Country Style Porches

Request from a Site Visitor

One of our kind site visitors asked for help in decorating and furnishing her large wrap around porch (pictured below). Mary and I thought we'd share our ideas we offered her with all of you.

When building new country style porches, consider incorporating some of these ideas into your design. If working with an existing country style porches, Mary and I hope you can use some of these ideas on your porch as well.





Think of your porch space as outdoor rooms waiting to be defined, furnished, and decorated! Enjoy these front porch ideas.

Create a Privacy Nook

Using the picture above and starting left to right, you have the perfect space for a privacy nook. This would be a space where you decorate for maximum comfort and would be used as a place to read a good book (or write one), meditate and relax.

Depending on your personal desires you could hang a basket chair or small swing, chair or two with colorful comfortable cushions, a small table and outdoor lamp for reading, a nice outdoor rug, and perhaps a water feature for just the right background noise. You might also want to consider mosquito curtains or outdoor curtains in this area.


Another option for this space might be along the same lines with a little different purpose.

Try it with a bistro table and chairs for two or four, outdoor chandelier or hanging light over the table, soft mood lighting, and transform it into an intimate spot for wine and cheese!

The Front Door Space

You want to lead visitors to the front door. You can create an "entrance" by placing your furniture to channel people.

For example, if you place the two chairs with their backs to the door and have them face to the right (instead of the front) you'll accomplish two things.


One, it will visually (and physically) lead visitors to the front doors and two, it will create the beginnings of a conversation/living room area on your porch. You can do this with the chairs or use an outdoor sofa.

Experiment with the placement to get the right width for your entrance; you don't want it too narrow since you have sufficient space.

Now that you have a defined entrance, I'd create a focal point for the "entrance". You can use outdoor artwork, planters and wreaths to decorate the entrance as you would a foyer in your home.

Create an Entertaining Area

The next area will be the corner. It extends from the entrance way you created and extends around the corner. Reason being, is to compensate for the weather.

Think of this area as a living room with comfortable seating for conversation and large gatherings - southern porch style.

Sofas, chairs, tables, porch swings, hanging chairs, outdoor rugs, special outdoor lights and wall art can be effectively used in this area.

You can make this as formal or informal as you'd like depending on your own needs. Color coordinate to blend the area together as it will be large.

You don't have to have lots of furniture; you can spread it out a bit if need be. Planter boxes on the edges could also help to define the area.

Country Style Porches Are Meant for Fun

The remaining area around the other side of the porch in the above photos is for "fun". This is the eating/party/game area. I don't have a picture of that part of the porch so I"m speculating on what it might look like.

It almost becomes the outdoor kitchen/cook out area with large picnic style table, serving and storage area.

If it shares a kitchen or dining room wall consider a pass-through for food and snacks. You can separate it from the living area with furniture placement, and partitions. Finish it with an exterior refrigerator.

Because of the versatility and variety of outdoor products, use your imagination and create a festive family spot. Outfit it with comfortable outdoor furniture, storage containers, and even a fireplace for those cool fall evenings.

Like sports? Make it your own tailgate space with outdoor grills, coolers, and wet bar if you so desire. Want to watch the big game? Hang an exterior flat screen TV; the whole family will love it!

Photo courtesy of RNMary

With just a chair and a swing you can immense hours of shared time with loved ones on your porch. It does not take much to have fun!

Show off your country porch - send us your pictures! We'd love to see pictures of your country porch and may place them here for other's to see as well. It's so easy. Snap photos and send them to us.

We like metal roof so much we created an entire section about them that you just have to see to believe!

Metal porch roofs last a long time and come in a wide variety of colors. See our photos and ideas for metal roofs and find which style best fits your country home plans.