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40 Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Porches

40 Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Porches

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

June 01, 2012

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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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

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

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Cottage look

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

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

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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

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

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Rustic beauty

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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Simple seating

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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More

40 Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Porches

1 of 38

Lakeside wraparound

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2 of 38

Welcoming porch

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Country clever

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Stay-awhile style

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Get inspired

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Summer style

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Porch pass-through

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Colorful mixes

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Soft colors

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Comfort zone

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Add a hammock

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Pattern setting

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Prime viewing

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A cut above

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Antique light

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Window view

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Put your feet up

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Cottage look

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Simply soft

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Mix it up

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Balancing styles

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Rustic beauty

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Leisure zone

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Turn shutters into art

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Sunny shades

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Draw up a seat