There are still a lot of projects to finish inside the house, but once we moved in (and got silly things done like … doorknobs), Ryan turned his sights on one of our favorite features of the new house.
Outdoor. Living. Space.
This back porch was something Ryan and I were both excited about – our property is such a huge part of why we built our house, and the views are incredible. We knew we wanted a large screened-in porch on the back – which gives us a wonderful place to relax in warm weather and truly extends our living space.
Last year before the snow rolled in, we finished the porch floors, but we had no railings or screens as we turned our attention to finishing the inside. The outdoor space remained virtually unusable because of the bugs, wind and safety concerns. (There was no way Henry was allowed to go out on the porch with no railings and a 15 foot drop.)
We desperately wanted to use this space before it gets to cold, so we bumped it to the top of the list. (Yep. Still no cabinet doors in the kitchen. Priorities, my friends.)
This was not a super or cheap quick DIY project. I think we spent about $800 in materials and a few weeks of work. But it was worth it. (Says the woman who didn’t do any of the work.)
DIY SCREENED PORCH
Ryan started with the railings and posts – which were all wrapped in cedar. The railings were created from cedar and hog panels we picked up at the farm store, which gives us needed safety and doesn’t block any of the views.
All the cedar wood got a few coats of tung oil, which brought out their beautiful colors and protects the wood from the elements.
Next up was the screens – which we purchased from Home Depot. We splurged on a “better” screen (this one) that is designed to let the views shine through. And truly, you barely even notice the screen at all.
Once the screen was stapled up, he trimmed the OUTSIDE of the porch with cedar to finish it. We’ll eventually trim out below the deck as well, but not now.
I was a little worried about how the cedar would look against the house – but I think it fits in nicely.
Next Ryan added the screen door, barn wood ceilings and light fixtures. (Still waiting on the ceiling fan, but we also have two recessed lights.)
I love the barn wood ceilings – he planed all the boards and installed them with the existing tongue and groove. They are gorgeous! And he pulled out all the remaining boards with writing. My favorite – the board with the hastily painted year “1937.” I’m sure that farmer never expected his artwork would be a key feature on our Illinois porch.
After a few weeks of sweaty days and hard work, Ryan completed the back porch. And it’s seriously become our favorite space.
I immediately drug over the outdoor furniture and cleaned everything really well. There were birds nesting in the light fixtures, so once they were gone, we closed everything up and scrubbed the floors and walls.
It’s so nice to have a spot to spend time without getting eaten alive by bugs or burned in the sunshine.
In the late afternoon, it gets some pretty intense sun, so I’m on the lookout for some sort of screen or curtain on the far wall. I’m also on the lookout for a way to store the hose next to the sofa. No rush.
I brought over my patio plants and they are so happy here. Just like us, they like their new home.
On the opposite end of the porch (the enclosed part is about 10×20), we have a door that goes out to a 6-foot uncovered deck intended for the grill.
The jury’s still out on whether the grill can stay here – the charcoal gets a little too hot and smoky for our comfort. We originally planned to add a stairway to the outside – and we still might once we bring in dirt and grade the backyard more. But I’m kind of liking this the way it is – and it’s really easy to get outside from the inside, so I’m not sure it’s necessary.
We were quoted $650 for a standard cedar door, so Ryan clearly decided to build one himself instead with cedar.
The cedar and barnwood play well together, don’t they?
Remember the star I got for our mantel? It found a more permanent home right on the porch.
This sucker is really heavy and looks great above the sofa.
I also added a second barn star to the other side of the sliding door – this was a gift from Ryan’s aunt. 
So, that’s the story and tour of our new screened-in porch.
It’s my favorite spot to sit and drink coffee in the morning and the best spot to unwind at the end of the day.
Who’s coming over?
Linking up to Thrifty Decor Chick’s Before and After party.
MORE VIEWS FROM THE PORCH
SUMMER IN STYLE ON THE SCREENED PORCH
Not sure why, but I just saw this post. I usually dont love wood against painted areas, but this is beautiful. It’s also the first time I noticed the proximity of Barn and House. You have such a wonderful spot
Thanks! It is hard to visualize, but the barn is quite close!
Hi Kim! You’ve got a very wonderful spot there and I so love your porch. It’s so gorgeous! Its very relaxing to see the views from this space. Perfection!
It’s been a while since I’ve visited the blog…catching up. Beautiful home! This porch might be my favorite. The star on the left looks just like one I bought last winter. It’s made from sticks used to dry tobacco leaves!
Thank you so much! That’s exactly what our star is – Ryan’s aunt got it from us in Tennessee.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
We plan on doing our back yard fence with the hog wire & cedar, love the look!
How did you do the doggie door on the screen door? I can’t visualize how it works.
Thanks so much for the comment. It’s not a doggie door on the screen door. That’s just the base of the door there. They go out through the garage.
Visiting from Thrifty Decor Chick and I love your porch. Growing up in the country makes me so appreciate the simple, quiet beauty of just sitting and looking out over the hills!
How I am going to explore your site for more information on your beautiful home and location.
From Wisconsin, your friendly neighbors to the north!
Nancy
Nancy – thank you so much for the encouraging comment. I’m so happy you like the porch – we have been enjoying it so much and I know that fall will be a wonderful time to use it, too!
wow! what a beautiful space! I love how you chose all the materials with an eye toward keeping the beautiful view as clear as possible 🙂
The porch is gorrrrrrgeous! Screen porches are just the best. I hafta say, I think a drop cloth curtain maybe with a wide red stripe could be the perfect answer for the afternoon sun?? I can’t wait to see all the rest of the spaces of the house! Congrats!!
Crank up the coffee pot! I’ll bring the scones!
Just gorgeous. Y’all need to write a book about your experience.
Enjoy!
“…I think it fits in nicely.” Ha! Girl, it is GORGEOUS! And I could watch that sunset forever.
omg I LOVE this! Everything from the décor to the 1937 included. I’m very into including old with new and this is right up my alley! So love watching all of the transformations you guys are doing!
Sweet Jesus that is just awesome! Growing up in Minnesota it’s so common to have a ‘screened-in porch’ and you have missing those days. Perfection, I love all the cedar and barnwood against the siding, brings it all back to nature. #jealousfromNY
Thank you so much, Jaime! We are totally digging the bugless space.
I LOVE it! We have a screened in porch that needs some love- your post is inspiring me to get going with that project. I’m with you- I would take the finished outdoor space over finished indoor projects any day.
It was neat to see the photos with the barn in the background- I had pictured the barn being on a different side of the house and not as close. I’m so happy to hear everything is falling into place with the new house.
How gorgeous! Especially that last photo – wow!
Beautiful!
what a faaaabulous spot to relax and really take in your property. enjoy it to the max. we have a sunroom that is my favorite spot in the house. it’s just this little extra space, but it’s perfect.
Um, me. I’m coming over. It’s absolutely beautiful! We’re planning to add a screened in porch too and now I’m even MORE excited about it! Beautiful work, as always. The view is pretty ok too.
Really lovely. Lucky you to have such views. Are you thinking of doing something to the lower level for bigger parties, etc?
No plans so far – we’ve just gotta get it cleaned up and landscaped at this point.
Love it!!! Such a great relaxing spot!
Oh, Kim!! It is gorgeous. Both the porch and the views. I can totally picture you sitting out there with a cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evening. And your furniture and decorations are perfect out there.
Thank you so much, Kristi! We’ve really been enjoying the space.
Absolutely perfect!
wow, kim! such a beautiful and relaxing space and those views!!!!! i could sit there for hours. and i love how the cedar looks with the house!
This is probably a stupid question… but does the water drain well from the porch? Is it angled or is there space between the slats?
We have a screened in porch that was not properly completed and has linoleum on it- the grading is incorrect (and I don’t know if the water would roll off anyways since the bottom part is really thick)- so we are trying to think of solutions.
The porch is amazing- you can’t even see the screens in most of the pictures- love it!
The porch is angled quite a bit away from the house. I actually asked Ryan about this and he told me it was probably more than was strictly necessary. So… we’ll see. Since we have a roof on the porch, we don’t get hardly any “standing water” that has to go away from the house. But we have had some serious rains and while the floors get damp, we haven’t noticed any standing water (which is good).
Good luck! hope you find a great solution.