From Bland to Beautiful: Porch Bliss

Moving into a beautiful, newly built home is such an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming as homeowners give individual spaces a more personal touch. One such space? Outdoor entertainment areas! Whether your home is host to a patio, porch, or both, transforming it from average to amazing doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. Simply extend the interior personality of your home beyond its walls to create a retreat complimented by central North Carolina’s stunning seasons.

Homes in Fuquay-Varina’s new community, Cotton Farms, have both front and back porches perfect for greeting new neighbors and ready for hosting al fresco gatherings. How to take each from bland to beautiful?

• Measure its potential! Start with a tape measure and determine just how much room you have to transform. Follow the sun for a few days, several times daily, as understanding the sun versus shade patterns is helpful when selecting plants. Weather patterns can help shape your shopping list as you’ll want to choose elements that will withstand the tests of direct sun or wet weather.
• Envision Use: Before committing to the direction of your transformation, decide exactly how your patio or porch will be used. Many choose a few rocking chairs for a front porch where they will enjoy morning coffee or an afternoon glass of sweet tea. Back porches are more versatile with space for an outdoor cooking area, dining table, or an outdoor feed to watch local sports. Perhaps you’ll want a space for plants, such as a raised vegetable garden or ample storage to house sports equipment.

Once you understand your outdoor spaces and have planned their purpose, it’s time to add some essential items!

• Start from the ground up by selecting a vibrant outdoor rug to brighten up your porch in an instant. Choose one that will easily house any furniture but does not flow to the edges or walls. While some opt to tack rugs down, this is not recommended as it is beneficial to allow porches to dry out post-storms. Choose a rug that is gorgeous but also not too difficult to remove should a blustery day give it a good soaking.
• Splurge on Furniture! Perhaps the most important investment when creating an outdoor sanctuary is its furniture. This is where to splurge as comfort and durability are essential. For smaller spaces, a cute bistro set or a cozy loveseat may be all that’s needed. Larger spaces will allow for defined areas: a grill in one corner, a dining table in the middle, and even room a hammock along the side. Planning to make this space a four-season favorite spot? Chimeneas are a terrific option but use them with care if your porch is attached directly to your home.
• Light up the Night: Perfect lighting can take a patio from a bright, sunny day to an enchanting evening hideaway. Solar-powered lights are fabulous, especially if LED as they are both energy-efficient and long-lasting. Fairy lights, string lights, and one or two task lights create the perfect combination of ambiance and accent as your porch turns into a magical, multi-function space.

Now that your porch has its base, make it personal by adding decor, greenery, and a few final touches.

• Outdoor Accents are the perfect way to let your personality flow! Choose cushions in bright colors or patterns and accessorize with floral throw pillows. Add throw blankets that promote a favorite sports team. Wall art should speak to you, creating a focal point that brings joy each time you look toward it. Add a small fountain to promote spa-like living. When shopping, purchase items meant to live outdoors to ensure they will be loved for years to come.
• Plants and Greenery are a great option, but certainly not required. For those without a green thumb, there is no need to tackle gardening right out of the gate. For those ready to head to the local nursery, look for potted plants that offer ease of care. Hanging planters are wonderful for saving floor space but do tend to dry out more quickly than those in traditional pots. Approach porch plants as an annual investment as many will not last through multiple seasons. This means you can mix and match to your heart’s content, then choose a new variety of colors next year!
• Have a Preference for Privacy? While mingling with the neighbors is always quite nice, sometimes “quiet time” is on the menu. Flexible options for privacy include outdoor curtains, taller plants sitting on rolling stands, or retractable shades. For more permanent privacy, consider lattice panels or even screening in your porch.

Extend the life and use of your gorgeous outdoor space by purchasing items that are meant to stand up to the elements. Invest in a patio heater for cooler evenings and a stylish umbrella to provide shade on the hottest of days. Waterproof furniture covers provide an easy way to “store” furniture through the winter without having to move it inside. Plan on offering ongoing TLC to your porch by cleaning it regularly, especially in that pesky pollen season! You’ll be so glad you did when that first beautiful day of spring beckons you to enjoy the fresh air.

As the Cotton Farms neighborhood fills with new residents, patios and porches are seeing lots of action. Entertaining new friends is the perfect way to show off a porch that has gone from boring to beautiful, offering a true expression of one’s personality.