Home Porches 13 Dreamy Sleeping Porches By Zoe Gowen Zoe Gowen After a notable obsession with yellow houses, historic homes, and glossy magazines as a child that lead to a degree in American Studies from Sewanee: University of the South followed by a jaunt through the Washington, DC art world, Zoë found her way as the Senior Home and Garden Editor with Southern Living. There she crisscrossed the region to produce inspiring interiors, entertaining, and holiday stories while also overseeing the Idea House franchise. After seeing more porches and Christmas trees than any other reasonable person can claim, she ventured out to pave new roads freelancing for various magazines and helping people bring magazine tearsheets to life inside private homes via interior decorating. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 20, 2022 Close Photo: J. Savage Gibson What's better than a porch by the sea? One outfitted with a hanging bed, perfect for sleeping or soaking up a beach read. That's the magic of the sleeping porch—an old-fashioned Southern staple that's as at home on the coast as it in the mountains. It's hard to compete with the comfort of dozing off for an afternoon siesta while listening to a bay breeze, waves crashing, or trees rustling. So why not bring one to your slice of the South? From the traditional sleeping porch to its more modern cousins, there are plenty of ways to create your own little sanctuary. Peruse these dreamy decks and screened porches for all the inspiration you need. 01 of 13 Take Inspiration From the Sky Photo: Tria Giovan; Styling by Rachael Burrow and Liz Strong You've probably seen Southern porches with light blue ceilings. Why not apply the shade to your walls and upholstery? The sleeping porch at our Cinnamon Shore Showhouse in Texas features a custom hanging bed that's ideal for afternoon naps after a day at the beach. Designer Bailey McCarthy—a bedding whiz (she has her own line of sheets, pillows, throws, and more at Biscuit Home)—made the space extra soothing by outfitting it in varying shades of sky blue. If you keep the colors similar on the cushions and walls, you won't overwhelm even the tiniest poorch. 02 of 13 Suspend Your Bed with Steel Kim Cornelison This open-air retreat is the epitome of breezy. The large white bed is suspended from the ceiling with steel cables for a sleek look, although you can use marine-grade rope or chains for an equally sturdy and attractive result. Fuss-free bamboo blinds can be rolled up or down depending on the sun's position and your desire for shuteye. 03 of 13 Hang Two Beds Face-to-Face Jonny Valiant This Seaside, Florida, sleeping porch just might be the ultimate coastal hangout. Not only is it screened and curtained for comfort, but it also features two hanging daybeds, perfect for lounging with a friend. Each is outfitted with a thick cushion the size of a twin-bed mattress, and the thick ropes add a nautical note. Borrow the dune-grass green and watery blue palette for a coastal nod that enlivens an otherwise serene environment. 04 of 13 Embrace Easy-to-Stow Cots Photo: Annie Schlechter; Styling Rachael Burrow A pair of cots outfitted with gauzy throwbeds (thin microfiber-and-feather cushions that stretch the length of the bed) create a comfy spot for alfresco snoozing on this Chesapeake Bay farmhouse's screened-in porch. "Cots are pretty in their simplicity, but are also easy enough to fold up and stash away if you need the floor space," says Richmond-based designer Janie Molster. With rattan side tables and a pair of peacock chairs, the area doubles as a cozy lounge. 05 of 13 Incorporate Natural Texture Colleen Duffley Off the first-floor primary bedroom of this Asian- and Mediterranean-inspired abode in Rosemary Beach, Florida, the homeowner added visual interest to her relaxation space by suspending the bed. Its simple form—a wood palette topped with a mattress, pillows, and a throw—melds beautifully with the room's clean aesthetic. The bed and ropes echo the hues of the cypress ceiling, doors, and shutters, while the Dominican shellstone floors keep the space from feeling too heavy. The potted plants break up all the natural tones. 06 of 13 Add an Iron Headboard Photo: Tria Giovan; Styling: Laurie Kratochvil With views of a serene pond beyond, this screened sleeping porch, off the rear of a renovated Long Island beach cottage, is a plum spot for enjoying the salt-spiked air and a beach read. The antique iron bed, blue-green-painted wood floors, and rattan furnishings create a vintage-meets-laidback vibe. Look for a headboard with a little whimsical flare to bring a touch of the unexpected to your outdoor space. 07 of 13 Borrow the Colors of the Ocean J. Savage Gibson Suspended daybeds on the porch of this DeBordieu, South Carolina, beach house capitalize on the stunning view, shade, and waterfront breezes. To maximize the life of your soft goods, we recommend encasing your mattresses with washable slipcovers and covering your pillows in outdoor-safe fabrics, ideally in colors inspired by the landscape. Here, an indoor/outdoor rug and metal side tables make the porch feel even more like an outdoor living room. 08 of 13 Frame Your Space with Drapes Paul Costello Instead of choosing the expected chaises, these homeowners outfitted their porch with beds that flaunt minimalist geometric frames, conjuring the stylish vibe of a swanky hotel pool deck. Gauzy drapes help define the space and capture the breezy mood of the Caribbean, while red side tables provide a rich pop of color. 09 of 13 Move an Actual Bed Outside Jean Allsopp Who says you can't set up a spare bed on your porch? If you choose to enclose or screen in the space, keep the indoor/outdoor feel alive by leaving the home's facade as-is. Architectural details such as siding and painted shutters make for interesting design accents and serve as a symbol of your home's evolution over time. Here, a clean, uncluttered room contributes to the restful atmosphere. 10 of 13 Anchor Beds to the Walls Photo: Brie Williams; Styling: Liz Strong This breezy galley-style sleeping porch saves space with custom cedar beds secured to the siding and rope supports that let them "float" above the floor. The wall lights, rope accents, and blue tones are the perfect nautical nod in this coastal oasis. We're envisioning lots of afternoon naps and summer campouts in this space. 11 of 13 Don't Be Afraid to Go Dark Colleen Duffley Although sleeping porches tend to skew light and airy, dark-wood columns and clapboard-clad exterior walls give this space serious gravitas. The pillow-bedecked swinging bed softens the angular architecture, beckoning guests of this fish camp-inspired lowcountry cottage to settle in with a book or gaze at the stand of pine trees. Balance out dark walls with a simple sisal rug. 12 of 13 Make Room for Several Sleepers Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Situated on the gorgeous Mobile Bay in Alabama, this vacation-friendly house undoubtedly receives lots of visitors. Its 100-year-old sleeping porch crams in five twin beds, perfect for sibling or cousin sleepovers. Matching bedding keeps the decor streamlined, while ceiling fans promote air flow on sticky summer nights when the porch is fully occupied. 13 of 13 Bring the Outdoors In Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lydia Pursell Grass green pillows, a driftwood side table, rattan furniture—the nature-inspired accessories in this space create a collected, unfussy look that will convince guests to put their feet up and relax. Since the ceiling and floors are both unpainted wood, soft touches like a plush throw and lots of pillows are needed to keep this sleeping porch cozy. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit