These Screened-In Porches Are a Breath of Fresh Air Any Time of Year
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Here at Country Living we’re all about slowing down to savor life’s little moments. For us, there is nothing better than sitting outside and experiencing the gentle breeze of a passing afternoon wind or listening to sweet songbirds serenade us during our morning coffee. But, if like some of us, you want to do that while also sheltered from annoying mosquitos or with a fan for those days when the simple breeze isn’t enough, then there is nothing better than a screened-in porch. Below, we’ve outlined 20 of our favorite ways to take your screened-in porch from basic to beautiful. From tips on selecting the right pillows to ideas on picking the perfect flooring (hint: choose brick!), we've gathered up something that will inspire you at every price point.
And, once you're done prepping your porch you'll want to fill it with some of our favorite outdoor furniture, indoor/outdoor rugs, and maybe even a bar cart? Regardless of how you fill up your porch, you're guaranteed to spend even more time outside once you’ve prettied it up!
Make It Cohesive with Paint
For the porch swing and all the wicker furniture throughout this Georgia lake house, homeowner Kelly Gray leaned on an old trick of painting them the same shade as the house’s exterior (Night Watch by Glidden). The result is a through-line that unites the indoors with the out. TIP: Paint does wonders to refresh old wicker, just be sure to wash away any lingering dirt or dust with mild soap and water before painting.
RELATED: See more of this cozy Georgia lake cabin.
Create a Breezy Dining Porch
An exposed rafter ceiling painted a bright white helps keep this petite porch from feeling too cramped, while rustic pieces such as antique ladderback chairs pull the porch together. For small porches, opt for a dining table that is no wider than the standard 36” to keep walkways clear and breezy, and choose lightweight dining chairs that are easier to push in and out as needed.
Get the Look:
Exterior Paint Color: Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore
Trim and Ceiling Paint Color: Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: See more of this renovated Texas tiny house.
Bring The Living Room Outside
On the 50-foot-long porch of CL Editor-in-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett’s Mississippi farmhouse, wicker furniture, woven lanterns, and, for an old-fashioned touch, a Bluetooth-compatible gramophone create a breezy, time-slows-down ambiance. Assembled around an antique trunk-turned-coffee table, the stay-awhile seating features an assortment of floral and striped pillows, allowing houseguests to kick back comfortably all day—and all evening—long.
Get the look:
Shutter Paint: Tricorn Black SW 6258 by Sherwin-Williams
Wicker Furniture: "Loggia" in Old Green by Mainly Baskets
Wicker Urn and Pedestal: "Braided Square" by Mainly Baskets
Lanterns, Solid & Striped Pillows, and Carafe: from At Home Floral Pillow Fabric: by Schumacher
Rug: by Annie Selke
Vintage High Ball Glasses: from The Vela Shoppe on Etsy
RELATED: See more of Rachel's Mississippi farmhouse.
Layer On the Patina
Give your new screened-in porch that been-around-forever feel by layering in vintage pieces such as weathered wicker (skip the fresh paint job!) and antique quilts. On this lake house porch, homeowner Katie Barnes opted to bring in even more patina by using an old potato chip can as a planter. When hunting for porch decor at your local antique store, seek out pieces that already have some wear on them to easily age the space.
SHOP VINTAGE POTATO CHIP CANS
RELATED: See more of this nostalgic lakeside cabin.
Keep it Neutral
This screened-in porch boasts a practical galvanized roof, concrete floors, and a cinderblock fireplace covered in a sand wash. The two massive built-in concrete boxes store firewood year-round. “We find ourselves building fires out here all of the time—even when it’s far too warm!” says designer and homeowner Paige Thornton.
Make Room for Company
Located just up the road from Laurel, Mississippi, HGTV’s Home Town stars Jim and Mallory Rasberry’s cabin is loaded up with layers of country charm and a twist of that signature Home Town style. The gather ’round seating on the screened-in porch makes room for a crowd with long wood benches and red metal chairs.
Get the Look:
Plaid Tablecloth: “Annabelle Plaid” by Heather Taylor Home
Red Metal Chairs: Tolix armchair through Amazon
RELATED: See Jim and Mallory Rasberry's outdoor kitchen.
Paint the Floor
There’s no need for Country Living editor-approved bug mosquito repeller on this charming dining porch. “We eat every meal out here,” say the owners of this rustic South Carolina getaway. A painted floor and draped string lights help elevate the space, while a rustic X-brace picnic table adds timeless country charm.
Get the Look:
Dining Table: Dura-Trel Table and Benches from Home Depot
RELATED: Thinking of painting your porch floor? Check out these 20+ Brilliant Ideas for Painted Floors.
Make Your Own Porch Swing
The owners of this Michigan cabin DIY-ed their porch swing by attaching sturdy hooks and chains to their favorite Adirondack-style bench. It joins the similarly rustic chair and settee, both by Old Hickory. A green painted floor and red throw pillows add to the mountain getaway’s old school charm.
Use a Nature-Inspired Color Palette
Blue and green textiles play nicely with warm brown rattan furniture on this Low Country porch that was inspired by its natural surroundings. A creamy white color on the walls and floors (Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore) reflects the natural light to bring in brightness.
RELATED: Need help picking a white paint color? Here are our favorite colors to make it easy.
Mix and Match Patterns
If your outdoor furniture features upholstery, don't be afraid to mix and match patterned pillows and throw blankets like the homeowners did on this screened-in Tennessee side porch. For the best results, stick within a tight color palette. A good rule of thumb is to mix strong geometric prints (think gingham or stripes) with more romantic, flowing prints (think florals or toile).
Lean Into the Surroundings
This inviting screened-in follows a foolproof formula for cabin coziness: Start with a rusty-red painted floor and a massive stone fireplace, add a pair of iconic Old Hickory hoop chairs and a cozy braided rug, top it with an iron chandelier, and finish it off with a rope-hung porch swing. When the temperature drops, be sure to pull out the wool blankets from fan-favorites Pendleton or Faribault Mill.
Think Brick!
Want to imbue your screened-in porch with a little more grounded gravitas? Take a note from Nashville-based designer Rachel Halvorson and skip the wood flooring! Brick flooring, especially when laid in a fanciful double basketweave pattern, easily upgrades a space and is a great alternative if you're worried about your wood floors warping over time.
Get the Look:
Brick Pavers: Castle Gate Thin Brick Singles from Home Depot
RELATED: Tour More of Grammy-Winning Singer-Songwriter Chris Tomlin’s Serene Cabin in Tennessee
Pick Your Favorite Furniture
Don’t be afraid to lean into your favorite furniture—even if it wasn’t originally destined for the outdoors. Here, homeowner Lisa Dalton brought an antique English daybed out onto her high-in-the-trees porch. When paired with more traditional outdoor furniture such as a vintage wicker and rustic wood bench, the antique daybed blends seamlessly.
Get the Look:
Daybed: For similar, Wood Daybed from Wayfair
Give Alfresco a Whole New Meaning
This screened-in porch comes complete with two cook stations and a table set for eight! Concrete countertops flank the outdoor grill and custom smoker, while Ipe wood floors bring some warmth to the space. Plus, potted herbs take grab-and-go-seasoning to the next level. NOTE: Cook-and-dine-in screened-in porches require proper ventilation, so be sure to consult with a contractor before DIYing this one.
RELATED: Check out our primer on concrete countertops.
Make Room for Games
This rustic bent willow table serves up the perfect setting for a game of tic-tac-toe. Keep your porch open for all seasons by creating space for activities and games that can be used year-round—just don’t forget the blankets for when it gets cold! (Take a note from these homeowners and corral your favorites in a nearby basket.)
Get the Look:
Bentwood Chairs: Arm Chairs by Genesee River Trading
Chair and Table Paint: Rosy Apple by Benjamin Moore
Porch Floor Paint: Gargoyle by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Tour more of this cozy Alabama cabin.
Create a Sleeping Porch
Sleeping outside in warmer months sounds so idyllic in theory until you factor in the bugs, which is why this editor prefers sleeping porches with screens to camping out in the open! While glassed-in sleeping porches might be allow for more climate control, screened-in porches allow you to experience nature and all her lovely sounds from a safe, bug-free distance. (Plus, who really needs AC?!)
Decorate for the Holidays
When the holidays roll around, don‘t neglect your porch! Textile designer Heather Taylor and her family decorate their porch with a tall pine tree every year. Proximity to the outside means tree maintenance is easy too—just sweep the fallen pine needles out the door!
RELATED: See more of Heather's cozy California cabin.
Just Keep It Simple
If you’re all about maximizing your lounging time while on the porch, you don’t need much. This sweet screened-in porch keeps its surroundings simple with an oversized day bed swing perfect for napping the afternoon away.
Get the Look:
Hanging Bed Swing: For similar, “Vineyard” by Polywood
Or, Skip the Screens and Add Curtains
This is probably the last thing you thought you'd see on a screened-in porch idea list, but hear us out: If you love the look of screened-in porches but don't want to feel too cut off from the world around you? Try porch curtains! They won't be as good as screens at keeping the critters away, but they more than make-up for it in style.
Get the Look:
Curtains: For similar, Waterproof Outdoor transparent Curtains from Walmart
RELATED: Our 80+ Best Porch Decorating Tips for Making the Coziest Space Ever
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