Outdoor living season is here! If you’re looking for decorating ideas for your screen porch, you’re in the right place.
Screen porches are made for warm weather chillin’ and this post will walk you through easy ways to decorate your porch so that you can relax in style all summer long.
No matter if you’re doing a complete overhaul or just a small refresh, I have plenty of inspiring tips to create ultimate retreat for relaxation and entertainment.
Like many of you, I can’t wait to get my outdoor spaces ready for the season. I want it to be a place that has a cozy, comfortable, and welcoming ambiance and is pretty to look at.
So let’s get started on turning your screen porch into the ultimate summer retreat!
Kickstart Your Transformation with Inspiration
Phase one of any decorating project is always inspiration gathering and planning. Think of this phase as the blueprint for your screen porch makeover.
You don’t have to start from scratch or reinvent the wheel.
To save money, look for ideas that you can adapt to fit with what you already own.
Be sure to take notice of what draws your attention and makes you think, “I’d love to spend time there!”
This initial inspiration can come from anywhere—a color, a piece of furniture, an art piece, or even a mood you want to evoke.
In my case, I was inspired by a favorite porch color scheme of blue and green and by my return to a more traditional style of decorating.
You may have noticed that all of our outdoor furniture and cushions are neutral in color.
Using neutrals on larger, more expensive items, allows me to use any colors on my porch that I desire.
It’s the same reason that the interior of my house is painted in a shade of beige.
These inspirations will serve as the foundation upon which you’ll build your outdoor paradise.
Once I had the inspiration, I was able to accomplish all of it with one minor furniture repurpose, some fabric, and a little paint.
When deciding on color palettes, it’s always desirable to have an accent color and then use it in small doses around the entire space.
In my case, the yellow in the pillow fabric allowed me to use it as an accent color in other areas of the porch too.
To sprinkle the yellow around the room, I added faux lemons to a clam shell bowl…
a cute faux lemon tree and another bowl of faux lemons on the hutch shelves…
and a pretty lemon tablecloth on our small dining table.
Choosing the right furniture
It’s pretty obvious that when furnishing any outdoor area, you need furniture that will withstand the elements.
Metals like aluminum or wrought iron are durable and can be styled elegantly for outdoor spaces.
Woods such as teak, cedar, and eucalyptus are popular for their resistance to weather and pests.
Synthetic Resin is a modern choice known for its weather resistance and lightweight properties.
Fabrics should be specifically designed for outdoor use, capable of resisting moisture, sun damage, and mildew.
If you do want to use an indoor items on your porch, read this post about different ways to protect furnishings, fabrics, and accessories from the elements.
Be sure to measure your space before purchasing furniture and take them with you when shopping.
Once you’ve measured, sketch a rough layout or use an online tool to visualize where each piece will go. This can help prevent purchasing items that don’t fit the way you envisioned.
You’re going to want furniture pieces that fit the scale and size of your outdoor room and that also meet any functional requirements you have.
Don’t forget about comfort! Since you’ll likely spend a significant amount of time on your porch, comfort should be high on your priority list.
Choose cushions and pillows that are plush enough to provide comfort and are made of high-quality outdoor fabrics.
In terms of style, select furniture that complements the exterior of your home and matches your personal aesthetic.
Consistency in style will help to create a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors.
