My DH, two young boys and I live in a 1950’s rambler with a lovely screen porch off the dining room.

The porch measures 10’ by 18’, with a door to the outside on the front (short end) of the rectangular space. In the middle, on the brick wall of the house, there is a portion of the wall that juts out 1’4” from the wall, and which extends 6’. (There is a fireplace in the living room on the other side of that wall.)

We love the wood details, the slate-look porcelain tile floor, the brick wall and the rustic light fixture with a fan, and do not want to change those aspects of the porch. I recognize that if we painted the wood the effect might be brighter, but dark and cool is a plus during the long, muggy D.C. summers, and besides, the wood is very nice and in great shape.

We would also like to keep the dining table and chairs, which work well and which, we believe, are the correct proportion for the space.

What we would like for this porch is for it to be more user-friendly for the whole family. For example, the chaise lounge you see in the pictures is comfortable, but is a single-user item and not conducive to conversation or multiple uses. Ideally we would like a seating/conversation/family area on the porch in addition to the existing dining area.

WWYD? Pictures to follow.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: azul99,

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Great space! Most definitely keep the floor, brick and wood as is!

Maybe you could change out the chaise lounge for a couple of comfy chairs, with a small "coffee" table in front? Put in a durable rug, and add a couple of plants (one on a stand would help to bring some color up higher), and you'd be good to go! Maybe a small, short & squaty glass vase with some fresh flowers on the table?

It doesn't take much - you've already got the great bones!

Another thought - you might be able to find some really durable Roman blind type of window covering that can be pulled down to help with keeping the sun out on hot days. Maybe something with a nice pattern?

I have a long rather narrow deck and the way I arranged the furniture is: at one end a chase with a bench for sitting or to use as a side table, in the middle a round table with 4 chairs and at the other end 2 chairs with a table between. This seems to work for our family of 3 or when we have people over. It's easy to add a couple of resin chairs when extra seating is needed. Add some plants/ferns/flowers and maybe a rug and you will have a beautiful porch! I wish my deck was screened - hate the bugs!

What about a wrought iron day bed under that window? If you had one with a trundle underneath you could use it as a sleeping porch or an extra guest bedroom. (I'm a big fan of multi-functional rooms!) With the addition of a nice wicker chair, it should provide enough seating for everyone.

I think you should put an electric fireplace on that 6' section of brick wall. It would not only provide a focal point but would be nice on cooler nights. You could either divide your space into 2 or 3 living sections and work from there on the furniture size and placement. One like this would look great.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyWife1993:
Maybe you could change out the chaise lounge for a couple of comfy chairs, with a small "coffee" table in front? Put in a durable rug, and add a couple of plants (one on a stand would help to bring some color up higher), and you'd be good to go!

These are great ideas; thanks! My issue with plants in that space is that it is very, very shady. Any suggestions for plants that can live in all-day shade?

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by FranHaz:
at one end a chase with a bench for sitting or to use as a side table, in the middle a round table with 4 chairs and at the other end 2 chairs with a table between. This seems to work for our family of 3 or when we have people over.

This is a very clever suggestion. It had never occurred to me to place the table in the middle of the porch, but that might be just the thing - it could be adjacent to the jutted-out wall, with the chaise lounge at one end (I'd really rather not get rid of it), and a little seating area for 2-3 at the other.

Thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by caminnc:
I think you should put an electric fireplace on that 6' section of brick wall.

That's a lovely fireplace, but we use this porch only in warm weather, and I'd rather not make that wall jut out any farther than it already does. Also, we already have, and use, two fireplaces indoors.

Thank you though!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: azul99,

here is a pic of a similar porch with some nice wicker furniture.

For the windows, I would make it simple. I
have seen many photos of movable drapes in patios (put ring holes in top for rod) using off white paint drop clothes. They are sturdy, washable & can be trimmed with a fabric on top or bottom or the vertical edge. Not expensive. They are hemmed, a 9'X12' turned sideways can cover a large space.

That is a fantastic porch! I'd love to have one like that.

My suggestion is to add some color - perhaps as simple as a colorful print for cushions on the chaise, a tablecloth or placemats, table centerpiece with silk flowers, framed poster on the wall. I think I'd also do something on the windows, perhaps roll-up bamboo or wood slat blinds. They could be painted carefully on the side facing in for some color while remaining neutral on the side facing out. Or just do light, natural ones to brighten the room.

Unless you love houseplants I wouldn't bother with them. IMO better to keep it an easy care, relaxing space. A magazine rack or small shelf to hold books would also be a necessity for me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joyluck,

I'd do lime green accents. I get a lime green rug...and do some fun white faux sheers.

I saw this swing chair and thought of your porch and you wanting a seating/family area AND you have two young boys....
I thought about something similar to this hanging in the far corner of your porch, with a seating area with an area rug, and maybe a baker's rack/shelf set up on the 6 foot wall that is in between your dining area and seating area that could be used for buffet-type purposes when eating, or for storing activities for you sons.
Following this picture I'll post a "floor plan" of what I mean....

layout

Your space is very similar to that at my DD's (same brick wall etc) house except your's seems wider. I had gotten for free. . . a set of black iron furniture, it separates into either three individual pieces or you could use it as a sofa which is how DD does. She sewed black with rose's quilted cotton into covers for this and also has a wrought iron coffee table in this space. In the corner she has a small table with a couple of chairs. She has a black kind of CHinoserie cabinet piece that she picked up off of one of her streets in front of the chimney jut out and near the table another cabinet time thing. She has a terrace on the other side of her house and the grouping there might also work on porch. It is a glass topped wrought iron table w/6 chairs also black, a chair with hassock, also black iron and maybe a chaise too. Don't like to criticize my DD but this is the entrance to their house they usually use and it is usually filled with riding gear, other footwear, back packs etc. etc. All the equipment for an active family of four!

I would definitely make a seating area -- either of wicker or iron. Wal Mart, Big Lots have some nice wicker very inexpensively. A type of sofa would be nice and I like the daybed suggestion. (What a nice place for a spring nap!) You might consider a baker's rack, too, on the brick wall. AND . . . in the summer plants, plants and more plants!

Martha

You received a lot of good ideas. A rug to warm up the porch, a seating area with an outdoor table or floor lamp (I have one and it makes my screen room so cozy), bakers rack with plants(who doesn't love plants). Maybe some roll up blinds to shade the sun. All good ideas to "cozy up" your scre