7 Gorgeous Screened In Porch Ideas For Summer

This post is about screened in porch ideas.

If you already have a screened in porch, or you’re thinking of adding this outdoor space to your home, here are some ideas on how you can decorate the space.

Screened in porch ideas for outdoor living

One of my favorite aspects of our new build home is the screened in back porch.

During the construction process, we upgraded our covered back patio into a large screened-in porch. It’s a decision we haven’t regretted once!

The biggest design tip I can suggest for a screened in porch is to make it feel like an extension of your home.

Put as much thought into the style and placement of the furniture as you would any room inside your house.

Layer in rugs. Add accessories. Treat it like a real room that just happens to be outside.

Here are a few more ideas for how to decorate a screened in porch…

Create a conversation zone

Arrange your outdoor furniture so that it’s easy for friends and family to gather around.

This type of seating arrangement encourages conversation. You can do this with a small sofa and a couple of accent chairs.

Bring the indoors out

Don’t be afraid to use pieces of furniture, like a wood coffee table, outside in a screened in porch.

A covered patio and screens provide protection from the harshest elements like rain and direct sun.

Block out the harshest light with sunshades

If you get hit with harsh sunshine in the morning or afternoon, you can use sunshades to block some of those blinding rays.

I love these motorized shades because they’re sleek and modern and don’t have a lot of extra bulk to them. Then just raise them back up once the harsh sunlight passes for the day.

Add a focal point for your screened in porch ideas

Just like you would do inside, add a focal point to your screened in porch with something that catches the eye.

Inside, you could do this with art. But outside, you could do this with one unique piece of furniture – like a hanging chair.

Create multiple zones on a long porch

Long porches can feel intimidating.

A common mistake here would be to get several outdoor couches and face them all the same direction looking out to the backyard. But this would make the porch feel even longer.

Instead, create distinct and separate sitting areas along the porch like in the photo below. Use tables and different furniture pieces to create unique zones.

Cozy up with a built-in fireplace

Is this a ski chalet in Switzerland or your screened in porch?? It can feel like both if you add a built-in fireplace complete with chimney to enjoy on cool evenings.

Just be sure to work with a licensed contractor and follow local codes – some areas prohibit flames within certain feet of a house.

If this is the case, you can choose an electric fireplace that will still bring warmth and cozy ambiance to your porch.

Hang a porch swing

The porch swing is a classic choice for any style of home.

Most of the time, we think of a porch swing on the front porch. But you can hang a sturdy bench porch swing in your screened in patio too!

The difference between a screened in porch and a 4 season room

A screened in porch is still open to the outdoor elements, and a 4 season room is fully insulated.

I go into more detail on this in my post about the differences of a 3 season vs 4 season room.

Must-have essential items for screened in porch ideas

No matter how you decorate your porch, there are a few essential items you should have for your screened in porch:

• Area rug – Just like indoors, an area rug underneath your seating will pull together the space and make it feel more cozy.
• Comfy seating – Invest in some good quality seating that can withstand outdoor elements. Think of your outdoor space like your living room and choose a sofa/loveseat and a couple of chairs.
• Outdoor fabrics – Choose seat cushions and throw pillows that are upholstered in outdoor-friendly fabric.
• Lighting – Don’t go with just one type of lighting. You should have several types of lighting that you can use to create different moods. Sconces, string lighting and solar lamps are a few great options.
• Overhead fan – Sure, you’ve got some airflow coming through the screens on your porch, but it can still get pretty warm and stagnant in a screened in porch especially in summertime. An overhead fan will keep air circulating inside so that it doesn’t get too stuffy.