15 Beautiful Screened Porch Decorating Ideas

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screened porch

With these 15 Beautiful Screened Porch Decorating Ideas, you can create an outdoor living room to enjoy all season long on a budget.

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It is hard to believe that we are at the beginning of the summer season. It is definitely feeling like summer very early on here in the south.

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yellow door on a house

I am excited to bring you a touch of summer this season in this year's Summer Home Tour hosted by my friend, Marty from A Stroll Thru Life. If you are visiting from Marty's beautiful site, welcome!

I've been working like a crazy woman to start enjoying our outdoor spaces. Our screened porch has been in dire need of painting for a couple of years now. Remodeling the front porch got me motivated to finally start painting it. You can check out my Instagram Highlights to see videos of projects.

Front porches and back porches are great places to create an outdoor room. There is nothing like fresh air.

I knew that it was going to be a big job, but I was not expecting one month of painting.

It was so worth it.

For today's tour, I am sharing the big reveal of our screened porch. We are loving it. I hope you will as well and perhaps walk away with a few ideas that you can incorporate into your own space whether it is an enclosed porch or not.

Our porch has evolved over the last 18 years being decorated with a lot of budget, vintage, and thrift store finds. It truly is a second living room for us now through October. It's perfect during warm weather when bugs are bad in the south. This was the main reason we decided to have it installed after our first year of living here. Mosquitos can be bad in the Upstate of South Carolina where I live.

There are various screen porch enclosures like ours by ScreenTight. We chose ScreenTight because of the ability to have large screen panels to still get a beautiful view of our backyard.

Our new porch color scheme centers around SImply White by Benjamin Moore.

15 Beautiful Screened Porch Decorating Ideas

Here are 15 screen porch ideas to create a cozy outdoor space.

Furniture

To enjoy your porch, you really need to start with great, comfortable furniture.

I am a big believer in starting with the best furniture that your budget will allow. It is out in the elements, and you want it to last.

With proper care with cleaning and off-season storage, you will get many years of enjoyment.

Covered porches and screened porches allow for furniture and decor to be somewhat protected from the elements. This allows me to bring a bit of the indoors out.

The iron furniture that you see on our screened porch was purchased over 20 years ago. It would technically be considered vintage, but well on its way to being an antique.

I had to have cushions made for it back when I bought it off of Craigslist. They are dark green. I've wanted something lighter but would have to go custom again. They are expensive! I found these great covers that are in their second season. I just take them off and wash them in the washing machine. They are not made for outdoor use, but on the porch have held up well!

Don't be afraid to mix and match your furniture. For the seating, we mix the iron with outdoor wicker furniture.

Regular interior wood furniture can be used on a screened porch just paint it with good exterior paint.

Here are some painting ideas!

This coffee table is one of my favorite thrifty finds. It was refinished last summer with these exterior stains and paints that you will find in this blog post.

One thing that is fabulous in outdoor living spaces is a porch swing. I'd love to find a way to add one on the back porch one day.

dining table on porch

If room allows, add a dining room area even if just a bistro table with 2 chairs. We eat on the porch most nights.

Rugs

An outdoor rug helps to define seating areas on your porch as well as add texture, color, and softness with bare feet.

I make sure to get a rug rated for outdoor use.

While I typically prefer an 8×10 for a seating area, I use a 6'7″ x 9′ rug here. It's just enough to put the front legs of the furniture on the rug, but far enough away from the elements.

I also have this rug in the tan color for a neutral look. I love them both!

Lighting

Lighting adds function and ambiance to your porch areas. Natural light is always beautiful during the daylight hours. We will typically turn on the string lights for our only lights on the porch with the addition of a couple of lamps. I have one lamp rated for exteriors and the other is a regular indoor home decor lamp.

Check out this post on making these simple String Light Pots for patio areas.

I only use an indoor lamp in an area that does not get wet from the elements. I have all of these lights on similar remotes. I also use this smart remote.

The sweet little rabbit light that I have had for over 25 years does not plug in easily to avoid showing a long extension cord. I found this fabulous bulb that charges and then operates without being plugged in. That is what I use with the rabbit lamp.

Mirrors

Another way to create a more indoor look is by adding a mirror to your porch space. You can really get some pretty reflections in them outdoors!

Throw Pillows

Pillows are a fabulous way to add color and pattern to your porch. Whether you go whimsical or classic, you can quickly update a look with pillows. I sometimes use indoor pillow covers from Amazon on our porches. The covers are inexpensive and work well for old faded outdoor pillows. I do use them in covered areas.

I made the blue and white pillows by sewing simple squares over existing pillows with outdoor tablecloths. Don't use shiny plastic-like ones. I use the ones that are fabric. These have been here several years now and held up beautifully! Tuesday Morning usually has a great selection of outdoor tablecloths. That is where I found this one.

Covers and Throws

Small white throw blankets can also lighten up or cover less than perfect outdoor fabric. Look for more of a cotton weave blanket as opposed to a regular knit blanket. This will be easier for washing.

The seat cushion covers are like a small fitted sheet. Keep that in mind if you use it. If your chair has an open back, you might see the old fabric from the backside. That is why I have thrown a white trow over those pieces. It is still much cheaper than new cushions. Honestly, I could buy new furniture before buying new cushions. Cushions are that expensive for the custom size that I need.

Green Plants Faux and Real

sitting area on porch

This year I made the decision to use all faux greenery on the screened porch since I just painted the floors. Plus it is less maintenance. I am getting ready to add these faux ferns. Adding greenery makes any space feel alive!

Books

Check out your local thrift store for old garden and bird books to add to your screen porch.

They are nice to look through, but you know I love decorating with books. You can see all the ways that I use them in home decor HERE.

Planters

Thrift store ice buckets make a great porch planter! This one was previously a dark stain. I turned it into a beautiful chinoiserie ice bucket with these instructions.

I still use it as an ice bucket, but it was a perfect fit for this faux boxwood.

Table Runners

Painted outdoor pieces can start to chip over time. Cover up those areas or protect them in advance with a cheap table runner. This one was $5 from Dollar General last season. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it washed beautifully this season. They will also help to absorb any condensation from drinking glasses.

Wreath

Wreaths aren't just for the front door! They can easily spruce up a blank wall.

Chinoiserie

I love adding a bit of chinoiserie in every room. Garden stools are the perfect way to add a touch but still have a function. You can actually sit on these and use them as a little side table for drinks.

Here are some Garden Stools that I love!

Coasters

Especially if using wooden furniture, you will want to use coasters. Drinks really condensate outside and can damage surfaces. Gather some pretty plates and saucers to use as coasters. When they get dusty, they can easily be washed and add a little cottage feel to your space.

Setting the Table

table set

I tend to use both melamine and regular china outside. Aren't these plates gorgeous!! It really just depends on if we are eating out the porch or venturing out to the patio. A must is using plastic glassware. No one wants to be cleaning up tiny chards of broken glass.

placesetting
placesetting

Buckets

I don't think you can see it in any of these photos, but I have a large galvanized bucket back in a corner for all kids of yard toys like balls, frisbees, and bocce ball.

It's easily portable and cleans well.

I also have a smaller bucket by the door to contain bug spray and a lighter for the citronella candles and torches.

bench

Beside the little bench, I have another bucket to hold our yard shoes. Using a bucket keeps the shoes hidden a bit more than a shoe tray plus it contains all the dirt.

I have greatly pared down the amount of decor that I use on the porch these days. I'm more into less is more out there plus it is easier to keep it clean.

Honestly, a great rug and pillows go a long way to make a room feel welcoming and finished.

We love it when the temps permit us to leave the French doors open. The porch then truly feels like an extension of our indoor living space.

You are in for a treat! Up next on the tour is Sarah's stunning home featured at Grace in My Space.

Check out these other gorgeous homes!

The post 15 Beautiful Screened Porch Decorating Ideas appeared first on Our Southern Home.