Southern Porch Perfection Tips From Savannah, Georgia
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If porches could talk in Savannah, they’d drawl out “sit a spell and stay awhile”, and trust us, you’d never want to leave.
Around here, a porch isn’t just a space, it’s a state of mind. It’s where sweet tea flows like water, rocking chairs keep secrets, and ceiling fans spin slow like a Southern summer romance.
These porch-perfecting tips straight from Savannah will have your neighbors saying “Well, butter my biscuit!” and begging for an invite.
From haint-blue ceilings that ward off spirits (and bugs!) to lush ferns and timeless wicker, it’s time to transform your front stoop into the ultimate Southern sanctuary. Ready to bring that slow, sweet charm home? Let’s gussy it up!
1. Rocking Chair Revolution
Nothing says ‘sit a spell’ like a lineup of wooden rockers painted in classic haint blue. The gentle motion invites conversation and contemplation, two things we Southerners excel at!
When selecting rockers, opt for wide armrests that comfortably hold a sweating glass of sweet tea. The chairs should creak just enough to provide ambient soundtrack but not so much they drown out the cicadas.
After all, it’s not truly Southern hospitality if your chair doesn’t greet guests with a little howdy-do squeak!
2. Ceiling Paint Magic
If your porch ceiling isn’t haint blue yet, grab a paintbrush immediately! This soft blue-green shade isn’t just pretty, it’s steeped in Gullah Geechee tradition.
Locals swear it keeps away haints (restless spirits) and, more practically, confuses wasps about where the sky ends.
The color creates an optical illusion that extends daylight hours while making your porch feel airier. Plus, it photographs beautifully for those inevitable social media moments.
3. Fern Fever
Want to give your porch that Southern charm that makes people stop and stare? Boston ferns suspended in iron brackets create instant Southern drama! These beauties thrive in Savannah’s humid climate and add movement when stirred by ceiling fans.
The secret? Water thoroughly but allow drainage, soggy ferns are sad ferns. Group them in odd numbers for visual interest; three large specimens make more impact than six small ones scattered about.
During winter months, bring these green divas indoors rather than letting Jack Frost claim them.
4. Lighting Layers
Though chandeliers might seem excessive outdoors, Savannah porches laugh at such restraint! A petite crystal fixture creates unexpected elegance, while hurricane lanterns along steps guide evening visitors with flickering warmth.
String lights woven through porch railings offer everyday magic. For authentic Savannah style, incorporate gas lanterns that cast that distinctive dancing glow.
Remember, lighting should illuminate conversation areas without blinding guests or attracting every moth in Georgia!
5. Swing Seating Sensibility
Hanging a porch swing isn’t merely installing furniture, it’s establishing a family tradition! The ideal swing hangs 17 inches from the floor and 3 feet from any wall, allowing perfect pendulum motion.
Choose cypress or cedar for longevity in our humid climate. Savannah swings typically feature wider seats than their Northern counterparts because Southern hospitality means accommodating multiple grandchildren simultaneously.
Add machine-washable cushions in performance fabrics that resist fading from our relentless sunshine.
6. Floor Finesse
While many assume porch floors must be wood, Savannah’s design mavens know better! Painted concrete in classic battleship gray provides durability against our torrential summer storms.
For wooden floors, marine-grade paint with a dash of fine sand prevents slipping during humid months.
The bold might try a painted checkerboard pattern, traditionally in cream and gray. However, the truly adventurous commission painted floor cloths depicting Savannah scenes or family crests.
7. Table Tactics
Forget matching furniture sets! Authentic Savannah porches showcase tables with stories, like that antique sewing machine base topped with marble salvaged from a historic building. Mix materials fearlessly. Iron, wood, stone, and even concrete create visual intrigue.
Tables should be substantial enough to anchor conversation areas yet movable for flexibility. Height matters too, coffee tables before swings, drink tables beside rockers, dining height near entrances.
If space permits, include one round table for card games, preferably with a secret drawer for hiding bourbon!
8. Pillow Philosophy
Savannah’s porch pillows follow a simple formula: mix, don’t match! Combine florals, stripes, and solids in complementary colors rather than identical patterns.
The magic number? Five pillows per seating area creates abundant comfort without overwhelming the furniture.
Rotate cushions seasonally, lighter fabrics for summer, velvets and tweeds for our brief winter. Though white remains classic, incorporate unexpected pops of coral, citron, or peacock blue.
Monograms remain eternally appropriate, preferably in traditional script rather than trendy fonts.
9. Curtain Call
Outdoor curtains transform open porches into intimate retreats while filtering our brutal afternoon sun. Opt for Sunbrella fabrics that resist mildew and fading. While white remains the Savannah standard, stripes are making inroads among the fashionable set.
Hang curtains from plumbing pipes painted to match your trim for industrial chic. Install them so they billow slightly in our famous coastal breezes.
When entertaining, tie them back with magnolia branches or vintage ribbon for that perfect Instagram moment.
10. Signature Scents
While visuals matter, Savannah’s most memorable porches engage all senses! Plant jasmine or confederate jasmine near seating areas for intoxicating evening fragrance.
During daytime, citronella and lemongrass serve double duty, repelling mosquitoes while releasing pleasant aromas when brushed against.
For instant ambiance, spritz porch ceilings with a mixture of water, vanilla, and bourbon. This old trick creates a subtle sweetness that guests notice subconsciously.
During holidays, simmer cinnamon and cloves on a hidden hotplate for festive fragrance.