How to Choose a Porch Swing

Featured Pro: Carter Oosterhouse
Category: Home Décor
Time: 2:23


CARTER OOSTERHOUSE: A porch swing can add a comfortable place to sit while adding character to your home. Hey, I’m Carter Oosterhouse, and this is your GMC Trade Secret.

ERIC STROMER: Hey, I’m Eric Stromer. Now, after Carter shows you how to pick the right porch swing, check out my GMC Trade Secret to see how to properly hang one.

CARTER: Make sure you watch mine first.

ERIC: Actually, he’s right, because you’ve got to pick the right one. But you want to see mine next if you want to learn how to hang it – unless you have a porch swing already.

CARTER: You need to choose a porch swing that works well with the overall design of your home. Now, the arms in the back are really what define each porch swing.

Now, this is one of my favorites, because it’s more of a traditional style with the straight slats in the back and these nice square arms. And I also like this one because it’s almost like a blank canvass, and I can accessorize it with maybe throw pillows or even some blankets.

Now, I love picking things up at second-hand stores, reusing them or repurposing them, like this bench. Now, this bench is great because it really anchors the porch because of its size. It’s a little bit wider and it’s got this nice deep, dark tone. But also it’s an antique bench or Victorian style. It has these really deep grooves in the back slats. But I simply updated it by adding these new pillows.

Now, you don’t always have to go with a traditional style of a porch swing, I mean, if your style is a little bit more eclectic, maybe a little bit more contemporary or modern. I mean, take these for instance. I mean, they’re bright color, they’re fun, and they’re just a little bit different.

Now, if you didn’t believe me that there are a lot of styles of porch swings, check out this one. I mean, this one’s really unique. It has its opposite-facing chairs. It has this nice rattan backing. And it is an antique, and I did get it at a second-hand store. But you can see all it needed was a little punch of color with these brand new pillows.

Now, those are a few options for choosing the right porch swing. Now, don’t forget to check out Eric Stromer’s Trade Secret on how to hang a porch swing like a professional.

I’m Carter Oosterhouse, and this is your GMC Trade Secret.