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As the old song goes, “It’s summertime and living is easy…” It’s even easier (and a bit more pleasant) if you have a porch. Aside from increasing your home’s charm factor, this amenity offers you an outdoor space where you can relax or entertain depending on the day and your preferences.

But just because you’ve got one that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making the most of it. If your porch isn’t living up to its full potential, perhaps you just need a little inspiration.

Check out these covetable spots that explain why porch envy is a popular hashtag. Go ahead, pour a tall glass of lemonade, you’re going to want to sit and savor this one.

Peace and quiet

This bohemian chic porch looks warm and inviting yet pretty chill at the same time. That chair swing could quickly become your favorite summertime hangout. You’ve gotta love this ivy wall for the privacy it provides.

Outdoor dining room

If just the thought of al fresco dining makes you hungry and you’ve got the room, adding a table and chairs will transform your porch into the best outdoor café in town. You won’t want to dine indoors again until your food gets cold. Very cold.

Evening elegance

Porches aren’t only popular during the daylight hours. With the help of lights and candles, you can enjoy this space well past dusk. Fluffy blankets and pillows make it warm and welcoming even when temperatures drop. Battery-operated candles eliminate fire-hazard concerns and add a cozy feel on the windiest days.

Swing time

Swings and porches are a match made in heaven. Talk about the ultimate in luxury, this bed swing practically screams, “Nap time!”. A lamp brings a touch of the indoors outside and allows you to read or play board games long after the sun sets.

Host a crowd

The right set-up offers you ample seating, so rather than hide out inside all day, you and your guests can enjoy fresh air in a serene setting. If you can’t fit a dining table, a smaller one will work well for hors d’oeuvres and light snacks.

Small but stunning

Pressed for space? You don’t have to sacrifice style. Plants and an outdoor area rug pretty up even the most petite places.

Simple yet chic

This porch proves you don’t need a lot of decoration to create an inviting space. A lush plant paired with a plush carpet take this area from plain to perfect pretty quickly.

Rock ‘n’ roll

Rocking chairs have always found a welcome home on a porch. They’re synonymous with good storytelling and the simplicity that most strive for all summer long.

The good stuff

Up your comfort factor by bringing indoor furniture outside. Ceiling fans keep those balmy breezes circulating while draperies offer privacy and style.

Floored

If you want to add a pop of color without painting your house, focus on the floor. Choose a hue that complements your home and your furnishings and watch the space come to life.

Winter inspiration

Long after the warm weather ends, you can still savor those perfect porch moments by adding the element of fire. Swap out your lemonade for S’mores and you’re all set.

When I think of nature indoors, the first thought that comes to mind is the mud that my kids track into the house after they have been outside with nature. Then, we clean it up. My second thought has me looking around to see what plants we have in the house. Of those, which ones are faring well and which plants needed watering.

Kara Masterson passes on five home decor project ideas that bring nature inside.

When you enjoy nature, you can bring it inside your home to improve your mental outlook and your physical well-being. Here are five home decor projects that will incorporate nature indoors.

Add Plants to Your Home

You can add beautiful planters to your home for a variety of lush and green houseplants, but today, some homeowners are creating hanging moss walls that create a natural appearance in a room. Instead of hanging paintings or photographs on a wall, you will have a special material where moss or other types of plants can grow.

Beautiful Water Features

You can bring artificial water features into your home to create a natural ambiance. There are large or small water features available that you can fill with water. These devices may resemble waterfalls or fountains. Some of these water features cover an entire wall while others are easy to place on a tabletop. These water features have pumps that require electricity to help the water flow.

Natural Window Coverings

Rather than using flimsy fabric curtains on your home’s windows, choose wooden window blinds instead. You can find blinds that are made from light or dark colors of wood that will match your home’s baseboards, doors or furniture. It is possible to select a variety of sizes of blinds for different types of windows. The natural color and grain of these blinds is beautiful, giving each room a special ambiance.

Stone Countertops

If your home has an ugly old-fashioned vinyl countertop in the kitchen, then have it replaced with stone. Each piece of stone countertop is unique, but you can find different colors to create a special ambiance in a room. There are granite, slate and quartz countertop materials available, and a technician can cut the materials to fit precisely in your home’s kitchen.

Skylight Windows

You can hire a contractor to add skylights to your home in strategic locations. This will give you additional natural sunlight that will help you to feel better. Instead of installing one huge skylight, you can have multiple small skylights installed. These are especially attractive in homes that have vaulted ceilings to add lighting to spaces that include kitchens or living rooms.

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Porch Envy Is So Real It Has Its Own Hashtag