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Rear porch ideas


25 Back Porch Ideas For the Ultimate Backyard Oasis

Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

The front porch is all about welcoming and curb appeal, designed as much for guests and passersby as for yourself. But the back porch is an intimate space designed exclusively for you and yours, tailored to your lifestyle and preferred ways of passing time in the privacy of your own backyard.

A back porch can be anything from a an outdoor dining area for family meals and entertaining to a romantic spot for unwinding with your partner, to a solitary spot for contemplating the view. Your back porch decor can be minimalist and designed to blend into the background, or packed with outdoor furniture and accessories that rival your interior or look like an extension of the inside of your home.

Whether you're designing a space for getting more enjoyment out of your weekends, staycations, or the warm carefree days of summer, check out these back porch ideas that explore some of the endless possibilities for creating your own stylish and private backyard oasis.

12 inspiring looks for your outdoor space |

Choosing the right back porch ideas can help you enjoy your backyard year round. Whether you're the consummate host on the hunt for ways to elevate your summer barbecues, or you'd like to use your back porch as an extension of your living space through the fall, there's a porch upgrade for everyone. 

Unlike front porch ideas, your back porch will likely be private, meaning you can get a little bit more creative with your choices. In other words, your goal should go beyond simply creating a welcoming vignette, and create an area that enhances your lifestyle, too.

Back porch ideas that'll elevate your outdoor space

The best back porch ideas, like the ones we've collected below, add both style and lifestyle points to your outdoor living space. 

1. Add a pop of color to your porch ceiling

(Image credit: Andrew Suvalsky)

Interior walls aren't the only places to experiment with paint color. Your back porch can be an ideal spot to test a bold hue, too. For one, the back porch is usually a spot for relaxing or entertaining, so adding some color for your porch ceiling ideas can help set the right mood for the space. 

Plus, if you tuck the color up on the ceiling, like designer Andrew Suvalsky did at this Rhode Island home, above, this porch paint idea can be a fun surprise that's completely different from rest of your home's exterior. 

'The client and I discussed using a color that was very bold, playful, a little preppy, and evocative of the outside,' says Suvalsky.  'Originally, the property was a golf course before it was developed in the late 1800s, so it was a 'no-brainer' to go for green. The actual shade was Benjamin Moore, Basil Green #2029-10 in semi-gloss, giving an even greater depth to the paint color.'

(Image credit: Matthew Williams)

If you aren't sure where to start with your outdoor décor ideas, simply look beyond your porch steps. Mother nature is the ultimate design inspiration. Your landscape can give you cues around color, materials, furniture orientation, and more.

On this back porch, the throw pillows nod to the colors of the sky and water views through the trees, while the live-edge cocktail table ties in the pine forest.

3. Swing the day away

(Image credit: CQM Design + Interiors / J Holt Manning)

Porch swings are often associated more with front porches, but there's no reason you can't add one to the back porch instead. A back porch swing not only adds practical seating, but a sense of fun and nostalgia, too.

Designer (and homeowner) Christie Manning of CQM Interiors added the swing to overlook the property's back yard, pool and tennis court. 

4. Hang paper lanterns for a magical mood at night

(Image credit: Jenny Reimold)

Creative porch lighting ideas are one of the best ways to add ambience to your back porch, and incorporating decorative lighting styles along with more task-oriented options will help set the mood for your outdoor space. 

'I love using our back porch for outdoor entertaining with guests, especially under our shaded pergola which is the perfect place to set up a seating area for an evening BBQ,' says Jenny Reimold, interior stylist & HomeGoods Style Expert. 'I like to bring the space to life and add some ambiance by tying various outdoor lanterns on branches of a nearby tree or hanging from the top of the pergola. I specifically love rattan or bamboo ones which are great for outside areas, and some even come with battery operated candles. '

5. Zone your back porch

(Image credit: David Christensen / EverCraft LLC / Linda MacArthur Architect, LLC / Floralis Garden Design)

If you have a large outdoor space and you're building your back porch from scratch, consider creating a porch with multiple areas, or zones, to serve different purposes and break up the back of your house visually. 

A covered porch can be a great spot for entertaining, and housing the grill station and dining table. Then, create an open air portion of the porch for taking in the early morning sunlight with a cup of coffee. 

6. Include multiple seating options

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

To get the most use out of your porch, set it up for as many occasions as it allows by incorporating a variety of furnishing types. 

A conversation set with a cushioned love seat and outdoor chair created an area for relaxing with a glass of wine or catching up with friends. An outdoor dining table or bistro set can offer a place for everyday dining al fresco, enjoying morning coffee, or hosting an outdoor dinner party.  

7. Add a functional element

(Image credit: Jan Baldwin)

If your back porch tends to be a major point of egress for your home, say, if your kids are constantly flying in an out of the back door when they go out to play, set up an outdoor mudroom to catch clutter (and dirt) before it enters your home.

A hall tree (or a row of wall hooks and a shelf for shoes) and a door mat are all you need to set up a drop zone for outdoor gear. This option works best on a covered porch so your belongings are kept out of the elements.

8. Make your back porch feel like an extension of the indoors

(Image credit: Jenny Reimold)

Your back porch decor can go beyond basic outdoor furnishings. Incorporating textiles, outdoor rugs, and accent pieces will make it feel like an open-air room, and an extension of your living space.

'Keep your indoor and outdoor style cohesive by adding weatherproof rugs under furniture and decorative accents in your outdoor space. I always find reasonably priced 8'x10’ indoor/outdoor rugs at stores like HomeGoods in fun, colorful patterns,' says Reimold. 'Place it under an outdoor sectional, top the sectional with a few water-resistant, tasseled pillows then add a seagrass tray to an outdoor coffee table for the perfect outdoor ‘living room.'"

9. Add outdoor curtains

(Image credit: Ballard Designs)

Outdoor curtains instantly create an upscale feel, reminiscent of high-end resort cabanas. For a timeless, French Riviera-inspired look, choose a classic awning stripe, and mimic the pattern across outdoor pillows and cushions.

Prefer a breezy feel? Simple, white outdoor curtain sheers add privacy and ambience while keeping the vibe airy. 

10. Take advantage of a view

(Image credit: Andrew Suvalsky)

When you're contemplating outdoor furniture ideas, consider arranging seating areas to take advantage of the view. Arrange tables and chairs so they face away from the home, and towards the are of your yard that you wish to be the focal point.

Above, Suvalsky set his client's patio set to take in the view of their property's wildflower garden.

11. Create a tropical oasis

(Image credit: Future)

Lucky enough to live in a place where a tiki hut-inspired back porch wouldn't look completely out of place? Then embrace the tropical vibes with a thatch-roof back porch and brightly colored bamboo furnishings to create an out-of-office atmosphere right in your own backyard. 

12. Screen in a back porch with shutters

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

'Screening in a back porch is a great idea if yours is in an exposed location, whether to the elements or is overlooked by neighbors. Screening can also help keep bugs at bay, and will protect furniture from both sun and rain. It will help make your back porch more of an extension of your home, too,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.

What are some tips for buying furniture for a back porch?

When buying back porch furniture, weather resistance is key. “Look for furniture made with polywood due to its weather-resistant durability which can withstand rain, snow, and wind in most geographic regions,' says Reimold.

In addition, your furniture should support the lifestyle you want to enjoy in your backyard. If you like to have family dinners outdoors during the summer, a sturdy dining table and a set of outdoor chairs will be a must-have. If you prefer spending your summer afternoons outside with a good book, a cushioned conversation set and a large patio umbrella will be top of your list. 

100+ ideas!!! | Do-it-yourself porch to the house (50 photos)

A porch for a private house is an indispensable element in the arrangement of any modern home. Since the aesthetic and functional design of the entrance becomes a “business card” and a reflection of the preferences of the household, a competent approach is required for the construction of this structure, in particular, the selection of suitable materials. The design of the porch of the house should create a sense of integrity of the overall ensemble and enhance the attractiveness of the main building. In the article we will talk about how to make a porch to the house with your own hands and what nuances you should pay attention to in order to avoid gross mistakes.

Porch construction types

The general design of the porch is an open area, combined with a staircase, directly in front of the front door. Additional elements - a canopy, fences, walls and glazing can be made from a variety of materials and any shape if desired.

There are three main types of porch:

  1. Simple . It is carried out in the form of a platform at the entrance. A staircase is necessarily equipped and such a porch is often supplemented with a canopy.
  2. Fitted . It is designed at the stage of preparing the drawings of the whole house, therefore it has a common foundation with it and is being built capitally.
  3. Attached . It is constructed (attached) after the construction of the main building.

Porch steps to the house with beautiful lighting

An interesting stylistic solution for decorating the porch made of concrete and brick

Foundation for the porch

To prevent deformations due to temperature differences, a foundation must be built under the porch. Its appearance depends on the material planned for use for construction, design and dimensions.

If a small porch is intended, oriented only to provide a convenient entrance to the house, then it is enough to equip a concrete pad.

Manufacturing technology: step-by-step instructions

Do-it-yourself foundation for the porch of a private house is carried out in several stages:

Porch area marking

For formwork construction, you can use edged boards or moisture-resistant plywood. For the first option, boards sheathed from the inside with roofing felt, which has good water-repellent properties, will be required. To prevent excess mortar from flowing out, the boards must be laid tightly against each other.

The photo shows how to assemble the formwork for the porch from plywood and boards

To save concrete, the base of the steps can be filled with broken stone or bricks

When constructing an entrance from heavy blocks, bricks, it will be necessary to create a stronger reinforced foundation. Such a decision is also necessary in the case of the construction of a spacious porch, which involves the arrangement of a recreation area with the installation of furniture and other accessories.

Wooden porch

Wood is the most versatile porch material for DIY projects. Often used inexpensive and fairly durable when making a protective paint layer pine. More expensive larch will provide high strength after impregnation.

To work with wood, you will need a small set of tools

Porch steps should be convenient for climbing and descending

Wood structures allow you to decorate the entrance with elements of country style, Provence, classics. They are easily combined with stone, forged and wicker elements.

Photo examples of a wooden porch

Modern wooden porch

Concrete porch

Concrete is considered the most versatile, affordable and cheap material used to make a porch. A monolithic structure created in accordance with all the rules is durable and reliable. It has maintained its integrity for many years and is easily restored.

Concrete is a practical and reliable material that can withstand heavy loads

An important advantage is that a concrete structure can be given any shape. When decorating, you can decorate a concrete porch using a variety of decorative elements.

Finish similar structures with clinker tiles, stone. They are plastered and painted. If the facade of the house is made of brick or wood, the concrete entrance is often left without an external coating, emphasizing the overall static balanced composition.

Classic concrete porch

Monolithic concrete porch with many steps

Concrete porch is usually clad with outdoor ceramic granite floor tiles with a corrugated pattern

Monolithic reinforced slab in front of the entrance plays the role of a kind of porch to the house 9002 should be treated with a hydrophobic compound, this will significantly increase its resistance to moisture and frost

Metal porch

If you have the welding equipment and the necessary material, you can build a metal porch within one day.

This design looks ordinary, so elegant forged elements often act as an additional decor. They significantly increase the overall cost of the building, but allow you to get an original luxurious accent.

Luxury wrought iron porch

Metal structures complement other materials used for decking and steps. Chipboards, wooden planks are used. The final durable coating can be made of porcelain stoneware.

Metal is best combined with wood, their tandem is able to decorate any home

Metal porch with a canopy made of polycarbonate

Porch made of stone, brick

Brick or stone masonry looks prestigious when erecting a porch. But these operations require specific skills, so if necessary, they turn to specialists.

The construction takes a lot of time, but the end result will please for decades, while the external decor does not lose its charm and nobility.

Red brick porches look stylish and unusual

Installation of a canopy over the porch

The main functional role of the canopy (single or double slope, figured, domed, arched), erected above the porch, is to protect it from any precipitation.

However, at the design stage, the aesthetic component of this structural element should also be considered. This will add an additional decorative touch to the overall harmonious ensemble.

Materials used

Open porch canopy made of painted wooden beams

Fabric porch canopy will protect the entrance to the house from sun and rain

Porch ideas (photo)

The main structure of the porch is usually planned immediately when designing the house. Later, ideas may arise for its further modernization, increasing space, introducing new functional roles.

Architectural options

  1. Open porch . It is a platform equipped at the front door. From above, a small canopy is usually built. For restriction, you can install on the edges of the railing. The advantages include simple installation, quick construction. The downside is the lack of wind protection.
  2. Closed porch . This variation with side walls allows you to get an entrance to the house, protected from external adverse influences. To preserve lighting, the side walls are glazed completely or in fragments. When calculating individual frames, take into account that their width should not exceed 120 cm in order to withstand wind loads. The main frame of the walls is made in metal or wood.
  3. Tambour . A fairly spacious extension, covering the porch from all sides along with the steps and providing for wall insulation, allows you to reliably protect the house from the penetration of cold. Inside, they usually equip places for storing outerwear, shoes, umbrellas.
  4. Double sided porch . When constructing such a structure, the stairs are located on both sides. When supplemented with openwork wrought iron railings, they create a respectable finished look of the whole house.

Tip! A porch with a reliable canopy and side glazed walls allows you to equip a comfortable seating area. It is enough to install a coffee table, a few light chairs and create a cozy corner where you can relax after a hard day's work.

Beautiful combination of white and green colors in the design of the facade of a country house

Elegant snow-white porch in the Scandinavian style

Porch with access to the backyard of the house

Large vases with flowers will gallantly decorate the entrance to the house

An example of decoration and decoration of the porch

If the porch area is small, measures to expand it are carried out in terms of adding an open terrace or a capital closed veranda to it. In such a situation, they receive an additional summer room. By installing wicker furniture in it, they get a comfortable living room. To protect against insects, the open terrace is covered with a mosquito net or decorated with a light muslin.

More static wooden sofas and armchairs, complemented by soft pillows, will organically look on the veranda. Additional decor is given by floor or wall planters with plants. Often, a dining area is taken out to the porch, combined with a veranda.

It is important to provide and equip the entrance to the house with unobtrusive lighting

Porch with a low brick plinth

In addition to the table, chairs, there are compact shelving with closed facades for the necessary dishes and utensils. Increasingly, plastic pieces of furniture are used for this purpose. They are light, mobile, have a pleasant smooth texture and bright decor.


For furniture ensembles with metal legs, a durable floor covering is provided. If the frame is forged, this brings an element of luxury to the surrounding space.

White color radiates warmth and calmness even in autumn days

Rattan furniture blends harmoniously with the stone finish of the house

On a fairly spacious terrace, a barbecue area is often equipped next to the dining area. It is important to choose a non-combustible material for wall and floor cladding.

Having provided a sufficient height of the porch with a combined spacious terrace, a hanging swing is equipped on it. Having made them in the form of a comfortable sofa or a wicker chair, they complement not only the recreation area, but also create a comfortable children's corner. Sun loungers and hammocks will bring comfort.

Suspended porch swing is a dream for many

When expanding the porch in the form of a veranda, it is necessary to install waterproofing under the floor or wall covering. After the competent performance of all work, they receive an additional room. It can be not only a living room or dining room, but also a bedroom or study.

After installing panoramic windows on the insulated veranda, they get an excellent space for a home greenhouse. To enhance the perception of comfort, a bookcase, banquettes or small chairs are installed. In such a corner it is pleasant to read or work on the computer.

Tip! For cool weather, the porch provides the possibility of connecting a mobile electric fireplace. Having picked up a model with imitation of bursts of natural flame, they create a calming romantic atmosphere.

Soft lighting delicately decorates the wooden beams

Porch decoration tips

Porch interior decoration is usually done in light colors, visually expanding the limited space. Different materials are selected for facing the platform, steps, part of the wall and the surface around the porch.

Porch cladding materials

  1. Ceramic tiles . Among the advantages, a variety of textures and color shades are noted, which provides high decorativeness. Products with a rough surface are selected, which will prevent injury when moisture freezes on it. More often use frost-resistant durable clinker tiles. When laying out, certain skills are required, since it is necessary to maintain a constant thickness of the seams and to prepare a smooth rough surface with high quality.
  2. Paving slabs . When facing the porch planes with paving slabs resistant to any weather conditions, it is possible to obtain a reliable, aesthetic, durable coating. The range of this material allows you to choose both plain smooth and embossed or patterned planes. Having paved the path and the surface of the earth around the porch with the same material, they get a completed sophisticated look.
  3. Natural stone . The porch lined with natural stone looks prestigious and very decorative. Granite finishing lasts up to a hundred years without losing its solid decorative effect. Aristocratic elegant marble is becoming more and more common. It is advisable to select such material for closed porch types. Be sure to reinforce the anti-slip pads.
  4. Porcelain stoneware . Durable solid porcelain stoneware from the range with non-slip surfaces on the exterior decor is not inferior to stone. Its cost is lower, which leads to increasing popularity. It should be borne in mind that special equipment will be required to cut this hard material. Before laying, the surfaces to be trimmed are carefully leveled.

Perfectly organized home porch seating area

Classic gable roof porch

When constructing the porch of the house with their own hands, other materials are also used. It can be quite durable siding. A fairly extensive color palette is offered by manufacturers. You can choose a material that imitates wood, stone, brick.

Concrete surfaces are easy to plaster. If desired, perform a variety of relief texture, use options for decorative plaster. Such flat surfaces are in perfect harmony with additional decorative elements.

If the porch is high, for safety it must be equipped with reliable and durable railings

By carefully considering the form, materials used, functional role, it is possible to obtain an exclusive organic design of the porch, which reliably protects the entrance to the house. When complemented with comfortable furniture, green plants, decorative accessories, they get an original accent that adorns not only the building, but also the surrounding landscape.

Porch decoration - a photo of a porch design idea for a private house

Decorating the front porch is just as important as the wardrobe in the theatre! After all, we see this design first, going into every house. Therefore, the design of the porch of a private house should be tasteful and in accordance with the execution of the exterior of your house.

Of course, if the house is reproduced from natural wood, then there should be, accordingly, the design of a wooden porch. After all, it’s even hard to imagine how unperturbed the wooden cladding will look, and on it there is a plastic visor, for example! If you create a house using natural materials, such as stone or wood, the entire exterior will be in harmony with wildlife.

The way the porch in a private house is decorated reflects the homeowner's attitude to architecture and style, and also shows his own way of life, literally from the threshold of his own house. So, it turns out that before a guest comes to you, he will already have the first impression of you as a person and as the owner of his home.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that for the design of the porch space, many people use country style, as well as rustic decor. Indeed, in this case, even the material itself simply indicates the basic concepts in the matter of design. After all, everywhere there are different textures of trees, as well as their species and shades of wood ... Just look at the selection of our photos of the design of the porch of the house, how logical and original images are created!

To bring out the deep wood tones and bring a cool element to warm porch motifs, wood is combined with stone.

To clad the foundation, as well as the supports on which the porch beams are made of wood, means to ensure the strength and durability of the entire structure.

Some people also prefer this design option, when a terrace covered with a kind of canopy is made near the main entrance instead of a large porch. This provides a comfortable place in bad weather, as well as additional space for outdoor recreation. And if you add bright elements of garden furniture here, place flowers in pots or tubs, you will get a very beautiful and original version of the porch design. Also here you can install a barbecue oven, than you can delight all guests and loved ones.

Furniture in this case - wicker is perfect. On it you can have a great rest! The material, in general, is quite resistant to various weather conditions, it is easy to care for it, and you can find almost any shape and color of such products.

Decorating the porch in the country house is possible in various ways, here everyone can fantasize as much as they want! The only thing that can stop homeowners in this business is financial opportunities.

In addition, on your own personal plot you can install picturesque sculptures that match the landscape design of the plot. They can also be installed in a symmetrical way on both sides of the main entrance.

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