Perfect Porches
Illuminate the entire porch with a sea of lanterns for a dramatic aura at night.
“We’re in the midst of the great porch renaissance,” says Paula S. Wallace, the president of Savannah College of Art and Design and author of Perfect Porches ($30, Clarkson Potter, 223 pp.).
She grew up in Atlanta and fondly remembers porches that evoke nostalgic images: At her grandmother’s Mississippi home, the front was for entertaining, while the back was utilitarian — for shelling peas, snapping beans and cutting watermelon.
An important feature of 19th century American architecture, porches became the coolest room in the house with the invention of screens. Then came the mid-20th century — when air-conditioning and TV lured us back inside.
Today, outdoor rooms are one of the biggest trends in home design. And the porch is an obvious place to begin. Unlike a patio, it can be enjoyed even during rainstorms.
According to the American Home Furnishings Alliance, consumers weary from the long winter — and even longer economic slump — are hungry now to make “psychologically rewarding” purchases. Makers of outdoor furnishings are ready with products that feature mood-brightening colors, tension-easing comfort and budget-friendly prices. Home Depot, partnering with Martha Stewart Living, and Walmart, partnering with Better Homes & Gardens, have also amped up the design of their outdoor furnishings.
Weather-resistant materials continue to improve — look for marine-grade paint finishes, synthetic resins that mimic less-resilient wicker and willow, and fabrics such as those by Sunbrella that are water and fade resistant. (Another textile option: cheerful Mexican oilcloth, which wipes clean and has a fun retro vibe.)
To make a porch inviting, approach the décor like you would any other room of the house — only with objects and furnishings that can withstand weather (or will fade gracefully, if you want a wabi-sabi effect).
Start by creating a comfortable place to sit — whether it’s a plush, upholstered chair or couch, a swing or glider (there’s something about moving while you’re sedentary that’s especially appealing outdoors), or a hammock.
Be sure to include side tables where you can set down drinks or display flowers in vases, suggests interior designer Marcus Mohon of Texas-based Mohon-Imber Interiors. Chinese garden stools are a versatile option.
If you have room for a small dining table, dress it up with a tablecloth and candles. And put a rug underfoot. Indoor-outdoor rug options abound these days — some casual, some quite formal-looking, as with Martha Stewart Living’s sophisticated designs for homedepot.com.
A porch should be a happy place, so make it colorful. Mohon likes to use pillows to add spice — “and they’re an easy change with the seasons,” he says. Another idea: “place colorful pots with flowers you love close to where you’ll be sitting.”
As with indoor rooms, proper lighting sets the tone. “Solar lights are easy to install, or for a festive atmosphere, hang string lights,” Mohon suggests. “You don’t want just a big thing by the door that catches bugs.” Paper lanterns create a nice glow, or scatter small metal lanterns in different sizes and colors around the space. For a real “indoorsy” look, use traditional table lamps.
Hang some artwork or a mirror. Add a ceiling fan to circulate air. Maybe even hang a curtain panel or two that can blow in the breeze or shield you from afternoon sun.
And don’t forget a cabinet for storage — especially if you want to stow small items like pillows when you’re not using them.
Even if your “porch” is limited to a few feet of space at the front door, a colorful accent, nice lighting and an artful element on the wall can be the decorative equivalent of a smile to welcome guests.
Wallace says a well-designed porch can be as practical as it is pretty, reducing energy use. It keeps direct sunlight off exterior walls. And when you’re outside enjoying it, you’ll consume less energy because you won’t be watching TV, and you can turn down that air conditioner.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out and enjoy it. You can take the paper with you. molly.glentzer@chron.com
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