Summery Front Porch Ideas to Spruce Up Your Stoop

The front porch is summer's perfect purgatory -- it's not the dreary, sunless indoors, but it's still protected from the relentless summer heat (and, for that matter, summer rainstorms.) Now is the time to take advantage of this "best of both worlds" spot. But if you're like most of us, the porch may be a little neglected. Patio furniture looking a little dusty? Hanging plants looking a little, well, dead? We've got some ideas to help you perk up your porch for summer activities.