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shadywillowfarm

Help me design my porch from the ground up!

Adding a screened porch at ground level to the back of my house. My dining room has a slider that now enters a little lean-to greenhouse that we use to start seeds. It will be 20’L x 14’W and I have an idea book if you care to go look at it. We are also redoing the back patio and adding a little grilling station. I am focusing on the porch now; we actually live on a farm and need a screened porch for outdoor dining because bugs. The view out to the back is very nice; pasture and garden; however we have a big garage next to the house that is quite unattractive. So right now I am thinking about furniture placement and about doing curtains along half of one side to hide the garage view. I have a 48” round table and chairs which we can use for dining, and I want to do a lounging area too. Napping space is a plus. I will need to buy a sofa and love seat (and/or chairs?) and I want a storage unit in the corner between the slider and the French doors. The floors will be pavers with a border, but not the “area rug” design that is shown in the picture. We’ve made a lot of decisions already based on needs and budget, but please feel free to make suggestions.

Comments (13)

  • last year

    The AC unit will be moved to the driveway side of the house.

  • last year

    Generally no to loveseats- just as in indoors, it only seats one usually. You might find a sofa, especially if you and DH would sit on it when friends or family visit, but I think chairs - of some sort- with even a small ottoman , are just the most comfortable way to sit —and easier to re-arrange. I do note the napping issue, hence my comment on your previous post, but a napping sofa might be pretty big.

  • last year

    The first thing I'd do with the design is raise it at least 6".If you want a napping sofa make the seat dimension deep. And I'd put effort into the construction of the seat cushions. Pocketed coil springs are an available component. Latex foam in another component. You may need to swap that in to replace a poly foam component. Sleep On Latex toppers are a good source. A sofa with chaise can work instead of two different pieces.



  • last year

    Oh wow that makes so much sense!! Thank you!!

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    You're welcome : ) Don't underestimate the value of an outdoor tv....

  • last year

    dan1888, that is not a screened porch sofa.

    I think you would be looking at cast aluminum or good- quality faux wicker, with the best cushion quality and design a) you can afford and b) you can manage/ store/ clean. To me that means a “ napping sofa” is still a little rustic!

    All the cushions invoked in multiple porch pieces is a LOT of storage space, though does not have to be customized containers but can be just a spacious area in garage or something. Or your climate may not need storage. We have enough winter days where I don’t “ sit” on porch, too cold, so I store, but still have chairs for random warm day and easy to grab cushions if wanted, & I house some winter- hardy plants there to enjoy, as see through large window from LR when everything else is leafless & brown. Plus I don’t keep all cushions out even all summer “ for show” . Your climate may allow year- round; my issue is height of spring pollen season. Can also throw an old sheet over for a week or 2; easily removed to still use furniture. Still my metal or mesh furniture parts need cleaning ( not sterilized!). I can’t just hose down easily right there because flooring is decking which is OVER a potting shed directly below; I can drag chairs down stairs to adjacent regular deck but that’s tough.
    So my focus is quite casual, no white linen dresses/ pants guests likely, especially on the deck, but that’s why having a good system for manageable clean-ish cushions that are easy to get to works for me.

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    This is all that fits well



    and when she stated "nap" it isn't meant to be taken literally , other than comfortable enough to do so, which any 84 -96" sofa would allow.

    Yes it should be outdoor furniture, yes it will need to be hosed off, or cushion covers washed. Cushioning inside outdoor furniture allows water to bead ( Sunbrella ) and also the foam is entirely different.

    Do not confuse it with items mean for covered " "very protected/ outdoor living spaces" in very forgiving climates, such as near a pool in Florida or South Carolina

    A couch and chair in LLoyd Loom/lloyd Flanders is well worth investment. The cushioning is excellent as well. Hose it, get rained on , no matter.

    Lots of styles. lots of colors, and lots of fabrics.Lasts forever.

    Don't buy matched accent pieces _ too boring, and overpriced as well.

  • last year

    Adding a screened porch at ground level to the back of my house.

    Are you sure you want screens? I have a 12x30 covered porch, and I've never once wished it were screened. Screens require cleaning /sometimes repairs (especially if you have dogs). Without screens, I can let the dog out and she can reach the yard without further ado. My husband has his grilling station set up on one end of the porch /no problem with smoke inside the screening. Bugs aren't a problem, as we have two fans to keep the air moving.

    If you think you do want the screens, two thoughts:

    - You can always place the supports in the right spot for screens to be added later, and you can try "without" first. See if you're satisfied.

    - You can get Phantom Screens (that's a name brand, but others exist) that roll up /down, allowing you the best of both worlds.

    And an absolute necessity for any porch: Be sure the porch is the same level as the floor inside. Stepping out onto my porch "feels like" you're just moving to another room; whereas, if you have to "step down" onto the porch, it isn't as nice.

    the French doors.

    Consider a slider (or glider) instead of French doors. I do not like that my French doors require "inswing space", whereas sliders don't need "parking space".

  • last year

    Thanks Theresa, we are absolutely doing screens.🙂 I believe the French doors will open out into the patio, I’ll check. They will have X’s on the lower part which mimics the barn doors.

  • last year

    What is the minimum width of a sofa for three (friendly) people to sit? I am seeing lots in the low 70s which seems a bit too friendly?

  • last year

    Getting ready to sign the final,contract and put down a deposit to get things rolling. We picked out pavers and approved the final design. The house needs a roof, as do several outbuildings and it includes a really good price for all the roofing.

  • last year

    Chairs are here!!

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