If you've ever dreamed of building the perfect area for relaxing with friends on a warm summer night or lounging with a good book in the fresh air, then a front porch might be just the thing you need. Blending the comforts of home with the refreshing appeal of the outdoors, a covered porch is the ideal place for welcoming friends, neighbors and family into your humble abode. However, you'll need a keen decorative eye if you want to give this home addition more comfortable appeal than a few wooden boards can offer on their own. Here are some design tips to keep in mind.

Cover up
You wouldn't leave your wood floors completely exposed inside your house, so why would you on your front porch? Beyond being unsightly, you run the risk of causing damage and splinters as people walk across your front area without a large outdoor area rug. With this simple addition, you'll keep your porch in good shape for years to come while bringing unique colors and patterns to the design.

Sitting area
Whether you need a cozy spot to keep an eye on your little ones as they play outside or simply enjoy chatting with friends in the sunshine, the sitting area should be the main decorative focus of your front porch. While you don't need to recreate a living room's aesthetic outdoors, you will need a few comfortable outdoor furnishings such as a wicker rocking chairs or a woven couch. Arrange these pieces based on the shape and available space of your porch for the most social layout.

Nightlight
There's no reason why you need to retreat indoors from your porch just because the sun is down, so make sure you have a bright outdoor light or two to illuminate your activities. For a more attractive choice, consider large candles or small torches around the perimeter of your deck – they'll add ambiance and can help keep bugs away.