Screened Porch Decorating Ideas for Spring
by Jessica Ackerman

A screened porch can be a very useful and enjoyable area of your home, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without all the inconvenience of insects. It can also provide enough shelter to allow you to enjoy the fresh air even when the weather isn't perfect, or during seasons where it would be too chilly to be outdoors on an open patio. A screened patio is also enjoyable in the evening, allowing you to use indoor lighting options. There are many different screened porch decorating ideas that you can use to create a mood and room usage that fits your specific needs.

Prepare the Screened Porch for Decorating

One of the problems of screened porches is that they tend to accumulate clutter. This is because they are often an entryway to the home, and items such as boots, jackets, pet supplies and even garden items often find their way into a screened porch. Before you begin your decorating efforts, clean the screened porch completely, and find other storage areas for anything in the room that won't blend in well with your overall decorating plan. It can often be helpful to provide a stylish way to store jackets, boots and other outdoor items such as umbrellas that are needed. Try adding a storage bench or an attractive peg rack to accommodate these items in an attractive way.

Flooring for the Screened Porch

Simple and durable flooring in the screened porch is often the best choice. If there is a lot of foot traffic through the screened porch directly from the outdoors, be sure the flooring can be easily cleaned. Laminate flooring is often a good choice in a screened porch, especially since it comes in so many decorative patterns. Choosing a good quality laminate floor with a stone or ceramic tile print can combine the rustic look of tile flooring with the easy care of laminate, making it easy to clean up water, mud and snow tracked in from the outdoors. Ceramic tile or tiles made from other natural materials would also look great in a screened porch, but be sure to choose tiles with a slip-resistant finish. Include rugs with a non-slip backing at all doorways to help catch dirt and moisture. You can also add color to the room by including an area rug.

Creating a Stylish Screened Porch Retreat

There are many screened porch decorating ideas that you can use to create a stylish and functional retreat area. If the room already has overhead lighting, consider replacing the light fixture with a ceiling fan and light combination to provide a pleasant breeze. Furniture choices should reflect the overall mood and style of the room. Natural or white wicker furniture with colorful fabric seat cushions or wrought iron furniture can look very attractive in a screened porch area. Arrange the seating so that it encourages conversation, and be sure to include end tables, occasional tables or even a coffee table. An indoor water feature such as a small waterfall or fountain can add a relaxing touch. Add a small table and chairs to the room to provide space for relaxing summer breakfasts or evening snacks. A vase of fresh flowers can add the perfect finishing touch.

Design consultant Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com has more than twenty-five years experience with wine rack wall and wall sconce candle holder.