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  1. Southern Living
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  4. Big Ideas for Your Small Porches and Patios

Big Ideas for Your Small Porches and Patios

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated October 12, 2021
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Blue Patio Chairs with Blue and Green Striped Curtains
Credit: Hector Sanchez

While we love the look and feel of spacious porches, 500-plus square feet isn't a prerequisite for a true Southern porch. These little stunners will make the case for living small and loving every square inch of your space. Just because your space is limited doesn't mean your design style is – we've included a handful of our favorite small front porch seating area ideas so that you're sure to be the most stylish and welcoming house on the block. We didn't want to leave out the back porches either, so there are also small back porch ideas tucked into this gallery too. Make your porch or patio area feel like an al fresco oasis with these small front porch decorating ideas.

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5 Southern Front Porch Musts

We spend a lot of time on our front porches, whether socializing, entertaining, relaxing, or eating. For this reason, it's important that our porches get just as much attention as the other parts of our houses. We think these five porch staples – including plenty of seating and a strategically placed ceiling fan – are a must for any Southern home.

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Airy Mountain House Porch

Mountain House Screened Porch
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox

Just because your outdoor living space is small doesn't mean you have to compromise on seating and entertaining possibilities. A mixture of textures on indoor-outdoor furniture and a rolling bar cart make this porch suited for any time of the year.

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Coastal Patio

Coastal Blue Patio
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

A recessed, built-in window seat doesn't take up valuable real estate on this little patio. Garden stools that serve as side tables are an ideal choice for a small spot—they can be moved easily and double as extra seating.

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Permanent Paver Patio

Concrete Dining Patio
Credit: Laurey W.Glenn

This patio was previously a rickety deck that lacked a feeling of permanence. Now, it's a beautiful dining space.

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Utility Patio

Outdoor Galvanized Sink
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Think outside the box. This small patio is used as a beautiful utility space thanks to a stunning galvanized sink.

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Landing Spot Turned Patio

Green Shutter with Pink Flowers and Bicycle
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Even what might be perceived as a small landing spot can be transformed into a outdoor perch. Keep containers small so they can be relocated in a pinch.

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Screened Overflow Porch

Screened Porch with Sectional and Dining Table
Credit: ERICA GEORGE DINES

A small table in the center of this screened-in porch serves as the focal point. It's right off the kitchen making it a great spot for overflow when entertaining.

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Farmhouse Swinging Porch

Porch with Green Shutters and Swing
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

A swing and small bench are all this Texas Farmhouse porch needs.

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Porch Party for Two

White Porch with Green Wicker Rocking Chairs
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

A consistent color scheme keeps this porch from being busy. Two wicker chairs and a simple vintage table make the space perfectly suited for a party of two.

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Screened-In Lounge

Tropical Screened-In Porch with Beage
Credit: Hector Sanchez

This comfortable porch is the perfect spot for sipping a glass of wine on a breezy, warm evening.

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Light and Breezy Loggia

Blue and White Porch with Wicker Chairs and Swing
Credit: Melanie Acevedo

The blue and white palette of this loggia keeps things breezy and gives the appearance of more space.

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Simple Deck

Two Adirondack Chairs on Porch
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

This deck keeps things simple. Two Adirondack chairs are all you need when the views are this good.

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Latticed Porch

White Latticed Front Porch
Credit: Helen Norman

To create a cozy porch, the designer enclosed the entrance of the house with a white lattice. Two small garden benches on either side of the door make the perfect spot for sitting.

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Porch with Plenty of Seating

White Porch with Two Swings

Dueling porch swings provide plenty of seating. In a pinch, the wide front steps can also work as a place to perch.

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Patio for Two

Blue Patio Chairs with Blue and Green Striped Curtains
Credit: Hector Sanchez

This tiny patio is dressed up with striped outdoor drapery panels. A small bistro table and folding chairs provide the perfect spot for sipping early morning coffee.

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Cozy Cocktail Porch

Cocktail Porch with Blue Rug
Credit: Laurey W.Glenn

This 130-square-foot screened porch was too small for a dining table or sofa, but just the right size to be a cozy cocktail porch. The furniture arrangement facilitates conversation.

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Woodsy Two-Chair Porch

Woodsy Two-Chair Porch

This small back porch only fits two chairs and a small table but, with views this pretty, that's really all you need.

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Salvaged Brick Porch

Brick Porch with Swing

A bed swing provides plenty of seating on this brick porch. A vintage mantel hung above the swing acts as a shelf for displaying decorative objects without using up valuable square footage below.

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Rustic Dining Porch

Rustic Woodsy Porch with Twinkle Lights

Dining alfresco is an elegantly rustic affair on this porch. Twinkle lights and beautiful views are the stars of the space.

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Cohesive Screened Porch

Green and Neutral Screened-In Porch

The furniture keeps with the color palette of the house. The cohesive palette makes the porch seem like a continuation of the home—giving the appearance of a larger space.

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Blended Botanicals Porch

Haint Blue porch ceiling
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Let your porch accentuate the natural colors seen around your home. Shades of green, blue, and even purple can create the illusion that your porch is just a continuation of the outside world.

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Cozy Surroundings

Brandon Ingram Florida Cottage
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Create intimacy within an open-air space with soft textures and pieces that section your space. Plenty of plants create a calming scene and offer seclusion when having those ever-important chats with friends.

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Rocking Chair Worthy

front porch with rocking chairs on porch of house in Habersham southern living inspired community
Credit: Kathryn Lott

Two rocking chairs and a place to rest your iced tea is a porch formula that we will always stand behind.

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Small Porch, Big Planters

Small Porch with Two Rocking Chairs
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Small porches, meet container gardens – your new eye-opening friends. With planted trees that elevate the eyes, well-placed greenery can help remove the focus from square footage and draw the eye upwards toward the other stunning elements of your home.

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Front Porch Foliage

Layered potted plants on front porch
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Design: Julia Berolzheimer

If you're more inclined to make your front porch a functional space, you can always find pieces that elevate your container gardens. Tuck a chair in the corner for your own personal gardening oasis.

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A Hidden Reprieve for All

Sunroom with green ceiling and hand-crank jalousie windows with golden retriever looking out
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

Incorporating pieces of furniture that can take a little wear and tear mean that all the family members can enjoy your outdoor space – even the furry ones. Add bushes on the outside of your screened in porch that can grow tall for additional privacy. A painted ceiling makes the space even cozier, while still opening it as a continuation of the natural surroundings.

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Fine Bistro Dining

Idea House 2020 Outdoor Bistro Table Sitting Area on Porch
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface

A small porch set up can be as simple as bistro-style folding chairs and a table. Tuck them away when needed and easily reassemble in a pinch of surprise company.

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Family Friendly Porch

screen in porch for yearlong living of The Loudon house in Habersham southern living inspired community
Credit: Laurey Glenn

With enough seating to fit your whole family, you can move the party to your porch. Accents like throw blankets and pillows can turn the space into an outdoor living room. 

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Lantern Lighting

Front Door of White Farmhouse
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

We love the style of an oversized lantern to add an interesting focal point on a front porch. Finish the look with antique planters and a rocking chair.

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By Southern Living Editors

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    1 of 29 5 Southern Front Porch Musts
    2 of 29 Airy Mountain House Porch
    3 of 29 Coastal Patio
    4 of 29 Permanent Paver Patio
    5 of 29 Utility Patio
    6 of 29 Landing Spot Turned Patio
    7 of 29 Screened Overflow Porch
    8 of 29 Farmhouse Swinging Porch
    9 of 29 Porch Party for Two
    10 of 29 Screened-In Lounge
    11 of 29 Light and Breezy Loggia
    12 of 29 Simple Deck
    13 of 29 Latticed Porch
    14 of 29 Porch with Plenty of Seating
    15 of 29 Patio for Two
    16 of 29 Cozy Cocktail Porch
    17 of 29 Woodsy Two-Chair Porch
    18 of 29 Salvaged Brick Porch
    19 of 29 Rustic Dining Porch
    20 of 29 Cohesive Screened Porch
    21 of 29 Blended Botanicals Porch
    22 of 29 Cozy Surroundings
    23 of 29 Rocking Chair Worthy
    24 of 29 Small Porch, Big Planters
    25 of 29 Front Porch Foliage
    26 of 29 A Hidden Reprieve for All
    27 of 29 Fine Bistro Dining
    28 of 29 Family Friendly Porch
    29 of 29 Lantern Lighting

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    Big Ideas for Your Small Porches and Patios
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