Thrifty Cozy Small Summer Porch

Let’s create a space where you can put your feet up and let your hair down on a thrifty cozy small summer porch with a drink in our hand and not a worry in our mind.

Thrifty Cozy Small Summer Porch Video

Thrifty Cozy Small Summer Porch Ideas

In the summer it is essential to create a space that you can soak up the sun and enjoy the sounds of nature. In the morning or at dusk is the perfect time to sit on our porches and this area needs to be inviting!

The front porch is the first thing you see when you come to someone’s home. My small front porch needed an update with curb appeal but, I need to do it on a budget. A front porch needs to be nostalgic and inviting. Front porches have been used for leisure for years and a time used to spend outdoors.

Everyone needs a space where they can retreat to and can relax while sipping on coffee or a glass of wine. Creating a space from scratch these days can cost an “arm and a leg”! Shopping on a budget can be hard but, it doable with patience and creativity.

A porch needs good furniture, an excellent cleaning, pillows, live plants/flowers, lighting, flags and a nice welcome sign. Many items to decorate a small porch can be thrifted from tag sales, flea market or estate sales. I found everything to decorate my small front porch this summer on clearance, discount or at secondhand stores.

If on a limit budget a fresh coat of paint and/or cleaning can make any space vibrant and full of life! It does not take much. I clean everything with vinegar water and every other year touch up the stain and white exterior paint very simple but a huge impact. You can use some baking soda and a scrub brush for tougher stains if needed.

staining a deck floor with chocolate brown stain

Thrifty Cozy Summer Porch Welcome Sign

I thought about adding the popular porch signs that are all the rage right now but, decided on something a bit different. It is not that I do not like the Welcome Porch Signs that are adored by many, I just wanted something that was less clutter and a bit old fashion.

I already had a large milk jug that I purchase at an estate sale and had my husband sand it down and spray paint with black exterior paint. After the paint dried completely, I created my own version of “Welcome” using my create in white vinyl. This Milk Jug is classic and very thrifty front porch decor.

Cozy Summer Porch Flags

Every summer I like to add touches of the Holiday to remember and celebrate especially the birth of my country. Adding flags around the porch remind of our three holidays of summer and is festive all season long. I placed American Flags in my pots that have ferns in them and of course a large on right on my farmhouse. Red, white and blue go with all outdoor decor and I find to be very inviting.

Summer Porch Flowers

What better way to create an awesome space is by bringing in living creations? My next step in creating a thrifted small front porch is by adding greenery such as ferns, flowers, and spinach. Yes, I said spinach! Adding greens such as spinach not only provides color but, something that can be eaten makes use of the space in a thrifty approach.

A thrifted small front porch needs living creation that spark joy and happiness. Herbs and spinach are great because my front porch is an inviting space but, needs to be functional. Using every inch of my homestead to create beautiful gardens and grow food that my family can enjoy all season is very thrifty.

Thrifty Cozy Summer Pillows for Porch

Creating a soft space is my favorite because it equals cozy. Cozy means different things to different people. Cozy means pillows, rugs, umbrellas, and blankets.

For my small front porch, I add multiply pillows and blankets in a color scheme such as black and white. On cooler nights and mornings, you can find me covering up and relaxing on my outdoor pillows and blankets.

Shop for outdoor fabric that have a treatment that resistance against stains and moisture because they will last a bit longer. Every season if I reuse certain fabrics, I give them a good scrub and cleaning to remove dirt and grime. Avoid hot water and detergent because it will break down the chemical treatment. If tossing in a washing machine water temperature should be cool or cold and I only add a bit of vinegar to prevent mold and fresh my outdoor items up. Allow to air dry and do not dry in a dryer.

Finally, when rain is in the forecast, I store all my soft elements in a deck box to protect them during the season from dampness, dirt and mold.

Summer Porch Mood Lights

There is nothing like a night after a long day sitting on a porch with soft lighting. On a Friday night you can relax with mood lighting from a candle, lanterns, bistro lights, or fire to create an inviting space.

Lighting makes me calm and is very romantic with the soft glow. Whether gathering around to eat, talk and relax mood lights can give a peaceful vibe.

I added battery operate candles inside black metal lanterns on my small porch and some outdoor solar lights in the potted ferns. Adding Citronella candles can be nice to repel unwanted bugs or string some bistro lights for a Tuscan flare. Whatever your approach to lighting do not be afraid to play around with it!