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Your Porch Deserves a Promotion

5/5/2025

 
Picture
Photo by Rajesh Rajput on Unsplash
At first glance, a screened-in porch might seem like a humble upgrade. Add some mesh, a roof, a few chairs and call it a day, right?

That’s not quite how we think about it!

At Designed Happy, we see all the possibilities that come with a screened-in porch: a space that can completely shift how (and how often) you use your home. It’s the bridge between your indoor comforts and the natural world outside. In the Mid-Atlantic especially, where we get about 3.5 “not too cold and not too hot” days between March and June, it can be the difference between staying stuck inside and stretching your living space into the fresh air.
I get it! We’re part of a small (nerdy) percentage of the population that gets excited thinking about this but I’m willing to bet you’ll be on Team Screened Porch after reading through the ways this type of project can impact your home and, dare I say, your daily life!

1. The Morning Retreat
A cozy chair, a warm mug, and the sound of birds… That’s how a good day starts. With soft lighting and the right fabrics, your porch can become your go-to morning routine spot, offering fresh air without the bugs, and calm without having to put on shoes.

2. An All-Seasons Space
Dinner with a breeze? Yes, please. A screened-in porch makes summer dinners feel like vacation. No flies. No sunburn. Just candlelight, conversation, and maybe a ceiling fan gently spinning overhead.

When the temperature drops, invest in an infrared heater and choose a screen enclosure option so you can get the best of both worlds: connection to the outdoors while keeping cozy!

3. The WFH Oasis
Zoom fatigue and spreadsheet scrolling feels different when you have access to natural light and fresh air. With a small table and a comfy chair, your porch can become a productivity zone that doesn’t quite feel like work. Picture it now: Your weekly company-wide meetings that feel peaceful even if your kids barge in. And speaking of kids...

4. The Kid-Free Zone (or… the Kid Zone)
Whether you need a quiet place to take a break from the kids or a designated area to keep their “creativity” contained, a screened porch flexes to fit these needs. Board games, book nooks, teen hangout space; it can be as playful or peaceful as you need it to be.

5. The Lounge-Until-the-Fireflies-Come Spot
You know that magical time after dinner when the sun sets but no one’s ready to go in yet? This is that space. Dimmed lights, soft music, and your feet kicked up while the fireflies put on a show...

Would it be a step too far to say a screen porch could be just as effective as therapy?


A Note on Design
A screened-in porch doesn’t have to look like an afterthought. At Designed Happy, we treat it like a room in your home, blending architecture and interior design so that it feels as intentional as your living room or kitchen.

Think: hardwood floors, layered textiles, indoor-outdoor rugs, dimmable lighting, built-in storage, ceiling details, even styled shelves. This isn’t mosquito netting stapled to a deck, this could be the new heart of your home.

Feeling read to reimagine your porch? If you get the hype and have joined "Team Screened-In Porch", let’s talk!

Until June,
Katie
Director of Happiness, Designed Happy


Picture
Photo by Philippe Murray-Pietsch on Unsplash

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