A screened-in porch is a gift and a lovely place to spend time, but decorating it can be tricky. Here are 12 ideas for turning it into an inviting outdoor escape that helps you unwind all day long.
If you have a screened-in porch, consider yourself lucky! But do you picture turning it from a simple porch into a true oasis?
A screened-in porch lets you soak up the outdoors (and the view, if you have one) without mosquitoes biting you or rain driving you inside. What's more, you can use one all year long, especially in homes in the South!
Sadly, many people barely use their screened-in porches because they aren't sure how to furnish or decorate them. The good news is that the right furniture and a few simple decor touches can turn an ordinary porch into a backyard hideaway you'll want to spend every spare moment in.
I really need to focus on my screened-in porch myself. We brought some furniture with us from our old house and gave it a fresh coat of paint, but beyond that it hasn't received much attention. I'm hoping to change that soon!
12 Screened-In Porch Ideas for Building Your Getaway
No matter your decorating style, this list will help you pull together a beautiful, cohesive look for your screened-in porch and shape it into an inviting retreat where you can while away the afternoon.
I've found that treating these outdoor spaces as an extension of your home makes the job easier, since it gives the room a clear purpose. Here are twelve budget-friendly decorating ideas you can use to make your vision a reality.
1. Plenty of Plants
Plants might not seem like an obvious choice, since a screened-in porch is already technically outdoors. Still, layering greenery and flowers into the decor helps the space bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors.
You'd be amazed at what plants can do! They'll bring your porch to life.
Here's my list of 3 favorite houseplants that are very easy to care for. And if you don't have a green thumb, don't worry. Artificial plants can give you the same effect.
2. Paint the Ceiling {or the Walls, or Both!}
Grab that paintbrush! Since most screened-in porches use screens for walls, a splash of color on the ceiling is a fun way to make a statement!
Approach this space the way you would any other room in your home, and don't hesitate to use color to tie your decor together.
Porch SOURCES: Outdoor Swivel Gliders | Outdoor Chairs and Sofa Set | Striped Outdoor Pillows | Bistro Table | Folding Bistro Chairs | Large Fluted Planter
If your porch DOES have walls, a soft neutral can help the view stand out, though coastal or traditional hues can add depth and tie the porch in with the rest of your home. A lovely blue-green paint would be a beautiful choice here!
3. Add an Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
Treat your screened-in porch like a room in the house rather than just an outdoor sitting spot, and a rug becomes a must. Placing an indoor/outdoor rug under the seating area goes a long way toward making it warm and inviting.
Pick a rug built to handle the weather. When it gets grimy, just hose it down with a power washer, or give it a good cleaning at the start of each spring!
4. Bring in Art or Wall Decor
Nobody wants to sit facing bare, blank walls. Treat the empty walls on your porch the way you would those inside the house and hang art or other decor. Just make sure the pieces can handle the outdoor temperature swings.
Wall art such as baskets, plants, plates, signs, mirrors, sculptures and more will make your porch feel like part of the house instead of a random outdoor space. Whatever you choose, wall decor goes a long way toward personalizing the room and giving it a focal point.
5. Hang Curtains
Sheer curtains do double duty: they soften early-morning and late-evening sun without blocking your view, and they add a cozy, soft feel. They also offer some privacy at night when neighbors are close by.
6. Suspend a Daybed Swing
Comfy chairs are a must, but one of my favorite porch ideas is to hang a porch swing or, even better, a daybed if you have the room. That one piece can turn your porch from a space you use now and then into the perfect spot to read or catch up with friends on a gorgeous day.
7. Wood Plank Ceiling
I adore this idea! This detail is the perfect way to give your screened-in porch a rustic cabin feel if your home sits in the woods or overlooks a mountain or lake. Or go with a modern farmhouse look for a chic, comfortable vibe.
8. Paint the Floor
Bring color to the floor as well! Pick a shade that complements your indoor/outdoor rug, or skip the rug and paint the floor instead. Go bold with a fun pop of color, or keep it subtle with a tone that sets off the rest of the decor.
Many people assume flooring doesn't make much difference, but it really does.
9. Make Room for Tables
How can you enjoy a tall, cool glass of lemonade (or whatever you like to drink) out there without a place to set it down? End tables and coffee tables make an outdoor space feel homier, and they're practical too. Larger dining tables can turn the porch into a casual outdoor dining spot!
Tables also give you a chance to style them, even with stacks of books!
10. Add Lighting
One of my favorite porch ideas is hanging string lights. Some porches come with flush-mount lighting and others don't. Even if yours has it, it may not give you the mood you're after.
There are so many ways to use strings of lights! Attach them with small hooks or Command hooks. Tuck little clusters of mini fairy lights around the tables, or weave them through larger plants.
11. Put Up a Ceiling Fan
If summers where you live get hot, a ceiling fan will make your outdoor retreat far more comfortable. Is there anything better than reclining on a hanging daybed with a cold glass of iced tea under a whirring fan?
12. Use Throw Pillows
Throw pillows make a living room more comfortable and stylish, don't they? The same is true for your screened-in porch.
Decorate that space much like you would your living room, and add colorful throw pillows that complement your decor. You'll end up with a cozy, comfortable spot you'll want to relax in.
When you combine a mix of home furnishings like plants, rugs, furniture, curtains and art, your screened-in porch decor looks cohesive and complete. I hope these ideas help you create a lounge-worthy, inviting oasis where you love to spend your free time!
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