Classic Southern Porch Design: Outdoor Living with Wayfair
Thank you to Wayfair for sponsoring today’s post!
Spring has officially sprung, warm weather is here to stay, and that means one thing here in the South: you can find us living life outside from sun up to sun down for the next six months.
Is there anything more quintessential of outdoor living than the Classic Southern Porch?
There is arguably nothing quite as relaxing, more welcoming, or more inviting than the traditional porch. Sweeping oversized porches, Haint blue ceilings, rocking chairs and porch swings, hanging ferns, and a full pitcher of freshly brewed ice cold sweet tea. And perhaps most importantly, a welcoming voice saying, “Y’all come on in!”
The porch represents more than just a physical space. It’s a place where everyone wants to gather: a true extension of your home.
It’s sipping coffee in the early morning while listening to the birds chirp. It’s gathering with friends and family on Sunday afternoon. It’s escaping the afternoon heat with a glass of sweet tea. It’s conversation with a loved one. It’s hot summer nights illuminated by the glow of lightning bugs and citronella candles. It’s storytelling, book reading, and memory making. It’s reminiscent of time past and a slower way of life.
I haven’t shared our new house plans just yet (I will soon!), but I’m going to give you a little spoiler: our entire house plan was designed around our wrap around porch!
So you can only imagine how excited I am to be able to dream up and design our new outdoor porch space with Wayfair!
I can’t begin to tell you how much time I’ve spent dreaming of the day where we can sit back and enjoy our porch. I have envisioned how it will look for so long, and I’m sure it comes as no surprise that it’s packed full of all the traditional elements of the classic Southern porch.
I’ve put together some of my favorite picks for classic outdoor living with Wayfair. Not just for a “Southern porch”, these timeless elements are sure to make any outdoor space feel warm, welcoming and hospitable!
Daybed Swing: Also known as a Sunday porch swing, or a Sunday daybed. And that’s because Sunday afternoons are best spent napping on these oversized swings that double as a bed. The deeper the better, and piled with pillows!
Rocking Chairs: Perhaps the number one classic porch essential. No porch is complete without them!
Outdoor Rug: The porch is an extension of your home, and should be furnished as so! Outdoor rugs ground a conversation area and provide a soft place to land those bare feet.
String Lights: When the sun starts setting and the heat of the day starts to fade away, string lights add the perfect ambient glow.
Conversation Set: A place to sit back and gather with family and friends. It’s not complete without a table where you can set your coffee, your latest novel or newspaper, or that glass of sweet tea.
Speaking of sweet tea (a must have always!), you’ll need a Pitcher Set, a Serving Tray and some stylish Coasters.
Greenery: Bring the outdoors “in” to the porch! Window Box Planters overflow with flowers and adorn every window (which also provide the loveliest view from indoors). Classic Urn Planters frame either side of the entryway. Hanging Planters house oversized ferns that line the entire porch. And Ficus Wreaths embellish the front doors.
Trellis: The perfect place for growing Confederate Jasmine or Climbing Roses.
Outdoor Lantern: An old time lantern to light the night.
Bunting: The porch is a favorite place to put patriotism on full display! Not just for the Fourth of July, you’ll see bunting start to emerge around Memorial Day and likely stay through the end of the summer.
Outdoor Curtains: The perfect (and stylish) way to provide shade and escape the summer heat.
