How to Spruce Up a Back Porch

Head over to Hooper and Read Patterson’s house in Wilmington, N.C., and chances are you’ll find the family of five hanging out on their back porch. That’s because Hooper, an interior designer and blogger (Birds of a Feather), turned the once-empty space into the home’s go-to spot. "I didn’t want the back porch to feel like an afterthought," she says.

Hooper says "the rest of our house is bright with lots of turquoise, and I wanted the porch, which is right off the living room, to be lively and inviting, like an extension of the inside." With cheery colors and patterns, comfy seating and some clever DIY projects, their poppy porch is now the envy of the neighborhood. Luckily, the Pattersons like to throw parties.

The polypropylene loveseat and chairs have cushions covered in durable El Greco Calypso fabric by Sunbrella.

This synthetic chevron rug ($179, Shaw Floors) is made to withstand the outdoor elements like rain and sun, so spills are no problem.