5 Summer Porch Ideas To Keep Your Space Fresh, Clean, and Stylish
Do you love a front porch? Summer is here, meaning more time spent outdoors and on your porch. But keeping your porch looking its best can be daunting with all the heat and humidity. Here are five ideas for a clean porch that will look fresh and stylish all summer long.
As a lifelong Southerner, I adore a front porch and love the porch sitting in the summertime.
I love filling it with gorgeous flowers and plants, which is another challenge. However, these 5 Summer Porch Ideas have helped me keep my porch looking fresh all season long.
Start With A Clean Porch
It is important to start each summer with a clean porch. As soon as the pollen stops falling on every available surface, we begin by washing the porches with a pressure washer.
We recently received this cordless pressure washer from Ryobi Tools, and it’s perfect for cleaning the porch and around windows and doors. The pressure washer removes all signs of pollen and flushes out all the spiders and bugs.
Keep The Clean Porch Bug Free
Once the porch is clean, you want to keep those pesky bugs away.
When you keep your summer porch free of bugs, your plants, rugs, and cushions will all look better at the end of the season.
To keep the bugs away, I spray the perimeter of the front porch with this Ant, Roach & Spider Barrier Spray.
Spray around all the doors and windows where spiders love to hang out. In addition, it’s important to spray your plants inside your containers, under chairs, tables, etc.
Spiders will love you for adding things like grapevine wreaths, baskets, and flowers to your porch. They will feel safe hiding out, but they will cause a lot of damage by leaving little spots all over the walls and floor.
However, you can end their party time by spraying these areas thoroughly.
I have done this for several years, and it makes a huge difference. I typically spray 3 to 4 times a season, and I don’t have the problem with spiders and ants I used to have.
I’m sure there are several options for spraying. However, I like the clean scent of this bug spray.
The DIY Painted Rug is sealed with a waterproof sealer to protect the finish.
Summer Front Porch Ideas: Add Plants and Flowers
If your porch is exposed to intense sun, you need to consider what types of plants and flowers will survive on your Summer Front Porch.
My porch gets intense sun in the evenings, and not just any flower will stay looking good all summer. I choose to use geraniums for my flowering plant. They bloom all summer long and are much easier to keep looking fresh than other flowering plants I’ve tried.
These geraniums are planted in a larger container that is added to the galvanized tubs. This allows me to move the geraniums to the porch edge or sidewalk for watering when we get a rain show.
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In addition, I use these self-watering spikes when I’m away from home to nourish my porch plants.
Many years ago, a friend and master gardener taught me how to keep geraniums blooming from Spring to Fall, and it works every time.
Ferns Can Take The Heat
Ferns are another great addition to your summertime porch because you can keep them fresh for months.
My favorites are the Asparagus fern and Kimberly fern. They both overwinter well and save me from reinvesting each Spring.
The ferns look great from Spring through Fall with proper care.
I use plastic saucers to collect water at the base of the plants. Ferns love receiving a drink of water from the roots.
In other money-saving news, following these overwinter tips can save ferns and geraniums for next year.
Summertime Porch Tip – Mix in Some Faux Flowers
I have found that faux flowers work best if you like to place flowers in unconventional containers such as these baskets.
In addition, the quality of artificial flowers has improved greatly, and when mixed with real, it’s hard to tell the difference.
These red geraniums are fade-resistant and will look great for several seasons.
Use Good Quality Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor Rugs are a great, inexpensive way to update your outdoor spaces. However, not all rugs are created equal.
A fun rug can really change the overall appearance of your porch. Although my porch is undercover, I always purchase rugs that can be used anywhere outdoors, with or without protection, because they will still look great at the end of the summer.
In addition, they don’t have to break the bank.
The rugs can be changed each season to give the porch a different feel.
You can learn more about how to choose outdoor rugs here.
In 2021, I chose this neutral-colored rug for the summer front porch; however, you can purchase this rug in several color options.
Another year the porch is brightened with a budget-friendly pink rug. After painting a new rug for the seating area, the front door area needed more pops of color, and adding a new rug was a budget-minded choice.
I will rotate back to the neutral rug for Fall and the Holidays.
Summer Front Porch Ideas – Pillows and Seat Cushions
Another great idea for your Summer Porch is to take care of your pillows and seat cushions.
First, I like to use reversible pillows. This doesn’t mean both sides have to be decorative. Reversing the pillows during the week to preserve the decorative side will help keep the beautiful pattern fresh for weekends and entertaining.
Here, you see the flag pillow, which I like to display when I have guests arriving.
However, the reverse solid side works great for weekdays, and as a result, the flag pillow doesn’t fade and looks brand new for the entire summer.
How To Protect Fabrics and Keep Porch Clean
Keeping your outdoor pillows from becoming damaged due to dampness can be a challenge, therefore, I spray all my pillows and cushions with NeverWet Water Repellant for Fabric.
Just give everything a good coating at the beginning of the summer, and no more mildew.
This is especially important if you are using pillows that are not waterproof.
Most of my summer front porch seat cushions are made from fade-proof Sunbrella fabrics and are resistant to mildew. However, I’m always moving pillows from place to place, and to ensure they are protected, they get a quick spray of NeverWet.
Wooden Porch Restore
As a side note, if you have natural wood on your porch and it’s looking old, mildewed, or worse, consider using a wood restorer. We used WoodLuxe Wood Restorer by Benjamin Moore, and our cedar porch posts look brand new.
Following these 5 Summer Front Porch Ideas and tips will help to make your outdoor spaces more welcoming and require less work. Therefore, you can enjoy being outside and have a wonderful summer.
Resources
You may also enjoy these porch tours and ideas.
- Spring and Summer Porch Tour 2021
- Best Porch Ideas for Spring and Summer.
- 7 Must-Have Country Porch DIY Ideas
- Patriotic Porch Ideas for the 4th of July
- 9 Best Porch Decor Ideas and More
- How To Paint A DIY Rug
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope these tips will help you enjoy your outdoor spaces.
Pin It To Remember It
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Good Morning Rache
Happy 4th of July weekend to you*
Great tips*
I love Geraniums, they are one of my favorites. 2 years ago I decided to see if I can grow them from seed. I was shocked that I could. Been starting them in the winter and by spring I have a ton of plants. Try it sometime, now that you have a greenhouse ***
happy day Rachel
deezie
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Rachel.
Great tips. I need to remember the Never Wet. The kids have used it on their shoes but I didn’t think about outdoor cushions! Love it. We also use the Flying Insect Spray around our doors, windows and around where we generally eat on the porch. It’s amazing how long it lasts. I’m talking weeks! Love your porch.
Cindy,
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I appreciate your comments so much.
Rachel.
Your porch looks beautiful! I have shutters like that at my front door as well. Now I need to get those cute flat baskets to put on them! Great idea! I already have the faux flowers. Thank you for the idea. I am new to your blog and already love it! So glad I found you. I think we are near the same age and I can relate to ideas you share.
Shelly,
I’m so glad you like them. Thanks so much for stopping by. I just saw that the welcome baskets are back in stock. You can link to them from Shop my style on my home page. Just scroll down until you see them.
Rachel.
I haven’t thought of mixing in some faux flowers, great tip. Especially when some of my flowers get scorched by the heat and look scraggly in my containers.
Pamela,
so glad you like the idea. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel
Looks wonderful!!!
Donna,
I’m so glad you like it. Thanks so much.
Rachel
I love the way you did your address….Is yours 3300 ? Wish i could do mine this way but mine is not an even number…mine is 3321 ..Guess I could do Thirty-Three Hundred & Twenty-Two
Donette,
I’d probably just do Thirty Three – Twenty Two! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Rachel
It’s thirty three twenty one
Not thirty three twenty two.
Diana,
I’m not sure what this means, but OK.
Great ideas! I just love your summer porch! But I really love for you to show how you did the house number on the old board over your door! I love that! As always thanks for sharing while you and hubby are enjoying your time together! Have fun! 🤗
Margie,
stay tuned. I just made one for someone and documented the process. I’ll be posting next week.
Ty for sharing your summer porch ideas!
Margie,
You are so welcome.
I love your porch decorating tips Rachel! Have fun at the beach!
Stacy,
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Thanks for these tips and have a great weekend.
Marlene,
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Love reading your blog!! This one in particular was very informative & helpful for not only my front porch, but our patio under the deck!!
Enjoy the remainder of your vacation!
Erin,
I’m so glad you found this helpful.
Rachel, So many great tips! I love your charming porch and any visit to it is a pleasure. I adore having a porch for the first time in my life, it is wonderful and we love spending time out there! I will tell you that the best thing in the world I have found for the mosquitos is Thermacell products! You might want to look them up!
Chloe,
Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate the tip.
Thank you for the tips…will get the never wet…didn’t know about that product.
Your porch is lovely. I enjoy your posts very much!
Awww, I really am glad this helped. Thanks so much.
I love those shutters next to the door – I need to do that here someday. Pinned!
Thanks Stacy. They have made a difference in the appearance. I love them!
Rachel, unfortunately our hot, dry summers kill my geraniums. For years, we pack them up and drive them to the cabin, where they love the cooler mountain air. And come fall, we drive them back down! I love your tip about spraying for spiders and bugs. I’ve never done that and will definitely try it. Those critters quickly take over, don’t they? And I love my outdoor rugs too…so surprised they last and don’t fade. Great post! Thanks for sharing and love the porch roundup!
Thank you Mary, I appreciate you and thanks for checking this out.
Love it!! But so many ads, hard to see what you share.
Chris,
I agree ads can distract, however if you click on the X it will stop the ad from showing.
I love your porch and how you’ve decorated it, Rachel! Great tips on gardening too!
Kristy,
I really appreciate your comment. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel,
Your porch always looks so charming and inviting!! Thanks so much for the tip on the Spider spray which I have an issue with every season!! Thanks for sharing!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie
I’m so glad you found this helpful. Thank you for stopping by.
These are wonderful ideas! I did not know about the spray for the pillows. That is great information!
Susan,
You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Great tips Rachel, YOu reminded me that I need to clean my porch. I love the pink on your porch and the new rug is perfect.
Wendy,
Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad to help.
Hello Rachel! I wanted to let you know, we’ll be sharing this lovely post tomorrow on the Fabulous Friday Link Party! I hope you can join us there! Happy Day!
Donna,
Thank you so much. I am honored.
So many smart ideas!!! And so many beautiful porches! Thanks for sharing with the Fabulous Friday link party.
Diane,
I really appreciate this.
Rachel, I think having a clean porch is 90% of it. Love the bug spray idea to keep spiders, etc. away. Love the geraniums. Every time I deadhead mine I think of you! Happy Summer!
Mary,
Aww, I’m so glad you found that tip helpful. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi! I have a vintage metal tub, it has some rust but no holes….I am a bit nervous to use it as a planter, I am guessing soil and water will rust it out. Can you advise at all?
Thanks, love your porches!
Colleen
Colleen,
Yes eventually it will rust. You could paint the inside first to help preserve it for a bit longer. But the elements inside and out will eventually win. I’m sure it will make a beautiful planter.