Hey y’all … I’m participating in today’s Hooked on Houses event and right now I’m hooked on front porches.
That picture right there is of the Crabapple Cottage featured in Southern Living. It is my very favorite home and if you know me, you know that I love playing around with floor-plans (having taken several years of drafting and auto-CAD). I took this floor-plan out of the magazine and played with it a bit and modified it to fit my design but have basically maintained the integrity of the home. The thing about the home that was most attractive is the giant wrap-around front porch that extends over the garages. It just cries out, “Come visit … stay awhile!” Here below is an element of the front porch that is a necessity as far as I’m concerned … the front porch swing.
I absolutely love that one and can completely picture it on the porch of my home as mentioned above! One day … some day in the not too distant future I hope. Anyway, I also love front porch rockers … like at Cracker Barrel. I love being able to sit around and rock and chat and just hang with good friends and neighbors.
In addition to the rocking chairs on the front porch it is important to have designated areas for eating or relaxing whereby the furniture is grouped into conversation areas. I like the way this long front porch is grouped into a “dining room” and “living room” area.
I’m also including this picture showing Adirondack chairs on the front porch of a seaside cottage. I love this look and can definitely see myself with these chairs one day. I especially love the little cut-outs at the top of they flying seagulls. I think that mine would probably have a starfish or other fish type of cut-out instead of the bird but you get the idea.
Last, but not least, I’m including a picture of a hammock on this next front porch (which might actually be a back porch). I love hammock’s in general and growing up we always had one in our back yard and my mom still does, actually. I think this is a fun idea for maybe an upper porch on a seaside cottage but can’t actually picture this for a front porch but I wanted to mention it because it is another option if you’re looking for porch ideas and don’t forget about the fan in the ceiling … it’s a must in the south if you plan on spending any extended time on your porch!
Okay y’all … that’s it for now. I’ve enjoyed participating and I hope that you got some good ideas from these pictures I’ve posted. Maybe it’s a southern thing but I can’t imagine having a home without a porch … homes that have a front stoop and that’s it just don’t seem as welcoming to me. I especially don’t care for the ones with no overhang above the front door. All I can think about is my poor guests standing in the rain waiting desperately for someone to answer the door so they can come inside. Anyway, that’s all for now. Have a fabulous weekend y’all! 
Hammock, rocker, swing, and a screen to keep the bugs out. Certainly need a fan our two here in Atlanta.
Thanks for sharing these photos. I, too, love porches with overhangs – my one regret in building our house is that the front is not wrapped enough to afford the separate sitting you mentioned. Our old neighborhood was full of houses with porches like you mention. Perhaps our next house.
The Crabapple Cottage is certainly gorgeous – I’ve always been attracted to the kind of L shaped look in a house.
For me, a back as well as front porch is on the wishlist, so that I can nap in private!
Lovely photos, all of them.
I’m a rocker girl myself, but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a porch swing. We’re redoing some of the look of the front of our house, so this is a well-timed post for me! thanks for the ideas!
Every house should have a porch or two, whether it is in the north or the south. Nice weather should be taken advantage of!
I so much wish we’d splurged and installed the full front porch on our house. We were cutting costs and that was one of the first items to get axed. Sigh. Love the photos you’ve posted!
That red porch is yummy.