A tropical boho back porch styled for summer with breezy, functional decor and string lights for evening ambiance.
It’s officially summer at our house this week! The girls’ last day of school is Friday, the pool makeover is being wrapped up today, and we’ll be kicking off the season with a big cookout this weekend.
If you’re looking for me, I’ll be planted on this back porch from now until fall—seriously. You’ll have to peel me off of this spot in September.
If you’ve followed along for a while, you might remember this porch before we painted the ceiling, installed new ceiling fans, limewashed the brick, hung inexpensive mosquito-net curtains, and refreshed a few pieces of outdoor furniture that we brought from our previous home. Those updates made this space feel like an extension of the house—only breezier and more relaxed.
We spend so much time out here during the warm months that it’s worth updating the styling each year and replacing anything that’s been worn down by weather. This year I picked up a few pieces from Drew Barrymore’s Flower Home collection at Walmart—the colors and textures felt perfect for a tropical boho pool-party vibe. I can’t really go full boho inside our more traditional interior, so I love using the porch to create a casual global-bungalow look on a budget.
I may have a black thumb, but I couldn’t resist bringing home a small live palm for $20. He was too cute to pass up—yes, I named him. I didn’t risk repotting him myself, so I tucked him into a brass wire basket and called it done. He adds an instant tropical touch and helps sell the whole laid-back aesthetic.
Throw pillows take the most wear from sun and pollen, so I swapped last year’s tired cushions for a fringed pillow and added a pom-pom throw blanket for cooler evenings. Small updates like pillows and throws refresh the space without a big investment.
I’ve wanted to hang art on the brick for a while and finally found brick-safe hooks that let me display botanical prints without causing damage. The prints are a sweet complement to the printable summer botanicals I keep just inside the back door—cohesion between indoor and outdoor spaces is one of my favorite styling tricks.
They’re so cute and bring a touch of freshness to the brick wall.
For a pop of color, I added a couple of floral pillows. They tie into the botanical theme and make the seating area feel inviting.
We gather around this dining table for cookouts and long weekend meals, and I often set up here with a cup of coffee for quiet morning work. The porch functions as both an outdoor living room and an alfresco dining area—flexible spaces make summer living easier and more enjoyable.
The only thing I can reliably keep alive in the yard is hydrangeas, so I always keep vases full of them during summer. They’re effortless to arrange—just trim and pop them in a vase for instant charm.
To keep bugs at bay, I plan to place citronella pillar candles inside glass votive lanterns around the seating areas. Lanterns double as pretty ambient lighting after the sun goes down and help keep evenings comfortable.
This porch really is my favorite “room” in the house—an outdoor sanctuary for relaxing, entertaining, and soaking up summer.
If you’d like details about the decor, furniture, and paint colors used in this space, here’s what’s featured:
- Ceiling color – Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue
- Short vase
- Tall vase
- Jade hurricane lanterns
- Botanical print set
- Floral throw pillows
- Fringe throw pillow
- Brass wire basket set
- Pom-pom throw blanket
- Lounge chairs (similar; ours are several years old)
- Round outdoor rug (similar)
- Ceiling fans
I can’t wait for the cozy evenings ahead—sitting under the string lights, sipping something cold, and listening to the poolside chatter. This porch is made for slow summer nights.
Happy summer! Peace, love, and flip-flops forever.
