How We Made Our Small Screened Porch Look Bigger with a New Furniture Layout
Looking for small screened porch furniture ideas that work in tight spaces? We recently gave our porch a little refresh, and the difference it made surprised me!
We swapped out our old set for a slightly larger one from Walmart—and somehow, it made the space feel bigger. I’m sharing what we chose, how we arranged it, and why it works so well in our cozy screened porch.
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Do you have a favorite spot in your home? For us, during the warmer months, it’s definitely our screened-in porch.
When the weather is nice, we spend hours out here—reading, relaxing, and just enjoying being outdoors in a peaceful, insect-free space. It’s cozy, comfortable, and the perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day.
The furniture on our porch had definitely seen better days. After nearly 17 years—and several cushion replacements — it was finally time for something new.
We’ve made little updates over the years, but this spring we decided to go for a full refresh with a new furniture set that better fits how we use the space now.
Our Previous Porch Furniture Setup
Our previous patio furniture set consisted of a small wicker loveseat, two matching chairs, and an oval coffee table. I always felt like our small porch area could only handle that basic setup, so we arranged the pieces in a conversational layout—chairs directly across from the loveseat, with the coffee table in between, and this arrangement served us well for many years!
When we made the decision to replace the porch furniture, Jeff and I both liked the idea of trying a longer sofa — if we could make it work in the small space. The thought of having a cozy spot to stretch out and relax made it worth a try!
What We Chose and Why
After some research—and a few in-person tests of patio furniture—I came across this beautiful Better Homes & Gardens Astrid 5-piece conversation set from Walmart.
It was such a great price for a five-piece set made with powder-coated, rust-resistant steel, and the best part? It was on display in the store, so I could actually sit down and test out the cushions before committing!
The set includes a 77″ sofa, two chairs, a round coffee table, and a side table—everything we needed for our space!
Rearranging for a More Open Feel
The longer sofa in this conversation set called for a different furniture layout on our porch. We moved the sofa along the longer railing side and flanked it with the two chairs—one on each end.
We can’t get over how much larger our porch looks, even with this much bigger furniture set! Placing the sofa along the rail really opened things up, and the smaller round coffee table is easy to walk around and keeps the space feeling airy. It’s like a whole new room out here.
Design Tip: Bigger furniture doesn’t always mean a space will feel crowded. In small areas, the right layout and well-proportioned pieces—like a long sofa and a round coffee table—can actually make things feel more open and inviting.
Styling the Set for Summer
The updated look of our new furniture definitely called for a few fresh accessories! I’m all about blue and green in our outdoor spaces and wanted to carry those colors onto the porch. The cream cushions on the sofa and chairs gave me the perfect neutral backdrop to build on.
New Outdoor Throw Pillows
This green Hearth & Hand outdoor pillow from Target was my starting point. I wanted larger 20″ cushions for each end of the sofa, and these green striped Threshold by Studio McGee pillows, also from Target, were the perfect find!
To soften things up, I added a pair of light blue fringe pillows from At Home, and I couldn’t resist the texture and tone of these blue and white woven lumbar pillows and these deep blue tassel-trim pillows. They bring in just the right amount of contrast and depth.
And for a bit more pattern, I found a reversible blue and white printed set from TJMaxx that adds a little pattern.
I still plan to switch out the area rug soon and, of course, will be adding some pretty summer flowers and plants to the mix over the next couple of week!
A Fresh Green Update for Our Wicker Console Table
Our old white wicker console table needed a little refresh too. I gave it a quick and easy makeover using Magnolia Home Chalk Spray Paint in “Magnolia Green.” The coverage was great, and I love how the green adds a soft, earthy contrast to the rest of the porch—especially next to our new furniture set.
Tips for Choosing Furniture for a Small Screened Porch
- Choose pieces that offer both function and comfort. (Bonus if you can test before buying!)
- Use a round coffee table to help with traffic flow around your seating.
- Don’t be afraid of a full-sized sofa in a small space!
- Anchor the conversation area with a rug large enough for the front furniture legs to sit on it.
- Keep accessories simple and airy.
I’m so happy with how this little porch refresh turned out. A few changes made a big difference, and now it feels like the perfect cozy spot to enjoy all summer long.
If you’re working with a small outdoor space, don’t be afraid to play with layout and scale—you might be surprised at how much more open it can feel!
Happy Porch Decorating!
