The kids are out of school and the weather’s warmed up. That means we’re in the season many North Carolina residents love most: summer.  You want to make the most of the summer weather while it lasts, and your screened porch provides a lot of opportunities for doing so.

A screened porch lets you take advantage of the best of the outside weather—the warmth, the smell of rain, the sound of birds. And just as importantly, it allows you to skip the worst of it—the bugs, getting soaked in the rain, the excessive brightness of the sun. With access to a homey, comfortable screened porch, you can plan a number of different activities for enjoying summer while it lasts. 

1. Host a dinner party.

One of the most pleasant ways to socialize with friends is over a delicious meal. A screened porch provides a great atmosphere for hosting a dinner party. You can enjoy conversations with people you care about surrounded by beautiful views of your yard. 

And you don’t have to worry about any bugs getting into the food or drinks, or having your plans be dashed because of a surprise thunderstorm. In fact, some rain can add a nice soundtrack to your evening and lightning can give you a show to enjoy while you eat.   

 

2. Have summer movie nights.

Watching a movie inside on the couch just isn’t the same as viewing one outside. Outdoor movies are a summer tradition and one you can partake in with the family throughout the season on your screened porch. And it’s easier to do so than ever with the wide selection of family movies available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. 

If you don’t have a TV set up on the porch permanently, you can make do with a computer or by moving one of your inside TVs out temporarily. But if the whole family becomes a fan of your porch viewing parties, consider getting a TV to permanently adorn your screened porch. It makes it that much easier to take advantage of the space. 

 

3. Enjoy peaceful morning reading.

Whether your preferred reading material is the newspaper, a current bestseller, or poetry, devoting some time to reading can be the best way to start a day. Your screened porch is the perfect atmosphere for a morning read (or an afternoon or evening read, for that matter). You can watch the sunrise and listen to the birds sing while sipping your coffee and letting those words wash over you.   

 

4. Sleep closer to the stars.

There’s something romantic about the idea of sleeping under the 

stars. But the idea doesn’t always match up to the reality of the hard ground, relentless mosquitoes, and possibility of surprise rain showers. Waking up soggy and covered in itchy bites really puts a damper on the fantasy. But if you keep a comfy couch or hammock on your screened porch, you can achieve the fantasy of sleeping (partially) outdoors, while avoiding the worst of the discomforts that usually come with it.

 

5. Set up story time for the kids.

Reading to your kids is one of the most wholesome and beneficial activities you can take part in as a parent. It’s good for their learning, and it’s also just a fun way to spend time together and get lost in a good story. Your screened porch is the perfect setting for your summer story-time sessions. Make gathering together on the porch over a book—or even better, stories you each make up and share—a regular summer activity. 

 

6. Hold game nights.

You can opt for board games, word games, card games, or any combination of game types. Whatever your game of choice, game nights on the screened porch are a fun way to socialize with your friends and family. You can include snacks and drinks and find fun ways to up the stakes, like letting the winner choose next week’s dinner. Some playful competition is a great way to bring people together and pass the summer hours.   

 

7. Add updates to increase comfort.

Social activities aren’t the only way to get more out of your screened porch this summer. Summer is often the best season to look for opportunities to upgrade the space. If you find yourself spending less time on your screened porch than you like because of the heat, maybe it’s time to call your contractor to see about putting in a fan. Or if you’d like a change in the general ambience of the space, this is a good time to consider painting it in new colors, adding different lighting, or re-thinking the seating options you have in there now. 

 

Get More Out of Your Screened Porch This Summer

If you’ve been dreaming about little changes to your screened porch that will make the space that much more comfortable for your summer activities, there’s no need to procrastinate. A good contractor can help you realize your vision. Get in touch today to get the ball rolling.