Outdoor Room: A Retreat
I’ve been meaning to share this porch update for a while. It was a simple makeover, but between unpredictable weather and a few personal setbacks this summer, getting decent photos has been a challenge. Finally I decided to photograph the space even on a gray day—after all, living in the Pacific Northwest means a mix of beautiful and overcast days, and at least we usually avoid extreme heat.
Since moving into this house, I’ve always tried to carve out a small spot on the porch to step away from the daily routine. At first it was just a tiny table and a couple of chairs. Last summer I used the porch for coffee and laptop work, but I wanted this year’s version to feel truly comfortable and relaxing.
BEFORE
Here’s what the porch looked like the first year I lived here—functional but not especially inviting or finished.
This summer I decided to make a bigger leap and turn the covered front porch into a genuine outdoor room.
With help from Lowe’s, I was able to complete most of the project in just a few weekend sessions. A couple of finishing touches remain—sewing a few throw pillow covers and painting the front door—but the space is already comfortable and welcoming. Below are the steps and ideas I used to create this outdoor retreat.
Here are 7 tips I used in creating my outdoor room.
Tip One: Dream of Ambience.
Before starting, I pictured the mood I wanted: a lodge-style tropical retreat that would complement my craftsman-style exterior. The feeling of an escape—calm, warm, and slightly exotic—guided my choices for furniture, plants, and accessories.
Tip Two: Make it Comfortable & Functional.
Comfort was a priority, so I chose plush, inviting outdoor chairs that encourage lingering. They’ve become the magnet of the porch—perfect for a quick coffee or a longer unwind. Nesting tables add practical flexibility: they’re easy to move around for drinks, a laptop, or decor, and they keep the space functional without clutter.
Tip Three: Lay the right foundation.
An outdoor rug helps define the porch as a room and ties the furniture together. Because our climate brings wind and falling debris from surrounding trees, I picked a rug that hides small messes and cleans up easily. The right rug grounded the space and made it feel cozy.
Tip Four: Lighting makes the room beautiful, even at night.
To keep the porch inviting after dusk, I layered lighting: a ceiling lantern I already had, a few candle lanterns, and string lights. Soft, warm illumination transforms the porch into a welcoming entry for evening guests. Battery-operated candles provide the flicker without the worry of open flames.
Tip Five: Plants bring life and serenity to the room.
Plants deepen the retreat-like atmosphere. I added a couple of palm trees for a tropical touch, plus ferns, hydrangeas, succulents, and trailing plants. Moving fronds and gentle greenery add movement and serenity to the space.
Tip Six: Texture gives the space character.
Layered textures make the space feel rich and intentional. A river-rock style planter and a reed hanging basket add natural texture and a spa-like quality. Woven baskets for hydrangeas and other containers enhance the tactile variety, creating visual interest and warmth.
Tip Seven: Accessories make the room.
Accessories complete the space and add personality: a weather vane, birdcage, shabby mirror, an old fireplace log holder, wooden crates with small plants and decorative items, succulents, rocks, shells, and throw pillows. These details create conversation pieces and make the porch feel lived-in and welcoming.
Next steps for the project include sewing colorful fabric into more throw pillows for the porch and the back deck. I’m planning another small reveal soon—I created an additional outdoor nook I’m excited to share.
Items provided by Lowe’s for this room:
Chairs and nesting tables
Plants
Outdoor rug
Lanterns
Outdoor pillow
Reed window basket
River rock planter
Catch up on other posts in my Outdoor Project series this summer:
Weekend Project: Family Fire Pit
Weekend Project: Pallet Garden
UPDATE! See my 2014 updated front porch for another reveal.
