Now is the time to start thinking about your summer porch decor. Spring frosts are gone, making it the perfect time to plant annuals, and extending daylight brings in more time outdoors.
Depending on the size of your porch, the most logical front porch ideas for your home might be purely decorative – think a front door wreath and a pretty hanging basket. Or it could be more practical, like a set of rocking chairs to enjoy the sunset in the evening, or a dining area so you can have family dinners outside.
Whatever type of decor you’re looking for, we’ve got an idea for it below.
Summer Balcony Decor – Ideas for a Fun and Practical Space
It’s officially the season of outdoor living and no need to take your summer décor ideas indoors! Are you looking for small front porch ideas that add big appeal? Or a way to increase the space on your back porch? Read on.
1. Hang porch swing
(Photo credit: The Fox Group/Scott Zimmerman)
There is something charming and nostalgic about a porch swing. It’s the perfect way to wind down a summer afternoon (just add a good book and a glass of lemonade). And if you take design cues from the above version, by The Fox Group (Opens in a new tab)A swing can also be a major decorative feature on your front porch.
Get the look by choosing brightly printed pillows that evoke the summer lifestyle, like awning stripes that look nautical and Mediterranean.
2. Planting a flower basket
(Image credit: Proven Winners)
Flower baskets are the perfect summer porch décor, and they work in balconies of all sizes. If you have a small front porch, surround your front door with one hanging basket on each side. Or, if you have a larger porch that extends to the front or back of your home, hang a basket every few feet for a lush and gorgeous summer display.
‘Summer’s best hanging baskets mix drooping flowers with upright varieties to give the whole, desired look of layers,’ says Melanie Griffiths, Editor of Period Living magazine and a Homes & Gardens expert in gardening. Flowers such as petunias, geraniums, and trailing roses are some of the best flowers for hanging baskets. Of course, you’ll also want to pay attention to how much sunlight your porch gets throughout the day, to make sure you’re choosing the right plants.
3. Turn your balcony into an outdoor living area
(Photo credit: Jesica Risco Smith/Caitlin Atkinson)
If you’re lucky enough to have a large porch that is wrapped or shaped like a rocking chair, take advantage of the outdoor space by adding an outdoor living room and outdoor dining area. To help zone off each area, ground the living furniture with a large outdoor rug, shown above in a home by designer Jesica Risco Smith. (Opens in a new tab).
4. Break out red, white and blue
(Photo credit: Grandin Road)
If you have a front porch, it’s almost necessary to decorate it completely with Americana during the summer, especially as part of Memorial Day decorating ideas and during the Fourth of July.
For a classic all-American look, hang a flag pennant from your front railing or the roof of your porch, or wrap poles and beams in flag banners.
5. Plant topiaries in colorful farms
(Photo credit: The Fox Group/Scott Zimmerman)
Planting a bunch of annuals isn’t the only way to add color to your front porch. If you prefer a simpler color palette for the front of your home, or you’re looking for a low-maintenance planter idea, grow boxwoods in colorful plantings, as The Fox Group did above. They’ll add a bright spot to your front porch all summer (and year-round, too).
6. Use of multi-purpose furniture
(Image credit: Jenny Reimold)
Get the most out of your balcony by including flexible furniture options that can serve different purposes depending on your needs, such as outdoor seating, cocktail tables, and storage benches.
says Jenny Reymold, interior designer and HomeGoods (Opens in a new tab) Style expert. “It’s sturdy and comfortable as an extra seat, footstool for an outdoor sofa or chair, and instantly converts into a side table when topped with a tray for food or drinks at your Fourth of July party.”
7. Grow a low-maintenance garden
(Image credit: Proven Winners)
Frame your porch with a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn that will add color to your home’s facade throughout the summer season.
If your home’s exterior gets plenty of sunlight and you have room for that, choose a hillside flower, like Proven Winners’ Diamond Mountain Euphorbia Hybrid. This vigorous flower is resistant to heat and deer, blooms constantly, and does not need head dying.
8. Switch out your door mat
(Image credit: Frontgate)
There’s a good chance that after spending the winter in muddy boots, snowdrifts, and freezing temperatures, the door mat looks a little worse for wear. Give your front porch an inexpensive but effective upgrade by replacing your bulky rug with a new one.
For a very cheerful summer pop, choose a colorful door mat that matches the planter box ideas.
9. Create Vignette Planter
(Image credit: Proven Winners)
Instead of a single planter by the door, elevate the visual impact with multi-layered floral patterns. To create a look like this, choose planters in different heights and shapes, and fill each one with only one or two types of flowers to create a graphic design. Keep the look cohesive with planters in a similar color or material.
10. Pile on textiles
(Image credit: Homegoods/Jenny Reimold/Evin Photography)
Summer is the season when your porch will get the most out of it, and adding pattern and texture enhances the sense that your outdoor space is an extension of the interior. Outdoor throw pillows, cushions, and rugs are both functional and decorative, so use these items as an opportunity to add some style to your home’s exterior.
11. Create a modern chart
(Image credit: Renewal)
Traditional porch rocking chairs and colorful hanging baskets can contrast with a more modern or minimalist home architecture, so if your home is more modern, look for front porch décor that matches its unique aesthetic.
Streamlined planters of varying heights and filled with seasonal greens are a beautiful accent and symbiosis for modern front porches, as well as contemporary outdoor furnishings.
12. Don’t forget the rocking chairs
(Image credit: Trex)
If you’re stuck in analytical paralysis over what kind of furniture to add to your summer front porch, know that rocking chairs are always a good idea. There’s a reason it’s called a porch rocking chair, after all. Choose classic wood rocker machines, or upgrade for an almost weatherproof version of Polywood.
How do I make my balcony hotter in the summer?
The summer season is synonymous with color, so it’s only natural that you’ll want to create a bright front porch for the season. Fortunately, there are many ways to incorporate color into your front porch decor.
- Use colored furniture: If your front porch is big enough for a seating area or even a few rocking chairs, your furniture is a great place to start incorporating color. Choose brightly colored chair cushions, patterned pillows, or multi-colored rugs to add a lot of pop to your porch.
- flowers: Flowers are another essential for a colorful balcony. Whether you use hanging baskets, window boxes, or planters and urns, find flowers in your favorite colors, or stick to a color scheme for a more formal look.
- wreaths The front door wreath isn’t just for the holidays. Find one with faux flowers, or add ribbon to a simple boxwood wreath to add a bright spot to your front door.
- Flags and wipers. An easy way to add color to your porch is to use flags and door mats. Alternating these two items with brightly colored versions will set a seasonal scene.
What are the best summer flowers for a balcony?
The flowers you choose to decorate your summer balcony should, first of all, be suitable for the hardiness zone of the plant and the level of sun that the balcony receives every day.
Some good partial sun options that have a lot of color and work in a range of climates include:
- ivy geranium
- begonia
- Empatiens
- lilies
Popular full sun options include:
- zinnias
- lysianthos
- poppy
- petunia flowers