30 Back Porch Ideas That Will Make You Want to Live Outdoors
From nap-worthy furniture to lush landscaping.
A great back porch is a serene place to unwind and enjoy being in nature, never mind cook, sip wine, throw a party, watch the sun set, tend to potted plants, or whatever you do to relax. If you're not making the most of your back porch, you're missing out—and letting one of your home's best assets go to waste. "Back porches offer a unique extension of your living space," designer Kerrie Kelly, NKBA, FASID, says. "By maximizing your porch's potential, you enhance your home's square footage and create a versatile area for relaxation, entertaining, and enjoying the outdoors."
If you're in search of fresh ways to style this space, look no further than this list of our favorite back porch ideas. No matter how big or small your space is, be it a large screened-in porch or a small patio, you don't have to spend a lot or do a full-scale renovation to love it more. "Simple additions like outdoor rugs, comfortable seating arrangements, and strategic lighting can instantly transform the space into a cozy oasis," Kelly, who founded Kerrie Kelly Studio in 1995, says. "Even a new coat of paint in a vibrant color and decorative accents such as throw pillows and outdoor art can make a big impact."
As with interior design, restraint is crucial when you're turning your back porch into an outdoor living room. You don't want to overcrowd it with too much furniture and décor. "It's essential to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics," Kelly says. "Also, use weather-resistant materials and keep up with maintenance requirements to avoid premature wear and tear."
Finally, don't be afraid to get creative. Your back porch was meant to be enjoyed by you. "Whether it's incorporating found objects, creating relaxing vignettes, or infusing your unique style, let your imagination soar to curate a space that reflects your personality and fosters memorable moments with loved ones," Kelly advises. Keep scrolling to see the best back porch ideas from designers—they'll help you get started.
Layer Textures
This outdoor space by Leigh Anne Muse and Lili O'Brien has an inviting vibe thanks to the many different texture they layered in, from the wicker furniture and tapestry-inspired pillows to a lush sheepskin throw that's perfect for snuggling up with a good read. Even the flooring—a combination of pavers and pebbles set in concrete—adds depth to the overall design.
Create a Seamless Transition
The back porch of this Maui getaway by Breeze Giannasio blends into the surrounding landscape, allowing the natural beauty of the tropical setting to shine through. The cozy bistro table provides a casual place for morning coffee or afternoon cocktails, while the patterned tile adds extra design punch.
Face the View
If your back porch's best asset is the scenery, orient your furniture to face it. On this floating home in Sausalito, California, by Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni, a pair of chairs is angled toward the sunset, and a low-backed sofa ensures a clear, unobstructed view.
Opt for Oversized Furniture
The extra-wide daybeds at Marrakech's El Fenn Hotel inspired the outdoor sofa on Katie Hodges's back patio in the Hollywood Hills, which is upholstered in dark, practical Jim Thompson fabric.
Give Guests Their Own Space
These French doors lead into the guest room of a Los Angeles County home designed by Jeremiah Brent. That means anybody who stays the night gets this quiet back porch all to themselves. Simple furnishings are all it really needs, and the greenery provides a natural privacy screen.
Stick to a Single Color
Doors, stair railings, window frames, furniture, lighting, and even planters in matte black unify the outdoor areas of this Fort Greene, Brooklyn, home by the Brownstone Boys. The staircase is painted in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, a soft, true black.
Echo Your Surroundings
The ornamental grasses around the terrace of Susannah Charbin's Long Island home may look like they've always been there, but they're actually landscaped—she just planned for them to look that way. Take a cue from your own environment, and surround your back porch with plants native to your area.
Put Screens the Windows
You'll spend more time in your outdoor space if you don't have to fight off mosquitos. This screened porch in a lovely Lake Michigan home with interiors by Frank Ponterio has large fieldstone fireplace to extend its use for as long as possible.
Lean Into One Color
Your back porch is the perfect place to play up your favorite color. Amanda Lindroth built this elegant outdoor space around bright orange, from the outdoor rugs to the outdoor sconces that really pop against the house. It's proof that you can make any vibrant color you love work.
Go With Faux
A tiny Palm Beach balcony feels like a sweeping porch in the tropics thanks to the use of faux turf and large planters—the work of landscape architect Keith Williams and interior design firm Kemble Interiors.
Keep It Simple
Alison Newman designed this English-inspired country house for a family in Millbrook, New York. Indoors, it's filled with rich colors and patterns, but the outdoor areas are quiet by contrast. Wooden furniture with clean, simple lines lets the view shine.
Focus on the Fireplace
If your back porch has a fireplace, it's the natural focal point for the seating arrangement. The limited color palette of this outdoor space by Kerrie Kelly Studio keeps the vibe warm, welcoming, and calm.
Create an Outdoor Lounge
Don't have a back porch? This willow-and-steel pergola designed by Sheldon Harte becomes a beautiful outdoor lounge overlooking the vineyards near this Healdsburg, California, home.
Hang a Mirror
The interior of this pool house by Carrier & Company looks especially open and inviting thanks to the mirror on the back wall. The reflection visually expands the space, making it look larger. You can use same trick on your back porch.
Up the Romance
A rustic chandelier, like the one Ashley Gilbreath chose for this back porch, casts a soft glow on evening gatherings.
Hang Draperies
Hadas Dembo used drapes to add privacy to the back porch of her family's Columbia County, New York, home. They also block the glaring afternoon sun and look beautiful in the breeze.
Add a Ceiling Fan
Ty Larkins added a ceiling fan on the back porch of this traditional home to stir a breeze on hot days and keep it comfortable to use.
Choose Weather-Proof Materials
Michelle Boudreau opted for nautical-grade metal cabinets, quartz counters, and painted tile instead of a rug on this California back porch—all the better to endure the desert sun and heat.
Build an Outdoor Bar
A back porch is just the spot for a home bar, complete with your favorites on tap. This one, created by Linda Hayslett of L.H. Designs for House Beautiful's 2021 Whole Home, in incorporates the home's beautiful brick and plank siding as part of its design.
Incorporate Art
Designed by Tom Scheerer, this casual outdoor dining porch in Wellington, Florida, is enhanced by the addition of a striking piece of art. "It's Florida, so outdoor dining is necessary," Scheerer says.
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