Enclosed Porch Ideas – Bringing Life Back to Neglected Spaces

For those fortunate to have a “four-season room,” such as a sunroom or screened-in porch (depending on the climate), ask yourselves, “Am I taking advantage of my enclosed porch?” Sometimes, an enclosed porch can become a neglected space that collects boxes, unused gym equipment, and off-season decorations; you get the idea. Yes, I want to inspire more homeowners to use their enclosed porches and rediscover why they have one in the first place!

Don’t let your 2.5-to-4-season room sit neglected any longer; in this article, I will discuss some enclosed porch ideas to help inspire you to revitalize the space and make it a destination once again!

Screened-In Porches vs. Four-Season/Florida Rooms

To clarify and avoid confusion, I wanted to distinguish between screened-in porches and four-season/Florida rooms. 

A screened-in porch is attached to the home, with permanent/semi-permanent screen windows installed to guard against insects and some weather conditions. They are not often insulated and are best for spring, summer, and fall, not so much winter. They are great gathering spaces as the fresh air and sounds of the world tend to be the main attraction; it’s like being outside in the comfort of your home. 

A four-season room/Florida room is enclosed with insulated glass/windows, uses climate control (heating and cooling), and is insulated to maintain a comfortable temperature regardless of external weather conditions. For many homeowners, a four-season room can be a modest greenhouse, as they’ll add lots of plant life to the space that will flourish year-round. 

For the sake of simplicity in this article, I will consider both of these rooms “enclosed porches,” as most of the same design ideas can work wonderfully in either space. 

Enclosed Porch Ideas – Revitalizing the Space

As I noted earlier, enclosed porches can be neglected quite easily, and once they begin to accumulate clutter and become mock storage rooms, it’s hard to bring them back from the brink, but do not fear; it doesn’t need to end this way! 

• Purging the Clutter

The first step is to do a full-on decluttering/purging of your enclosed porch (if needed, of course). The number one reason I witness clients abandon their enclosed porches is that the area loses its utility/function, mostly due to clutter and inaccessibility. While it’s not the most fun part of an interior design makeover, purging unnecessary goods, furniture, and nicknacks is necessary to bring life, purpose, and function back to the space.  

• Finding New Purpose

Once the space is cleared, it’s time to think of a new identity for your enclosed porch. What about enjoying your morning coffee in your “new” room? Do you envision hosting luncheons, afternoon coffee, or candlelit dinners in the space? Or is it less intriguing for dining and better for quiet reading, conversation, and lazy afternoons with your favorite music in the background? 

Be honest with yourself and orient the space in a way where it will see the most use. Imagine new ways of using your redesigned space as if it’s a new room added to your home. Don’t buy a new dining room set in hopes that the space will get used and you’ll start cooking more. Envision how you would be most happy/comfortable on your enclosed porch and work from there. Don’t force a design orientation that doesn’t speak to your tastes, habits, and needs.  

Enclosed Porch Ideas – Add a Magnet to Your New Space

If you enjoy hosting, cooking, and taking some slow, relaxed time with a meal, create a new dining experience within your enclosed porch, and add furniture that will be the magnet or pull you into the space!

Picture some white-painted seating around a rustic, exposed-wood table, perfect for a family/friends breakfast while the crisp air reinvigorates your senses and prepares you for the day. If you prefer something more plush, a dining room set with floral/plaid pattern cushions and matching tablecloth will add some elegant, vintage-style luxury to the scene. Of course, don’t be afraid to add a mobile bar cart to the space, allowing your guests to become mixologists for the evening! Remember, this is all about treating yourself to a new experience!

Another way to pull you into the space is to add super comfortable seating to your enclosed porch. A place where you can read quietly or catch up with life while sitting in this quiet space. Treat yourself to comfortable seating to draw you in, another way to design the room with furniture, giving you another reason to use your updated space. 

It’s remarkable how invigorating it can be to have a completely new area of your home, whether it is a place to sit peacefully, a modest space to entertain, or a place to expand, feeding more guests on a moment’s notice! It will inspire you to host more events and add more personal touches to your underutilized enclosed porch!

Enclosed Porch Ideas – A Peaceful Getaway Within Your Home

When arranged properly, an enclosed porch can be an oasis within the home, a place for relaxation, meditation, decompression, and, if need be, a little voluntary isolation. 

It all starts with layering in calming, soothing colors such as lavenders or soft pastel greens and blues. Add warm-to-neutral seating, like cushioned creamy-colored patio lounge chairs, and cap the whole facade off with wicker hanging chairs, perfect for lightly swinging your troubles away on a cool fall afternoon. Don’t forget the lighting; embrace the warm trickling light of free-standing candles and string lights overhead, hung in a relaxed albeit intentional arrangement. Now, doesn’t that sound better than a cluttered room that you will clear out “eventually…when you have the time”!?

Bringing Purpose to Underutilized Spaces

While this blog specifically focused on what can be done with your enclosed porch, the message I want you to take away from it is that there’s so much potential for oft-neglected spaces in the home. Don’t let areas become stagnant and cluttered when they could be offering so much more! 

If you’d like help discovering color palettes for your enclosed porch, try my helpful Color911 color app! There are many professionally (color specialist) curated color palettes to explore, and one may be just a spark of inspiration for your porch that will open you up to a fun new design!