When we originally built this pergola over ten years ago, I knew I wanted an open space that got lots of sunlight. I didn’t want a covered porch on the back of the house since I love all the light that flows through our French doors into the living space…plus I really like the look of a pergola covered in Jasmine.

So Here are Some questions to ask yourself If you are planning to design your back porch or outdoor seating area:

Covered or Uncovered Porch?

1. Do you want a lot of light on your porch area?

2. Will covering the porch affect the light inside your home?

3. Do you want to use the space rain or shine? (Obviously you cannot sit on an uncovered porch if it’s raining).

4. Do you mind the upkeep of furniture, rugs etc. exposed to the elements of an uncovered porch?

5. What types of plants do you want to have on your porch and do they require partial or full sun?

Once you’ve decided wether your area will be covered or not, now you can decide what type of covering to use.

Pergola: This is a great option if you’re on a budget and have a friend or family member who is handy with building things. You can also purchase pre-made pergolas at Home Depot. A pergola Exposes you to a lot of light unless you use partial covering of a blooming vine like we have here. We planted confederate Jasmine at the base of the three front posts. This not only looks beautiful and smells heavenly, but it also gives us some shade during the hot summer months in North Florida. Just remember that you will periodically need to trim the Jasmine back, as it is very tenacious. Another thing to remember about a pergola is that you will likely have to replace some of the wood eventually due to it being exposed to the elements…We recently had to do this after ten years of having it. Another option if you want a covered area while having a pergola is to use polycarbonate clear roofing panels . This will allow you to enjoy the area even if it’s raining and will help protect the porch from the elements. I personally do not care for this option since it will add a bit more shade and not allow enough light inside my home (I am partial to a lot of light inside).

Covered Area: This is a great option especially if you plan on being outside rain or shine. Obviously this would likely be a bit more expensive than a Pergola since it will require roofing etc. Also, if your not experienced in construction, then you will likely have to hire someone to do it for you. Just remember you will also be limited to the types of plants you can use on a covered porch, since everything will have to be shade tolerant. The upkeep for a covered porch will be much easier since furniture etc. will not be as exposed to the elements.

Furniture: There are so many options available for patio furniture. Choosing them to fit in your budget and also making sure they are quality can be difficult. Here are a few sets I love that are affordable as well as durable:

Set #1

Set #2

Set #3

I love this Swing that we have hanging on the porch, the kids love it and I love the whimsy it adds. This Swing from Target is another great option.

We purchased these Adirondack chairs on clearance from Home Depot a year or so ago. Unfortunately they are already starting to rot because of the material that they’re made of. When these get to a point they need to be replaced I want to get these Polywood Adirondacks from Home Depot. I love the look of these types of chairs and also don’t want a lot of cushions to have to keep clean, so this is a great alternative.

Porch Design: Knowing your style is important when designing your outdoor space. I like a more rustic look which is why I used a lot of tree stumps for tables or plant stands, and galvanized buckets for planters.

I also like to add old birdhouses to the mix, these have been in the family for awhile and I love the look of them.

Terra cotta planters are another favorite of mine, especially after they’ve aged and have a beautiful green patina. I also like to add little statues like the owl to the mix…Colli loves to play with them while we are on the porch.

Here are a couple statues I would love for our porch:

Statue #1

Statue #2

Lighting: One of my favorite things about an outdoor space is the use of string lights. I love the ambiance they create and they look so beautiful at night. These are the ones we have on our porch and have been happy with them.

Rugs/Walkways: There are many beautiful rug choices available online, but since our space isn’t covered, we needed something a bit more functional. These outdoor Mats have held up for years and they come in a lot of different sizes. I leave them down and just pressure wash them once a year along with the concrete on the porch and they look good as new.
For the walkway to the porch we used this mold and filled it with a mix of concrete and rock.

Greenery: Plants add so much life to an outdoor space and make it look full and lush. If you’re concerned about keeping your plants alive, do like I did and put a reminder in your calendar on your phone to help you remember to water them. I was never much of a plant person because I couldn’t keep them alive. I would buy them and then forget about them, now I find joy in keeping these beauties alive.

A couple things to think about when purchasing your plants. A. How much sunlight they will or won’t get and B. How much watering they require.

For example: I purchase ferns quite a bit because they thrive on a partially covered porch and only require watering every two to three days. I also love impatience because they need partial sun, so they are the perfect addition to our porch.

HERE is a prior post on what types of plants I use on our back porch

Water Feature: This fountain is a new addition to our porch. I cannot tell you how happy we are with the sound and beauty of it. In case you didn’t know, the pineapple is a symbol of Hospitality here in the South…We think she fits right in.

You can find fountains at local statue Garden stores or even find them online as well.

I Hope you found this blog posts helpful while planning your new space or revamping an old one. There’s nothing better than sitting on the porch in the morning and evenings with a cup of coffee and taking in the beauty of something you created.

Hugs!