How To Decorate And Appreciate Your Porch
- Date: 2008-07-14 - Word Count: 553
Share This!
Close your eyes and think of a memory that involves sitting on a porch or balcony. Were you in a mountain cabin? A condo at the beach? A friend's home?
Chances are your memory takes you to a place of relaxation. I want to share with you ways to make your own porch memorable.
Porches were originally built for practical purposes. They kept the direct sunlight from pouring into the house during the hot summer days and protected the home from the elements in the winter. It was not long before the residents of the home saw this area as an extension of their living space. It became a place to read, eat and even sleep on a hot night.
Coveted Space
Are you using your covered space in the best way possible? Do you need a space for entertaining friends or a quiet place to drink your coffee. Will your goals change with the seasons? My porch is for eating and relaxing three seasons of the year.
You should decorate your porch regardless of the season, because you will invariably see it everyday. It is fun to view my porch from my kitchen, as my mind will quickly savor a memory of a relaxed time spent there.
We have hosted many memorable parties on our porch. In my mind's eye I can clearly see the guests we entertained and I can still feel the faint echoes of laughter in my heart. It is just so wonderful when your home facilitates love between family and friends.
Porch Of Delights
When the weather is warm, everything is renewed with green healthy plants, bright colored pillows and a freshly set table. It calls to me to come out and enjoy!
In the winter I can change the focus to a winter wonderland. During that season, I use decorative snowmen, a tabletop tree, and stuffed animals to brighten the area. Strands of lights bring a bit of magic to the area during the gray months of winter.
Quick Tips for Making Your Porch More Enjoyable
* Set up your seating so that it is encourages easy conversation. Make sure there is a place for a beverage glass within reach of each chair.
* Installing a ceiling fan will bring a much appreciated breeze on a stifling night.
* Bead board installed on the ceiling adds texture to a forgotten space. Paint it light blue to portray the sky.
* An unused chest of drawers or dresser can be pulled outside and put to work holding placemats and napkins. Store playing cards, checkers and puzzles in the drawers so they will be within easy reach.
* Hang a wreath, ironwork, inexpensive art or a poster of your favorite vacation spot on the wall of a back porch.
* Craft and floral stores have ready made garlands made from greenery, grapevines or silk flowers. Weave strands of small lights throughout the garland and hang as a border around your outdoor room. Cup hooks spaced around area will hold most intertwined materials.
Life Is Short, Your Porch Is Calling
Whether you have a deep porch with columns or a tiny covered balcony, it can be turned into a mellow retreat that beckons you outside to enjoy the day. As I look out my window I see a thunderstorm approaching. I have got to go claim my spot on the back porch to watch the show.
Chances are your memory takes you to a place of relaxation. I want to share with you ways to make your own porch memorable.
Porches were originally built for practical purposes. They kept the direct sunlight from pouring into the house during the hot summer days and protected the home from the elements in the winter. It was not long before the residents of the home saw this area as an extension of their living space. It became a place to read, eat and even sleep on a hot night.
Coveted Space
Are you using your covered space in the best way possible? Do you need a space for entertaining friends or a quiet place to drink your coffee. Will your goals change with the seasons? My porch is for eating and relaxing three seasons of the year.
You should decorate your porch regardless of the season, because you will invariably see it everyday. It is fun to view my porch from my kitchen, as my mind will quickly savor a memory of a relaxed time spent there.
We have hosted many memorable parties on our porch. In my mind's eye I can clearly see the guests we entertained and I can still feel the faint echoes of laughter in my heart. It is just so wonderful when your home facilitates love between family and friends.
Porch Of Delights
When the weather is warm, everything is renewed with green healthy plants, bright colored pillows and a freshly set table. It calls to me to come out and enjoy!
In the winter I can change the focus to a winter wonderland. During that season, I use decorative snowmen, a tabletop tree, and stuffed animals to brighten the area. Strands of lights bring a bit of magic to the area during the gray months of winter.
Quick Tips for Making Your Porch More Enjoyable
* Set up your seating so that it is encourages easy conversation. Make sure there is a place for a beverage glass within reach of each chair.
* Installing a ceiling fan will bring a much appreciated breeze on a stifling night.
* Bead board installed on the ceiling adds texture to a forgotten space. Paint it light blue to portray the sky.
* An unused chest of drawers or dresser can be pulled outside and put to work holding placemats and napkins. Store playing cards, checkers and puzzles in the drawers so they will be within easy reach.
* Hang a wreath, ironwork, inexpensive art or a poster of your favorite vacation spot on the wall of a back porch.
* Craft and floral stores have ready made garlands made from greenery, grapevines or silk flowers. Weave strands of small lights throughout the garland and hang as a border around your outdoor room. Cup hooks spaced around area will hold most intertwined materials.
Life Is Short, Your Porch Is Calling
Whether you have a deep porch with columns or a tiny covered balcony, it can be turned into a mellow retreat that beckons you outside to enjoy the day. As I look out my window I see a thunderstorm approaching. I have got to go claim my spot on the back porch to watch the show.
Related Tags: interior design, decorating, decor, home decor, home decorating, decorate, window treatments, wall decor, how to decorate, home decorators
30 Changes In 30 Days - Learn how to decorate from a Professional Interior Decorator.
Melisa Verch has created a free special decorating guide available to you for a limited time at HowToDecorate.net Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Tips For Changing The Basement Apartment Into The Cheerful Place
A basement apartment is identical with a dark place that usually could not offer the feeling at home - The Great New Stylish Home Decoration
Creating a new stylish decoration commonly require a high price including the budget to buy some new - Refurbishing Your Kitchen For A Timeless Look
General preservation of old homes is a favorite conversation for householders of vintage houses but - Simple Steps To Restoring Your Padded Dining Room Seating
While many people would feel comfortable hanging wall tapestries or wrought iron wall crosses or eve - Skylights Texas
Sleep under the Stars with Texas SkylightsBe it glass, fiberglass or polycarbonate, skylights in Tex - How To Choose Shabby Chic Furniture Styles
It can easily be considered that shabby chic furniture is something of an oxymoron, since furniture - The Character Of Chandeliers
Picture a room in which chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Before you start rolling your eyes and wo - Why Buy Cheap Venetian Blinds?
There's nothing inappropriate about getting low cost Venetian blinds. Nowadays you can buy incredibl - Using Swags Window Curtains For A More Elegant Appeal
Living in a house that is well-decorated can make you feel so comfortable and relaxed. Having a well - Flat Roof Skylights
Flat Roof Skylights: Be Your Neighbor's EnvyThe trick to creating the feel of spaciousness and addin
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Home Decor Shopping On The Internet
You need not struggle with the decision on what to buy when you are shopping for home decor for your - See the Difference Feng Shui Color Can Make for You
Those familiar with Feng Shui know that this science has special colors associated to each of the ei - Stage Lights
A live performance is considered the ultimate head rush for many. An act before a crowd leaves no ro - Bedspreads are the First Decision When Designing Your Master Bedroom
Why would you want to start with a Bedspread? The best answer is that there are an almost infinite - Some Interesting Decorating Styles
There are a lot of reasons you may be looking into decorating a bathroom. Perhaps you have just boug - Mix and Match Your Decor for You
Many of us become almost obsessed with decorating styles. We worry about what the current style tren - Candles: Elegant and Popular
Walk into any home these days and if there is an aroma in the air relating to fruit, apple cinnamon, - There's A Place For Everything With a Closet Organizer
When people think about organizing their lives to save time, they rarely think that their closet - t - A Personal Review of the Tempur Pedic Mattress
My wife and I bought a Tempur Pedic mattress back in the early days when most people hadn't heard of - Natural Square Area Rugs: Getting Squared Away
Oh, no. You have a square room, and you are feeling boxed in by your decorating dilemma. Four iden