43 Back Porch Ideas For the Ultimate Backyard Oasis (2024)

Room Design

Outdoor Spaces

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.

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Updated on 03/21/23

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43 Back Porch Ideas For the Ultimate Backyard Oasis (2)

The front porch is all about welcoming and curb appeal. But the back porch is an intimate space designed exclusively for you and yours, tailored to your lifestyle and preferred ways of passing time in the privacy of your own backyard.

A back porch can be anything from a an outdoor dining area for family meals and entertaining to a romantic spot for unwinding with your partner, to a solitary spot for contemplating the view. Your back porch decor can be minimalist and designed to blend into the background, or packed with outdoor furniture and accessories that rival your interior or look like an extension of the inside of your home.

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 and private backyard oasis.

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Commit to All-White

This open and airy Hudson Valley, New York back porch from NYC-based interior designer Ghislaine Viñas is part of a wrap-around porch that circles the entire home. The main back porch sitting area is outfitted 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.
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Embrace the Darkness

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.
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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.
We Tested the Best Indoor-Outdoor Rugs for Versatile Decorating
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Hang Oversized Pendant Lights

Calimia Home hung oversized jute pendants lights over a casual dining area on this 1930s Miami Beach back porch that doesn't fight with the architecture and creates an effortless modern space for outdoor family meals.
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Build In a Banquette

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.
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Whitewash the Ceiling

This Harbour Island, Bahamas back porch from Matthew Carter Interiors has a lightly whitewashed wood ceiling that helps to create a chic lived-in finish that complements the white painted iron dining set and patterned tile wall in the background.
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Hang Billowy Curtains

This breezy 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 billowy curtains that can be tied back or left closed depending on how much sun is desired.
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Match the Setting

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.
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Add Some Skylights

This screened back porch from Design by Becca Interiors has the feel of a great room, with its rooftop skylight windows, pair of chandeliers, and comfortably appointed seating and dining areas.
See Also
How to Build a Backyard Oasis How to Build a Backyard Oasis: Ideas and Inspiration! 2024: Own The Yard Create a Backyard Oasis 12 Ideas for Creating the Ultimate Backyard Oasis
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Install a Ceiling Fan

This back porch 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. A ceiling fan helps keep the breezes flowing on hot summer nights.
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Repurpose a Vintage Trunk

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 some vintage charm.
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Stay Neutral

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.
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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. For even more drama, a tall leaning window mirror positioned against the wall of an open back porch will open up the space and double the view.
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Choose a Sculptural Coffee Table

To keep this outdoor seating area from looking too one note, Calimia Home chose a sculptural coffee table with organic lines that contrasts with the classic architecture and contemporary furnishings and creates a focal point.
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Install Glass Pane Pocket 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.
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Use Curved 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.
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Treat Yourself

This Maine beach house back porch from interior designer Tyler Karu is an escapist dream built for one, with its single armchair accessorized with a chunky knit blanket, little round 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.
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Add a Farm Table

This back porch designed by William Hunter Collective and styled by Emily Henderson Design features a wooden farm table, backless bench, rattan chairs, a floating candleholder, and a generous smattering of plants to create a cozy place for a fair weather meal.
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Use Low Slung Seating

Interior designer Maite Granda added a conversation zone with low slung seating and a small round coffee table that's perfect for setting the teenagers up for afternoon refreshments while the adults have their own more formal seating area on the opposite side of the back porch.
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Add Geometric 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.
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Try an Indoor Outdoor Floor Lamp

See Also
12 Tips for Creating a Backyard Oasis this Summer - Moving.com
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.
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Slipcover the Couch

The outdoor 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.
The 13 Best Places to Buy Outdoor Patio Furniture in 2024
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Accessorize It

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.
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Install a Wall-Mounted TV

This homey back porch from Emily Henderson Design has comfortable furnishings, farmhouse-style lanterns, and a wall-mounted TV for hosting al fresco movie nights.
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Keep It Simple

This New Jersey beachfront home from Christina Kim Interior Design has an ocean view that is visible from the back porch, and the upstairs balcony that is built on top of it. The porch is outfitted simply with a pair of chairs and a small table that purposefully fades into the background, providing a peaceful spot for morning coffee, evening drinks, or contemplating the ocean from a shady and comfortable perch.
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Add Multiple Zones

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.
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Contrast Light and Dark Elements

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.
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Add Vintage Lighting

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. Mustard yellow paint on the wood paneled walls adds warmth.
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Don't Compete With the View

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.
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Add Color

Bright blue accents add contrast with the neutral toned carved wood railings and posts of this Swedish country house porch from Fantastic Frank.
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Mix 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.
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Hang Some Chairs

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.
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Keep It Simple

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.
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Add a Fireplace

A massive modern rustic fireplace anchors the seating area of this spacious back porch from Jessica Nelson Design.
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Whitewash It

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.
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Mix Materials

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.
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Create an Outdoor Dining Room

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.
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Keep It Open

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.
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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.
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Hang Some Art

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.
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Add Patio Heaters

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. Patio heaters ensure that it's comfortable on chilly days and nights.
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Mix Wood and Flagstones

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.
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Use a Tonal Palette

K Shan Design used a tonal palette for this Southern California back porch, painting it three shades of blue to highlight the simple architecture of the wood spindle railings and give the outdoor space a homey coastal feel.