Why Porch Swings Make Everything Better—and Bring Us Back to What Matters Most

Surely somewhere there is scientific evidence that the gentle to and fro of a porch swing boosts serotonin levels by at least 20 percent. (Being suspended in the air and defying the gravity of everyday life has to be good for the soul, right?) The porch swing isn’t just timeless—it’s perhaps the closest most of us will ever get to time travel, a vessel that can transport us to the slower pace of the past while also fostering happily meandering free-range conversations about the future.

A teenager may not share much around the dinner table, but hand them a lemonade and get those feet dangling above the ground, and it’s another story. Maybe that’s because there’s something refreshingly non-committal about a perch on the porch. Whether suspended by ropes or chains and whether made of wood, metal, or wicker, a porch swing is a literal swing state, swaying between indoors and out and between past, present, and future. That gentle movement makes for a really good hang.

More Porch Swings to Swoon Over

Rope “chains”—like on this extra-deep rustic porch swing on the porch of a Tennessee cabin—lend a more custom, country look.

An antique wicker porch swing, like this one on the porch of a Georgia farmhouse, brings a layer of old school patina.

Drape a favorite quilt the back of your swing to add a punch of color—and provide a soft covering during cooler weather. This quilt’s red-and-white pattern pairs perfectly with the green painted floor of a screened porch of a Missouri lakeside cabin.

Wrap a swing cushion in a fun patterned textile and pair it with solid pillows to add color and personality to your front porch, like as seen here at a California beach cottage.

Plenty of pillows make for extra comfy swing seating—perfect for a lazy afternoon of reading or napping.

For a cohesive look, paint your porch swing (and other outdoor furniture) the same color as the exterior of the home like you see at this Georgia lake house.

Don’t Forget the Iced Tea!

How to Make the Perfect Pitcher of Iced Tea

Some say iced tea is like moonshine—as in, if you don’t make it yourself, it’s not the real deal. For a proper home-brewed pitcher, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan, then remove from the heat. Add 3 family-size or 12 individual tea bags (Lipton or Luzianne is usually the go-to for Southerners who care disproportionately about these things) and leave them submerged for 5 minutes, then discard. (A pinch of baking soda will neutralize tannins and minimize cloudiness.) If you prefer it on the sweet side, add 1 cup of granulated sugar—you may need more if you are from the Deep South or have a double name—and stir until dissolved. Pour into a pitcher followed by 3 quarts of water to make a gallon. Refrigerate for 4 hours, then serve over ice.

Rachel Hardage Barrett

Editor-in-Chief

Rachel Hardage Barrett has written for and edited lifestyle publications for more than 20 years. As the editor-in-chief of Country Living, she has covered all things related to country life—including design, gardening, food, travel, antiques, crafts, and country pop culture—for more than a decade. Before Country Living, Rachel spent several years at Southern Living, where she served as Executive Editor covering travel, food, style, and features. Before Southern Living, Rachel was the Special Projects Director of Real Simple, where she wrote and oversaw books and special issues about food, travel, weddings, organizing, and parenting in addition to working on international editions and licensed products. Before working at lifestyle brands, Rachel started her magazine career at Glamour, where she wrote and edited relationship articles, celebrity interviews, as well as fashion and features content. When she’s not working on the magazine, she can likely be found poking around an antiques shop, perusing country real estate listings, or dreaming of opening a general store.