10 Simple Tips for Making your Porch Swing Perfect

I would love to have a porch swing. Heck, I’d love to have a real porch instead of the tiny baby balcony that I’ve currently got! A porch swing might not be in my immediate future but a gal can dream, can’t she? And in the process of dreaming I’ve done a lot of looking at porch swing designs and décor. Based on what I’ve seen, I’d recommend the following ten tips for making your porch swing perfect:

1.     Make sure that your porch swing has a great view. If at all possible you should hang your porch swing in a place that allows you to look at something pretty. If you are lucky enough to live in a place with a view of a terrific scenic area then that’s best. If not, dress up your yard around the area so that what you’re looking at from your seated, swinging position is absolutely gorgeous.

2.     Keep blankets handy on or near your porch swing. Time can easily slip away while you’re sitting on a porch swing. You don’t want to have to run back inside if the sun sets and the weather gets a little bit chillier. Make sure that you keep some blankets handy near your porch swing so that you can stay right where you are even when the temperatures dip a bit. The blanket can be tossed right on the porch swing. However, this can mean it gets dirty quickly. A chest placed next to the porch swing can hold several blankets and keep them clean when they aren’t in use.

3.     Somewhere to set a cup down is crucial around a porch swing. Most people don’t eat entire meals on a porch swing, although you can, but they do often sip drinks while seated in this great space. Whether it’s coffee or lemonade, you’ll want somewhere to set that glass down when you’re done drinking. Some modern porch swings actually have cup holders built into them but a side table will do just fine as well.

4.     Add a cushion to your porch swing. I personally don’t love the design of many porch swing cushions. I like the way that a modern porch swing looks with a more streamlined shape. However, if you’re going to be sitting down on that porch swing for a long period of time then you’re going to want to get comfy there. For most people this means that a cushion should be added for comfort.

5.     Choose a porch swing material that makes a statement about who you are. Most people will get porch swings that are made of wood and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. However porch swings come in metal, plastic, wicker and repurposed materials. You should shop around to find a porch swing material that really suits who you are and what your home’s design is like. This will make it aesthetically appealing as well as a comfortable, relaxing addition to the exterior space of your home.

6.     Consider getting a seating set to go around your porch swing. The porch swing is really lovely all on its own. However, additional seating around the porch swing can make the entire area even nicer. This might include a couple of chairs, a chaise lounge and a table in the center of it all. This type of set up allows you to invite other people to join you when you’re out on the porch swing. It’s great for family conversations, a romantic evening on the porch or settling down with some friends who have just dropped by for tea. Offering multiple types of seating is nice because not everyone enjoys the swing of a porch swing (even though that’s incredibly hard for most of us to believe!) It also gives you additional seating options for yourself when you wander outside to enjoy your yard for a moment or two at a time.

7.     If your porch swing is large enough and comfortable enough then it can serve as a bed during nice outdoor weather. A good porch swing can actually work much like a hammock does. It can provide you with a place to take a catnap during the day or even a place to sleep outside on beautiful nights. If you have the space for this type of porch swing then I would say that it’s worth considering!

8.     Remember that a porch swing doesn’t actually have to hang from your porch roof; it can stand on its own. This is one key design option that many people forget when thinking about adding a porch swing to their homes. The traditional porch swing does actually hang from the porch. However, there may be a variety of reasons that you can’t hang a swing from your porch (like a weak roof) so it’s good to know that there are free-standing porch swings that support themselves.

9.     Invest in a durable porch swing. This is an item that you’ll love and once you have it, you won’t want to get rid of it. It’s worth it to spend a little bit of extra money now to get a durable porch swing that will stand the test of time. That way you’ll be able to keep on enjoying it for many years to come.

10. There are many ways to reduce the cost of a porch swing. Although it’s worth it to invest in a high-quality porch swing, you may need to save money on this investment. Some of the ways to do that include:

o   Shopping around to get the best deal on a porch swing.

o   Purchasing a used porch swing from someone in your area.

o   Building the porch swing yourself! Now that’s a fun project.

What do you think makes a porch swing perfect?