Overlooking the Ceiling
When decorating your porch, don’t forget to look up.
Designer Lori Evans considers porch ceilings to be one of the biggest missed opportunities she sees all too often.
The same goes for porch furnishes, she notes.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
“Scale is everything,” Peterman says.
“That is a big no for me,” she says.
“Thesize of the rugneeds to anchor the seating area and be proportionate to the space.”
Credit: Laurey W.Glenn
Forsmall porchesthat aren’t entertaining spaces, she recommends just sticking to aporch swingwith no additional seating.
“Making sure there is enough room to move about and breathe is key,” she says.
And in Evans’s eyes, a porch looks incomplete without live plants.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
For covered porches, she recommends pottingshade-loving hydrangeas, boxwoods, and ferns for a classic look.
“A front porch is not just a design elementit’s part of the home,” Peterman says.
Improper Lighting
Anotherporch designfaux pas that Peterman sees all too often is overlooking the lighting.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
The goal is to create a warmly lit environment that creates a friendly entrance to your home.
Peterman suggests layering your porch lighting by installing a mix of sconces and lanterns if possible.
If hardwiring new fixtures isn’t in the budget, string lights are a great alternative.
Evans says that style should feel cohesive with what’s on the other side of your front door.
“Your front porch should really feel like a natural extension of your home,” Evans says.
