With A $200 Budget, Here's How 4 Southern Interior Designers Transformed Their Front Porches

Refreshing your decor for the summer should start with the spot you and your guests frequent the most: the front porch. After all, what's a Southern home without a welcoming social hub where you can cool off during the scorching summer heat waves? With some well-placed outdoor pillows and other seasonal finds from Amazon, we know revamping your outdoor space doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

We gave four Southern-based interior designers a budget of $200 to transform a front porch for the warmer season, and they didn't disappoint. From classic rocking chairs to reversible pillow covers, below are four ways to switch up your decor to make your front porch your outdoor oasis.

Porch Design One

"Is there anything more Southern than sitting on the front porch in your rocking chairs, sipping sweet tea," Valerie Helgeson, founder and principal designer at Design Directions, wonders. With our $200 budget, she dug through Amazon to find curated pieces to "set the stage for all the summer vibes on those warm Southern nights." The Oklahoma City-based designer favors classic rocking chairs with a contemporary twist, like this three-piece bistro set from Suncrown. "The all-weather wicker and steel frame provides durability with a touch of modern style while still nodding to tradition. An extra bonus: they come with an adorable little side table."

"To define this cozy sitting area, throw down a versatile rug like this one from NuLoom. It adds visual texture and feels delightful on bare feet," she suggests. "For a budget-friendly style upgrade, these indoor-outdoor pillow covers with a reversible pattern are a proven winner. Pretty and soft, they're washable, fade-resistant, and waterproof, perfect for adding a splash of color and comfort. Plus, no Southern porch is complete without a potted fern, and this faux fern is a dream for those without a green thumb." To Helgeson, "lush ferns, a woven rug, and colorful pillows, and you've got the start of a great recipe for Southern comfort."

• Phantoscope Two-Pack Outdoor Throw Pillow Cover, $12.59 with coupon (orig. $17.59)
• Gbestwoow Two-Piece Artificial Ferns, $13.99
• NuLoom Wynn Braided Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug, $49.99 (orig. $88)
• Suncrown Three-Piece Outdoor Rocking Bistro Set, $119.95

Porch Design Two

Designer Shani Core of Palm Beach, Florid, says this lattice planter duo by Pure Garden is her top "recommendation for an elegant front porch upgrade." "This pair is the perfect neutral color to coordinate with every porch and offers so much Southern style at a very reasonable price," she explains.

"Durable enough to clean the dirtiest shoes, the Calloway Mills doormat front door mat is made for the outdoors, is non-slip, and has almost perfect reviews. It's also shockingly affordable and brings a beautiful, decorative element to any front door." It also doesn't hurt that the black color "hides dirt and coordinates with any decor." And, of course, you can't complete your Southern porch without a rocking chair. "I love this style, which is simple in design and goes with any home style." You can use any leftover money on versatile pillow covers.

• Pure Garden Two-Pack Lattice Planter, $36.97 (orig. $49.95)
• Calloway Mills Gatsby Rubber Doormat, $25.58
• Outvita Outdoor Rocking Chair, $91.19 with coupon (orig. $95.99)
• LVTXIII Two-Pack Outdoor Lumbar Pillow Covers, $16.99

Porch Design Three

"You can indeed transform your front porch with $200 from Amazon," agrees Raleigh, North Carolina-based interior expert Ayten Nadeau. She tells us that creating a seating area is essential, and "what screams Southern charm more than wicker furniture? This loveseat not only provides a cozy seating area but also includes cushions and pillows, saving you money, and the red-striped lumbar pillows add both comfort and a pop of style."

Don't forget to show off your summer blooms. "Outdoor planters can be pricey, but you can opt for affordable plant bags," Nadeau suggests. "This set of five comes in varying sizes, perfect for creating a lush, budget-friendly garden. And now that you have your seating covered, along with a table and planters, let's add more detail to tie everything together with a runner-like outdoor rug to complete your jazzy front porch.

You can also add a splash of color to your porch with a simple coffee table that "lets your style shine through." She recommends "adding a decorative plastic bowl for that finishing touch on your charming and inviting setup."

• Sunset Outdoor Wicker Loveseat with Cushions, $119.99
• Lucdnc Five-Piece 5-Gallon Plant Grow Bags, $12.99 (orig. $15.99)
• Danpinera Outdoor Side Table, $39.99
• Safavieh  Courtyard Collection Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug, $22.57)
• Maryland Clear Plastic Cabbage Bowl, $2.30

Porch Design Four

When decking out your front porch, interior designer Bridget Tiek believes in sticking to the essentials. "This outdoor rug is a great way to ground your entry area at your porch and add another layer to make it feel more inviting," she notes. It will undoubtedly add some rustic charm to your outdoor area.

Tiek also asserts that this traditional terracotta pot is a "classic" addition to your porch and can mix and match well with plenty of other accessories and accents you have in your space. For the ultimate inviting touch, pair the pot with a gorgeous, lush fern plant. "You can never have too many ferns on a front porch," she insists.

• PSW Pot Collection Arcadia Traditional Pot, $49.58
• Costa Farms Two-Pack Ferns, $41.68 (orig. $46.99)
• Lena Rug Easy Jute Rug, $62.75 (orig. $65.99)