Come On Over For Some Porch Time!
Feature Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
An outdoor living space, be it a porch, terrace, or deck, is one of the most versatile parts of any home. It can serve as a quiet place to think and be still, an open-air dining room, a gathering place for friends and family, and a stage from which to tell stories about everything and nothing at all. In many ways, a porch is the perfect retreat from the indoors.
With spring finally here and summer right on its heels, the team at Be Just thought it was the right time to highlight the many benefits of outdoor living spaces and the accessories and furnishings that help you make the most of them.
Wanna Hear Something Gross?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend an average of 90% of their time inside. Put another way, if you live to the U.S.’s average age of 77.5, you’ll spend about 70 of those years indoors - gross!
The Benefits of Being Outside
If that startling perspective isn’t motivation enough, consider the many benefits that come from stepping outside. For instance, spending more time in an outdoor living space can:
1. Improve Your Mental Health
Stepping outside can have a profoundly positive impact on your overall mental health. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving cognition, the benefits of sunlight and fresh air can’t be overstated. One of the potential mechanisms behind this benefit is Vitamin D, which we can get from the sunlight.
Since mood disorders can be exacerbated and intensified by oxidative stress and inflammation, the antioxidant properties of Vitamin D and its presence in brain tissue may provide alleviation and prevention. Further, natural light increases your brain’s release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that boosts feelings of calmness and focus.
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
2. Help Foster Connections
Many people don’t have a social connection to those who live around them. In fact, face-to-face conversations with neighbors happen once a month or less for nearly 50 percent of Americans. One of the best ways to kindle some rapport with those in your neighborhood is to make yourself visible and approachable. A comfortable outdoor space is the perfect place to make that happen.
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
3. Socializing More Often
Whether it’s our societal addiction to our smartphones or a national post-pandemic ennui, research shows that people aren’t socializing like they used to. American adults spend 30 percent less time socializing face-to-face than just 20 years ago. For American teenagers, the decline is over 45 percent.
While there is nothing wrong with having a quiet night to yourself, the desire to be alone is becoming habitual. Even before the pandemic, loneliness was emerging as a significant public health concern in the United States, as one in five people are lonely and disconnected from friends and family.
While quelling feelings of loneliness should be reason enough to come together, socializing frequently has some incredible benefits. Case in point, research shows that people who hang out with friends regularly:
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
Furnishings That Make A Space A Place
You don’t need a lot to transform your outdoor space into an oasis where you want to spend time. With a few purposeful pieces, you can embrace the art de vivre and enjoy the benefits of being outside.
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
1. Comfortable Seating
You should treat your outdoor space like any other room where you congregate. You want to create a space that encourages conversation and interaction. Beyond just the aesthetic, the primary goal of comfortable seating is to make people feel comfortable sitting, chatting, and engaging with each other.
A traditional “conversation” furniture arrangement is always an excellent choice when considering your decor. In the context of a porch or terrace, this arrangement typically includes an outdoor sofa and two chairs positioned around a coffee table or fire pit. However, it’s essential to consider how you want to use the space, where your outdoor living space is positioned around the house (front, side, back), and how much room you have to work with.
Of course, no outdoor area is complete without a place to dine. There are so many options here, whether it is a small bistro table and a couple of folding chairs or a large farm table with dining chairs that make room for the whole family.
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
Recommended Furnishings For Front & Back Porch Lounging & Apéritifs
- Outdoor Sofa
- Bistro Table, Bistro Chairs, & Armchairs
- Outdoor Throw Pillows
- Useful Decor (e.g., Watering Cans & Wooden Trays)
- Le Feu Fireplace
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
Recommended Furnishings For Side Porch Dining & Parties
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
2. Serveware That Encourages Slow Living
We encourage people to let the warmer and longer days ignite a newfound love for the simple joys in life. From feeling the ground under our bare feet and savoring a vermouth and tonic on the back porch to admiring the growth of our gardens and laughing long into the night with friends and family, a return to “analog” living can soothe away worries and spark an appreciation for our proximity to nature.
With your favorite playlist piping in the background and the sun beginning to set, take pleasure in going analog and hosting an al fresco gathering. Ditch disposable wares for hand-crafted, sustainable pieces that celebrate the art of slow living (heck, I sometimes use my china and silver). Set the table, light some candles, and gather and feed the ones you love. For inspiration, take a look at our:
Photo Credit: Jen Fariello
So Much More Than a Porch
Not only your porch, but even your yard can become a welcoming haven for Friday gatherings, a place to sip digestifs after a Saturday dinner, or the perfect place for a lengthy Sunday brunch. It’s a place to chat, nap, and sip morning coffee and evening wine. A place to turn pages in your latest read. A perch on which to watch the leaves change. A personal vantage point from which to watch the world spin.
As the days grow longer and the air gets sweeter, it’s time to step outside and bask in some sunshine. To make your outdoor space the place you’ve been dreaming of, browse our Spring Collection. Whether you're tending to your garden or planning a decadent dinner party on your deck, we’re confident you’ll find something you love.
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