Home Outdoor Living 24 Back Porch Ideas to Inspire Your Outdoor Retreat From rustic charm to sophisticated minimalism, these back porch ideas will help inspire a relaxing oasis of your own. By Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a veteran freelance lifestyle reporter based in Phoenix, Ariz. with over 10 years of experience. She covers home, wellness, beauty, and travel for outlets such as Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Insider, TODAY, Bustle, TripSavvy, The Zoe Report, and others. Whether ruminating about interior design with the influential leaders in the industry, on the ground at NYFW talking trends with beauty and fashion pros, or venturing to a new corner of the world, she’s always eager to report on the latest and greatest. Editorial Guidelines Published on April 9, 2024 Close Photo: Clarity NW, Triple Heart Design As a direct extension of the home, back porches provide the perfect destination for a multitude of activities. It’s the perfect solo retreat to close your eyes, breathe in the fresh air, and take in nature’s sounds, but also a vibrant space to fill with laughter and clinking glasses as you make memories with loved ones. How you design your back porch ultimately depends on your preferences; there are so many directions you can take things. From cottage-inspired to sleek minimalism, rustic charm, and beyond, these back porch ideas will help you tap into your own personal style to bring this space to life. 12 Backyard Design Ideas That Will Make You Rethink Your Outdoor Space 01 of 24 Incorporate Bar Seating Amy Bartlam, Prescott Design To get more seating on your back porch—and for a fun, bar-like vibe—install a dining ledge with bar stools. Prescott Design placed these ones underneath the window, which encourages conversations to flow from inside to outside. 28 Outdoor Décor Ideas That Will Transform Your Backyard 02 of 24 Channel a Rustic Aesthetic Chris Luker Photography, Summer Classics If you live in the mountains or are nestled in the woods, a rustic aesthetic makes perfect sense for your back porch. Here, a fire blazes in a stone fireplace with screened windows, comfortable seating, and rustic details. 03 of 24 Try a Traditional-Modern Vibe Chris Luker Photography, Summer Classics If you can't decide between a traditional aesthetic and a modern one, consider fusing the two design styles into one, as pictured in this setup by Summer Classics. Modern silhouettes, caned chairs, striped upholstery, and a statement light fixture create a beautiful and homey space. 04 of 24 Paint Your Walls or Brick Mr + Mrs Sharp, Serenbe If you're not quite sure where to start with your back porch makeover, consider giving your walls or brick a fresh start with a new coat of paint. Paint is a cost-effective way to add some wow factor to your space. 05 of 24 Open the Back Porch Onto the Patio Clarity NW, Triple Heart Design To really maximize your outdoor square footage, create a seamless transition from your back porch to your patio. This allows for family and guests to meander in and out as they please without creating a sense of division between each space. 16 Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas That Will Make the Most of Your Space 06 of 24 Create a Formal Dining Area Rustic White, Serenbe While we often think of casual spaces when it comes to back porch design, you can certainly deviate from the expected. Case in point: this formal entertaining area designed by Serenbe. 07 of 24 Opt for Large, Comfortable Seating Chris Luker Photography, Summer Classics Comfort is king when picking furniture for your back porch. If you plan to relax for hours on end, you'll want the most comfortable seating you can find. Here, an oversized sectional and matching chair with plush cushions invites you to linger longer. 08 of 24 Play With Prints and Textures Emily Followill Photo, Vernich Interiors, Eleanor Roper Stylist There's beauty and charm in an eclectic back porch design, as demonstrated here by Vernich Interiors. You can create a similar look by mixing and matching textiles, patterns, colors, and textures. 09 of 24 Opt for Neutrals Chris Luker Photography, Summer Classics One way to put nature on display on your back porch is to opt for a neutral color palette. It blends into the surroundings versus distracting from the outdoors, and as a bonus, it has a calming effect. 10 of 24 Install Lots of Windows and Screens Allyson Lubow, Joshua Smith Inc Another way to give nature a moment to shine is to let as much of it in as you can. In this beautifully designed space by Joshua Smith Inc., large screens and windows encircle the entire porch. 10 Fastest-Growing Trees for Shade, Privacy, and Beauty 11 of 24 Create Multiple Seating Areas Amy Bartlam, Prescott Design Long back porches or awkward configurations can be tricky to design for. When in doubt, consider incorporating multiple seating areas. Not only does it solve the problem of a tricky floor plan, but it maximizes the number of people who can be on the porch at a given time. 12 of 24 Get Inspired by French Bistros David Lauer Photography The French know how to do chic sophistication, so why not take your cue from them? A small bistro table and chairs set the mood for this glassed-in porch, while muted checkerboard tiles and iron windows and doors bring this design home. 9 Flower Box Ideas That Will Add Charm to Your Windows and Patio 13 of 24 Consider a Rustic Cottage Feel Read McKendree, Joshua Smith Inc. English cottages are another excellent place to draw inspiration, as proven in this beautiful back porch design by Joshua Smith Inc. Rustic details—like a mirrored trellis and vintage potting bench—create that charming "lived-in" feel, while fresh florals in wicker vases lend a burst of color and texture. 14 of 24 Allow for Open Vista Views Zeke Ruelas, Brad Ramsey Interiors Screens and windows can be pricey, and a fully enclosed space may not be desired by everyone. If that resonates with you, then consider an open back porch design like this one by Brad Ramsey Interiors. This approach tends to work better in milder climates, though a cozy fire can lend warmth on chilly days. 15 of 24 Install Folding Patio Doors Life Created, Living with Lolo Panorama-style sliding glass doors are an entertainer's dream! They give you the option to completely open up your home into your backyard space, allowing family and guests to easily move from indoors to outdoors. It's also nice for picture-perfect weather days when you want to feel more at one with Mother Nature. 16 of 24 Go Ultra Modern Life Created, Living With Lolo When designing your back porch, try to create continuity from the indoors to the outdoors. If your home has an ultra-modern aesthetic then bring those elements outside, too. In this luxury design by Living With Lolo, oversized modular furniture in a cream and black palette looks fresh and modern. 17 of 24 Swap in a Concession Window Whitney Dianne Photography, Jennifer Ramsey Interiors Create continuity from inside to outside by installing a large concession window in your back porch, like the one that opens outward in this design by Jennifer Ramsey Interiors. This allows for free-flowing conversations and can make serving and entertaining more of a breeze. 18 of 24 Infuse Bursts of Color Nathan Schroder, Maestri Studio Bright splashes of color can instantly liven up a back porch. Here, Maestri Studio incorporated Kelly green bistro chairs, a bright blue ice chest, and vibrant florals against a black and white design. 19 of 24 Lean Into Calming Blue Hues Chris Luker Photography, Summer Classics To have your color and calming design, too, opt for a palette filled with blues. Varying tones of blue come together in this design alongside neutral wood furniture and a large cream rug. 20 of 24 Add a Grilling Station Jack Gardner, Brad Ramsey Interiors While we often see grilling stations incorporated into open backyards or under pergolas, you can certainly move yours to your back patio, as pictured in this design by Brad Ramsey Interiors. Keeping it closer to your home helps streamline the cooking process. Just make sure to install a vent for proper airflow. 17 Enclosed Porch Ideas That Bring the Outside In 21 of 24 Add Some Statement Lighting Jeff Herr Extend your gatherings into the evening by incorporating plenty of lighting into your back porch design. Have fun with the fixtures you choose to infuse, as done in this design, some charisma and personality. 22 of 24 Keep It Simple Nicole Gerulat, Alice Lane Interior Design You don't have to go into overdrive when designing your back porch. Sometimes paring back to the basics is exactly what you need for a clean and bright space. Here, Alice Lane Interior Design opted for a simple wood table with chairs, creating the perfect gathering space for relaxed al fresco dining. 11 Front Yard Ideas Guaranteed to Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal 23 of 24 Design a Pitched Roof for Your Back Porch Clarity NW, Triple Heart Design Pitching the roof is a surprising way to instantly elevate your back porch, as you can see in this stunning space by Triple Heart Design. This one incorporates skylights to nix shadows while still providing adequate shade. 24 of 24 Go for Gray Tones Paige Rumore, Brad Ramsey Interiors Prefer a neutral palette but not really interested in beige and cream? Go for gray, instead. Brad Ramsey Interiors shows that a mixture of charcoals, grays, and whites can look sophisticated. The key is to play with contrast in color to create visual interest. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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