While We Wait for Summer to Arrive, We’re Staring at These Porches

Warm-weather ready.

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We love a good patio, and there’s no denying the pleasure of a garden in full bloom. The outdoor space that trumps them all, however, is a porch. Instantly conjuring up memories of stately inns or Grandma’s house, porches are tied to nostalgia and comfort—there’s no place we’d rather spend slow mornings and lazy evenings with an ice-cold drink in hand. 

Since they offer protection from the elements, they’re also ripe for creative styling. Go all out with throw pillows or turn unsuspecting side tables into mini bar carts—these porches have the right idea.

The Two-Tone Stunner

green and yellow front porch
Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Spice up the shutters with a fresh coat of paint, then take your imagination to the floor. We love the two-tone palette in this Key West, Florida, space. When the backdrop is this bold, who needs a rug? 

The Moroccan Retreat

moroccan patio with blue table
Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Bring those vibes home by echoing the laid-back style of this Tangier rooftop. Opt for a cushy low-profile sofa, prime for lounging in the shade with a good book, and calming sunset hues like dusty reds and earthy oranges.

The No-Fuss Conversation Pit

desert porch with two chairs
Courtesy of The Joshua Tree

Simple chairs and limited clutter put the outdoors at the forefront. While it helps that this home’s backyard is the crazy-beautiful Joshua Tree, anyone can play up their surroundings with a complementary color scheme. Here, terracotta and cream tones mimic the desert vibes perfectly. 

The Living Room Look-alike

outdoor porch with living room sofa and coffee table
Photography by Sara Tramp; Design by Emily Henderson Design

On this Emily Henderson–designed porch, a chic matte black light fixture makes the area feel just like a cozy den (except this space probably gets a refreshing breeze, to boot). 

The Less-Is-More Nook

little pink house with bench on front porch
Photography by Trevor Smith; Styling by Merisa Libbey

Sometimes you have to work with what you have. And if what you have is only a couple of square feet outside your front door, add a bench. This pink house’s simple love seat, across from a pair of woven lanterns, is all the decor that’s needed to make a statement. 

The Verdant Hideaway  

outdoor porch with white sofa and plants
Photography by Eric Wolfinger

A 100-year-old hacienda already has an advantage over most residences when it comes to cool architectural features, but there are plenty of style notes we can take from this spot. The most important? Surround yourself with greenery, whether in the form of potted succulents or tall, leafy trees. 

The Makeshift Dining Room

outdoor dining room
Photography by Sara Tramp-Ligorria; Styling by Emily Henderson Design; Design by Willian Hunter Collective

If you have enough room to squeeze in a table, take a page from this courtyard and create an alfresco dining dream. The alternating bistro chairs and workbench make it feel less cookie-cutter, and the pillar candle–laden hanging shelf is such an interesting alternative to standard patio lighting. 

The Patterned Pit Stop

Go wild with tiles. Emily Henderson turned her porch into a blue and white oasis, and it all came down to the printed floor: Pick something unabashedly splashy and don’t look back. The rest will fall into place.

See more porch inspo:  The Floral-Filled Porch Gardens We’re Pinning Right Now Nine Ways to Transform Your Porch Into a Bohemian Escape Front Porch Decorating Ideas Because It’s Almost Summer

Elly Leavitt

Writer and Editor

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latest cultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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