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The Inspiration

A well-designed screened porch can serve as protected outdoor dining, living, and play space, or even as a sleeping room. With a solid roof overhead, either floor-to-ceiling screens or well-caulked half-walls, and stone or wood flooring underfoot (important tip: make sure to screen the space between the floorboards to keep mosquitoes out!), a screened porch lets you live in the out-of-doors from late spring through early fall.

From Landscaping Ideas That Work by Julie Moir Messervy (Taunton Press, 2014). Design: AJ Miller Landscape Architecture. Photo: Susan Teare.

The Home Outside Plan

A screened porch, terrace, and arbor create multiple yet connected spaces to relax and entertain.  The terrace and arbor are lined up with the screened porch; for that reason, adding a slight angle to the furnishings under the arbor allows the flow between the spaces to feel more organic, less formally structured.  A collection of planters between the two spaces provides a garden view from every chair.

Design created with the Home Outside app

The Pieces
Your screened porch should make you happy, time and time again. Timeless options can be classic or modern.
This pleasing combination features a diamond-patterned outdoor rug made of 100% recycled materials and a chunky all-weather wicker club chair.
Or go modern with this Hickory Basketweave Outdoor Rug and a relaxed-style Open Weave All Weather Wicker Chair. Add bold pillows and change them when the mood arises!