Flooring

• Flooring on porches is typically hard wood or concrete. Why not jazz it up and try painting your hardwoods a bright color or staining your concrete? Staining concrete will bring life back to your porch and is a simple process. The stains come in many shades. If you prefer a deeper shade on your porch, consider using more than 2 coats of concrete stain. Always allow 24 hours between each coat, and make sure you apply a sealant after you've applied the stain. A sealant will protect the concrete from daily wear and tear.
  
  Painting hardwoods involves a few coats of your favorite color and a sealant to prevent the paint from chipping. Blues and reds look spectacular on porches where your eye is drawn into the space and color becomes the focal point. Neutrals like gray and beige will create a warm and inviting space and will harmonize with most furniture and accessories. If your porch needs a little color but you don't want to paint, use a colorful outdoor rug. These can be found at your local home improvement store and come in a range of designs and sizes.
  
  

Ceiling Fans

• Ceiling fans on a hot summer night will create a nice breeze and cool down your porch area. Some fans have built-in lights, which creates a perfect space for doing homework or reading. You can choose from many different styles, colors and price ranges. Some fans have higher speed settings to create more circulation of the air. Consider installing two or three fans along the ceiling if you have a large porch.
  
  

Accessories

• Comfortable pillows on your porch furniture can bring in color while creating a cozy space. Wrought-iron furniture blends in with most porch styles and will create durable seating for family and friends. Typically, iron furniture is black or white but can be spray painted. Porch swings are a traditional favorite.
  
  Lights on and around your porch create a cozy and inviting space. String them under a patio table or along the porch rail for a magical feeling. Creeping plants on your porch look beautiful with a string of lights among the green leaves and flowers. Moonflowers, a creeping plant, have a sweet smell and open up at night: a perfect place for hanging a small set of lights.