Summer is in full swing, and with it comes an abundance of outdoor entertainment. Whether you’re having a party for 50 or a family dinner for five, making the five 5 easy upgrades, offered by Todd Hetherington, CEO of Century 21 New Millennium , to help upgrade your porch.
1. Lighting. “While summer days spent on the porch are great, nothing beats a nice night al fresco,” says Hetherington. Unfortunately, most porches are only equipped with harsh overhead lighting. To get around this, add some softer side lights, switch out your harsh overhead lightbulb or add a few fun tiki torches.
2. Furniture. If all your porch has to offer in the furniture department is a hard bench or a few chairs, you’re doing it wrong. “If you pick out a piece of furniture you actually want to spend time in, you are more likely to make it outside,” says Hetherington. Consider a plush indoor-outdoor chair or daybed, Hetherington notes. If you can’t afford to splurge, hit some second hand shops for affordable outdoor seating options.
3. Dining. For even more time spent on the porch, add a dining area. “Whether it’s a full-blown dining table or a small card table ideal for wine and coffee, adding an outdoor eating space can enhance your porch enjoyment,” says Hetherington.
4. Keep it cool. If your porch doesn’t have great airflow, consider installing a ceiling fan. “This is a relatively easy and affordable improvement project that can deliver big results in terms of outdoor livability,” says Hetherington.
5. Add a swing. A swing is one of the quintessential pieces of porch furniture, and for good reason! Inviting and fun, a porch swing is always a welcomed addition.
For more information improving your home, please contact Century 21 New Millennium at move@c21nm.com, 800-382-1101, or Century 21 New Millennium.
About CENTURY 21® New Millennium CENTURY 21 New Millennium, www.c21nm.com, is a full service real estate brokerage company specializing in residential and luxury properties. In addition to the Capitol Hill location in Washington, D.C., the Virginia locations are in Alexandria, Centreville, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Gainesville, Loudoun, McLean, Stafford, and Woodbridge. The Maryland offices are located in Annapolis, Columbia, La Plata, Lexington Park, Lusby, Prince Frederick and Waldorf. Its core services include: mortgage financing, investing, settlement, property management, property insurance, global relocation assistance, and commercial real estate.