The timelessness of screened porches

Screened porches are a classic way for homeowners to enjoy nature by offering exposure to the elements with the protection and comfort of being indoors.

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A combination of wicker and rattan gives designer David Mitchell's screened porch is an industrial yet traditional look. For fabrics, Mitchell subtly contrasted stripes against ikat accents in navy, black and neutral shades.

Helen Norman /

A large potted plant creates an outdoor setting for Mitchell's porch.

Helen Norman

Round cast-metal martini side tables, $129 each from West Elm, and old bread paddles bring texture and shape to the room.

Helen Norman

Sally and Stephen Kern's screened back porch (second floor, under the chimney), from their back yard.

Xiaomei Chen / For The Washington Post

A look at the Kern's screened back porch, on the second floor of their house.

Xiaomei Chen / For The Washington Post

From left, Stephen Kern, Garret Kern, 13, Larkin Kern, 10, and Sally Kern have relax on their screened back porch in Takoma Park.

Xiaomei Chen / For The Washington Post

The screened porch of this vacation home in Avon, N.C., offers a view onto the deck and surrounding neighborhood.

Cecelia Jolley / For The Washington Post

The screened porch of this Chincoteague Island, Va., home overlooks the outdoors.

Scott Neville / For The Washington Post

A large porch off a kitchen in Washington, D.C., overlooks the home's backyard.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

From left, Meg Hanlon and children Elena de Toledo and Nico de Toledo sit on their back porch, with a view into the kitchen.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Barbara Halpern-Levin reads a magazine on her back porch of her Capitol Hill home.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

The back porch of the Halpern-Levin’s house on Capitol Hill.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Corey White, 3, colors at the porch table of Bonnie Washington’s Chevy Chase home.

James M. Thresher / The Washington Post

Washington's house and screened porch, from the back yard.

James M. Thresher / For The Washington Post

Chris McBride, second from right, and her children — from left, Duncan McBride, 9, Alistair McBride, 2, and Charlotte McBride, 6 — like to have meals and snacks on their screened porch.

Len Spoden

The McBrides’ screened porch.

Len Spoden

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The timelessness of screened porches

Screened porches are a classic way for homeowners to enjoy nature by offering exposure to the elements with the protection and comfort of being indoors.

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

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