How to Decorate a Medium Porch

A porch is the perfect place to watch the world go by on a lazy afternoon. It is where you can connect with neighbors and spend time with family. While the word may conjure images of grand Victorian homes complete with large wraparound porches, thats not the reality for many home owners. Porches come in all sizes, from deep farmhouse porches to condo balconies. Medium porches offer more decorative opportunities than small porches and fewer than large ones. The key is to choose furniture and accessories with size in mind. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Choose furniture that is smaller both physically and visually. Wicker chairs are a good choice. Their open-weave pattern makes them appear smaller than they are and fool the eye into thinking the porch is larger than it is. Cushion them with pillows covered in waterproof fabric. Opt for small, round wicker or glass-topped tables, or choose a bistro set for dining. Consider medium-sized porch rockers paired with a child-sized bench or vintage school desk acting as a coffee table and plant stand.

2

Lay an area rug. Avoid those with deep colors. Choose one in a natural fiber like sisal. This will give your children a place to play quietly in the summer. Alternatively, paint your porch a light neutral color.

3

Create a pop of color with a red screen door in a vintage style. It will draw the eye without taking up valuable floor space. Add a wreath, and change it with the seasons.

4

Add potted plants and flowers, but don't overwhelm the space. March pots of seasonal flowers up the porch steps to add beauty without taking up floor space. Hang plants from the porchs overhang for the same reason. Hanging plants like fuchsia, which have drooping blooms and greenery, provide privacy while allowing you to scan the neighborhood.

5

Edit your accessories. Avoid making the porch look cluttered and therefore smaller. When you are decorating a medium-size porch, less is more. Warm one chair with a quilt or shawl to ward off the chill of a fall night, but dont toss one on every seat. Rather, keep them handy in a hall closet. Avoid large containers. Opt for a quart-size jar, a tea pot or a milk bottle to hold a bouquet of flowers. Add an architectural feature like a vintage column for display or to hold a plant. It will not take up a lot of floor space.