What do You Want from Your Porch?
Carolyn Jenks, owner of Porch Parrot, helps you decide – What do You Want from Your Porch?
The idea of a porch is to not only to welcome the visitor but to provide a “this is my home” feeling. A beautifully decorated front porch is like a huge welcome sign. It is a preview of what’s inside and a window into the character of your home. A porch can be fun and quirky or formal and serene. It can be whimsical, cozy or a natural retreat. It can be a reader’s paradise or the neighborhood gathering place.
A key element in decorating a front porch is the doormat. Did you know that visitors will always look down at their feet before entering someone’s home! Use this to your advantage and purchase a new mat whenever one becomes worn or faded. A metal doormat may only need a good scrub and a fresh coat of paint to liven up the look. Rubber mats last forever!
Think of your back or screen porch as an outside room and you’ll be inspired to do some quick decorating. Just like any room, it should express who you are. If you enjoy the “bistro” look, you can select style elements to fit that theme, such as a market umbrella, bistro patio furniture or a chalkboard to display the daily menu. If you love modern decor, choose planters and doormats that represent the style. Make it a visual treat to set the mood before entering the sanctuary of your interior from the outside world.
An indoor – outdoor rug may be in order. If you already have furniture and it still feels like something is missing, this could be the element you need. Rugs are what will pull together an outdoor living space. Purchase rugs that will not mold or mildew and can be cleaned easily. And stay away from any rug that contains cotton as it will always mold or mildew.
Small porches can become cozy places to relax and entertain if the space remains a porch, be careful that it does not become just a storage unit for the “extras” you don’t want indoors. When selecting porch furniture, remember the scale of furniture not just the style. You don’t want to purchase a large wicker chair set and find you have room for just one chair! Will a stand alone porch swing fit the bill? Maybe a small table, two chair set or garden bench for a small retreat. When planned right, your porch can truly become another living space where you can reside outside.
If you have a hodge-podge of furniture but would like a more unified look, consider spray painting everything one color. Use a high quality exterior paint and take the time to clean everything thoroughly before painting. You will be amazed at how quickly your porch starts to take on that decorator look, simply by coordinating your various pieces of furniture with one color.
Porch decor is what adds character. It includes door art, plants and stands, vases, candles, architectural elements like and wind chimes.
One word of caution is sure to avoid “clutter” when using decorative elements. Too much of anything makes a space feel off balanced and messy. It should remain comfortable and clean… visually appealing.
And by all means, don’t be afraid to add a little bit of yourself!
For more great ideas for your porch, visit the Porch Parrot at 7077 Beach Dr. in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Give us a call at 910-579-0771.
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