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  1. Midwest Living
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  4. 40 Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Porches

40 Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Porches

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com Updated January 16, 2021
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Bassett lake home porch
Credit: Chad Holder

Enjoy your porch more by enhancing its look and comfort with ideas from these beautiful spaces.

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Lakeside wraparound

Bassett lake home porch
Credit: Chad Holder

Sailor stripes meet buffalo plaid on the wraparound screen porch of this Minnesota lakeside home. Casually strung cafe lights, plus a mix of antiques and thrifted finds, give the spacious hangout the timeless, collected feel of a family lake cabin. See more photos from this home.

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Welcoming porch

Screen porch

All-weather furniture and fabric outfit the screen porch in Michigan designer Michelle Adams' home. See more photos from this home.

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Country clever

Vintage vision

On the wraparound porch of this Nebraska farmhouse, a painted farm table and wire chairs with new cushions echo the interior. A weathered windmill tail propped against the porch wall becomes uncommon art.

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Stay-awhile style

Art of conversation

The relaxed, stay-awhile style of the porch in this Michigan vacation home comes from revived bargain finds: wicker furniture painted black, pillows wearing grain sacks, an old factory cart converted into a coffee table and a metal watering jug made into a lamp. A focal-point burgundy potbelly stove heats the space in fall and winter when glass panes replace screens.

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Get inspired

Get inspired

This dream porch was created during a re-do of a 1930s Lake Michigan cabin. The screen porch was enlarged to 20 x 20 feet for entertaining, and the porch's new 18-foot-tall stone fireplace includes a raised hearth that's wide enough for sitting.If you like the look, adapt parts of it to fit your budget: the pretty green beams, a comfy sofa, even just an unusual end table.

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Summer style

Summer style

Swing into summer style with our bright and comfy porch. Play a game, sip a glass of lemonade, curl up with a book or just stretch out to relax-this porch accommodates it all.

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Porch pass-through

Bassett lake home porch
Credit: Chad Holder

The kitchen window stays open from morning 'til night, all summer long, at this Minnesota lakeside home. A pass-through from porch to kitchen makes it easy to serve sodas or snacks. The bar-height ledge echoes the counters inside, and can be used as a buffet for snacks. See more photos from this home.

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Colorful mixes

Colorful mixes

Bright Adirondacks contrast with white heirloom wicker and carry the same color scheme as the fabric used in the upholstery and pillows for a pretty lakeside palette. "We live on the porch," says the owner of this Door County, Wisconsin, home. "The water, the breeze-it's spectacular!"

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Soft colors

Soft-hued porch

The porch of this Arkansas home picks up the soft blues, grays and yellows from the house's interior while providing ample seating for dining, relaxing or napping.

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Comfort zone

Comfort zone

An "entryway" of potted plants leads to furniture arranged for conversation, creating the sense of a special retreat on a large porch. Outdoor-safe fabrics mean there is no reason to skimp on cushions and pillows.

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Add a hammock

Relax in a quiet corner

A hammock piled with pillows serves as a relaxing, shaded afternoon nap spot in this Midwest home.

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Pattern setting

Pattern setting

Make a style statement with pattern pillows on comfy seats. Wrap swing chains in rope for a pretty accent.Unify mismatched furniture with a fresh coat of paint. A charcoal hue makes this new porch swing and a secondhand cane-back chair feel like a matched set.

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Prime viewing

Prime viewing

Adirondacks in a row take advantage of the view at this Lake Michigan home. Side tables between chairs make handy landing spots for nibbles and drinks.

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A cut above

A cut above

Fresh bouquets set out on a shelf put blooms in the spotlight. The botanical feel continues in floral prints on pillows that soften a mix of old and new furnishings. Toe-pleasing rugs and a soft palette make it all the more relaxed.

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Antique light

Antique light

An antique light casts an old-fashioned glow over this pristine arrangement.

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Window view

Window view

Large window walls bring spectacular views and natural light to this covered porch. Darker wood tones accent the scene.

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Put your feet up

Put your feet up

A coffee table invites kicking back. Preserve its patina of age to keep the feel casual.

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Cottage look

Relax!

Weather-resistant wicker furniture is just the ticket for comfortable outdoor seating areas that expand your living space and set a cottage mood at your front door. Include indoor amenities such as comfy cushions and a coffee table for drinks and books.

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Simply soft

Simply soft

A pile of pillows softens any seat. Candles in lanterns warm the look.

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Mix it up

Mix it up

High-back settee and wire chairs mix it up for a casual mood. Natural linens on the table keep things serene under the boldly sized pendent light.

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Balancing styles

Balancing styles

Wood and stone provide substantial weight to a rustic scene accented with modern furniture.

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Rustic beauty

Rustic beauty

Log chairs and green cushions reflect the natural beauty of the tall trees nearby.

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Leisure zone

Leisure zone

Soft cushions invite leisurely lounging on this porch, while patterned rugs provide comfort and texture underfoot.

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Turn shutters into art

Turn shutters into art

A simple way to dress up a porch: Lean a colorful reclaimed shutter against the wall and use it as an easel for vintage art.

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Sunny shades

Sunny shades

Blue, red and yellow elements pop against the wood house, adding cheer to a sunny corner.

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Draw up a seat

Draw up a seat

An old pine table anchors this screen porch. A painted chalkboard top encourages doodling-and hides imperfections. (To make your own chalkboard paint, mix  2 tablespoons unsanded grout per 1 cup of  matte paint.)

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Small-space mix

Small-space mix

A combination of bright chairs, a small side table and a comfy bench against a brick wall create an inviting setting in a small area. Striped drapes and a few decorative pillows complete the look.

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Elegant approach

Elegant approach

Lavish furniture and decor set in warm neutral colors amp up the wow factor in this large patio.

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Simple seating

Simple seating

A director's chair and bold red chairs gather friends and family before the table.

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Entertaining look

Entertaining look

Borrow on indoor spaces to enhance a deck. Artwork on the wall, lamps, pillows, books on the table-these are details that give it life. Weatherproof cushions on teak furniture invite lounging. Orange toss pillows add citrusy splashes of color. And a rolling bar cart eases entertaining.

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Front step welcome

Front step welcome

Wicker chairs surrounding a simple round table, creating an inviting space for family and friends.

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Screen scene

Screen scene

A motorized retractable screen tempers nature's extremes-glaring sun and buzzing insects-to ensure a pleasant gathering.

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Conversation starter

Conversation starter

Pulling all the furniture up to a coffee table outside does the same trick as indoor seating arrangments-facilitates conversation. The oversize basket under the coffee table provides convenient storage for throws for when there is a chilll in the air.

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Twilight time

Twilight time

As dusk falls, there is no reason to go inside when you've provided subtle lighting and warmth. No built-in fireplace? Ethanol-burning fireplaces are safe for patio use and come in a variety of sizes from wall-mount to table-top.

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Charming retreat

Charming retreat

Containers of bright blooms and a pair of rocking chairs sweeten the look in a semi-enclosed porch.

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Kicking back

Kicking back

On this wide front porch, extra-large planters full of ferns and creeping Jenny echo the green of the landscaping. Bold stripes on chair cushions and paper lanterns add modern kick, plus the black-and-white scheme is oh-so-trendy.

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Open and shut case

Open and shut case

Shutters on a screened porch add privacy and block views or sun. French doors pull guests out of the house and onto the porch.

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Place counts

Place counts

No matter your perch, place it to take advantage of the view. This lone rocker gives the owner the perfect spot to admire the lush garden.

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By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

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    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

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    View All

    1 of 38 Lakeside wraparound
    2 of 38 Welcoming porch
    3 of 38 Country clever
    4 of 38 Stay-awhile style
    5 of 38 Get inspired
    6 of 38 Summer style
    7 of 38 Porch pass-through
    8 of 38 Colorful mixes
    9 of 38 Soft colors
    10 of 38 Comfort zone
    11 of 38 Add a hammock
    12 of 38 Pattern setting
    13 of 38 Prime viewing
    14 of 38 A cut above
    15 of 38 Antique light
    16 of 38 Window view
    17 of 38 Put your feet up
    18 of 38 Cottage look
    19 of 38 Simply soft
    20 of 38 Mix it up
    21 of 38 Balancing styles
    22 of 38 Rustic beauty
    23 of 38 Leisure zone
    24 of 38 Turn shutters into art
    25 of 38 Sunny shades
    26 of 38 Draw up a seat
    27 of 38 Small-space mix
    28 of 38 Elegant approach
    29 of 38 Simple seating
    30 of 38 Entertaining look
    31 of 38 Front step welcome
    32 of 38 Screen scene
    33 of 38 Conversation starter
    34 of 38 Twilight time
    35 of 38 Charming retreat
    36 of 38 Kicking back
    37 of 38 Open and shut case
    38 of 38 Place counts

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