Porch ideas
Hang Lights We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: It’s hard to beat cafe-style lights for their ability to instantly transform an outdoor area. If you have a shadowy porch, deck or balcony that could do with a bit of an ambiance boost, string up some cafe lights overhead and watch them do their magic. Look for commercial-grade outdoor cafe lights — they’ll last for years and hold up to exposure and moisture much better than more inexpensive globe lights.
Bring in Sources of Warmth Along with light, adding heat also makes a patio more inviting year-round. Freestanding patio heaters can warm up a patio area of 115 square feet — enough to cover an outdoor table for four people. Wall-mounted heaters are similarly priced and can be positioned to direct heat just where you need it, like over an outdoor sofa or dining table.
Provide Heat Equally as important as light after dark, heat sources can encourage lingering on the patio or over dinner outside once temperatures dip. If you already have a pergola, eaves, or other roof structures, installing wall-mounted electric outdoor heaters is likely the easiest, least visually obtrusive option. Otherwise, plan on having a few freestanding propane heaters that can be rolled onto the patio when needed.
inger outdoors in the evening, having some type of heat source is just as important as having outdoor lighting. Throw blankets draped over shoulders can work for an individual, but investing in outdoor heaters can make an entire space feel much more cozy and inviting. Electric wall- or ceiling-mounted models cover about a 9-foot-square “heat blanket” and can be plugged into standard electrical outlets. Two ceiling-mounted units are enough to cover a six-person dining table in this New England garden.
Outdoor kitchens often are one element in a patio setup, but in this design in Livingston, New Jersey, it’s the main feature. The cooking and eating area features a 10-foot-long granite countertop and natural slate rock facing, with plenty of counter space and bar stools that allow guests to experience the cooking action. Speaking of cooking equipment, the design team included a 60-inch grill, a pizza oven, a fridge, a sink and an ice maker.
A pair of simple, traditional-style ceiling fans with classic metal detailing helps cool down this porch on the water in Jacksonville, Florida, and tie in with the home’s plantation style. Choosing the fans in the same color as the ceiling, in this case white, ensures that they don’t compete for attention with the outdoor pendant light or the gorgeous view.
Stacked Shelves in Des Moines Open wooden shelving units flanking an outdoor grill makes for smart, cost-effective outdoor kitchen storage. In this design by Holly DeGoey for a patio kitchen in Des Moines, Iowa, the designer used metal railings behind the grill and counters to double as hanging racks for copper mugs and kitchen tools.
Hang String Lights Outdoor rooms are often designed for daytime enjoyment, but it’s also worthwhile to design them to take advantage of beautiful evenings. This means incorporating outdoor lighting. Nothing beats the ambiance that outdoor string lights create, whether you’re going for the feel of a funky Austin patio or a rustic Italian courtyard. String lights can be installed in outdoor areas big and small and don’t always require hardwiring, making them a versatile lighting option for nearly any outdoor room.
Let this lofty screened-in dining room by Winkelman Architecture in Portland, Maine, inspire your cold-weather decorating style. Pair barn pendant lights with a trestle table for a warm, rural-inspired look. (Seasonal cut branches as a centerpiece finish the look.) Nestling the table in the corner with bench seating conserves floor space and creates the feeling of a snug nook. A clever architectural design allows the large windows to fold up and allow warm breezes to pass through the screened panels.
Blankets at the Ready in Illinois Adding warmth to your outdoor seating area can be as easy as bringing out blankets from the house. For this house in Evanston, near Chicago, patterned quilts draped over the backs of outdoor dining chairs bring a hit of color and warmth, tempting guests to linger past sunset.
Daybed swings with a bright future. Daybed swings are giving other porch perches a run for their money these days, perhaps because they combine the swaying of rockers and the roominess of hammocks with the comfort of sofas. Their popularity has produced a cottage industry in the Charleston area, where manufacturers include Bulls Bay Bed, Carolina Hanging Beds, Lowcountry Swing Beds, Original Charleston Bedswingand Vintage Porch Swings.
Build them to last. Raised beds should be strong and level, able to withstand years of weather. Nothing is more disappointing than needing to dismantle a flimsy garden bed. To prevent weeds, consider placing some corrugated cardboard at the bottom of your raised bed before filling it with soil. The cardboard will eventually break down, but not before smothering the weeds underneath. See how to build a redwood or cedar raised bed | Try building a juniper raised bed with a bench seat
Equally as important as light after dark, heat sources can encourage lingering on the patio or over dinner outside once temperatures dip. If you already have a pergola, eaves, or other roof structures, installing wall-mounted electric outdoor heaters is likely the easiest, least visually obtrusive option.
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