Porch Decorating Ideas

Create a beautiful outdoor space on a budget!

I wanted to share my porch decorating ideas with you! I LOVE my back porch, and last summer I gave it a porch makeover. I needed to come up with some smart budget decorating ideas. We needed to pay for our summer vacation after all!

So, after looking for flea market finds, painting some unfinished furniture, and purchasing plants, we had a whole new porch!

If you are wanting to save money on your porch makeover, buying unfinished furniture is the way. I painted this Adirondack loveseat with Behr outdoor latex paint.

I shopped at the flea market for smaller pieces of accent furniture. I wanted them to look worn and dated, and better yet, I didn’t have to do any painting! The table in front of the loveseat is an old piano bench that I paid $15 for!

Every porch needs a rocker! I purchased two unfinished rockers and painted them a dark green to give some contrast to the white furniture and gray floor.

What porch is complete without a swing? There is something so nostalgic about a swing! I will warn you, painting this was no easy task! I was one happy camper when it was finished!

Lighting

I want to share with you one of my favorite porch decorating ideas! It is what makes my porch spectacular in the evening!

Isn’t this romantic? I used grapevine and outdoor Christmas lights! Craft stores now sell grapevine in a bag that is much more pliable than if you pulled apart a grapevine wreath.

I used a staple gun to attach the grapevine, but if you have a metal porch you can use 3M adhesive hooks.

Once the grapevine has been attached you can add greenery. I actually like to change it up with the seasons. In the spring and summer I use greenery and flowers, in the fall I add leaves, and in the winter I add red berries to the grapevine.

You can buy a bush of flowers, and then just clip them into smaller pieces and weave them into the grapevine. It is so gorgeous lit up in the evening!

Don’t forget about candles! Here I placed a square mirror underneath each candle to reflect more light.

Don’t buy an expensive lamp for your porch. Between the pollen, rain, and overall outdoor dust, it will get dirty quickly, especially the shade.

Porch Decor

A wreath is a perfect accessory for your porch. I change out my wreaths with the seasons.

I found these pillows at T.J. Maxx.  Then I was so excited to find ribbon the same color as my “smile” pillow!  Now, this is a happy porch!

When you are choosing your porch decorating accessories, don’t overdo it. It is easy to get your porch cluttered quickly. Less is more when it comes to porch decor.

Your porch is a great place to have some fun and whimsical signs!

I love hand-painted and vintage looking signs! They add just the right touch to any porch decorating.

I found these antique glass insulators at the flea market. I placed them all around my porch.

Baskets are another one of my favorite cheap decorating ideas. I found this one at the flea market. It is perfect for holding magazines.

Plants

Live plants add the perfect touch! Again, don’t go overboard and make your porch look like a jungle. Don’t leave your plants in plastic containers; buy interesting pottery.

Buy different size live plants. I purchased two of the same kinds to place on both sides of the loveseat. My father made this beautiful, rustic birdhouse.

Always keep healthy plants on your porch.  If they are starting to die and turn brown replace them.  Nothing looks sadder than dying plants.

A Touch of Fabric

When decorating outdoor spaces, don’t forget to add some color with fabrics. The pillows I chose for my porch have a little beach style.

I change out my pillows often.  I’m a bit of a pillow addict!

An outdoor rug just warms up the space. I found this raffia outdoor rug at Trees -n- Trends for under $20! When it gets dirty, I just hose it off.

 

For more fabulous porch ideas please visit my friends Dave and Mary over at Front Porch Ideas.  Better pour a cup of coffee first!