How to remodel a porch

How to Remodel an Enclosed Porch
By Amy Mosher,

Enclosed porches are wonderful transitional areas between the inside and outside of a home. They usually include many windows, which allows plenty of light and views of the outdoors.

There are many wonderful ways to remodel an enclosed space, such as incorporating a light color palette, choosing an outdoor theme, adding wooden blinds, featuring slate, tile or concrete floors, selecting light wood or painted furniture and enhancing the decor with plants. The results are a casual and relaxed room to enjoy the interior and exterior of the home for years to come.

Difficulty:Moderate Instructions Things You'll Need

• Wooden blinds
• Roll-up rattan blinds
• Blind hardware
• Hammer
• Step stool
• Flooring in slate, concrete or tile
• Area rugs in hemp or jute
• Furniture in oak, pine or painted varieties
• Potted plants

1. • 1 Choose a light color palette. When remodeling an enclosed porch, select colors that do not detract from the outdoor views, as an enclosed porch often showcases the scenery outside the home. Include nature-inspired hues, such as soft blues, light greens, creamy white and butter yellow, for a decor that compliments the inside and outside spaces.
     
     
   • 2 Select appropriate window treatments. Enclosed porches usually have many windows, so the choice of window coverings is especially important. Incorporate wooden blinds or roll-up rattan blinds as a way to provide privacy and light control to the interior space. Blinds are a versatile selection for an enclosed porch area and are beautiful and functional at the same time.
     
     
   • 3 Choose concrete, slate or tile flooring. Enclosed porch areas are often transitional spaces between the indoors and outdoors. To provide a flooring material that is easy to clean and functional, use surfaces such as slate, concrete or tile. Add hemp or jute area rugs to create conversational areas and anchor the space as well.
     
     
   • 4 Incorporate an outdoor theme. Amplify the casual style of the enclosed porch by decorating with nature-inspired themes. Interior decorating schemes that focus on nautical decor, seaside elements, wildlife motifs or tropical locations are especially appropriate in an enclosed porch space and add much to the overall look and feel of the room.
     
     
   • 5 Select light wood furniture. Enclosed porch spaces are usually casual and relaxed. With that in mind, choose furniture pieces, such as coffee tables, end tables and armoires, in either painted varieties, to enhance a more cottage-style decor, or showcase pine or oak types of pieces. The light appearance to the furniture creates a casual visual appeal.
     
     
   • 6 Display plants. Bring some of the outdoors inside with the use of potted and hanging plants. Display Boston ferns in fern holders or accessorize a windowsill with a row of bright-colored, potted flowers for a finishing touch to the nature-inspired enclosed porch decor.
     
     

Tips & Warnings

• Keep pattern to a minimum in an enclosed porch area as a way to enhance the calm interior of the space.
  
  
• Choose wicker or rattan couches and chairs for an added feeling of indoor/outdoor style to your enclosed porch room.
  
  
• Place plants in areas away from pets and children to avoid possible ingestion of dangerous leaves of some varieties of foliage.