Decorating for summer to
make your porch sizzle!

Do you have a good idea for decorating your porch? We'd love to share it with everyone here.

• Invest a little time and scrub down the porch floor, house walls, steps, railings, and columns. We recommend using something like TSP (Trisodium Phosphate compound) that is formulated for heavy duty cleaning. It will remove heavy deposits of greasy grime and dirt. It also removes mildew and mildew stains when mixed with bleach and cleans surfaces for repainting. You can get it at your hardware store. Always read the instructions and test it first.
• Note any maintenance work that needs to be done like peeling paint, rotted floor boards, railings, or columns. Check the base of your columns for dry rot.
• Clean the light fixtures, front door, and perhaps change out that worn-looking door mat.
• Check any furniture you have on the porch to make sure it is in good repair and mildew free.
• Check your front door's hardware. Either replace it or use cleaners to give it a fresh new look. Mary and I have noticed that it's easy to get used to how something looks until we change it out. Then we wonder why we took so long to do that.
• Another often overlooked item that needs attention is your doorbell. When was the last time you replaced it? It's a very easy DIY job and only takes a few moments to replace.
• Wash the windows on your porch. In this video, I share a sure-fire method with you that comes from a professional window washer. (My good friend Mary shared it with me.) I think you'll be amazed at the sparkling and streak-free windows you will have. It's easy and works every time.
  You'll need a bucket of clean warm water, 2 tablespoons of Dawn™ dish washing liquid, a squeegee, a soft lint-free towel (I forgot to say lint-free on the video - oops!) and a soft scrubber (optional). Watch our video to see how easy it is.
  
  

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to make your porch more enjoyable and create wonderful curb appeal. Decorating for summer also means changing colors to something that complements or contrasts with your home. Use our architectural color guide to find just the right colors for your porch.

Speaking of summer colors: Whether you select bright colors and strong patterns, or cool blues, greens, and purples, or earth tones to bridge the outdoors with the indoors, color can have the most visual impact on your porch.

Porch floor

Decorating for summer also means you can get very creative with painting your porch floor. Although solid colors (paint or stain) are the norm investigate using patterns or multiple colors in your floor. You might also consider new porch flooring. It easier than you might think. Interlocking deck tiles can be placed over almost any surface and can give your porch a dramatic look.

The pictures shown here are John and Sherry Petersik's porch. They entered the Better Homes and Garden and Home Depot Porch Makeover Contest. They painted their porch floor with alternating tan and cream stripes for an awesome look! We love it. See more of John and Sherry's decorating ideas.

Before and after pictures of John and Sherry's porch floor

Paint railings and columns

These don't have to always be white. Take a look at the porch columns shown here (photo courtesy of buyamac). White would have worked as well but the green complements the window trim and ties the porch to the home. The same goes for railings; you can be creative with them as well. Learn more about porch columns and porch railings.

Decorating for summer can give you an entirely different perspective of your home; stand back and see what color combinations work best on your porch. Don't be shy about it!

Paint the ceiling

Did you know that many porch ceilings are painted blue? There's not a definite reason why. We've read that it repels mosquitoes, reminds people of the sky, or just gives a calming effect. No matter the reason, a blue porch ceiling looks terrific. Learn more about porch ceilings. (Photo is courtesy of jay-9).

Want your porch to stand out? We all notice a brightly colored front door. It can make a small porch stand out and give great curb appeal to any size porch. This can be your most dramatic decorating for summer project.

Give your porch furniture a new look by adding a fresh coat of paint when decorating for summer. You can paint wicker, metal, or wood furniture easily and give it a dramatic look like these reconditioned lawn chairs! (Photo is courtesy of jipsi).

Other Summer Decorating Ideas

Hanging baskets are a great way to create a summer look also. Consider using all of one color flowering plant or perhaps a combination of three complementary colors to match your porch decor. Not sure what colors go together? Use our Color Guide to help select just the right ones when decorating your porch for summer.




Furniture

This porch belongs to Anna of Flower Garden Girl - love it!

Add a glass table, light and airy tablecloths, chandeliers or hanging lights, and candles or vases with freshly cut flowers. Add some wicker chairs - wicker says summer. Use bright colored cushions when decorating for summer and place the wicker on a great outdoor rug.

Cushion covers can be purchased in a multitude of colors and patterns and are also a relatively easy DIY project. Add a whimsical pattern or mix and match for an eclectic look. Now sit back and relax on a summer evening!

Dining

What better time to eat out - outside on your porch, that is. Create a dining area complete with an outdoor rug, chandelier or how about a hanging light over a bistro table. Add wine, cheese or a great glass of lemonade and enjoy.

Ah, capture those summer breezes or create them with exterior fans. You'll wonder why it took you so long to get one! Want even more summer comfort? Try adding porch curtains to your porch and reap the benefits of not only adding curb appeal but cooling temps as well. Live in a really hot area? Consider a misting system that will lower the temperature considerably.




Porch Accents

When decorating for summer bring out the porch accents! You probably have items around your home that would look great on your porch. Or check out these ideas...

• Wall hangings - Wall hangings are a great way to capture the summer fun. It makes you porch instantly welcoming and you can either purchase outdoor wall art or make it yourself. For beach house porches make it nautical, of course; for that contemporary porch a geometric design may work well.
• Wreaths - Hang a beautiful decorative wreath on your front door.
• Welcome mat - Change out that worn out looking outdoor door mat. There are so many new designs and colors to choose from. Select one that will add a little sophistication to your home, traps the dirt and water, and wears well.
• Light fixtures and door hardware - Take a good look at your existing light fixtures and door hardware. Now would be a great time to update them especially if you are trying to sell your home.

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