While everyone loves a porch with an inviting swing or rocking chair, how you plan to use your porch and the style you want needs to be considered when choosing furniture. "Take cues from the inside of your home," says designer Nicole Yee of NY Interiors. Make your porch feel as inviting as your spaces inside by incorporating weather-resistant fabrics and comfortable seating. Natural wicker furniture is a classic choice but is best suited for protected porches. Porch furniture pieces made from synthetic wicker offer a wicker style but are more durable and can be exposed to the elements. Wood swings and Adirondack chairs are favorites on many porches, but remember wood furniture requires paint, stain or a sealer. Wrought iron is a very durable material well-suited for formal porches, but it can be difficult to move. Aluminum furniture is a more lightweight alternative. Twig furniture pieces are good choices for casual porches, and they can be dressed up with lots of comfortable outdoor pillows and throws.

There are many stores and online retailers that sell porch furniture and accessories, but often you can find just-the-right item for your porch, like a vintage birdcage or trunk that works as a coffee table, at local garage sales and flea markets. You can even repurpose a piece of furniture from inside your home and use it to create a fresh look on your porch. "Details are important in a porch," stresses Nicole. "Remember it's OK to break the design rules when you're doing an outdoor space like a porch. Mix patterns together (like stripes with florals) or use a mirror in an interesting frame to reflect views or surrounding shrubbery. Hanging chains for porch swings are often made of stainless or galvanized steel. If you prefer the look of rope, make sure it is marine-grade braided nylon or polyester, and check it regularly for wear. Define a porch seating area with outdoor area rugs, and if you have the space, face some seats toward your house. Woven baskets, terra-cotta pots with fresh flowers and topiary planters can add lots of nice texture to a porch.

Use durable mildew-resistant outdoor linens, pillows and throws or a vibrant doormat to infuse color in an otherwise white porch. Don't be afraid to mix different types of porch furniture together. For her own house in Maine, Nicole has five antique rocking chairs in different colors that are well-suited for her narrow front porch.Porches have a way of adding that homey touch to hotels, and they're an ideal spot to sit and soak up the view, preferably while leaning back in an Adirondack chair with a drink in hand. These 10 American hotels all have great porches, but what makes them unique is their size--some are humble, but we've also included the hotel with the longest porch in the world. All have unique views, ranging from the city center to beaches and lakes, that serve as wonderful backdrops for relaxation time on your vacation. Photo Credit: © Jeffrey Stevensen strong Maine The Chebeague Island Inn has no phones or televisions in guest rooms, so visitors should be prepared to spend plenty of time relaxing on the 100-foot wraparound porch (bring a book or two).

The Inn is located on an island in Maine's Casco Bay, just 10 miles off the coast of Portland. The Greek Revival structure has just 21 guest rooms, and all are decorated differently. Apart from sipping cocktails and enjoying the views of Mt. Washington, guests can spend their time kayaking, strolling on the beach, or cycling around the island.egg chair for sale canada strong: Visit Fodor's Maine Guidebuy manual wheelchair online Photo Credit: Michael G Smith/Shutterstock strong: Mackinac Island, Michiganbean bag chairs europe The Grand Hotel debuted in 1887, and has multiple claims to fame. where can i buy chair covers in dublin

Movies have been filmed there, five presidents have visited, and more than 6,500 pounds of pecans are used every year by the kitchen staff. The hotel's porch, at 660 feet, claims to be the world's longest. It's home to plenty of rocking chairs as well as 2,500 geraniums. strong: Visit Fodor's Michigan Guidebean bag chair price india Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Carolina Inn strong Chapel Hill, North Carolinaexercise ball chair australia The historic Carolina Inn, built in 1924, is located on the University of North Carolina's campus and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. The Inn has long been a genteel gathering place for students, faculty, and the community, and many of these gatherings have happened on its expansive front porch and lawn. strong: Visit Fodor's Chapel Hill Guide Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mountainview Grand Resort strong: Whitefield, New Hampshire

Located near Mt. Washington, this sprawling Victorian hotel ticks every box for a charmingly old-fashioned stay, complete with a white porch, campfire for making s'mores, and board games in the parlor. The Mountain View Grand Resort dates back to 1865 and has hosted presidents, movie stars, and New England writers including Ralph Waldo Emerson. The huge property is also home to a working farm, where guests can help gather eggs that are sent to the hotel's kitchen. strong: Visit Fodor's New Hampshire Guide Photo Credit: DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite strong: Yosemite National Park, California The Wawona Hotel offers a little slice of New England tucked inside Yosemite National Park, thanks to its white-painted buildings and wrap-around porches. The hotel consists of multiple buildings, all with old-fashioned charm. None of the guest rooms have telephones or televisions. The main building has a Victorian parlor, complete with a fireplace, board games, and nightly pianist.

strong: Visit Fodor's Yosemite Guide Photo Credit: Courtesy of Otesaga Resort Hotel strong: Cooperstown, New York The Otesaga sits on a prime lakefront location along the shores of Otsego Lake and is celebrating its 105th anniversary this year. The hotel was built in the Federal style, and one of its signature features is its 180-foot colonnaded veranda. The porch has plenty of rocking chairs for relaxing and soaking up the views of the lake or the Leatherstocking Golf Course. When the weather is nice, dinner and dancing also take place on the veranda. strong: Visit Fodor's Cooperstown Guide Photo Credit: Alison Shaw Photography LLC strong: Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts The Harbor View Hotel opened in 1891 and is arguably the grande dame of Martha's Vineyard. Located in Edgartown, the hotel features guest rooms in the main historic building as well as multiple cottages. The wrap-around porch is a prime spot for taking in views of Edgartown Lighthouse, Lighthouse Beach, and Chappaquiddick Island.

While kicking back in a rocking chair, guests can order "island-to-table" cuisine from the hotel's restaurants, such as mussels in a curry broth or fresh lobster served with black rice polenta. strong: Visit Fodor's Martha's Vineyard Guide Photo Credit: Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington Resort strong: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire Guests can admire views of Mount Washington, Crawford Notch, and the Rosebrook-Willey Range from the 900-foot colonnaded veranda here. The Omni Mount Washington has 200 guest rooms and offers a mind-boggling amount of activities, from golf and zip-lining, to fly-fishing and rock-wall climbing. There's also a 25,000-square-foot spa. strong: Visit Fodor's Bretton Woods Guide Photo Credit: Courtesy of Basin Harbor Club strong: Lake Champlain, Vermont Think of the Basin Harbor Club as a summer camp experience for the whole family, but with added luxury. The resort is located on the shores of Lake Champlain, so guests will spend plenty of time on the water, either water-skiing, paddleboarding, or learning to sail.