A Renter’s Porch Transforms into a Cozy, Colorful Hangout
Spring cleaning season is upon us, and for some people that involves sprucing up outdoor spaces like patios, balconies, and porches. For Colorado-based renter Morgan Ford, creating a cozy outdoor spot was all about “mixing patterns and colors,” she says. “And don’t get me started on all the fun small details like wind chimes, bird feeders, and flower pots.”
Morgan started with a mostly blank porch that gets lots of tree shade, located right off her kitchen and dining areas. (See the entire apartment here.) “I would describe the porch before as a gem that needed some polishing,” she says.
A rug adds pattern underfoot.
Because the decking on the porch was in good shape, rather than adding tiles or a stencil and paint combo Morgan went with a diamond-patterned rug from Nuloom. On top of that, she added a rug from Marshall’s that she’s had since 2017, and most of the accessories like pillows and cushions, planters, and linens are from IKEA, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, or thrift stores.
Curtains make the porch feel even more private.
Morgan hung the curtains and string lights herself. She used a hammer and thumbtacks for the curtains and hammered them into the siding using thumbtacks, although eventually she plans to get a tension rod “so that I can move the curtains in and out when needed,” she says.
For now, she likes how they add coziness — and color — to the setup.
Plants are the biggest difference-maker.
“The biggest change is, honestly, adding plants,” Morgan says. “They bring so much life to a space and help everything else feel more cohesive. I also love having a table of any sort out here that I can lay a tablecloth over for added color and dimension.”
For a list of plants that are perfect for shady porches, check out these eight beginner-friendly potted plants. And for outdoor furniture inspo, check out this trending IKEA outdoor storage bench and this cute patio set that’s on sale.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.