Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
Harvesting the Porch Hang
As the weather gets crispier, our porches become less frequented, but here are a few tips to enjoy it even during the colder months.
I grew up in the deep southern suburban residences of Louisiana. As a child, I recall my walks home from school and to Miss Sweeney’s candy shop up the road. Every day there was a Mister or a Miss “So & So” on their front porch primed and ready for countless waves, ‘hey shas’, or an invite for iced tea or lemonade. That’s just how it is there. A home without a porch in the South is like Ted Lasso without a ‘stache or the Arctic without glaciers, it just doesn’t feel the same.
Wrap arounds and full frontal country porches are never overlooked on my personal home searches. It gives me an added bonus of being social without having to go out out. It allows me to say hello and chat with my neighbors in the fresh air. Lastly, let’s not forget how badly most of us want to shout our personal style and seasonal decor creations off the front stoop. All you Cottagecore people, kudos to you and the time it’s taking to get that perfect Farmhouse Fall look. I’m literally thinking on how much pumpkin and gourd sales have gone up in the last 10 years.
Although I spend a majority of my eves and morns on the front porch all year round, I have grown to love the Fall hang the best. I take this outdoor nook hangage seriously, and with lots of comfort, saying hello to passerby as the whiskey leaves my lips, knees pressed up to my chest, fuzzy blanket wrapped around me — ah, my favorite time of year has arrived.
There are some things that are required for this type of porch hang. Sure, mums and pumpkins all damn day long, but I’m talking about the other things. For instance, a good porch for hanging out on in the Fall is going to have good seating, warm lighting and a place to put your blankets. I suggest having some sort of table as well, because there needs to be some nosh. So, of course I gathered some ideas on how to make your porch more inviting.
Lighting
Lighting is everything especially in an outdoor setting. Give it a little mood swing into the season by adding your traditional string lights to railings and ceilings or give a touch of character with lighted birdcages or floor lanterns. Put some in your front trees for added effect or add a table lantern for those late night reads. Also, consider putting some soft lighting under your stairs that will make it easier for you and your guests to find their way home.
Seating
You can go traditional and have a nice chair set out there with the warm colors of fall (reds, oranges, yellows) or you can really get comfortable with a day bed swing adorned with warm knitted blankets and pillows or if you have a smaller porch, single swings and blanket draped rocking chairs are cozy. Adding an outdoor rug with large seating pillows can give you a loungey outdoor effect as well. Invest in some seat warmers! Just make sure it’s comfortable.
Added Touches
An old trunk is ideal for storing and protecting your blankets in addition to using it as a table. Add a ladder to place blankets on for a decorative look. A small fire pit or small heater will bring some nice warmth to your portico. Get some nice fall themed curtains to add some insulation and create a dramatic effect.
Don’t forget to make your favorite warm cocktails and beverages to complete your Fall/Winter porch hangs! Purchase a small bluetooth speaker or break out the acoustic to provide some great holiday or seasonal tunes to mix.
The significance of the porch in American culture runs deep:
Arriba, Arriba!
Transforming your high rise balconies into a comfortable oasis can easily be done and is a nice DIY project for the summer!
One of the things I love about the architecture here in RVA is it’s balconies. I love a good balcony and there’s nothing like sipping coffee or having a glass of vino from it as you overlook your domain. Many of the Fan apartments I lived in during my residences in Richmond have come donning balconies. Many of them left significant memories of hangs with friends, late night romances, and a proper setting for reads and contemplations.
I used to put a chair out there and maybe some makeshift table to collect ashtrays, bottles, and accouterments fit for a college student. I haven’t had a balcony since my days on Avondale in Bellevue, the only thing I miss about that rental. The balcony now resides on my wish list of things I’d like when purchasing a home, especially one that my Queen’s Quarters leads to.
RVA is seeing a boost in its Condo living in the city and most of these units do come with their elevated lookouts. The balconies seen in our neighborhood’s Revival, Colonial and Edwardian styled homes tend to be an easier space to decorate just by sheer size. It would be equivalent to decorating your deck or patio, but our city dwellers have a smaller platform to work with. Not to worry, one can turn these into cozy lifted oases fit for Juliet herself. However, although our city dwellers have a smaller space to work with, there are many options for creating a unique and comfortable space to look down upon.
FLOORING
Flooring tiles and rugs can create beautiful textures and colors for your balcony flooring and can range from super affordable and interchangeable to super luxe and very expensive. tiles are great for mixing and matching and rugs give an added comfy feel to your outdoors. Check out these cool floorings to bedeck your box.
IKEA: RUNNEN
OVERSTOCK
GRANADA TILE: SERENGETI
RUGGABLE
WAYFAIR: MISHA
FAB HABITAT
You can coze up any balcony on a budget! Check out this cute and affordable makeover.
LIGHTING
Hopefully your balcony is equipped with some electricity, but if not there are some nice LED options. Lighting is a nice addition to your balcony space, it creates the mood and ambience up there. Do you want a party platform or a romantic rendezvous? You have a few options for the ultimate elevated experience. Places like Walmart and Target have solar powered lanterns/lighting which are decorative and affordable. There is always the string light option and I will say there has been a few that are a bit different than the plain ole bulbs of yore. I personally love a combination of candles and decorative lanterns. You might also want to think about making lighting interchangeable perhaps to satisfy your holiday expressions.
PRIVACY
“I always feel like, somebody’s watching me…” Rockwell said it best. I have to say this is my favorite addition to any balcony. We have all been there. You get up, you want to do a nice long stretch and take in the outside air and you don’t want to get dressed doing it or perhaps you are trying to have cuddle time with your mate, but don’t Mr. Jones next door all up in your biz. Curtains are romantic flowing in the wind, but if you want to find something a bit more substantial there are a variety of attachable screens that will tend to not just your privacy, but also your sun intake. If you are looking for something that will add to your balcony decor, try looking for vintage wooden screens at your local thrift shop and paint them with reckless abandon. Here are few ideas you can find just using that good ole google search.
FURNITURE
Depending on how big or small your balcony is will determine how much furniture and what types will provide a comfortable setting. I love the removable and foldable tables/bars you can utilize for eating al fresco. I am also in love with the cool and cozy balcony swings or maybe you prefer a full on hammock up there. Create a raised oasis by adding small tables with lanterns/candles, vertical planters to make your space green and alive, wall niches for succulents or books, or add some art for fun. One of my favorite balcony makeovers it the transformation into an outdoor theater idea. Make a nice sit in movie area, perfect for bingeing and cuddling watching your favorite flicks. An outdoor heater or fire bowl can bring warmth even on those crispy, Fall evenings. YouTube has DIY projects galore from tool-free furniture to high rise pergolas, there’s plenty to explore.
You’d be surprised how beautiful and creative you can make this small or large outdoor space. Decor options are endless. From vertical planters to palette furniture with cushions of modern, vintage, or sleek designs. You can adorn with cozy chairs and bistro tables, add a small cocktail/tea station, or a swing. It’s truly an elevated blank canvas for the taking. Need some inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board for other ideas!
