In South Louisiana, springtime is great for outdoor activities—gardening, exploring and enjoying the mild temperatures while they last. But summertime? Thanks to the humidity and relentless sunshine, many people spend the long summer afternoons sitting on the porch.

Now is the time to put the finishing touches on your setup to start the sunny season. Get inspired with these porches featured in our archives.

Click on the title to see the full story on each home. 

Under the Canopy

For landscape architect Jeffrey Carbo, choosing between the five sprawling live oak trees and the Louisiana native garden as his favorite aspect of his and his wife Wendy’s Five Oak Estates home is tough.

But enjoying an evening in the outdoor living area? Well, that’s easy. Brick arches frame the lush trees, shrubs and gardens that surround the Carbo home. Large artwork, plenty of cozy seating and climbing vines create a serene scene.

With a Twist

Circa 1857 owner Garrett Kemp transformed his patio from a catch-all storage space into a haven for socializing and relaxing in style, and out of the heat.

The color palette of blush pink, dark blue and emerald green brings this eclectic respite together. The business owner has one tip for those planning to spruce up their spaces: plan ahead. “Instead of jumping in, Kemp spent his time searching for inspiration and jotting down exactly what he wanted for his back patio,” the original article reads. 

Rural Refuge

With a view of both the lake and sprawling countryside, simplicity proves to be best for the back porch of Lynette and Brett Hughes’ country escape—a 300-plus-acre parcel of land that was once part of Greenwood Plantation in St. Francisville. Several rocking chairs, lush ferns and an uninhibited, inspiring view. What more could you need?

A Century-Old Escape

Vibrant, refreshing and a balanced mix of the indoors and outdoors, the adjoining porch of the Nanette Suite of Baton Rouge native Lily Barfield’s boutique inn, The Marlene, in Houston, is made for slowly spending a morning or afternoon. In fact, Barfield admits that the second-story private porch is where she likes to have her coffee when the room is unoccupied.

The white rattan sofa and chairs are a staple for many southern porches. Playful patterns and a pop of lime green bring the design into this century, while the columns, sprawling live oaks and even the wrought iron coffee table nod to the past. 

Capitol View

Few things are better than a Friday night spent on the porch with friends. For Spanish Town homeowners Cheryl McCormick and Derrell Cohoon, their view perfects this weekend ritual.

“The view of the Capitol grounds at night is spectacular,” says McCormick in the original article. “Every Friday, unless it’s so hot we can’t stand it, you’ll find us on the front porch drinking our glasses of wine and talking to our neighbors.”

Built near the end of the 19th century, the house is a jewel box of historic charm, complete with a front porch reminiscent of New Orleans. Potted flowers along the steps, a wind chime and a porch swing offer all the essentials.

Half and Half

To screen or not to screen? Bonnie and Chuck Mart agreed to disagree, sectioning their back porch into a screened area and an open outdoor kitchen. “I am an outside girl, but my husband does not like bugs,” Bonnie explains in the original article.

Their two-part back porch bridges the outdoors and indoors with a cushioned swing, cozy seating and ceiling fans for comfort all season long.

The couple notes in the original article that it is not uncommon for their grandkids to be watching a movie on the pavilion while the adults watch football in the living room. And Bonnie can hear everything from the outdoor kitchen. That’s a win-win.