brushed brass. Accent your porch furniture with throw pillows in outdoor fabrics and hues such as radiant purple (Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year) in an ikat or chevron print.
Think vertical: Add a painted porch swing with colorful pillows and potted ferns to draw attention upward, Bell suggests. Even if you live in a small space, your patio can pop. Fishburne recommends creating a vertical garden for plants or herbs by using items such as old coffee cans, containers, bottles, and reclaimed wood or recycled pallets.
Select finishing touches: Complete the porch with items such as a knocker in the shape of a pineapple, frog, sand dollar, palm tree, basket or dog, or more classic looks such as a fleur-de-lis or your initial. Mounting lanterns of varying heights and widths also can create ambiance, Fishburne said.
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