Porch Refresh After Winter: Easy Ideas to Get Ready for Summer
Right before summer, our porch is always sort of a disaster zone! Between not using it for months and the gloomy weather dragging on (seasonal depression season, anyone?), rain and kids in and out of the house- it just ends up looking sad! But every year like clockwork, once the sun starts peeking out again, I can’t wait to give it a little refresh and turn it back into a cozy space we actually want to hang out in!
Here’s how I spruced up our porch this year —nothing fancy, just some simple updates that made a huge difference!
Tame the Toy Chaos with Storage Ottomans
Last year, trying to store toys on the porch was a full-blown nightmare! It felt like we were always stepping on (tripping over lol) soccer balls, chalk, and random plastic toys every time we went outside.
This year, I found these adorable ottomans that double as hidden storage—and I’m obsessed! They hold everything, keep the porch looking tidy, and still give us extra seating when we have people over! 10/10, highly recommend!
Shaded Play Time is a Must
We’re in Texas, so summers are hot and super sunny! I knew we needed something for the kids to play with in the shade, so for our son’s birthday we got this cute outdoor table that doubles as sand play and water play (if Mom is feeling up for the mess). I grabbed some fun sand toys to go with it that work perfectly, they’re just the right size! I already have a bunch of water and sand table activities planned for the kids this summer, and this table has has kept them busy for hours already. It even comes with an umbrella if you don’t have any overhead coverage, as well as the ability to put a cover over the sand/ water section to be a normal table for picnics and other activities as well. it’s so good!
SHOP THE SAND & WATER TABLE HERE
Fake Plants for the Win (No Shame Here!)
I kill everything. If a plant comes into this house, it might as well come with a goodbye note! So this year, I went all-in on faux plants, and honestly? I have no regrets!
GRAB THE FAKE PLANTS I HAVE HERE
I picked some pretty realistic ones that were super easy to assemble, popped them into planters for the front porch and the back patio (because matching vibes, of course), and I love how it turned out! Say what you want about fake plants, but they’re better than a bunch of crispy brown leaves!
Pro tip: If you’re doing fake plants, and you live anywhere windy like we do… don’t forget to add some rocks or something heavy to the bottom of the pots so they don’t blow over! Don’t ask me how I know lol
Pillows Make It Feel Like Home
Nothing makes a porch feel more inviting than some soft, cozy pillows. I added a few neutral options to our new outdoor sectional (of course I went with the ivory color sectional, but before you write off a cream colored outdoor couch, the cushions are stain resistant and, you can unzip and throw them in the wash if needed), the sectional actually comes with its own accent pillows too, but picking out my own just made it feel even more custom to us, and matched my style better! This set is modular, affordable and even comes with a cover!
Add Some Glow with Solar Lights
To bring in a little nighttime magic, I tucked a few solar-powered lights into the plant pots. It gives off such a pretty glow at night, and I didn’t have to mess with any cords or outlets. They charge during the day and turn on automatically when it gets dark, one less thing to worry about—love that for us.
Now… If I Could Just Figure Out the Backyard
The porch is officially looking cute again, but don’t even ask me about the backyard! It’s still very much a work in progress. If you have any favorite backyard ideas (especially ones that don’t require a green thumb), leave a comment below! I could use all the inspo!
Are You Summer Ready?
If your porch is still stuck in winter mode, consider this your sign to give it a little love! You don’t have to spend a fortune—just a few updates like fake plants (or real lol), storage solutions, and soft lighting can make all the difference.
It’s amazing what a cozy porch can do for your mood… and for your sanity after a long winter!
Let me know if you try any of these ideas, or if you’ve done your own porch refresh lately—I’d love to hear what you did!
Don’t forget to grab everything you need for your own Summer porch refresh HERE!
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