Today, I’m excited to share my top 5 reasons to have a porch swing on your porch. Aside from being a beautiful addition to any porch, you may be surprised at the health benefits that a swing offers too.
Dreams Do Come True
Back in California, I always daydreamed about living in a farmhouse. I imagined living on a beautiful piece of land with animals and a garden. I pictured having a big front porch with a sweet porch swing to sit and relax on while I had my coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening.
After living in the farmhouse for a little over a year, my dream came true. I didn’t just get a porch swing though. For Mother’s Day, my husband and the kids gifted me a swing bed. It was even better and much dreamier than I had imagined!
Top 5 Reasons to Have a Porch Swing on Your Porch
Since installing a porch swing bed on our front porch, I have realized the many benefits it offers. So many of the benefits I had never even thought about before. However, now that I have experienced them, it has been amazing. Although there are many, today, I am excited to share 5 reasons to have a porch swing on your porch. These benefits add to the beauty, happiness, and contentment of the home. Along with being a gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing addition to the home, a swing also improves the physical and mental health as well as the lifestyle of those who enjoy it.
Beauty and Curb Appeal
There is no doubt that a porch swing adds incredible charm and beauty to a porch. It also adds great curb appeal. Whether is hung by a chain or a rope, it’s always a pleasant sight that makes people smile. It’s hard to pass up an opportunity to take a seat on an inviting swing.
Styling a swing can be a wonderfully creative outlet too. Throughout each season it can be decorated with beautiful throw pillows, blankets, and other home decor accessories. Our front porch is the first place I decorate with the arrival of a new season.
Fresh Air
It’s been proven that spending time outdoors in the fresh air can lower feelings of stress and heighten incidences of natural euphoria. Fresh air helps clear the lungs, increases physical energy and mental focus, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, aids in faster healing, and can improve digestion. Those are just a few of the benefits of fresh air. Being outside for even a small amount of time each day has a very positive effect on the mind and body.
Relaxation
Stress can be a killer. It’s also something that virtually every human experiences to some degree day in and day out. Stress can lead to many health complications including, but not limited to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and much more. Can a swing prevent these things? Certainly not completely, but it can aid in relaxation which has a positive effect on overall health. It’s been proven that swinging releases endorphins into the body creating a general sense of relaxation and well-being.
Adds Living Area
A porch with a swing adds an extra living area outside. Whether it’s a space for reading a book, taking a nap, catching up on emails, watching the birds, or having some snacks and iced tea with family or friends it’s an extra space to utilize at home. The porch swing on the porch offers the perfect outdoor living area to enjoy. It breaks up the monotony of being inside. When the weather is nice, the porch is a lovely place to sit and spend time alone or with family and friends. Having a swing makes those moments extra special.
A Porch Swing Encourages Human Connection
One of my favorite things about the porch swing bed on the front porch is the conversation it sparks. Whether it’s a delivery person, a visitor, a neighbor, a friend, or family it’s always one of the first things people comment on when stepping onto our front porch.
There have been plenty of stormy evenings when we have gathered as a family on the swing to watch the storm together. It’s also a favorite, “family meeting” spot (when they are necessary). Having friends over and enjoying some iced tea and conversation on the porch swing is a favorite pastime on the farm.
Finally, I’m sure that it will come as no surprise that the swing is one of my favorite places to watch the sun go down behind the longleaf pines in the arms of my husband. The sense of relaxation that comes from spending time on the porch swing at any time of day, especially with the ones you love is priceless.
Porch Swing Love
Hopefully, this post has offered some helpful information regarding the many benefits having a swing on the porch offers. Whether it’s a swing or a swing bed that is purchased or one that you build, it’s always a great addition to any home.
If you are local to the Wilmington, North Carolina area, I highly recommend Patrick at Coastal Bed Swing Co. He built and installed our beautiful swing. His craftsmanship is outstanding!
For those who are handy and willing to take on the challenge of building their porch swing, my friend Tammy has a wonderful DIY tutorial on her blog. The swing on her gorgeous farmhouse front porch is perfection!
Looking for more front porch inspiration? You may enjoy these posts:
Patriotic Touches to the Front Porch
For more farmhouse inspiration follow me on Instagram and Pinterest. I’d love to see you there!
