We only have so much time to enjoy the outdoors in Wisconsin. Summer seems to pass quickly into autumn, which hops, skips, and jumps into a long winter spent inside, awaiting the warmth and promise of spring. When summertime hits, Wisconsinites look for every opportunity to get outside - especially during a global pandemic.

One of our favorite ways to enjoy the summer days is sitting on our porch, enjoying an ice cold beverage, and watching our neighbors walk by with their dogs and their children. It’s these moments that make our house feel like a home, an integral part of the neighborhood.

If you’ve been missing this feeling all quarantine long, why not use this as an excuse to spruce up your home’s curb appeal and update your porch? If you tackle a few quick projects this weekend, you can enjoy this spot for the rest of the season (and beyond). Need some inspiration? We have a few ideas.

4 Ideas to Update Your Porch for the Summer

Swap out pillows on your chairs or bench

What’s a porch without a bit of seating? If you don’t have a set of chairs or a sturdy bench, start there. However, if you’re already covered on the furniture front, switching out pillows or cushions to reflect the brighter, lighter mood of summer can give your porch that touch up that it needs to feel fresh again. We recommend finding pillows in a material that can be easily washed, whether that’s a pillow cover that can be hand washed and air dried or an indoor/outdoor material that can withstand a quick hosedown.

Add an indoor/outdoor rug

Sometimes a porch can feel cold or bare - an indoor/outdoor rug can add a bit of comfort to a stale setting. Imagine kicking back on your porch for a people watching session, bare feet sunken into your new rug. That’s what home is supposed to feel like! Our personal pick is a rattan style, which retains an organic feel and can go with just about any decor style.

Hang a plant

Much of a porch’s visual interest is at ground level, but, as we all know, great design requires layers in height and depth. Heading to your local greenhouse (or opting for curbside pickup!) and choosing a hanging plant like a string of pearls, a pothos, or even a hanging floral basket can be the first step to adding a bit of life to your porch.

Repaint your front door

This one’s for the risk takers and the intermediate to advanced DIYers. If your porch is in serious need of a pick me up, it’s time to grab a paint brush and take on that task. Scrub any debris or dust off your door, sand it down, and give it two coats of your favorite color. A front door can be just the statement piece that your porch needs to feel welcoming.

If you’re looking for a home project to take on this summer, start with your front porch. If you’re anything like us, it will quickly become your favorite place to sip your coffee, take a work call, or socialize from a distance with your neighbors.