Well, it looks like this was once an open porch that got closed in. What is it that is driving you crazy about it? It could be a very nice space with a bit of work. :)

:) seems like you might have 2 posts going...you have a couple of comments in your other one too. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than me can help you merge them :)

If your a young guy walking into this home you prob want a fun vibe.. I would add a a small bar on one side and some seating like two chairs on the other. Make it a lounge/bar feel and you will have people in a cheery mood by the time they enter the front door!

Hello everyone I really want to do something to the flooring. I was thinking maybe tile or

This is my first time posting I don't know how a duplicate thread got started but thank you all for the replies.

@handyman I just dont know where Id start. I really want to upgrade the flooring, tile?. Add lighting and remove the ceiling fan the white siding what could I put there to make it not look like the outside of the house some type of drywall?

HI -- What do you want to use the space for .... do you need storage for coats or seasonal items or sport gear (bike)?. Do you want to spend time out there or have it look nice and clean and free of clutter or to display a collection . Maybe use it as a game room for playing cards etc. Is it heated for the winter or do you need to heat it . For flooring ... cork might be the best option for you.

I'd like to use it as another space to maybe eat or just sit and talk more of a lounging around reading type of place but its has to look nice a clutter free as well

How about a nice colorful runner on the existing floor and a few black (maybe retro) porch chairs and table on one end and a dining table and chairs on the other end. You could put some nice lighting and maybe even a small retro looking ceiling fan on either side of the door.

Would you consider opening it up again? Can you share a picture of the front of the house?

HI - Great then . Once you get a floor down , then do any painting that needs to be done. I would paint all the trim and the lower walls ... paint the whole thing a nice clean white. Find a single bed size day bed or a sofa and a small lounge chair for the one end and see if you can get a small book case either one the fits under the front window or a taller one you could put at one end . Then add an adjustable floor lamp and some small side tables and maybe a pouf or ottoman. At the other end you could have a small round table and a couple of chairs for dining . Hang some folding chairs on a hook on the wall for extra seating . Add an light over the table if needed. You could have some rugs under each furniture grouping. Or for the flooring you could just have a good quality out door carpet for the whole space , which would give you a cleaner simple look. Maybe add a bit of art if you have wall space . If you need some storage you could have a big cabinet at one end right over the window .. just keep the blinds down . I would keep it very modern mono in colors and furnishings so it doesn't look too small .

This looks like a nice space. Do you need a mud room area? First thing I would do is to change the front door to the outside. It needs to let more light in. The front door that is going into your living room would be a great choice. Too bad they don't match. I would frame out one of the interior windows(The one to the right as you enter the porch) with a shelving unit from floor to ceiling to hold baskets, shoes, backpacks, coats, gloves, etc. I would put a storage bench under the window for seating/storage. On the left side, I would put a couple of comfy chair with a table in between. On the table have a nice reading lamp and other accessories to add charm to the space. You have plenty of light so you can bring in green plants. If you must leave the shades, make sure they are open. There is nothing like a nice sunny porch that invites people in. As for the flooring, you should probably use something lightweight. I think tile might be too heavy, depending on the under-structure of the porch.

As a young guy moving into your first house, may I suggest that you start with cosmetics and see how that suits you rather than immediately redoing the floor? How is everything else in the house? Like dishwasher, washer and dryer, furnace, air conditioner, stove, refridge? Do you have nice furniture like a sofa and dining set and bed and dresser for the rest of the house? Put your money into those basics as needed and make your rooms attractive without spending a fortune on them.

I'm going to assume the house has a kitchen, eating area and living room. As a young guy you will hopefully entertain some but also be out and gone and doing things a fair bit. Don't make yourself too many sitting areas and spaces that you need to keep clean and picked up.

I would treat this enclosed porch as a porch - put a colorful rug on the floor, paint the half paneled walls and the wall of the house some bright color of your choice that goes with the rug and the porch type furniture you are going to add (wicker? Something else that looks colorful and porchy). Put those shades up and let the light in and can you change out that solid door? Someone suggested changing it with the glass pane door going into the house...depends on how safe your neighborhood is and if the porch is climate controlled. Maybe you don't even need a door between the porch and house.

It will take some paint and time and a bit of shopping but you can turn this into a brighter, happier place without spending a fortune on it. As you settle into living in the house you will figure out how much and how you use the room and you can fill it in then.

Be sure to look up porch or sun room pictures here on houzz for ideas about color and use. Looking forward to the after pictures!

What state do you live in, that will determine the best use for the room unless you have something in mind. For instance if you live in a northern state, you will want to keep the window enclosures for insulation for sure. If you live more in a warmer climate, you need to consider the heat factor of the enclosed porch. That wood flooring looks nice, why don't you continue the trim theme to the wood floors and paint the floor black with a non slip paint. You could also "checkerboard" OR, black and white stripes for a visual floor for a fun, contemporary style and the black would carry the man-feeling of the porch. Do you ever open the blinds, or keep them closed all the time?

Good point @2taniya about the neighborhood.

If it is a safe neighborhood, I would consider putting a new craftsman style front door in the old opening, removing all of the parts that enclosed the porch, putting up a simple handrail and painting what is there. Part of the charm of these types of houses were their proximity to the street that allowed neighbors to engage with each other.

Sorry to comment so much - but I looked briefly at your ideabooks and you seem to like a sleek uncluttered look and not too much color...you had one or two porch pictures and had commented on the black ceiling - you could easily repaint the ceiling in this porch (also that pipe so it would be more hidden), change out the plain fan for a more interesting one and put a white runner rug (or two identical area rugs) on the porch floor and then slowly fill in with the type of furniture you like depending on how you decide to use the room.

Thanks everyone for your great ideas and input. I'm located in MD about 30 minutes outside of DC. All the major appliances work well there about 5 years old and I plan to upgrade soon. My neighborhood is pretty safe, most of my neighbors are retired senior citizens. Here is the front of the house which needs a little tlc as well lol.

Another pic of the outside

Can you take a picture of the streetscape? What is happening on the rest of the street?

No to the tile on the front porch... it will have a slope (formerly for drain off). I think maybe a nice looking laminate may work for you... also, if you are short on funds, you could have fun painting that shingle wall with some color. The ceiling looks a little sad too... what is the height of that porch/entry?

@SawHorse + design Ill try and get pics of the street this evening.

@SustainableDwellings I really like the idea of a good laminate or wood that won't be damaged buy the elements if I was ever to open it again. What would you recommend for the shingle wall other than painting?

Only consider painting it. Otherwise you have to deal with the asbestos shingles which requires a special type of demolition contractor.

I actually don't think the floor is that bad. If you are looking for a quick inexpensive fix, You could paint the floor with porch paint. Add an indoor outdoor carpet for something soft underfoot. You could use a runner from door to door and area rugs on each side, allowint then runner to be repalced if it gets dirty. And then, you could cover all of the walls, under the windows and the old "outside" wall with wainscoting type panelling. After that, a nice lounge chair for relaxing (see Plow and Hearth or Gardener's Supply online) and some lighting , either a floor lamp or a small table and a table top lamp would be a nice place to come home to and have a drink and go through your mail. I agree that a new door that lets in more light would be nice too.

If there is no heat out there, they have some nice electric heater that are decorative, but would give enough heat to use this space for 3 seasons.

OK, this is a pet peeve of mine. Since it's a porch make it a real porch, open it up. Put it back the way it was intended to be. There are so many houses around that have porches closed in it's sad. A porch adds character to a house and makes it more welcoming.You my even meet more of your neighbors if you sit on it. It will give your house an entirely different look. Unless you really need the space, open it up.

Al F, I totally agree with you, but maybe at this point, just moving in and all, he just needs to live with it a bit while he researches open porch looks. :)

I want to agree with Furnituremaker... BUT, it is a little late for this project without a great deal of expense, Add a wrap around the front later. This house needs more personality on the exterior (later).

I do think a lot of the home's personality was lost when the porch was closed in. If you think of it as it may have been before, it probably was fine.

I'll bet he needs the entryway though...

nope, I would put in some really sweet indoor outdoor carpeting (its come a long way from green grass) and a long wicker type sectional seating---change the fan to something more your taste as white fans are always showing dirt...and throw in a small portable mini bar!! make sure everything is washable.

Nope. Totally open it back up. enclosed porches are straight up ugly. I have one and I’ve decided to bring the open porch back.

2013 Dilemma, folks!

We are seeing this 2013 dilemma.....why? I assume this issue has been solved over the last six years!

Ya, but if someone comes across it (how?) and comments on it, it shows up in the feed as though it’s a current dilemma. And then others don’t notice that it’s old and...away we go!