One of the features of the bungalow and Craftsman style
homes that makes them so attractive is the front porch. These can range from a
fairly small area on a bungalow to a huge wrap-around affair on some of the
more elaborate Craftsman houses. In either case, homeowners can get some great
ideas from the current trend for “outdoor spaces.”

New homes often have an outdoor space built as part of the
plans, and, depending on the part of the country, may be an extension of the
pool deck and may even have a fireplace. Your bungalow porch won’t have room
for anything elaborate, but can still be a fashionable place to enjoy when the
weather is nice. And the weather in the U.S. this summer is certainly priming
us to appreciate the days—and nights—when the air is cool or there is a light
rain.

Increase the Shaded
Area
Bungalow porches are usually under the roof, but the sun can
still shine in from the sides, making one area or another too hot for comfort.
Consider hanging long drapes that are easily pushed aside on the sides that get
the sun when you are most likely to be out there. By keeping the drapes open
and held with a tieback, you won’t have them getting blown around every time
the wind blows, but you will be able to easily close them for a little extra
shade and sun protection when you wish to use the porch.

Add Some Plants
It may not seem necessary to put plants on the porch, since
it is probably surrounded by some kind of green life from just being outdoors,
but plants can help to blend your porch into the surrounding space, and help
you feel more connected to the outdoors when you are out there. It may seem
silly to use artificial plants outdoors, but if you will not take care of live
plants, then that is certainly the way to go. Dead or dying plants do not make
you feel good, so if you lack a green thumb, it’s alright to decorate with
artificial plants. There are some very good quality ones available.

Seating is Essential
For you to enjoy any amount of time on the porch, it needs
to be easy to just sit down in a comfortable chair without a lot of
preparation. The porch should have seating available, but you have to make sure
it is appropriate for your climate. Consider whether it will get wet, and plan
accordingly. If you have a lot of wind and rain, you may want to invest in a
storage bin for cushions that can stay on the porch so that they are handy and
dry when you want them.

Your porch is part of your living space and can be a
comfortable extension of your home that is a great place for entertaining or
just curling up with a good book. These simple decorating tips should make it
even cozier.