43 Back Porch Ideas For the Ultimate Outdoor Oasis

A back porch can be anything from an outdoor dining area for family meals and entertaining to a romantic spot for unwinding with your partner, or a solitary spot for contemplating the backyard. Your back porch decor can be minimalist and designed to blend into the background, or decorated with outdoor furniture and accessories to create an outdoor lounge space.

Whether you're designing a space for getting more enjoyment out of your weekends, staycations, or the warm carefree days of summer, check out these back porch ideas that explore some of the endless possibilities for creating your own stylish outdoor oasis.

Commit to All-White

Create an airy oasis by outfitting your back porch with an all-white palette. Interior designer Ghislaine Viñas set up this Hudson Valley, NY space like an outdoor living room, with comfortable upholstered seating in shades of creamy white that melts into the all-white walls, scaffolding, siding, and porch ceiling, leaving the focus on the lush green wide open views.

Embrace Dark Finishes

Using dark neutral colors such as black, charcoal gray, or brown will help to ground your back porch and make it feel more relaxing. This back porch from Michelle Berwick Design has a dark wall that creates a calming feel and contrasts with the warm pine wood ceiling and wood flooring.

Lay an Area Rug

Laying an area rug in an outdoor space will instantly make it feel more comfortable and welcoming. Kate Marker Interiors added an indoor/outdoor rug to this screened in back porch that anchors the seating area and adds a graphic note that contrasts with all the wood and stone.

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Hang Oversized Pendants

Hang oversized pendant lights to structure a back patio dining table. Calimia Home anchored this 1930s Miami Beach back porch with woven jute pendants lights over a casual dining area to create an effortless modern space for outdoor family meals.

Build In a Banquette

Structure your back porch with a built-in banquette for a streamlined look. This back porch from Fantastic Frank was built for congregating and conviviality, with a large built-in U-shaped banquette upholstered with cheerful red-and-white striped fabric and a wood-clad ceiling with exposed beams that adds warmth.

Install a Ceiling Fan

Keep cool on your back porch with a ceiling fan that will keep air circulating. On this Harbour Island, Bahamas back porch from Matthew Carter Interiors, a simple white ceiling fan complements a lightly whitewashed wood ceiling.

Hang Billowy Curtains

Hang billowy curtains on your back porch that can be tied back or left closed depending on how much sun is desired. This back porch on the Spanish island of Mallorca from Fantastic Frank has blue-and-white striped upholstered rattan armchairs, colorful flowering bushes, and white walls, floors, and curtains for a breezy feel.

Use Natural Green Tones

Help your back porch blend in with the great outdoors by choosing paint and furniture in shades of green. This Maine back porch from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors is designed in harmony with the wooded setting, with forest green paint on the trim, green bistro chairs, and wood siding, flooring, and a wood-topped dining table.

Add Some Skylights

Adding skylights to your back porch will bring in natural light to a larger space. This screened back porch from Becca Interiors has the feel of a great room, with its rooftop skylight windows, pair of chandeliers, and comfortably appointed seating and dining areas.

Mix Rustic Finishes

Mix rustic finishes like brick and natural wood for a homey back porch feel. This space from Marie Flanigan Interiors has brick walls and columns, a wood-clad ceiling, a stone floor, and a comfortable dining area for memorable summer dinners with family and friends.

Repurpose a Vintage Trunk

Bring in vintage or thrift shop furniture and decor to give your back porch a lived-in feel. On this back porch from My 100 Year Old Home, a painted green trunk with a worn patina doubles as a coffee table while adding charm.

Use Neutral Colors

If your back porch is visible from indoors, maintain a cohesive color palette in both spaces. This back porch dining area from JK Interior Living is located just off the living room, and decorated in similar neutral tones to create a seamless transition between the indoors and out.

Decorate With Mirrors

Adding unexpected decorative elements like a mirror can help lift your back porch design. On this simple garden-facing back porch from Fantastic Frank, a small gilded vintage mirror reflects light and adds an element of surprise.

Choose Sculptural Furniture

Bring interest to your back porch with a sculptural coffee table. To keep this outdoor seating area from looking too one note, Calimia Home chose a coffee table with organic lines that contrasts with the classic architecture and contemporary furnishings and creates a focal point.

Install Glass Pocket Doors

Create an indoor-outdoor feel with glass doors. This spacious back porch from Mel Bean Interiors has a wall of sliding glass pane window doors that open up the wall between indoors and out in this space designed for family time and entertaining a crowd.

Use Curved Furniture

Break up the straight lines of your back porch with curvy furniture. This backyard Florida porch from House of One has a pair of contemporary curved half-moon sofas each with a matching fire pit that creates a sophisticated spot for outdoor living and entertaining against a tropical backdrop of palm trees and landscaped gardens.

Create a Solo Seating Area

Create a seating area for one on a small back porch with a view. This Maine beach house back porch from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors is an escapist dream built for one, with its single armchair accessorized with a chunky knit blanket, side table with a high rim to pose a glass and a book, and serene wraparound water view that goes on as far as the eye can see.

Add a Farm Table

A rustic farm table and mismatched seating will give your back porch a boho-style feel. This back porch designed by William Hunter Collective and styled by Emily Henderson Design features a wooden farm table, bench, rattan chairs, a floating candle pendant, and a generous smattering of plants to create a cozy place for a fair weather meal.

Use Low Slung Seating

Use low seating to create a casual conversation area. Interior designer Maite Granda added a seating zone with low slung chairs and a small round coffee table that's perfect for teenagers while the adults have their own more formal seating area on the opposite side of the back porch.

Add Geometric Tile Flooring

Add style to your back porch with tile flooring. This spacious back porch from Cathie Hong Interiors has minimalist furniture and decor, allowing the dynamic geometric patterned floor tile to make a statement and add a sense of movement to the space between the back door and the yard.

Try a Floor Lamp

The options for indoor outdoor lighting are endless these days, from portable LED lighting to weatherproof lighting that looks as stylish as anything you would find indoors. A tall floor lamp adds an outdoor living room vibe to this Florida back porch from interior designer Maite Granda.

Slipcover the Couch

Slipcover the sofa to create a soft living room feel. The slipcovered couch on this poolside back porch from Jenn Pablo Studio is stylish enough to work indoors, accessorized with stone-colored throw pillows and a sculptural wood coffee table that brings the organic laid back California vibes.

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Accessorize It

Add plenty of accessories to warm up your back porch. This Florida poolside back porch from interior designer Maite Granda has simple outdoor furniture that's embellished with an indoor/outdoor rug, a pair of decorative lanterns, and a flowering orchid that adds a note of color and height on a side table.

Install a Wall-Mounted TV

Enjoy binge-watching your favorite shows with an outdoor TV. This back porch from Emily Henderson Design has comfortable furnishings, farmhouse-style lanterns, and a wall-mounted TV for hosting al fresco movie nights.

Keep It Simple

Your back porch can be as minimalist as your interior. New Jersey beachfront home from Christina Kim Interior Design has an ocean view that is visible from the back porch. A pair of chairs and a small table purposefully fades into the background, providing a peaceful spot for morning coffee, evening drinks, or contemplating the ocean from a shady and comfortable perch.

Add Multiple Zones

If your back porch is large enough, create multiple zones to maximize space. This wrap-around back porch from Jessica Nelson Design features both covered an open areas that can be used according to the weather or your mood.

Contrast Light and Dark

Mix dark and light finishes for a high-contrast look. White painted ceilings, posts, and railings and whitewashed brick walls add contrast to this airy back porch from Jessica Nelson Design. Using the same chairs on multiple seating areas creates a sense of cohesion.

Add Vintage Lighting

Use vintage lighting to add charm and warmth to a covered porch. This Swedish country house back porch from Fantastic Frank has a dining table for outdoor meals that is anchored by a vintage pendant light that adds homey charm to the space.

Don't Compete With the View

If your back porch has a beautiful view, take your color palette cues from the natural environment. This back porch from Jessica Nelson Design is decorated with simple, comfortable furnishings in whites and neutral tones that complement rather than compete with the view.

Add Color

Use bright color accents to enliven your back porch. Bold blue accents add contrast with the neutral-toned carved wood railings and posts of this Swedish country house porch from Fantastic Frank.

Mix Old and New

Add a modern railing to an older porch for a pleasing mix of old and new. This small back porch from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors has an earthy color palette and a modern wood, metal, and steel wire railing that gives it an updated look without compromising on its rustic coastal Maine charm.

Hang Some Chairs

Trade a porch swing for hanging chairs for a modern look. This indoor-outdoor Southern California balcony from White Sands has the feel of a back porch with its white modern farmhouse style railings and a pair of hanging chairs suspended from its painted wood covered ceilings.

Use Wicker Armchairs

Unpainted wicker furniture is a natural choice for a rustic back porch. A pair of natural wicker armchairs and a wood stump and metal side table add timeless charm to this rustic Maine back porch from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors.

Add a Fireplace

If you have the space and the budget, create a focal point on your back porch with an outdoor fireplace. A massive modern rustic fireplace anchors the seating area of this spacious back porch from Jessica Nelson Design.

Whitewash It

Freshen up your back porch with a coat of white paint. This light and bright Southern California back porch from Home Consultant has whitewashed walls, natural wood accents, and a woven pendant light hung from a swag hook on the ceiling.

Mix Materials and Textures

Layer plenty of finishes and textures to make your back porch feel inviting. This back porch from Jessica Nelson Design mixes stone, slate, woven textures, textiles, and natural and weathered wood to create a warm modern rustic feel.

Try an Al Fresco Table

Create an al fresco entertaining area with a large dining room table. K Shan Design created an airy back porch dining room that matches the Laguna Beach, CA setting, with a mix of natural wood finishes and furnishings with woven textures and a black wire pendant light to add a touch of modernity.

Keep It Open

Use a cable wire railing to preserve an open feel on a back porch with a view. This small covered upstairs bedroom balcony from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors has the feel of a back porch with a wide open view of the Maine Coast.

Take a Hybrid Approach

Many new build homes or gut renovations of older homes include covered outdoor spaces that are a cross between traditional porches and patios. This large central back porch from Kate Marker Interiors is just a few steps up from the adjacent patio and backyard.

The covered roof ensures that you can enjoy the outdoors on a rainy day or night. Symmetrical seating, warm pendant lighting, and a wall of windows looking into the indoor space make it feel like an integrated part of the home.

Hang Some Art

Hang some art on a covered porch for an indoor-outdoor feel. This back porch from Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions has a cozy feel with warm stone walls, modern black planters in front of the wrought iron railing offering privacy, comfortable outdoor seating, and a painting hung over the sofa.

Add Patio Heaters

Outfit your outdoor space with patio heaters to ensure that it's comfortable on chilly days and nights. Symmetrical seating, warm pendant lighting, an outdoor area rug, and a wall of windows looking into the indoor space make this modern back porch from Kate Marker Interiors feel like an integrated part of the home.

Mix Wood and Flagstones

Flagstone will add a rustic feel to your outdoor space. This back patio from Leanne Ford Interiors has the feel of a back porch, with a covered painted wood roof that contrasts with the vintage flagstones on the ground and built-in banquette seating.

Use a Tonal Palette

Create a tonal look by using a few lighter or darker shades of your main home color on porch railings, trim, or the back door. K Shan Design used three shades of blue to highlight this simple Southern California space a homey coastal feel.

What is the difference between a back porch and a back patio?

A back porch and a back patio are similar in that both are outdoor spaces in the rear of your home built for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors. Porches are attached to the home and often include posts, railings, steps, and may also be screened in to protect you from bugs and rain.

Patios are flat open spaces without walls that you can usually access from the ground floor of a home and are level with the lawn or backyard.

What is a good size for a back porch?

The size of your back porch will depend on the design of your home, your outdoor space, and the way you plan to use the porch to accommodate lounge furniture, a porch swing, a grill, or a dining table. In general, the width of your back porch will partly be determined by the size of your home. Aim for a depth of at least 6 feet to make the space comfortable to use.

How do you upgrade a back porch?

You can upgrade your back porch with paint, furniture, lighting, outdoor rugs, plants, or wall decor. Decorate a large outdoor porch like a living room, or set up a simple sitting area on a smaller porch. 

Read the original article on The Spruce.