Screened porches; where people can enjoy all the perks of the outdoors while staying secure and bug-free in an encapsulated space. Like most things, they are even better when you get to share them with the people you love.  Enjoying a cool breeze, fresh air, and birds chirping is one thing, but when you are accompanied by others it is a one-of-a-kind experience that can create everlasting memories. Screened porches can be used for many things such as entertainment, dining, and relaxing. In this blog, we will give you some tips on how to create a welcoming environment that is perfect for having guests.  

Comfortable seating

Whether you are enjoying some alone time or with a group, having comfortable seating is always a make-or-break when it comes to a screened porch. Luckily, there are many great options for all different themes and styles. When choosing furniture cushions will be your best friends, they can go on benches, couches, chairs, and anywhere where someone might take a seat. Incorporating throw blankets and pillows will elevate your seating even more, ensuring comfort for all guests. Hammocks and porch swings are also good choices to consider for additional seating.  

Adequate lighting

An awkwardly lit screened porch can turn a lot of people off from enjoying your outdoor space. Now more than ever as summer comes to an end and the sun is setting soon, great lighting can take your screened porch over the top. For soft, ambient lighting, candles and lanterns are subtle enough to light a space without being overbearing with light. The same can be said about string lights, which will create a pleasing aesthetic and provide proper lighting. Lamps and ceiling lights provide a bit more lighting that will keep your outdoor space lit just as if it was another room in your house. Finding your perfect balance of light will bring together a porch and make guests feel right at home.  

Incorporate Functional Decor

Having aesthetic decor is always an attractive feature for screened porches, but it is just as important to have functional decor and furniture. For starters, having tables and other flat surfaces in convenient spots. If every seating spot has a place to set down their food or drink it makes it much easier to relax conveniently in your outdoor space. Also having charging outlets nearby to charge cellphones or power other devices creates an environment that is lounged in all day long. Lastly incorporating a weatherproof rug will keep any visitor’s feet warm and dry and will eliminate the risk of discomfort. Keeping logistics and practicality in mind when decorating your screened porch is a great way to ensure you will love your outdoor space.  

Year-round enjoyment

Another thing to consider is adapting your screened porch for what time of year it is. A large part of the US experiences all 4 seasons and will see drastic differences in temperatures throughout the year. For starters in summer when it is hot and humid, ceiling fans and standing fans will be your best friend. Likewise, in fall and winter, utilizing heaters and fireplaces will keep you nice in warm in your screened porch. In addition to these things, switching out fabrics and decor could also be useful. Lightweight and breathable textiles will be best for hotter months and thick and fuzzy textiles will be best for the cool months. Finally, adding seasonal decor, pumpkins in October for example, will help bring your porch to life and give it some character.  

We hope this blog helps you prepare for having guests on your screened porch. There are so many ways to go about creating a welcoming porch, designing one is half the fun! We hope you and the people closest to you enjoy your screen porch for the remainder of the year and for years to come. We would love to see pictures and videos of your screened porches! Tag us @SCREENEZE or use #SCREENEZE to showcase your awesome porches.