20 Screened-In Porch Ideas for an Inviting Outdoor Escape

a warm screened in porch with wood beams and fall leaves as decor — Photo:
KIM CORNELISON

Take advantage of sunny days and cozy nights with these relaxing screened-in porch ideas. A screened-in porch is the ideal combination of indoors and out: You can enjoy the view and ambiance of the outdoors while also protecting yourself from the elements. (No pesky mosquitos here!)

Whether you're reading a book while sipping coffee in the morning or hosting a wine and cheese night with friends, a screened-in porch is a welcoming and comfortable place to unwind. If your space needs a redesign—or you're starting from scratch—use the following screened-in porch ideas to create your new favorite space in your home.

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Stylish Screened-In Porch Idea

an airy screened in porch with a blue floor and furniture and tall plants — David A. Land

A screened-in porch is where the outdoors and indoors meet, but it should still be treated like any other room in your home. Focus on floral furniture prints, natural furniture elements, and fresh blooms or houseplants to create a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors.

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Coastal Front Screened-In Porch

a small screened in porch with a group of chairs facing each other across an entry way — David A. Land

Even if you don’t live directly on the water, you can still create the feel of a seaside escape with a coastal grandmother screened-in porch idea. Shingle-style walls, nautical decor pieces, and a patriotic palette combine to bring the Hamptons to your home, no matter where you live.

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Private Screened-In Porch Idea

a blue and wood toned screened in porch — David A. Land

If you're looking for an escape from everyday life—or your neighbors—consider adding curtains to cover your porch screens. Leave them open during the day to let in the light and close them at night when you'd like some quiet privacy. Since the space isn't totally protected from the elements, opt for outdoor curtains.

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Screened-In Porch Fireplace

a white porch with a large wood fireplace — Brie Williams

Enjoy a nightcap even as temperatures dip with a cozy addition to your screened-in porch. If possible, install a fireplace in your space and arrange the furniture around it so you can stay warm year-round. Be sure to talk to a professional before starting to ensure it's a safe addition.

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Cheery Color Scheme

a coral beachy porch with white walls and a white couch — Kim Cornelison

Choose a bright color theme for your screened-in porch to create a vivid and airy oasis. Here, coral chair pads, throw pillows, and an outdoor rug give the space pizzazz. Balance it out with rattan furniture and white walls so the color truly stands out.

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Modern Screened-In Porch Ideas

Contemporary meets rustic in this stunning porch design. Exposed wooden beams and terra-cotta tiling complement sleek furniture that would be right at home in a modern living room. A woven rug and tan throw pillows complete the look.

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Gray Porch Decor

a white and gray porch with black furniture — Jean Allsopp

Screened-in porch ideas always focus on relaxation, and a subdued color palette can help achieve a cozy feel. Gray is known to be calming, so drape your porch in a range of shades to add visual interest while keeping it cool and inviting.

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Screened-In Sunroom

a bed in a dark brown screened in porch with a small white stove — Victoria Pearson

This sunroom set-up is just like camping—but better. The screened-in porch idea creates a sleep-away bedroom for guests and includes copious amounts of pillows and blankets, along with firewood for warmth and a rustic touch.

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Tropical Decor

a light green themed porch with wicker elephant end tables — Kim Cornelison

Turn your porch into a mini oasis for the whole family by infusing tropical decor. Blue and green paint provides the perfect backdrop for rattan furniture, flower-patterned cushions, and an oversized palm plant.

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Vintage Porch Decor

a rustic screened in porch with an antique blue coffee table — Michael Partenio

If you’ve collected antiques over the years, your screened-in porch might be the best place to show them off. Here, secondhand furniture shines in a purposefully mismatched way. Just be sure to keep fragile pieces protected from any harsh weather or sunlight that reaches them.

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(Almost) Al Fresco Dining

a bright screened in porch with a dining table and large plant in the corner — John Bessler

Don’t let a little rain prevent you from hosting an al fresco dinner party. Use your screened-in porch as an extended dining room and include a table long enough to comfortably fit friends and family.

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Southern Charm

a country-style screened in porch with pendant lamps and black shutters — Richard Leo Johnson

Live it up in Low Country style with screened-in porch ideas that add the charisma of the South. The symmetry of the shutters, ceiling fans, and light pendants, combined with a porch swing and pops of green, will have you sitting and sipping sweet tea in no time.

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Traditional Screened-In Porch Idea

a screened in porch against brick siding with white columns and black wicker furniture — Werner Straube

If your screened-in porch is attached to the side of a brick home, play up the traditional style elements. Complete the look with classic columns, a hurricane sconce, and casual yet complementary outdoor furniture.

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Sweet Relaxation

a warm beachy porch with a rope hammock — Brie Williams

Let your inner child come out to play with creative and cheerful screened-in porch ideas like those seen here. The brightly colored couch and side chairs offer plenty of seating, but you could also relax in the hammock while listening to the birds singing nearby.

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Earth Tones

a screened in porch with lots of greenery outside and wicker furniture — David A. Land

Blend the hues of earth and the sky by embracing a blue and tan color palette throughout your screened-in porch. An easy way to attain this is to opt for furniture made of natural materials and infuse varying shades of blue in the pillows, area rug, and even the ceiling for an extra dose of serenity.

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Cozy Cabin Screened-In Porch Idea

dark wicker furniture and a sandstone brick fireplace with warm wooden beams — Nancy Nolan

When you think of cabin decor, you likely picture a rustic and relaxing environment. Whether you actually live in a cabin or just love the woodsy feel, you can create a similar aesthetic in your screened-in porch. A distressed brick fireplace, stone flooring, and exposed beams will make you feel like you’re in a home away from home in the woods.

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Summer Style

bright orange wicker furniture with blue accents — Better Homes & Gardens

Screened-in porch ideas for decor can get a little bold since it's a bit removed from the interior of your home. An all-white space creates a canvas to experiment with colors such as sunny orange hues mixed with brilliant blue, resulting in the happiest room of the house.

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Screen Porch with Vaulted Ceilings

a simple white porch with royal blue cushions on wicker furniture — Richard Leo Johnson

Not a fan of orange? Stick with a primarily white screened-in porch, including furniture, and infuse a bold cobalt blue with the cushions and a yellow end table and pillows for a more subtle statement. The white walls and high ceilings here make this narrow space feel larger than it is.

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Modern Screened-In Porch Ideas

a welcoming screened in porch with a large lamp and a steamer trunk coffee table — Reed Davis

While this screened-in porch is tastefully decorated, the statement light fixture steals the show. Just below the beamed ceiling, the grand rattan pendant light grounds and centers the gathering space below.

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Exposed Elements

a rust orange accented screened in porch with beach chairs and a large stone fireplace — CHAD HOLDER

Another statement you can make on the screened-in porch is using a lofty stone wall as the centerpiece. While you might expect to find a fireplace at the base of the structure, it's not necessary (especially if your space doesn't safely allow for one). Adirondack chairs, comfy blankets, and pillows circling the stone wall will let you sit back and relax after a long day.

The Best Furniture for Your Screened-In Porch

In most cases, screened-in porches are best furnished with weatherproof pieces since wind, rain, and sun can affect the fabric and framework of tables, sofas, and other items. Look for timeless rattan and wicker furnishings in the best quality that's within your budget. Teak and treated woods are often pricier but add a sophisticated look to exterior spaces. Choose upholstered pieces and cushions covered in durable fabrics made for outdoor use. Indoor-outdoor rugs add pattern and color to decks and concrete slab, plank, or other porch flooring.

Accessorize with throw pillows, water-resistant ceramic objects, and greenery to complete your space.

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