Summertime means outdoor living to me. Summer days are too hot in Texas to be on the porch, but mornings and late evenings are perfect. You can see the porch has a gold tint as the sun is setting.
Looking for Summer decorating ideas for indoors and outdoors? Check out our podcast episode today.
So what are some tips I have?
First, use a tray outdoors like this wicker one. It’s oversized and could fit a lot on it. You can use it for decor, and flowers or to service drinks and snacks.
Secondly, bring out the summer pillows for the porch. I use these pillows year-round, but you can have a summer set and a winter set if you like. I actually use these pillows indoors also. Yes I recommend that you bring these in overnight. This is the country and the mice will get to my pillows if I leave them outdoor. They don’t seem to care if the fabric is indoor/outdoor. It’s all the same to them. You can see more about my crib turned settee HERE.
Another thing I like to do is keep throws out here to take on the chill on cool evenings. Even if they aren’t need for warmth, they soften the feel of a wood rocker, making them more comfortable.
Be sure you have comfortable seating. I love these Adirondack rockers.
It’s also nice to have some outdoor lighting in place if you are going to be outside after the sun sets. You might want an outdoor ceiling fan or floor fans for times when it’s muggy or hot. The picture below is from our city porch. You can get more information about the lighting and trellis HERE.
It’s great to have a place to serve drinks outdoors. I used an old ironing board for my ‘bar cart.’
It’s also nice to have some plants on your porch, but yeah they have to be watered all the time, so it is a commitment. The photo below is also from the city porch. We’re not at the farm enough to keep things alive here. You can find more information on the potting bench HERE.
Do you have any tips for setting up your porch for summer?
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Lovely porch!
You definitely need to enjoy that porch now before it gets too hot and humid here in Texas! We have a ceiling fan on our porch and that helps. We head to the screened gazebo when the bugs are too much. I am in love with your crib turned daybed, would love to find a metal crib, maybe in the fall when I go to Roundtop. Thanks for all the info!
Porch sitting is the best! I live in the south too .We have a table that my husband made on the side porch and love to eat on the porch when the weather allows. Love your French country touches!
Love the idea of an ironing board as a ‘bar cart”! Can’t wait to sit outside, plant some flowers, but it will be 34 over night here in Denver this week! Will have to enjoy your pictures for now!
Adding ferns to my porch always says SUMMER IS HERE!
Love both of your porches! So inviting and relaxing!
I had a roof put over my large deck last fall and it became another room to decorate. In the winter the plaid and sled’s were out, spring brought the hydrangeas in an old silver pitcher from a thrift store. Add some sweet peas
Love the porches, so inviting.
Love the gray potting bench at the end of your porch. Have been looking for one. So handy for potting or entertaining!!
Porch living is how I define Summer. The first thing I do when the mild air arrives in Pa. is to put the big rocking chair on the back porch! I have been known to bundle up in a quilt even when there is a lingering snow flurry or two! Husband just shakes his head. As the season warms the flowers and plants come out. the rocking chairs are padded with quilts and pillows while the table is set for use.
Your porch looks very inviting and I know how we have to bring in the soft items because of critters. I live in the woods, it is a way of life!
Oh my golly – an old ironing board as a bar cart… genius! I know you’ve said you live in Houston but where is the farm? We have a place outside of Houston too. Just curious. We don’t spend much time outside in the summer but I’d love to spend time on that porch. It’s beautiful and has a great view. Everything looks gorgeous (as usual).
Cindy, the farm is in Round Top. Where is your place?
You are a talent!
Great idea about the throws–can’t believe I never thought of that!
Beautiful porch. Love the flowers. So pretty.
The porch is so pretty and homey and how wonderful to look at the wide open land beyond the porch.
Apartment dwellers with small balconies shouldn’t shy away from going all out when decorating their balconies, turning them into additional living spaces for the warm summer months. Complement appropriate and approved outdoor furniture pieces with rugs, pillows, lots of decor, plants, string lights and even mirrors. I also use expandable rubber-tipped curtain rods across the ceiling of my balcony from which to hang sari fabric that provides a wonderful tent-like effect.
I love both of your lovely porches!
Nothing better than a comfy porch with a few flowers…Yours is very special.
I love your porch ideas. I have a beautiful front porch, but I do not really put too much decorating time into it besides a pretty seating area. Now I am going to try and give it a whole make over for the summer!
I live in Ohio. It gets horribly hot and humid here, also. Our patio is under two large maple trees that provide such a nice amount of shade…we do have those days though, where it is just too hot to be outside, even in the shade! I love sitting out there both in the cool morning and cool evening. There are times however, when it is too hot for even morning and evening (July and August being the worst!) This year, my husband put some fun edison style bulb patio lights on our wrought iron fence, and they look so beautiful! They provide a lot of light and a fun ambience…while it’s still May, we need fireplaces/firetables and throws for sure in the evening…I am enjoying every second of that cool evening feeling! I am so glad you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
❤Beth
I love the porch area and ask how you all manage to keep away all sorts of creepy crawlies from invading without invitation?
Jane, I don’t think you can keep those away 100%.
I’m working on my porch project now and so far, I see how much you have influenced me. But I’m pretty sure that the lavender plant pot on the potting bench would look much better on my porch. Ha! Beat Peggy! I might need one or two for my porch. Any source info? (Seriously, did you think I missed it)?
Ginger LOL,,,
Oh Ginger you are good! That is too funny. I found that pot at Buchanan’s. Their website is here. https://buchanansplants.com/ I am not sure if there is an internet source.
Now I know what to do with my old ironing board!! Thanks for all the ideas you share.
Always love seeing your beautiful porches! Seems as though i just finished fluffing the porches for Spring and now Summer is around the corner!
Beautiful porch, Anita. I love the twine in the white bowl, too! I just picked up some french farmhouse pillow covers on Amazon for $1.19 each! Excited to see what they look like.
Do peonies grow in Texas? I would figure they don’t, when they don’t do well here in So Cal either.
Thanks for sharing!
I love your daybed! I know I have seen your tutorial for making a mattress before, but I can’t seem to find it. Could you please post the link?
Wendy, there’s no tutorial. I had it custom made.
Brb gonna change my porch! Seriously, it’s beautiful!
Your porch is just so lovely. I have a large lanai that I enjoy daily here in sunny Florida and you have inspired me to redecorate it for spring and summer! Thank you for amazing advice
Enjoyed the podcast and putting voices to the designers.
I expend a lot of effort fixing up my porches, but In the Nashville area, the afternoons are too hot to be outside, and the mosquitoes eat you alive in the evening!. Morning coffee is about the best we can do.
The crib turned settee is spectacular and I love the lights on the trellis–gorgeous porch!
Your front porch is lovely!!
Gorgeous porch decor! I love the neutral and soft colors and the vintage details. It looks like a wonderful, relaxing place to be in warm spring and summer weather.
That french mattress is amazing! I also love the pillows, I’m working on my front porch and patio and can’t wait to get it done…I am in Oklahoma, and you are so right…it’s that way here too…too hot to enjoy during the day but perfect in the mornings and evenings!
http://www.raisingafarmhouse.com
This is such a beautiful space! I love everything about it. You are my favorite of the week. Thank you so much for stopping by our link party!
XO
Desiree
Thank you Desiree!!
Been trying to make my pTio more inviting, great suggestions! Thanks for the chance to win your fun goodies!
I love this porch, I want to come sit down. The idea of the trellis with lights is the best, I’ve been wondering what to do with my lights it’s so darn cute!!
Absolutely beautiful and so welcoming!
These are all really bright and refreshing, but my favorite are the summer pillows–they’re so fun!! Great tips here ?
Tina
When you decorate a farmhouse style home, you should bear in mind the practical side of your furniture elements. Think about slipcovers for sofas, throw pillows, armchairs, or pouffes, which can be washed as needed.