Porch lounging is a classic Southern pastime, and a cozy, well-designed place to perch makes it all the more enjoyable (and makes a great first impression for guests).

Whether you’re just looking to spruce up your front-facing outdoor living area for the season or you’re ready to invest in curb appeal, here are some common porch design mistakes to avoid.

Overlooking the Ceiling

When decorating your porch, don’t forget to look up. Designer Lori Evans considers porch ceilings to be one of the biggest missed opportunities she sees all too often.

“It’s the fifth wall, and can make a break the design of your front porch,” she says. “Here in the South, haint blue is beautiful and beloved for a reason, but there are many other ways to add character.”

For example, she loves experimenting with stained wood planks, painted trim, or even a coffered detail to elevate the overall look of a porch.

Design Disproportions

One of designer Jodi Peterman’s porch pet peeves has to do with the relationship between design aspects.

“One of the biggest mistakes I see on porches—both architectural and decor-wise—isn’t considering proportion,” she says.

She’s noticed several new builds or renovation projects that show off columns and railings that are out of proportion with the house’s size, which throws the entire home’s curb appeal off balance.

The same goes for porch furnishes, she notes. If the furniture is too small, it can get lost in the design, but furniture that’s too big can overwhelm the space. “Scale is everything,” Peterman says.

Designer Virginia Wyatt has another size-related porch design mistake that makes her cringe, and that’s outdoor rugs that are too small. “That is a big no for me,” she says. “The size of the rug needs to anchor the seating area and be proportionate to the space.”

Too Much Furniture

There’s such a thing as too much of a good thing, and Wyatt believes that’s especially true when it comes to porch furniture.

When selecting porch furniture, she considers the size of the porch and the way her client wants to use their porch. For small porches that aren’t entertaining spaces, she recommends just sticking to a porch swing with no additional seating. Otherwise, four chairs with an arrangement of two across from two and a small drinks table between each set is the general blueprint she recommends.

If you love hosting groups on your porch often, it’s important to have enough seating for you and your guests. But there’s nothing wrong with having to pull a few extra folding chairs out of storage when the occasion calls for it.

“Making sure there is enough room to move about and breathe is key,” she says.

Not Adding Plants

Your porch is a transitional space between the outdoors and indoors, and potted plants are a great way to blur the line. And in Evans’s eyes, a porch looks incomplete without live plants.

“It doesn’t have to be complicated or fussy, but nothing beats the warmth a live plant by your front door brings,” she says.

For covered porches, she recommends potting shade-loving hydrangeas, boxwoods, and ferns for a classic look.

Prioritizing Form Over Function

You can design the most stunning porch, but if it’s not functional, Perman says it’s all in vain.

“A front porch is not just a design element—it’s part of the home,” Peterman says. If there isn’t comfortable seating, or the seating that is there is configured in such a way that it’s hard to use, people just don’t use it.”

For example, two large wrought iron chairs can look lovely in a photo, but four smaller wicker chairs with comfortable cushions are more likely to encourage you actually to invite your friends over for a porch hang.

Improper Lighting

Another porch design faux pas that Peterman sees all too often is overlooking the lighting. The goal is to create a warmly lit environment that creates a friendly entrance to your home.

“I see so many porches with one light by the door, and that’s not enough,” she says. Peterman suggests layering your porch lighting by installing a mix of sconces and lanterns if possible. If hardwiring new fixtures isn’t in the budget, string lights are a great alternative.

Porches That Don’t Match the Interior

Your porch is your first opportunity to show your guests your decorating style. Evans says that style should feel cohesive with what’s on the other side of your front door.

“Your front porch should really feel like a natural extension of your home,” Evans says. “Many homeowners treat it as a completely separate space, but it really should flow nicely from the inside to the outside.”

The easiest way to connect the two spaces is to bring some of your favorite interior pieces outside, according to Evans. This may look like adding some of our favorite candleholders to your patio table or draping your favorite throw blanket on your porch swing.