40 Screened Porches We Wanna Chill On

Protected from the elements and biting bugs, these pretty porches offer indoor-outdoor living at its finest.

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By: H. Camille Smith and Allie Holcomb King

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The Best of Both Worlds

Part covered porch and part living room/dining room/playroom (or most any other room), a screened porch lets you enjoy fresh breezes without worrying about bugs or any other pesky critters crashing the party. Plus, many screened porches offer sufficient protection from the elements so you can bring indoor furniture outside to truly make the space an extension of your home's interior.

From: HGTV Magazine

Create a Focal Point

Just as you would in an interior space, plan your porch around a focal point. Here, the colorful fireplace not only offers warmth on chilly nights, but also visually anchors the seating area and ties the various shades of blues and grays together.

See More Photos: Mountain-Inspired Screened Porch With Tons of Charm

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brighten Up With Bistro Lights

Not just for the great outdoors, bistro lights are a budget-friendly, easy DIY addition that'll add magical sparkle and illumination so you can keep the party going late into the night.

See More Photos: 25 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

Make It Your Happy Place

A combo of nearly indestructible materials (Trex flooring, a tempered glass tabletop and woven plastic chairs) and lots of pretty pops of pink make this outdoor dining area a cheery spot to enjoy a snack or a family card game. Learn more about this family-friendly space featured in HGTV Magazine, below.

See More Photos: Tour a Maryland River Home With Tons of Chill Charm

From: HGTV Magazine

Add Privacy With Drapery Panels

Hung on a nearly invisible cable, these floor-to-ceiling panels can move around the room to block out glaring light — or a nosy neighbor — with just a flick of the wrist.

See More Photos: A Connecticut Home Where Summer Never Ends

From: HGTV Magazine

Make It Furry-Friendly

Indoor/outdoor furniture, fabrics and rugs are not only durable, they're also nearly pet-proof so don't worry if your furkids decide the screened porch is also their favorite hang-out. Performance fabrics, like Crypton and Sunbrella, offer moisture-, stain- and fade-resistance that cost more initially but pay for themselves in durability over the long run while most indoor/outdoor rugs are woven from polypropylene, a plastic, so they're easy to keep clean, too, with just a quick rinse from the hose.

Learn More: 9 Tips for a Chic, Pet-Friendly Home

Incorporate Vintage Finds

Bargain hunting is a great way to pretty up your porch. The thrifty owner of this sunny space nabbed the 1930s collapsible walnut camp cot for just $10 at an estate sale, then turned it into a snug daybed with the addition of a ticking stripe-covered mattress and lots of pillows. See more of this bargain beach cottage featured in HGTV Magazine, below.

See More Photos: Beach Cottage Bargain Decorating

From: HGTV Magazine

Or, Freshen Up What You Already Have

It's a truth universally acknowledged: Nothing transforms tired furniture like a fresh coat of paint. Says the owner of this stunning vintage set, "A preppy, glossy green gave it a much-needed modern twist. For a flawless finish, it’s best to use a paint sprayer so color covers the intricate designs and goes on nice and smooth.”

See More Photos: 11 Creative Paint Projects That'll Spice Up Any Space

From: HGTV Magazine

Bring Out Blooming Beauties

Humidity-loving plants, like orchids and ferns, will make happy additions to a screened porch in regions where the nighttime temps don't drop below 60 degrees Farenheit. Orchids, especially easy-to-grow phalaenopsis, crave fresh air. Placing them out of direct sun on a warm, shady porch creates an environment that's similar to their native home, high up in the tropical tree canopy. Just be sure to check water levels frequently to prevent the circulating air from drying them out faster and bring them back inside when temperatures drop. Learn how to pot a florist-worthy orchid display, below.

See More Photos: How to Arrange Grocery Store Orchids Like a Pro (and Keep Them Alive)

And, Stock Your Favorite Sips

Screened porch lounging can be thirsty work. Stock a bar cart or small side table with everything you need to keep yourself, family and guests happy. Ice cold lemonade (or bubbly!) makes lounging on the porch feel like a mini vacay.

See More Photos: Bar Cart Essentials for Every Style

From: H. Camille Smith

Choose Durable Decking

Composite decking, made from recycled wood fibers, plastic and a binding agent, is a nearly maintenance-free flooring. While typically more expensive than natural wood decking, this material eliminates any worries of cracks or splinters, and the color is part of the material, so there's no need to paint or restain every few years.

Learn More: Decking Materials: Know Your Options

From: Tiffany Brooks

And, All-Weather Furniture

Manufactured from strips of polyethylene resin woven over a lightweight aluminum frame, synthetic wicker furniture is a budget-friendly option that's also easier to maintain than the real deal. As a man-made material, the color is part of the highly flexible polyethylene strips so, unlike traditional, natural rattan furniture where the color is only on the surface, fading isn't a concern. Essentially a plastic, it's also waterproof and sun- and temperature-resistant so, unlike natural wicker, this type of furniture can be left outside year-round. And clean-up is a snap: just hose it down, or give it a good scrub with a brush to loosen up stubborn stains.

See More Photos: Your Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide: Top Tips on Lifespan, Maintenance + More

Go Boho

Still trending, bohemian style has made it to furniture and decor that's rated for outdoor use. Here, rattan peacock chairs pair with midcentury-inspired folding chairs for this alfresco dining spot that's undeniably stylish. Color-blocked curtains and a sculptural, modern chandelier add to the space's hip, globe-and time-traveling vibe.

See More Photos: Screened Porch Pictures From HGTV Smart Home 2018

From: Tiffany Brooks

Or, Stick With Tried-and-True Traditional

Ah, traditional, the design style that truly never goes out of style and will look just as current 50 years from now as it does today. To give your screened porch a timeless look, choose sturdy, well-crafted pieces that can stand up to the elements and the fickle, ever-shifting nature of trends. Tour a timeless and oh-so-traditional home, below.

See More Photos: Tour a Classic Southern Estate with a 21st-Century Sense of Fun

From: James Farmer

Consider the Flow

Determining furniture placement on your screened porch is just as important as planning out your indoor living areas. Consider how you'll place outdoor furnishings so they create a visually interesting grouping when viewed from inside. Also, think about where you'll want to sit to best enjoy the views of your backyard. And, don't forget to leave enough space for your family and guests to comfortably move around. On average, you need about 30-36 inches between pieces of furniture for ease of movement.

See More Photos: Screened Porch From HGTV Dream Home 2020

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

And, Consider Your Entertainment Needs

A widescreen TV in your screened porch? Sure, why not! Just be sure to position it far away from the screened walls to prevent any moisture damage. In this designer space, the screened porch is truly an extension of the indoor living spaces with a wood-burning fireplace, cozy, all-weather furniture and a massive TV so the family can enjoy movie night or a reality TV binge-session alfresco. Take a tour of this gorgeous home, below.

See More Photos: Picturesque Charlottesville Estate With Elegant Details

From: Jennifer Stoner Interiors

Include Smart Screens

With just the push of a button, a motorized, retractable screen can be raised to open up the porch to the backyard beyond or lowered to keep bugs at bay. Take a tour of the tech-savvy screened porch from HGTV Smart Home 2018, below.

See More Photos: Screened Porch Pictures From HGTV Smart Home 2018

From: Tiffany Brooks

Incorporate Nature-Inspired Neutrals

Overlooking the home's backyard and a color palette filled with calming earth tones, this porch provides the perfect space to appreciate nature. Natural, woven fabrics complement the earthy hues, while two potted trees bring the outdoors in.

See More Photos: Screened Porch Pictures From HGTV Urban Oasis 2016

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Pop In Your Favorite Color

Playful pink in the hanging daybed, poufs and a chevron-striped basket heats things up in this Texas home. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to picking a palette for your screened porch — make it your own and use colors you love.

See More Photos: A Texas Home With Bold Moves in Every Room

From: HGTV Magazine

Color the Ceiling, Too

Painting porch ceilings in a soft shade of blue is a centuries-old tradition that originated in the coastal South but has now spread to many other regions. Commonly called 'haint blue,' this pale, watery shade is thought to keep ghosts or malicious spirits from entering the home, thanks to spirits' (or haints') inability to cross water. Other legends contend that the color was instead meant to mimic the open sky, tricking spiders and wasps into building their homes elsewhere.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

And, Don't Forget a Fan

Whether your preference is for super-sleek and modern or vintage-inspired, no screened porch is complete without a ceiling fan (or fans) to keep fresh air moving and lower the ambient temperature. Be sure to choose a fan that's UL-listed for damp locations and choose a model that allows a minimum of eight to nine feet of clearance beneath it for safety. See more shopping tips, below.

Learn More: Porch Doors, Lights and Fans

Make It an Extension of Your Bedroom

The very picture of a dreamy retreat, this coastal-inspired suite features an attached private porch that's outfitted with cushy upholstered furniture and overlooks the surrounding marshland. Ensuring bug-free breezes, the screened porch is connected to the bedroom with a massive double-hung door that can be left open for maximum airflow. See more of this space from HGTV Dream Home, below.

See More Photos: Master Bedroom From HGTV Dream Home 2020

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Show Your Stripes

Timelessly on trend, stripes are an easy way to incorporate pattern into your porch. Whether you prefer a tight pattern, like ticking stripe, or a wide, eye-catcher, like cabana stripe, the classic tone-on-tone pattern works with any design style.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Pile On the Pillows

Cozy up hard outdoor furniture with pillows and throws to make kicking back in your great outdoors even more enjoyable. But, to prevent damage and a musty smell, don't use indoor (especially down-filled) cushions. Instead, opt for durable outdoor-rated fabric filled with water-resistant polyfill inserts and swap in a Turkish beach towel, which dries super fast, for a standard throw.

Learn More: Patio, Perfected: 11 Amazing Amazon Finds for a Shady Outdoor Oasis

From: H. Camille Smith

And, the Plants

Shade-loving plants are an ideal choice for adding a beautiful, bonus touch of Mother Nature to your screened porch. Orchids and ferns, especially Boston, naturally come to mind but caladiums (aka elephant ear), petunias and sweet potato vine are other good choices that will add a big boost of color to planters or hanging baskets.

See More Photos: 34 Shade-Loving Plants for Containers and Hanging Baskets

Pick a Punched-Up Palette

High-contrast colors lend any space an energetic feel. Here, complementary tones — rusty orange and turquoise blue — create a cheery yet relaxed vibe that's a perfect fit for this porch's boho style.

Or, Opt for Soft and Subtle

Letting Mother Nature be the star, this screened porch rocks a rustic vibe with earthy tones in the pine-clad ceiling, painted brick walls, stacked stone fireplace and wicker seating. Polished slate flooring and pale blue pillows and a throw add a bit of cool contrast. Take a tour of this luxe North Carolina home, below.

See More Photos: Timeless North Carolina Home Features Exquisite Style

From: Southern Studio

1 Porch, 3 Bonus Rooms

Craving a little elbow room? If you live in a warm climate, a massive screened porch might be the answer. Take a tour, below, of a Louisiana home where the family added on a 500-square-foot screened porch that contains an outdoor living room, kitchen and dining area, turning the addition into the family's favorite hangout.

See More Photos: An Indoor-Outdoor Addition That Does It All

From: HGTV Magazine

Score Big on Game Day

What better place to watch your team win than a cozy screened porch? Take a cue from this one's smart design, and hide your TV behind artwork for the off-season. Curtains offer glare protection, while small tables provide snack stations.

See More Photos: 30 Game-Day Party Food Ideas

Provide Seating for Everyone

Sectionals aren't just for your indoor living room, they're a crowd-pleasing pick for your outdoor living room, too. Durable, weatherproof synthetic wicker is a low-maintenance choice that also looks great — but be forewarned, like so many other things, you get what you pay for. Carefully check all pieces for the quality of weaving, since any loose synthetic strips could quickly lead to unraveling. Read our outdoor furniture buying guide, below, for more tips.

See More Photos: Your Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide: Top Tips on Lifespan, Maintenance + More

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Dine Alfresco

With a view of the surrounding garden and plentiful fresh breezes, this sunny indoor/outdoor dining room makes entertaining — and post-party clean-up — easy. From the stained concrete floor to the vinyl-upholstered dining chairs and the outdoor rug, everything comes clean with just a shot from the hose or quick wipe with a damp cloth.

See More Photos: A 1940s Charmer in Texas Finds a New Family

From: HGTV Magazine

Make It a Statement of Your Style

There are no hard and fast rules that a screened porch must be decorated in a specific style. Instead, it should be an extension of your home, so choose fabrics, colors and materials that work with your style so this indoor/outdoor room flows seamlessly into the adjoining indoor spaces.

See More Photos: Tour a Newly Renovated 1920s Era Home in Atlanta

From: HGTV Magazine

Max Out the Space You Have

A space-saving banquette, a pair of bistro tables and budget-friendly outdoor chairs turn this narrow screened porch, that also acts as a side entry, into a welcoming spot for enjoying a casual family brunch or catching up on homework.

See More Photos: A New Jersey Home With a Masterful Mix of Styles

From: HGTV Magazine

Choose Multi-Purpose Pieces

Ceramic garden stools are not only ideal for use outdoors, they're also a handy and attractive addition to your screened porch. Just the right height for use as bonus seating, the stool's flat, glazed surface is totally water- and stain-proof so they're also a handy spot to set a drink or snacks.

See More Photos: Creating a Serene and Lounge-Worthy Screened Porch for Year-Round Relaxing

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Incorporate Exterior Elements

No need to cover up exterior siding — just make it part of the design. Here, the cedar shakes add a warm contrast to the setting's cool tones so designer Amy Studebaker made them part of this porch's coastal design.

Add Welcoming Warmth

A stacked stone fireplace lends undeniable charm and four-season utility to this screened porch. A clean-lined mantel and playful hand sculptures add a touch of modernity, while potted plants bring in Mother Nature.

See More Photos: Screened Porch Pictures From HGTV Smart Home 2016

From: Tiffany Brooks

Create Your Own Snoozin' Central

You could settle in on this swinging daybed and attempt to read your favorite magazine or newest novel, but let's be honest: this porch was made for naps, and we're totally on board. Learn how to construct your own daybed for lazily swingin' the day away, below.

Get the How-To: DIY Swinging Daybed

From: Lisa Furey

Don't Forget Lighting

Outfitted more like an indoor living room, this screened porch features all the elements you'd expect and then some — like a grill. To ensure the space is usable after dark, a pair of floor lamps lilluminate the sofa area. When shopping, look for lamps that are UL-rated for outdoor use. Most enclose the lightbulb in a waterproof shell for added safety.

From: Alice Cramer

Rock a Period Style

This screened porch takes its design cues from the home's Victorian architecture. True to the period, authentic wicker furniture provides gracious seating while an Oriental rug adds style and a beautiful pattern that ties the room's color palette together.

See More Photos: Oriental Rugs 101

From: Lila Delman Real Estate

Windows for the Win

Oversized windows offer an unobstructed view from this home's kitchen to its screened porch, helping unite the indoor and outdoor spaces. For screened porches off kitchens, an oversized window can also serve as a handy pass-through.

40 Screened Porches We Wanna Chill On

Related To:

Shop This Look

The Best of Both Worlds

Create a Focal Point

Brighten Up With Bistro Lights

Make It Your Happy Place

Add Privacy With Drapery Panels

Make It Furry-Friendly

Incorporate Vintage Finds

Or, Freshen Up What You Already Have

Bring Out Blooming Beauties

And, Stock Your Favorite Sips

Choose Durable Decking

And, All-Weather Furniture

Go Boho

Or, Stick With Tried-and-True Traditional

Consider the Flow

And, Consider Your Entertainment Needs

Include Smart Screens

Incorporate Nature-Inspired Neutrals

Or, Pop In Your Favorite Color

Color the Ceiling, Too

And, Don't Forget a Fan

Make It an Extension of Your Bedroom

Show Your Stripes

Pile On the Pillows

And, the Plants

Pick a Punched-Up Palette

Or, Opt for Soft and Subtle

1 Porch, 3 Bonus Rooms

Score Big on Game Day

Provide Seating for Everyone

Dine Alfresco

Make It a Statement of Your Style

Max Out the Space You Have

Choose Multi-Purpose Pieces

Incorporate Exterior Elements

Add Welcoming Warmth

Create Your Own Snoozin' Central

Don't Forget Lighting

Rock a Period Style

Windows for the Win

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