Fresh paint, bold fabrics, soft rugs, and furniture that's easy to arrange and rearrange make this L-shape porch a great space for parties and family gatherings. For flexibility, select lightweight furnishings that would work just as well inside the house.

A fabric that contained a touch of the house's brick hue along with citrus green, gray, pink, and terra-cotta inspired the porch's color palette. Gray served as the dominant color for the floor and curtains, with citrus-green accents. The fresh palette splashes dashes of fun onto throw pillows.

Create a look-at-me door with oversize zinc house numbers bold enough to be seen from the street. Window film featuring bold circles adds privacy to the door and obscures a direct view into the living and dining rooms. A coat of spunky citrus-green paint freshens the entry.

A narrow desk on casters rests against one wall and is used as a sideboard on most days. Painted citrus green, this desk adds personality and functionality to the porch. Roll it in front of the bench and it offers fine dining for two. Pull up the chairs and stools spread around the porch, and it's party time.

Sections of tree trunk serve as handy side tables or stools and add a rustic touch to the outside room. Four swivel casters on the bottom of each log make them easy to move. Add cushions for seating comfort.

Add a swinging bench to the side area of the porch for a more private gathering space. For durability, use exterior primers and paints on furniture -- porch-and-floor enamel is a dependable option. Make curtains and pillows from indoor/outdoor fabrics to prevent wear and weathering.