Creating an inviting and multifunctional outdoor entertainment area is as easy as  investing in a porch design that will not only…


Creating an inviting and multifunctional outdoor entertainment area is as easy as investing in a porch design that will not only improve the overall look of your home, but adds additional living space too.   Gone are the days when a porch was used only to wipe your feet before entering your home, now they can be designed to blend your outdoor and indoor living into one free flow area.

Before deciding on what type of patio design you want to invest in, take measurements of your porch and research the various designs that will suit your style and size area.  Taking a look at online galleries will help give you an idea of what you can realistically accomplish.  Take into consideration that smaller areas lend themselves far better to cosy lounge or dining areas while larger porches can accommodate a range of different furniture including hammocks, dining sets, bbq grills and much more.

If you have a specific hobby or interest, you should take this into consideration in your design and planning stage.  If you are a bird watching enthusiast, then you may wish to include bird feeders or birdhouses while amateur astronomers may want a place to put a telescope.

You can use materials around your home to give your porch a face lift. Furniture and wrought iron tables can be repainted with weather-resistant paint and investing in rugs and scatter cushions that are bright and vibrant are great additions to any room.  You should also look at the type of lighting that you want to install.  Candles are a great mood creator, but if you are concerned with safety precautions, particularly if you have young children in the home, use unusual lighting options such as fairy lights may be a much better option.    Brighter lights are great for entertaining, but if you’re going for a more romantic mood, pick softer lighting.   Purchase outdoor fabric to recover old cushions and pillows.  Your color choice will dictate the mood with more muted tones lending themselves to formal dining areas while vibrant colors tend to add a party atmosphere to any area.

There is no reason your garden can’t come right to the back door and choosing the right flowers or herbs is a personal taste that could be based on fragrance or foliage.  Choosing pots and planter holders will also make an impact the overall design.  If you have a limited budget, but a true eye for design, you may find that old wheelbarrows, bird cages and vintage glassware may add the ideal finishing touches to your porch design.  Even with just a small investment of money, you can transform your patio into the perfect outdoor-indoor entertainment area.