10 Great Ideas for Your Screened-In Porch
Find the right easy-breezy style and comforts for your porch this summer
Becky Harris
July 18, 2022
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Screened-in porches offer the best of indoor and outdoor living — that feeling of being out in the fresh air while enjoying home comforts like cushy upholstered furniture, ceiling fans and the ability to mix an Arnold Palmer in the adjacent room. Here are 10 ideas to consider when designing and outfitting a screened-in porch.
1. Highlight Architecture
Centre Sky Architecture crafted this Big Sky, Montana, porch using striking timber frame architecture. The beams and rafters are exposed, allowing those warming up by the fire to enjoy the beautiful forms that hold the porch together.
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Centre Sky Architecture crafted this Big Sky, Montana, porch using striking timber frame architecture. The beams and rafters are exposed, allowing those warming up by the fire to enjoy the beautiful forms that hold the porch together.
Find a local architect on Houzz
2. Refine the Rustic
This porch on a Montana cattle ranch balances rustic and refined style. Forged-metal light fixtures and natural wood elements add appropriate rustic touches. Koo de Kir mixed classic Windsor chairs with sophisticated Parsons chairs at the wood dining table and added a pop of color with an unexpected antique yellow dresser. A metal bucket full of sunflowers is the perfect finishing touch.
This porch on a Montana cattle ranch balances rustic and refined style. Forged-metal light fixtures and natural wood elements add appropriate rustic touches. Koo de Kir mixed classic Windsor chairs with sophisticated Parsons chairs at the wood dining table and added a pop of color with an unexpected antique yellow dresser. A metal bucket full of sunflowers is the perfect finishing touch.
3. Add Family Room Comforts
This beautiful porch overlooks Minnesota’s Prior Lake and its tree canopy. Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling gave the space all the comforts of an indoor living room with upholstered furniture, a rug and a chandelier. The result is elevated porch style.
Browse outdoor rugs in the Houzz Shop
This beautiful porch overlooks Minnesota’s Prior Lake and its tree canopy. Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling gave the space all the comforts of an indoor living room with upholstered furniture, a rug and a chandelier. The result is elevated porch style.
Browse outdoor rugs in the Houzz Shop
4. Pet-Proof the Screens
One challenge with a screened-in porch is that pets’ paws can damage the screening, or worse, can break through it completely. On an elevated porch, you’ll also need to add railings for safety, particularly for children. For this midcentury modern home in Austin, Texas, RisherMartin Fine Homes added wire mesh on the porch to serve as a safety railing. It keeps the views open and lets in the breeze, and its grid pattern is a good fit for midcentury modern style.
One challenge with a screened-in porch is that pets’ paws can damage the screening, or worse, can break through it completely. On an elevated porch, you’ll also need to add railings for safety, particularly for children. For this midcentury modern home in Austin, Texas, RisherMartin Fine Homes added wire mesh on the porch to serve as a safety railing. It keeps the views open and lets in the breeze, and its grid pattern is a good fit for midcentury modern style.
5. Add a Pass-Through
Those enjoying this St. Paul, Minnesota, porch by Acacia Architects can receive food and drinks through the kitchen windows. On the other side, the windows are over a kitchen counter conveniently located next to the fridge.
25 Inviting Pass-Through Kitchen Windows
Those enjoying this St. Paul, Minnesota, porch by Acacia Architects can receive food and drinks through the kitchen windows. On the other side, the windows are over a kitchen counter conveniently located next to the fridge.
25 Inviting Pass-Through Kitchen Windows
6. Extend Porch Season
Designer Joshua Smith extended this Connecticut porch’s usefulness far into the shoulder seasons by adding a fireplace. The beautiful stone surround provides a wonderful focal point year round.
Designer Joshua Smith extended this Connecticut porch’s usefulness far into the shoulder seasons by adding a fireplace. The beautiful stone surround provides a wonderful focal point year round.
7. Add Bark Appeal
Morning Star Builders used special shingles made of bark to give this Houston porch outdoorsy charm. A quartet of rockers encourages conversation in the fresh air.
Shop for outdoor rocking chairs
Morning Star Builders used special shingles made of bark to give this Houston porch outdoorsy charm. A quartet of rockers encourages conversation in the fresh air.
Shop for outdoor rocking chairs
8. Take a Fresh-Air Snooze
At this home on Maine’s Pequawket Lake, Caleb Johnson Studio was tasked with rebuilding a family camp. The team helped the family carry on its sleeping porch tradition by adding beds to the porches. They are perfect for naps as well as sleeping overnight.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Click here to learn the basics
At this home on Maine’s Pequawket Lake, Caleb Johnson Studio was tasked with rebuilding a family camp. The team helped the family carry on its sleeping porch tradition by adding beds to the porches. They are perfect for naps as well as sleeping overnight.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Click here to learn the basics
9. Consider Privacy
The close proximity of the neighboring house presented a privacy challenge for this Louisville, Kentucky, porch. Design-build firm Rock Paper Hammer used slatted wood to provide an attractive solution without making the porch feel too closed in.
The close proximity of the neighboring house presented a privacy challenge for this Louisville, Kentucky, porch. Design-build firm Rock Paper Hammer used slatted wood to provide an attractive solution without making the porch feel too closed in.
10. Swivel Toward the View
Laying out furniture on a porch with a great view is tricky. Do you face people toward one another or let everyone face the view? Interior Enhancement Group gave the owners of this Delafield, Wisconsin, home both options by using swivel chairs.
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Laying out furniture on a porch with a great view is tricky. Do you face people toward one another or let everyone face the view? Interior Enhancement Group gave the owners of this Delafield, Wisconsin, home both options by using swivel chairs.
More on Houzz
Browse thousands of porch photos
Read more stories about porches
Hire a local general contractor
Shop for your porch
Hope Restoration is Central Ohio's only full-service, design/build general contractor capable of every facet of... Read More
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Just finishing my Oklahoma screened porch after much help and inspiration from Houzz
Cheryl….Does your porch have windows or screens? We live in southwest Michigan and would love to use our porch 4 seasons but don’t know what to use for windows. Love that we have screens but would like to find options for the winter season. Anybody have a suggestion?
#2 is gorgeous!! I want to sit and enjoy dinner and stay awhile!!!
Just lovely