Creating a Serene and Lounge-Worthy Screened Porch for Year-Round Relaxing

From maximizing seating to crafting versatile ways to entertain, we've got 12 smart ways to pack your porch with stylish, multipurpose function you can use all year long.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.

March 25, 2016

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Seating for...Everyone!

What was once a humdrum screened-in porch is now a colorful, multipurpose place for lounging and entertaining thanks to a sectional sofa, clever use of rugs and mismatched grouping of tables.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Multiple Rugs

Give your porch the look of custom flooring with indoor-outdoor rugs paired together. A seamless look was created here since the pattern repeat of the rug was matched in the center, creating the look of wall-to-wall carpet.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Garden Stools

Here, garden stools were added to the porch to provide additional seating for guests. The stools can also be used as extra serving space for drinks and casual meals.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bistro Set

Instantly add dining space to your porch with a space-saving bistro set. Here, a collapsible bistro table is paired with collapsible chairs in front of a vintage wooden dresser that serves as a plant stand.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fresh Paint

Before adding color to your porch, consider how the exterior color of the house will play into the overall look. The dated brick and lackluster vinyl of this midcentury modern house were updated with charcoal and medium gray paint to help contrast against the bright spring accents.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Privacy Drapes

One of the quickest ways to update your porch is with colored drapery. Install drapery panels around the entire perimeter of a space using galvanized metal plumbing conduit. In addition to adding color and texture, the drapery also adds a barrier of privacy from nearby neighbors.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Staggered Heights

Allow guests to dine and lounge in style with a collection of tables at staggered heights. Here, two collapsible aluminum tables flank a small occasional table that allows guest to face one another over dinner conversation without the formality of one long table.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Pretty Groupings

Add a collected feeling with practical purpose to the porch with a hanging group of lanterns and birdcages that help anchor the space.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Night Lights

These hanging accents add ambiance at night with (safe!) battery-operated candles inside.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Collapsible Table

Add instant dining space with collapsible tables arranged around a sectional sofa. When guests are over, this table can offer a spot for tableware and drinks. When the space is not in use, the table can be folded up and stored away.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Easy Entertaining

Keep the entertaining easy with outdoor-friendly tableware such as enamelware pitchers and dishwasher-safe ceramic.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Mix-and-Match Pillows

Add personality, pattern and texture to your seating with a collection of mismatched pillows. Here, shaggy texture adds depth to indoor-outdoor pillows and cotton pillows meant mostly for indoor or covered outdoor space use.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Durable Sectional

Sectional sofas come in many materials, but woven resin options are much more modern in appearance and are remarkably durable. The sectional used in this porch came in many different modular components that offer a plethora of configurations.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn