Looking for back porch ideas that give you more than a couple of chairs by the door? Think white curtains, leafy corners and a little table for dinner outside.
These spaces include covered porches, open decks and entry-style details you can borrow for your own backyard.
You can keep things simple or go all out. I especially love the hanging seats and flower-filled corners.
Start with somewhere to sit, then pick the little extras you’d love to see every time you step outside.
Porch and Deck Ideas Worth Saving
white curtains and corner seating
We’re starting off strong with this pretty corner sofa and white curtains. I love the leafy pillow against all those pale cushions.
The black hanging lantern is such a lovely detail overhead.
Try framing your own seating area with curtains like these, keeping them well away from any heater.
a hanging daybed
How lovely is this hanging daybed? The gray frame, dark pillows and pale seat look so good beneath the tiny lights running along the beams.
If a swing is on your wish list, have the supports and installation checked by a qualified professional. I’d keep the decorations simple with a low table and one tray.
a fireplace under tall beams
If you are looking for a porch with lots going on, then this one is for you. There’s a fireplace, a television above the mantel and a grill tucked alongside it.
I love the tall peaked ceiling and the plants around the hearth. For a smaller decorating update, borrow the pale cushions and patterned pillows.
a little evening dining spot
This little dining corner may just be one of my favorites here. The round table and dark chairs fit between the house and the tied-back white curtains.
Read also: 17+ Cozy Farmhouse Dining Room Ideas That Transform Spaces
Add a small vase of flowers to your table if you want that same sweet finishing touch. The lights overhead are lovely all on their own.
long benches and striped pillows
Don’t want to fill a narrow porch with separate chairs? This L-shaped bench gives you another layout to consider.
White seat cushions run beneath the windows, with striped and patterned pillows along the back.
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I especially love the little red-legged side table. It adds color without taking over the walkway.
rocking chairs and hanging lanterns
I love this row of rocking chairs with the glowing lanterns overhead. The flower-print pillows and pots of red blooms make it even prettier.
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The two simple swings at the far end are a fun extra. You could borrow just the rocking-chair corner if your porch is smaller.
a grill beside the dining table
Want a dining area alongside your outdoor kitchen? This porch puts the table beside a built-in grill, with cabinet doors below and a small refrigerator at one end.
The orange flowers on the counter are my favorite little detail. Keep any new grill layout subject to its required ventilation and clearances rather than copying placement from a photo.
a long table under white rafters
I am obsessed with this dining setup. The long brown table and cream-cushioned black chairs look gorgeous beneath the white rafters.
Keep your tabletop simple with a few low bowls and small plants. There’s no need for a tall centerpiece when you have a view like this.
butterfly pillows and disco balls
How cute are those butterfly pillows? There is so much to love here, from the tall patterned chair backs to the yellow flowers and little pumpkins.
The mirrored balls are an unexpected extra. If you love this more-is-more look, try a colorful botanical rug with trailing plants before adding your smaller decorations.
horizontal slats and overhead shade
If you’re looking for an alternative to curtains, take a look at this slatted side screen. The horizontal slats sit above the railing beneath a dark overhead shade.
The string lights along the rail are a cute detail to borrow too. For a similar screen, ask an installer about a setup suited to your deck.
a bench beneath climbing greenery
This is one of my favorite plant-filled corners on the list. I love how the greenery spills across the pergola and down around the posts.
The curved-back bench keeps the seating simple. Try pink and yellow flowers in pots around your own bench to bring in a little of this garden look.
ladder-style planters
Don’t want a row of pots taking over your porch floor? These ladder-style planters give you a different way to arrange your greenery.
Each stand has four planting boxes, with leaves spilling over several edges.
Read also: 20 Upcycled Decor Ideas From Ladder Shelves to Pretty Plate Stands
I love the purple foliage mixed in near the bottom. Choose plants for the light your own porch gets.
a pale checkerboard floor
The pale checkerboard floor is my favorite part of this entry-style porch. It’s such a pretty detail to borrow for a back porch too.
The dark double doors have matching floral wreaths, with tall pale planters beside them. Try layering a smaller doormat over a striped rug if you want to start with something simpler.
a flower-filled lounge corner
I am obsessed with this little lounge area. The white curtains, pale corner seating and big tan rug look so pretty with all the greenery.
A colorful bouquet sits on the slatted coffee table. That’s the detail I’d borrow first, along with a striped pillow or two.
rows of glowing string lights
Who says you need lots of furniture? This porch has a pair of rocking chairs, potted flowers and rows of lights across the ceiling.
Read also: 14+ Cozy Country Porches That'll Make You Never Leave Home
I love the checked throw over the back chair. Try a patterned throw on your own chair if you want one extra detail beneath all those little bulbs.
a hammock in a small nook
This hammock corner is just too lovely not to save. A pale throw hangs over the edge, with a floral pillow inside and a tall plant behind it.
The nearby chair has a coordinating pillow too. If you want to add a hammock, make sure the anchors and supports are rated for the setup.
a square table and leafy pillow
Here’s another look at the curtained seating corner from the start. The square slatted table leaves the pale cushions and leafy pillow as the main decorations.
Don’t want to add lots of accessories? Follow that simple mix with one patterned pillow and a round mat on the table.
a railing-side counter
If you want an alternative to a freestanding dining table, this long counter is worth a look. Round stools line up underneath it along the deck railing.
I love the blue flowerpot with its little black lantern. A colorful pot at the end of your seating area could give you a similar touch.
white railings and hanging ferns
This porch keeps things classic with white railings, white rocking chairs and hanging ferns. The pink flowers beside the steps are so pretty against the pale planters.
Read also: 20 Fall Lantern Decor Ideas With Pumpkins, Leaves and Little Lights
Try matching planters on either side of your own steps. You can borrow that detail without changing the whole porch.
low seating beside wide steps
Last but definitely not least, we have this deck with a low seating ledge beside the steps. I love the brown seat cushions and pale pillows!
The dining table sits up on the deck while the lower seat faces the lawn. If you’re planning a similar layout, keep the stair route clear of cushions and pots.