The Prettiest Porches that Ever Happened: Secrets Revealed

Lofty ceilings, a serene color palette, and plenty of comfy seating, this porch oozes southern charm.

Secret to Pretty: Indoor living amenities and styling, from the rug underfoot to the breeze-generating ceiling fans overhead. 

A screen porch with a casual vibe is perfect for laid-back get-togethers as well as everyday relaxing.

Secret to Pretty: Neutral foundation plus colorful accents. Taupe and cream clad the floor and walls, while bright patterns, accessories and accent furniture pieces bring personality to the space. Mixing eclectic pieces with a matched furniture set is an easy way to customize a look.

Soft, but colorful accents amp up this crisp white front porch.

Secret to Pretty: A gorgeous porch doesn't have to come with sticker shock. The styling ideas and DIY touches in this porch are as affordable as they are easy.

Reminiscent of an old farmhouse, this cozy porch takes it up a level with a charming porch swing, suspended from sturdy rope.

Secret to Pretty: If country is your thing, keeping it simple with a few farmhouse or rustic touches, such as the metal bucket and the old-fashioned porch swing, strikes a clean, not cluttered, style.

A stone tile floor and a handsome set of woven furniture take this porch into more formal territory, while charming accessories keep the look from becoming too stiff.

Secret to Pretty: Pops of color are welcome even on a more formal porch. Using only two or three colors reinforces a sense of orderly design.

Wicker furniture, an antique day bed, and a pretty blue trunk-turned-coffee table offer this screen porch a vintage air. 

Secret to Pretty: Mixing, but matching. The furniture was culled from different sources, but the aged white finish on the pieces unifies the look.

Why stick to one function when there's room for two? This spacious sunporch boasts a seating group for lounging and a dining area for meals, games, and more.

Secret to Pretty: Promoting unity. If your porch is spacious and supports several functions, look for ways to unify the space. White upholstery on the dining chairs matches the sofa and chairs. Matching light fixtures above the seating group and the dining table creates cohesion.

A hanging daybed is a fresh twist on the standard porch swing, while plenty of pillows layer in comfort. Poufs are easy to maneuver and move around the porch for different seating configurations.

Secret to Pretty: Consider the surroundings and embrace nature. What's around a porch is as important as what's on it, so give a little love to the plantings and landscape around your porch. Here, palm and banana trees wrap the porch in a jungle-like embrace.

With a view to the water, this porch keeps it simple as to not distract from the gorgeous surroundings. Classic wicker furniture with nautical blue-and-white striped cushions nods to cottage style.

Secret to Pretty: Let the view do the talking. Keep sight lines unobstructed so that you can fully take in the view afforded from your porch. Here, furniture at relatively the same height keeps the focus on the view.

A petite seating group filled with exuberant colors inject this small porch with major personality. Yellow-greens pick up on the yellow in the wicker chair, while pops of orange complete the color trifecta.

Secret to Pretty: Paying attention to scale. So your porch isn't massive. That's ok. Scaling down your furniture to suit your space will make it feel much more comfortable. Here, a love seat, rather than a full sofa, is sized right for the narrow porch.

A built-in seat and a table for two transform this porch nook into a cozy getaway. Blue and white pillows contrast the orange tones in the tile floor, while wrought iron accents add old-world charm.

Secret to Pretty: Alluding to another place. Terra-cotta tiled floors, white stucco and wrought-iron accents give the feel of a Tuscan villa or Spanish hacienda. Look for ways to incorporate the style and design sense of your favorite vacation spot and you'll have your own exotic retreat, right at home.

Dark wicker furniture is on par with the timeless design of this classic porch.

Secret to Pretty: Layering easy-to-change accessories with a foundation that's in it for the long haul. With a structural design that's as classic as they come (hello, white railings and columns), timeless furniture fits right in. But current accessories, such as the metal lanterns and blue-and-white pillows, add a so-now layer that can be switched up almost effortlessly, and with little cash investment.

Simple furniture and decor let the porch's architecture and garden views stand out. A collection of potted plants along the perimeter adds a nod to nature.

Secret to Pretty: Structural details. Graceful arches mimic the look of garden arbors and add a customized layer to this porch. If you're looking to make an investment in your porch, look for ways to update the structure or architecture. Keep your house style in mind as you're designing.

Wicker chairs encircle a charming farmhouse table for a picture-perfect alfresco dining room. Overhead, star light fixtures sparkle when the sun goes down, and a cushy patterned rug adds comfort underfoot.

Secret to Pretty: Choosing your function. Porches aren't just for lounging. If you host plenty of parties, set up your porch as a second dining room. Setting up your porch to suit your needs is the first step to making it yours.