Enjoy Your Outdoor World in Cooler Weather With a Firepit

As the weather cools off, we certainly don't want to just stop using our porch or other outdoor living areas. The days are still warm enough, but the evenings can get cool, even down right cold at times.

A simple addition to your country porch can make a world of difference. A terrace or porch firepit is meant to be used in smaller outdoor spaces. It makes a great way to enjoy your porch during those cooler evenings of Fall.

There are plenty of styles of porch firepits to choose from, so you can pick one that will work great with your own porch decor. There are styles that go well with a vintage look and styles that work great with a modern effect, along with plenty for just about any style.

Consider sizes, too. Some are designed for smaller spaces, while others are designed to warm up large areas. Based on your own country porch size, or the area that you want to warm up, you will make a size selection as well.

Of course, porch firepits are priced in a wide range. You want to not only look at your budget, but also at the features that each offers. Some are fully open which means you have to be careful with young children around them. You also may want to consider how windy your porch may get in the Autumn evenings. If these are issues for you, choose an enclosed porch firepit.

Most of all, take the time to enjoy your country porch or other outdoor living space in the Fall. You certainly don't want to just close things up too early.

Using Umbrellas for Your Country Porch

Well, I have to admit that I don't have much covering over my porch. And it tends to get lots of sun. That makes using large umbrellas to shade my sitting areas pretty important.

Of course, I have a great umbrella that stands in the center of my patio table. It has the extra feature of being able to tilt. Depending on the time of day that I am outside enjoying my country porch, I can tilt the umbrella to get the best relief from the hot sun.

But I also have several nice seating arrangements. One that sits away from the table and a little reading nook with my favorite relaxing Adirondack chair. These places can really benefit from a little shade, too. I added my first free-standing umbrella next to the group seating area.

It was perfect. All of my guests who joined me for an afternoon tea or morning coffee remarked on it. But I added a second one, as well. That free-standing umbrella sits over my reading nook. And now I can sit out at all times of the day without worry of getting sunburned, being overly bright or just having the sun glare on what I'm reading.

I chose the offset-style of umbrellas, too. That means that I don't have a pole in the middle of my area and I can get the full advantage of the umbrella. Talk about making sense. Off-set and free-standing umbrellas make the most of those sun drenched areas of your country porch.

Summer Replacement Cushions for a Country Porch

Whether it's the beginning, middle or end of summer, it might be time to replace your furniture cushions on your country porch. The sun and weather can fade the colors on your cushions and just plain use can cause wear on them. So give your porch a fresh look.

My favorite part about replacement cushions and pillows is the chance to change up your decorating look at bit. I'm not talking about a whole redecoration unless you are ready for that. I'm talking about just a few little changes to effect a new look.

If you had striped cushions before, consider florals or solids. Even mix them up some. A few solid cushions in a color that matches your decor along with a few florals in that color scheme.

Maybe even change your color scheme a bit. See if you have an different accent color in your other decor accessories and add replacement furniture cushions in the new color.

The addition of a few new items on my country porch always gives me a fresh new feeling to enjoy. This may also be a time to do a little rearranging to go with your new cushions. Again, we aren't talking anything major, just a little bit of moving the small furniture pieces to a new place to create a whole new look.

Then we can re-discover that great outdoor living space that we all enjoy so much.

Creating a Seaside Effect on Your Country Porch

The fun and charm of a country porch allows you to mix up some of your decorating effects with additional touches like a seaside effect. For many, the oceans and beaches are a theme that is very attractive. Isn't that what many think of when they think of outdoor living?

Adding a few new touches to your country porch can bring the seaside or coastal look for you. Wicker furniture works best for both a Country porch and a Coastal Porch, along with Adirondack chairs. You may already have that look for your country porch, so the addition of a few nautical or beach items will carry your country porch into a seaside look.

We talk often about the little touches that make the effect come together. Thats what a seaside or coastal look is all about. The simple little accents that make a big difference. Try an arrangement of several seashells as part of a table centerpiece. Add the color scheme of beige and white for sand and blue and white for water with waves.

Your country porch will take on a coastal or seaside effect with just a few changes. So don't be afraid to try out a new look this year.

Welcome Fall with a Garden Flag

With the arrival of October, we start thinking about Fall and welcoming the season on our Country Porch. We may have already add mums to decorate the porch, so now let's add a welcome Fall garden flag.

If you have the ability, hang the flag from your porch wall or from the overhang or ceiling. If not, use a welcome Fall garden flag on a ground spike so that it can be seen from your porch.

It adds a festive touch to your look and incorporates the fall color scheme that you have converted your country porch to. It also helps you welcome the cooler weather to your country porch.

 

This lovely garden flag welcomes not just the season, but your guests as well. It's available in two different sizes, so that you can enjoy which ever fits your country porch. Click on the picture to get one for yourself.

 Since it's time to welcome Fall into our worlds, we might as well do it with style!

Make Use of the Fall to Spruce Up Your Cournty Porch

Just because it's Fall doesn't mean you should fold up your beautiful country porch and not use it anymore. This is a time when you can enjoy spending time out doors. The weather may be cooler in some parts, but that will be an advantage for you. It becomes more comfortable to sit outside.

When the cooler weather sets in, though, you will want to add a few new accents pieces to spruce up the look of your country porch. Try a Welcome to Autumn garden flag. A set of potted mums to give your country porch a more Fall look. Switch your table cloth to one that matches the colors of your mums or coordinates with your new garden flag.

One of the other things that I love to do in the Fall is to add accent rugs to my country porch. The rugs allow me to sit longer in the outdoors, even in cooler weather. That's because my toes don't get as cold if I'm enjoying reading or talking with friends.

The fall colors of oranges, reds and browns can bring new life to your country porch and give you a new reason to enjoy it.

Adding Garden Solar Lights to Your Country Porch

When you want to enjoy your Country Porch on those lovely summer and fall evenings, a little lighting can go along way. It's easy to add garden solar lights.

Some of them come with stakes so they can make great path lighting for you. Picture a pretty and nicely lit walk way up to your Country Porch. When you entertain on your porch, your guests will be safe and you will have a lovely look.

Some garden solar lights are designed to be hung from something. You can use standing J-hook poles designed just for hanging lamps and lanterns, or you can hang them from the edges of your roof line.

And there are some that are designed to be hung among the branches of trees. These can make wonderful twinkling effect that sets off the tree closest to your porch. The actual light will not be as bright for your guests, but it's still a look that makes a great accent for your Country Porch.

Don't be afraid to stand one or more along the border of your porch. If you have shelf-type space, a garden solar lantern can be a wonderful addition.

The Secret of Using Rocking Chairs on Your Country Porch

Rocking chairs make fabulous additions to your country porch look, but there is a secret to creating the effect that makes it all come together. The secret is not hard, but few people seem to understand how to create the effect. So I'm going to tell you.

The simplicity is that you create a vignette with your rocking chair. A vignette is simply a small grouping of items. Usually these are placed in an otherwise-unused area of your porch, but don't worry about that. You can create your vignette that is incorporated into your seating area, as well.

Depending on how you want to use your rocking chair vignette will determine what items you include. For instance, if you want to have a reading nook with your rocking chair vignette, make sure you have comfortable cushions or throw pillows on the seat and back. Set a small rug on the floor just in front of your rocker to keep your feet comfortable. Then add a small table next to it. Presto, a rocking chair vignette designed as a reading nook.

If you want to incorporate your rocking chair into your seating area, then the secret to creating a vignette is slightly different. Comfortable cushions are optional, but try adding a throw or quilt over the back of the chair. Set your rocker within reach of one of your other side tables and add a potted flower or teacup planter close to the rocker.

The secret is pretty simple, isn't it? Just a few little additions to the rocking chair and the area around it creates an inviting look for both you and your guests. Be sure to visit Country Porch World for more decorating tips and ideas.

Enjoying a Firepit on a Country Porch

The cool evenings in summer can be made much warmer with a firepit. This is a great idea for giving you not only warmth on your country porch, but also charming light. The flicker of fire light will offer you a dancingly warm glow around your porch look.

You can probably picture a lovely scene where you and your guests are enjoying an evening on your country porch. You can be sitting around your firepit and enjoying each other's company. But don't stop there. Enjoy your firepit on nice evenings by yourself or with your family.

Firepits are made to have small wood-burnings fires in a portable container. They are not expensive additions to your country porch look. They are safe to use as long as you monitor them. And, of course, watch children carefully. 

You can see more about fire pits plus a couple of choices at Add a Firepit to Your Country Porch Look. And be sure to visit Country Porch World for more decorating ideas.

Dress Up Your Country Porch Look with Flowers and Plants

When you are dressing up your country porch look, consider adding potted plants and flowering plants. They add an extra charm and delight to your look. We all love flowers to add that extra touch of bright color, but several potted house plants also bring a lovely addition.

The idea behind a country porch look, whether it's on a porch, a patio, a deck or even a section of your backyard, is to bring the comforts of indoors outside. If you use house plants in your home, why not add them to your country porch? The rich light and dark greens can accent your color scheme as well.

Potted flowering plants will certainly bring a touch of color and brightness to your look. You'll want to consider the amount of sunlight your country porch gets and how much time you want to spend caring for plants. Some easy care options are Begonias and Impatiens. You can also create a living bouquet by planting a few different varieties together in one pot. Find out more about how to do this here.

Finding interesting pots to display your flowering plants and house plants is a key to showing them off to their best advantage. Try some teacup planters as well. And find out more about decorating a Country Porch Look.

Carry a Tea Time Theme Through Your Country Porch Decorating

A country porch look and tea time just seem to naturally go together. Both evoke an image of a relaxed by-gone era. A time when the world seemed to move at a slower pace and casual gossip was the topic of the day. So adding a tea time theme to your country porch decorating is quite appropriate.

Teacup planters are available, ready to accept your flowers and plants. Try a variety of sizes and colors. Even mix up florals, solids and stripes to create a charming effect. Then use old teapots and coffee pots to add more tea time fun.

Check yard sales, flea markets and Gramma's attic for old teapots and coffee pots. One thing to keep in mind, though. The delicate china ones won't be able to hold plants. You will need to be able to drill drainage holes in the bottom and the china will crack before you can get a hole made. Guess how I know this? But, don't be afraid to use them for cut flowers, or just as accents to your teacup planters.

If you can find the metal versions of teapots and coffee pots, then you can drill holes and plant in them. But, you can also use them just as accents to your country porch look. Some of us don't have green thumbs. In that case, a simple arrangement of silk flowers interlaced with ribbons can be the answer.

You can set your table with a fun, romantic, even whimsical tea service. Lay out a linen napkin or cloth placemat that matches your color scheme, then set the tea service on top. Draping a ribbon through the handles adds more country porch charm. Then you have a centerpiece for your table.

When thinking tea time, think about vintage items or a vintage look for your country porch. You will enjoy the effect, and receive plenty of compliments from your guests.

Simple Ways to Redecorate a Country Porch Look

When you want to change up the look of your country porch, you don't need to start from scratch. There are small and simple ways to make look, feel and effect seem different. We do it at the start of every outdoor season, but we have been known to change the effect at multiple times throughout the summer.

One thing I enjoy doing is to change the look with the changes in the weather. Spring and early summer are cooler and more comfortable. Mid to late summer get into the hot temperatures and Fall brings on cooler temps. The flowers that I use to add visual interest to my country porch match those temperatures. Violets and pansies appreciate the cooler weather, while impatiens and begonias enjoy the heat, then mums abound in the Fall.

But, there are more fun ways to redecorate. Something as simple as adding new tablecloths to each of your tables can bring out an entirely different effect. Rearranging your furniture to give you and your guests a new view can also add a wonderful new dimension.

Get several seasonal garden flags to change the effect. A “welcome spring” interchanged with a “summer fun” then switched to a “fall foliage” garden flag can make a nice redecorating touch.

If you do have flowers and plants, try changing their groupings. Add different heights to some to add visual interest. Turn an empty terra cotta pot upside down then place a planter on top to achieve height. Try placing smaller potted plants in front of a taller flowering plant. An easy way to change up the look of your country porch.

So don't panic if you feel bored with your same old look. Instead, think of small ways to add new life and charm to your country porch.

Graduation Parties on Your Country Porch

This time of year, graduation parties abound. If you have a graduate this year, having the party on your country porch can be ideal. The guests can enjoy being outdoors and you can enjoy the event easily. A little planning is all it takes.

With summer coming up, you'll want to have your country porch spruced up and ready to enjoy, so why not do that in time for a graduation party? It doesn't have to be elaborate decorating. You can easily redecorate your country porch to have it looking great. Then plan for that graduation party.

Our friend, Mandee has done a whole series of articles about planning graduation parties, including food presentation ideas. She has some fun ways to keep those cold foods cold and protect your guests while enjoying the party. It's time to get planning your graduation parties this year and Mandee offers you all the suggestions and tips you need.

There are lots of places you can hold a graduation party, but why not on your country porch? The way you decorate to achieve a country porch look can be on your patio, deck or even a section of your backyard. You bring indoor living comforts and charm to the outdoor world, so this makes a wonderful venue for a graduation party.

Fabrics Make the Country Porch Look

When you are creating your country porch look, think of fabrics as the way to effect that soft, inviting world. Pillows and cushions on your chairs and settees are the easiest way to bring fabric to your country porch. But other ways work, too.

Table cloths over any or all tables add to the country porch effect as well. You can use a floral for your main table and matching solid colors to your end tables. Even a striped or plaid tablecloth in a complimentary color scheme laid over your coffee table. Don't be afraid to mix florals and stripes, just work around your chosen color.

Picking a lap quilt to lay over the back of a chair or settee also adds charm to your country porch look. What you're looking for here is an inviting world for both you and your guests. Whether it's a large porch attached to your house, a concrete patio off the back door, even a section of your backyard, you can create a country porch look. It's all about comfort and charm.

You can find our choices for pillows and cushions here. But, also enjoy touring Country Porch World to see more ideas for creating your own country porch. You and your guests will delighted.