You know that feeling when summer eventually kicks in? That perfect blend of long days, warm breaths, and cold drinks in your hand. The kind of rainfall that makes you want to hit pause on life, snare a book, and hang out on the veranda for hours. Yeah — that.
But also you step outdoors and your veranda looks tired. Perhaps a little fine. Perhaps the cabinetwork’s seen better days. Perhaps it’s just not giving vibes at all. I’ve been there. Life gets busy, and before you know it, your outdoor space turns into a place to store shoes, spiderwebs, and last fall’s leaves.
The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands or attack a weekend-long design to get your veranda summer-ready. With many simple tweaks and a little intention, you can turn it into a spot you’ll actually want to use — and feel proud of. suppose iced tea, music, barefoot mornings, and laid back gloamings with musketeers.
Then are six real life, low stress ways to breathe new life into your veranda this summer.
1. Create a Spot You Genuinely Want to Sit In
Let’s start with the obvious: seating. No matter how pretty your porch looks, if the chairs aren’t comfy, you’re not going to use them. And I mean actually comfortable — not those stiff metal chairs that look cute in photos but leave your back begging for mercy after ten minutes.
You don’t need to go out and buy a brand new set, either. I found a secondhand rattan chair on Facebook Marketplace, gave it a scrub, tossed a thick cushion on it, and boom — it’s now my go-to morning coffee spot.
If you have a porch swing or rocking chair? Even better. But honestly, even a couple of floor cushions and a side table can do the trick. Make it cozy, make it yours.
2. Plants. Just Trust Me on This.
There is something magical about adding a little greenery. Plants make everything feel more alive — literally. Hanging ferns, potted flowers, herbs in a clay pot… they make a porch feel like it’s supposed to be lived in, not just passed through.
Don’t overthink it. You don’t need a full-on botanical garden. Start with one or two that are easy to keep alive — snake plants, pothos, even mint or basil (which you can also toss into drinks, just saying). Arrange them in mismatched pots, place them at different heights, and let them be a little imperfect. Nature is messy — let it be.
Bonus: watering them becomes part of your morning rhythm. And there’s something incredibly grounding about that.
3. Add a Rug — Yes, Even Outside
I no way allowed an out-of-door hairpiece to make such a big difference until I rolled one out last summer. It was like I suddenly had a living room. outdoors. It ties everything together and makes the space feel like an extension of your home rather of a forgotten in between zone.
Go for commodity durable, fade resistant, and easy to shake off or sock down. You can find great bones on a budget at big box stores or online. Stick to neutrals if you want a calm, clean look, or pick commodities with a little pattern if your cabinetwork is on the simple side.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just clean. Trust me indeed a $40 hairpiece can change the whole sense of the veranda .
4. Light It Up( But Keep It Chill)
There’s a commodity about eyeblink lights that incontinently makes any out-of-door space feel like a holiday . Whether you are hosting many musketeers or just sitting outdoors with a book, soft lighting brings a vibe.
Battery powered string lights, solar lanterns, tea lights, or indeed a many mason jars with flameless candles pick what works for your setup. I formerly threaded lights across the top of my bitsy veranda using thumbtacks and zip ties, and it made such a difference. Now when I step outdoors after dark, it feels like I’ve walked into my own little escape.
Avoid harsh floodlights or anything too bright. Suppose “ gleam, ” not “ search party. ”
5. Bring a Bit of You Into the Space
This is the step people skip the most: personality. We decorate our living rooms and bedrooms with pieces that reflect who we are — why not our porches?
Add a pillow with a fun pattern. Throw in a vintage crate you found at a flea market. Hang a wind chime or a simple piece of art. You don’t need to go full Pinterest board. Just one or two items that make you smile when you see them.
Last year I added a faded wooden sign that says “Stay Awhile.” It was five bucks at a yard sale and now it’s the first thing you see when you walk up to the porch. It’s not perfect — but it feels like me. That’s what matters.
6. Clean It Up (The Not-So-Fun But Super Important Part)
Okay, not the most glamorous part of this list, but maybe the most satisfying.
You can’t enjoy your porch if it’s covered in dust, cobwebs, or winter leftovers. Take one hour — seriously, just one — and do a deep clean. Sweep it. Hose it down. Wipe off the furniture. Shake out the cushions. Throw away anything that doesn’t belong (you know that broken umbrella stand from 2022? Yeah, toss it).
I like to play music and set a timer so it feels less like a chore. By the end of that hour, you’ll be amazed at how much better the space feels — even without spending a single dollar.
Bonus Tip: Keep It Low-Maintenance
The whole point of summer is to relax, right? So don’t over-decorate or add effects that will stress you out to maintain. This isn’t an exchange. It’s your space.
Stick to easy care shops, waterproof fabrics, and particulars that can stay outdoors without you fussing about every rainfall. The thing is to produce a space where you can throw your bases up, not constantly fix and fuss.
Final Thought: You Deserve a Spot to Slow Down
Look, life is busy. Days go fast. But summer? It begs you to slow down to take your coffee outside, to listen to the crickets, to sit still for a while. Your porch, no matter how small or simple, can be that space.
You don’t need a professional decorator or a huge budget. Just a little effort, a bit of your own flavor, and a reminder that slowing down is something we all need more of.
So go outside. Dust off the chair. Water a plant. String up a light or two. You’ll be surprised how quickly your porch goes from forgotten to favorite place in the house.
