Evolution of Porch Swings

Before you have a porch swing, you have to have a porch.  Porches first became popular in colonial America. More and more homes began using the model of Victorian houses, which featured covered verandas on the exterior of the home.

Popularity grew as people found relaxation and community on the porch. People wanted to stay in touch with the outdoors as industry became more and more prominent.  The porch gave them that opportunity.  Now, they only needed something to sit on.

Starter sets

Porch swings began as very rudimentary pieces. Finally a furniture maker thought to take an unfinished sofa frame and hang it with rope or chain on the porch, and voila! The porch swing was born.  It caught on fast.

The porch swing became popular, and people began to want variety. New materials, new designs, and many more models graced porches across the country. However, as all things, the popularity cooled a bit after time passed.

At the beginning of the baby boom after World War II, porches and porch swings declined quite a bit. Largely due to the growth of suburbs and the use of the automobile, the porch became less used. Outdoor relaxation and gathering moved to the back yard in more and more homes over the years.

Back to the front

Despite the backyard boom, today porches have made a serious resurgence. Folks have rediscovered the relaxing porch pastime, and the old fashioned comfort of a porch swing. 

Porches and porch swings are a great way to stay in touch with your neighborhood and community, and there is no more soothing way to spend a summer evening than out on the porch, gliding in the comfort of a porch swing.

More information on porch swings