Add allure, character to your porch

Decor should not only be limited to the interior of a house. The porch can be a preview an elegant interior. Shutter photos

According to www.homedit.com a porch is a covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a house or building in general.
Olivia Birungi, an interior designer, says porch design should be influenced by the homeowner’s style. What kind of person you are and what exactly you want to portray is key.
Just because the neighbour has metallic gargoyles at their porch doesn’t mean you should get a pair too, unless that is your style.
Before you start decorating, think about what makes you happy, things that you wouldn’t mind waking up to everyday. Also, keep in mind that if it is a rented space you are working with, no permanent fixtures should be made without the landlord’s permission.
Temporary shade
Viola Nabiryo, a home owner ,says you can start by adding a temporary shade over the porch. This, she says, will block sunlight from hitting the porch directly making it a good spot to spend some time even during the day. It also acts as an umbrella when it rains.
Ibrahim Muta, a welder from Bweyogerere says depending on the direction of the sun, one can make a temporary sun shade. This is good especially if you are just renting the place. Muta says a temporary shade will cost you about Shs130, 000.
Decorative rugs
A good rug will add character to any space, porches inclusive. Michael Muyomba, a rug seller says thick and colourful floor rugs are popular.
“These rugs can have nice images or words and can be placed in different porch look cozy and warm.” he says.
Muyomba sells the rugs for at least Shs20, 000. The bigger and thicker a rug is, the more expensive.

Plants
If you love plants, then the porch is the place for you to go all out. Ms Birungi says one can hang plants from suspended containers or simply place them on the porch surface. Plants can be placed in pots or baskets. Climbing plants are a good recommendation.

Tree Stumps
You can use tree stumps as seats at your porch. Simply chisel them to a desired height and paint them to match your porch colour pallet and you are good to go. If you have tree stumps in your compound, here are four steps from www.hunker.com on how to turn them into furniture for the porch.

Tree stump

1. Remove any excess roots, dirt, debris and any lurking insects.
2. Sand the top of a tree stump with sandpaper or a sand sponge until it’s smooth
3. Apply
4.Paint the sides of the tree stump, if desired, in one color, multiple colors or patterns.
Furniture
Pick furniture depending on what you want to use your porch for. If you want to use it as a study area, you can add a chair or two and a small study table. If you want it to be a place to relax in the mornings before you go to slave away at the office or a place to sit and put your feet up after a long day, add some lounge chairs or a swing.
Ms Birungi says porch furniture can be wooden or metallic. The choice is yours. Don’t forget to add a pop of colour with fabrics and cushions.
“When designing a porch, I always strive to make it colourful and my choices are determined by the variety in linen,” she says.

Nets and curtains
For protection from mosquitoes and other insects, you can have a light mesh net added over your porch. This she says can trap any insects and can be bought from supermarkets or house décor shops at between Shs15, 000 to Shs25, 000 per metre.
If you want privacy, then porch curtains are what you are looking for. Make sure to use outdoor fabrics that are water resistant.