Family Friendly Back Porch Refresh

We’re so lucky to have a large, covered back porch with the dreamiest view and plenty of yard for the girlies to run wild in. It’s always had so much potential… but if I’m being honest, it took a few years (and a lot of trial and error) to really make it work for our family.

We played around with layouts, slowly sourced pieces that could actually hold up to real life with three kids (and all their friends), and layered in decor—mostly things we already had tucked away inside the house. Nothing fancy, just a lot of moving things around until it finally felt right.

And now? A few years and a couple of new pieces later, it’s easily one of our favorite spots in the house.

The biggest game changer was adding a true “anchor” piece to the space. We went with the Hudson sofa from Birch Lane, and it completely transformed how we use the porch. It’s big enough for all of us to pile onto, durable enough for real life, and still feels elevated—which, if you know me, is always the goal. More of my thoughts on the sofa, here!

Right above it, we added a commissioned piece by Emma Collins, and it might be my favorite detail of the entire space. It brings so much personality and whimsy and really makes the porch feel like an extension of our home instead of just an outdoor area.

One thing I’ll note—your outdoor space doesn’t have to be filled with all brand new pieces to feel finished. Some of my favorite details out here are actually older, well-loved finds that we’ve collected over time. I refreshed a Facebook Marketplace mirror and a set of candle sconces with a $6 can of spray paint to give them a second life, and did the same with my wicker bar cart (a hosting staple around here!). Mixing old and new is what really makes a space feel layered and lived-in in the best way.

Now, it’s where morning coffee turns into impromptu work time, where the girls pile on after dinner, and where we gather with friends on slow evenings outside. It finally feels lived-in, layered, and loved—and that was always the goal.

Next up… filling my planters with colorful flowers and adding even more life to the space 🌸