Small Screen Porch Decorating Ideas for Summer Entertaining
Looking for fresh ways to spruce up your small screen porch? Create a cozy outdoor retreat with these small screen porch decorating ideas for summer entertaining.
Discover practical tips and decor inspiration to transform your porch into the perfect summer gathering space. You’ll love these great ideas for outdoor living and entertaining!
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Do you have a favorite place in your home?
I do. Well, it’s technically outside our home.
I absolutely love our cozy little screened-in porch, and if the weather permits, that’s where you’ll find me relaxing, working, doing my morning quiet time, watching a movie, reading, visiting with guests, spending time with my sweet husband, snuggling our puppy …
Well, I think you get the point!
Our screened porch is so enjoyable because we’ve brought the comforts of indoors outside and created a cozy little outdoor area that we love — free of pesky bugs and insects. It’s kind of like adding square footage to your house!
It’s taken several years, but the little maple tree we planted almost 15 years ago has finally grown enough to provide wonderful shade for our porch and deck area, and enables us to use our outdoor living space in shady comfort!
How to Decorate Your Small Screened Porch for Summer Entertaining:
A screened porch is that perfect in-between spot where you can enjoy the outdoors without all the bugs and weather worries. It’s a cozy little haven where you can sip your morning coffee, read a book, or host a laid-back evening with friends. There’s something special about the way it lets you feel connected to nature while still being comfy and protected.
If you’d like to create a cozy space this summer on your small screen porch for relaxing and entertaining follow along for some great tips for creating a beautiful outdoor living space!
1. Create a beautiful, comfortable, and cozy seating area.
For those perfect summer days, your seating area should be the ultimate relaxation spot on your screen porch! You need a comfy, cozy spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful summer weather, whether you enjoy spending quiet mornings outside, or relaxing at the end of a summer day. Just like indoor gathering spaces, your outdoor living area functions as an outdoor living room, so you need some comfortable furniture to create this living space.
Opt for comfortable seating options like cushioned wicker furniture or small sofas that invite you to sit back and relax. Adding a coffee table in the middle makes it easy to keep drinks, books, and other essentials close by, and is a great spot to add a pretty potted plant.
These wicker furniture options from Walmart are affordable ways to create a beautiful and comfortable outdoor seating area!
2. Define your outdoor seating or dining area with an outdoor area rug.
You can add so much color and charm to your outdoor room with the perfect outdoor area rug! Outdoor rugs are the perfect way to tie together your outdoor living room, giving your porch that cozy, styled look.
These rugs are great for outdoor use, made to withstand the elements while being easy to clean—ideal for high-traffic areas.
Make sure your rug is big enough that the front legs of your furniture sit on the rug, anchoring your space and keeping everything cohesive.
I love these class outdoor rug options below!
An outdoor rug not only defines your seating area but also enhances the overall porch feel, making it a truly stylish space to unwind and kick off your summer sandals.
And speaking of kicking your shoes off …
3. You need a comfy space to put up your feet in your outdoor living room!
Adding an ottoman to your outdoor living room is the perfect way to make the space feel more inviting. They’re ideal for propping up your feet after a long day, and versatile enough to serve as extra seating or even as a casual coffee table.
With a variety of styles to choose from, you can easily find one that doubles as a comfy afternoon nap spot, enhancing both the functionality and comfort of your screened porch.
4. Add summer outdoor throw pillows to add pretty color and texture to your porch or patio seating.
If you’ve followed me for long, you know I love throw pillows! They just add so much cozy comfort to a room, even an outdoor room!
Adding throw pillows to your porch or patio is an easy way to bring a pop of color and texture to your outdoor seating. If you’re someone who enjoys a bit of change, swapping out pillow covers is a quick way to refresh your space. Whether you prefer neutral tones or vibrant hues, new cushions and pillows can transform your outdoor area into a space you love!
These breezy blue and white pillow options are fabulous! Mix and match to create a beautifully styled porch!
5. Create a space to enjoy summer dining outdoors.
Your screened-in porch is the perfect spot for summertime meals outdoors.
For smaller spaces, consider a compact dining table, bistro, or folding table that fits just right. Of course, you can always pull up to your coffee table if you only have space on your porch for a cozy seating area.
Outdoor dining is casual dining! No one wants to fuss with heavy breakable dishes and glassware outdoors. And, if your outdoor dining area is near a pool, non-breakable dishes and glassware is a must!
Choose durable melamine dinnerware and glasses that are perfect for relaxed, outdoor dining.
Complete your setup with playful table linens—runners, placemats, and cloth napkins set the mood for delightful alfresco dining.
We love eating dinner outside on our deck during the summer months when the weather allows! Our deck table got a fresh update a couple summers ago when I painted the tile top to spruce it up! You can read about the table makeover here.
6. Add soft lighting for an inviting look.
Soft lantern or candle light just adds the perfect ambiance to an evening outdoors, and there are so many fun styles to choose from!
Set the mood in your screened room with a mix of string lights, lanterns, or battery-powered outdoor lamps to cast a warm, inviting glow.
These lighting choices not only add a cozy vibe but also extend the usability of your space into the evening, perfect for those long summer nights! We love the warm glow our string lights add to our porch, and they make it easier to read in this space late into the evening!
Adding lanterns or candles provides soft light that transforms any outdoor setting. And don’t forget a ceiling fan to keep the air moving and enhance the comfort of your outdoor retreat.
I’m loving these outdoor lighting options!!
7. Decorate your outdoor space with pretty flowers and plants in gorgeous planters and pots.
I love adding color to the outdoors with beautiful potted flowers.
Spruce up your screened room with plants and greenery to create a peaceful retreat. Add beautiful potted flowers in stylish planters to a small table to add vibrant colors and enhonce the overall charm of this perfect spot. Choose low-maintenance plants for an effortlessly lovely porch setup.
These galvanized containers from Walmart create a more relaxed vibe!
8. Add personal touches and decorative items for a fun look.
Make your space uniquely yours by adding unique decorative items to your porch decor. A little touch of whimsy adds personality to your porch.
Try your hand at fun DIY projects such as custom-painting flower pots or crafting handmade lanterns to infuse your outdoor space with personal flair.
You might enjoy these DIY projects that are perfect for your small screened porch:
- How to Decorate with Topiaries: Easy DIY Decor
- Paint a Vase for a Fall DIY Makeover
- Make a DIY Terracotta Bead Garland with Air Dry Clay
For more outdoor decorating ideas you might also enjoy:
- A Simple Patio Table Makeover for Summer
- Easy Breezy Ideas for Patio Decor
- Summer Ideas for Small Porch Decor – Summer Porch Blog Hop
I hope this post inspires you to create a cozy outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining during the warm months of summer. As the warm weather calls, let your small screen porch become the focal point of your summer evenings. Even in a small space, there’s plenty of opportunity to create an inviting area that’s perfect for making lovely summer memories.
Here’s to enjoying your beautifully personalized outdoor haven all season long!
Happy Summertime!
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