Imagine the rustling wind singing you to sleep. Now, imagine your indoor plumbing lies only steps away. What's not to love about a sleeping porch?

Natural Lullaby
Spending a night on a covered porch offers many benefits. The sounds of nature, such as rainfall and wind, work like white noise, calming the mind. Many people even buy electronic sound machines to re-create these noises as a sleep aid.

Sleeping outdoors also entices kids away from the television and video games. Provide them with books and board games for fun before bedtime, and they'll drift off to the sounds of insects instead of the sounds of cartoons. If your kids suffer from allergies, check the pollen count in your area before letting them spend the night outside.

Good Night
It's easy and inexpensive to transform a typical porch into a nocturnal nest. Purchase a folding cot from a camping supply store, and dress it with comfortable bed linens. Add a side table and a lamp for reading.