Start with a simple swing, and turn it into a pretty piece of outdoor furniture with these easy, breezy ideas.

• If you don’t already have one, purchase a swing from your local home or garden center or online, for a great place to relax outdoors.
• Purchase an unfinished swing and customize it with your favorite color paint and some fun pillows. Even if your porch is covered, you should still purchase pillows and cushions made from outdoor, acrylic fabric such as those from Sunbrella, Scalamandre, SeaCloth, Waverly, Robert Allen, and Perennials.
• Think of styling your swing as you would your sofa. It can have three square cushions across the seat, or one long cushion with a pair of square, round, or bolster pillows on each end.
• For the look shown here, add a cushion in a bold tropical pattern, and then top it with two throw pillows. You can cover your own with outdoor fabrics, or find ready-made outdoor cushions at most large retailers.
• If you don’t have a place to hang a swing, get one that can be attached to a freestanding A-frame. Set it up in a shady spot in your yard, and remember that a little exterior paint can go a long way.

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