Porch Happiness: Crafting a Space That Brings Joy

Most recent porch design

Our porch is the most used space of our house. As soon as the season is warm, we are out there morning, noon, and night. Coffee in the morning, watching my son play in the yard throughout the day, and curling up to a good book to wind down for the night. There's a quote from Sheryl Sandberg that resonates deeply: "The thing about happiness is I think sometimes we're waiting for the big stuff to be happy...But happiness isn't always the big things. Happiness is actually the little things, the moments that make up our day." When I think about happiness, I think about being on my porch, and enjoying all of those little moments that happen there.

Right after we got the house painted

Moodboard for the porch

It's why I put so much energy into designing it. Because I needed it to be a space that would make me happy. When it comes down to it, that's why I care so much about decorating. I design spaces that bring happiness, that make you feel something. We had our house painted a deep teal color (SW Cascades) a few years ago, because the gray? Definitely did not bring me any joy, and besides was BORING. I paired it with a pink front door (BM Palazzo Pink). This color combo is a recipe for happiness. I truly love it, and love seeing it each day.

When it was time for new porch furniture, I knew a few things needed to happen:

1) I wanted something lighter to pop against the deep house color;

2) I wanted to bring in the pink from the front door, along with bright, happy colors;

3) I'd need pretty landscaping to look at while I'm enjoying the time outside.

Each of these things contributed to a bright, happy space.

current state of my flower bed

Landscaping and planning gardens does not come as naturally to me as furnishings and deccor. However, I use my vibes trick just like I do for interiors. I've had my canna flowers (that you see in the moodboard) for a few years, and it's been a constant love for me. Going off of that, I knew I wanted tropical vibes for my front flower bed. Not especially easy considering I live in the midwest, but again--just going for happiness! I got a lot of inspiration from Washington Park in Cincinnati--their gardens are gorgeous! I'm hoping some of these plants grow and fill in more. While I'm meticulous in planning interiors, I'm more of a trial + error/just see what happens with the exterior! This area is still a work in progress.

The day we bought this house

Honestly, though, anything is a step up from this landscaping, and this exterior! Do you see why I had to paint the house? Vince's shirt matches the eventual vibes this house would have.

Are you starting to see what I'm saying about the importance of being in a space that makes you happy? Design isn't just about aesthetics...that's part of it, yes. And on a deeper level, it's about how a space makes you feel. When I look back on this photo from 2018, I feel underwhelmed. There's nothing interesting about this home. I can't imagine myself being on this porch for extended periods of time or enjoying the space at all. When I design a space, I'm thinking about these things. I'm thinking about creating an environment that is beautiful AND lifts your mood, supports your lifestyle, and brings of sense of calm, joy, or connection. My porch is the perfect example of this philosophy in action.

Every element on my porch was chosen intentionally--from the cozy cushions, warm lighting, to the textured rugs for my bare feet. These aren't just design choices; they're happiness triggers. When I sit out there with my coffee in the morning or hang out with my son on the sofa, I'm reminded of how powerful thoughtful design can be. It sets the tone for our day, frames our routines, and influences how we connect with our space and each other.

I often tell clients that their home should be their happy place. Whether it's a front porch, a kitchen nook, or a quiet corner in your bedroom, design has the power to transform how you feel in a space. My work is rooted in helping people uncover what "happy" looks like for them and then designing around that--not trends or expectations, but real, personal joy. Good design is about creating spaces that evoke positive emotions and enhance our well-being.

I'd love to hear about your happy places! Where/what are they? What are the specific elements that bring you happiness?