Gathered and Found Summer Screen Porch Tour

Who says you need a big budget and new shiny things to make a house a home? Our summer screen porch is the perfect example of how thrifted home decor can turn a room into a cozy haven.

Welcome! Today I am taking a little break from the kitchen. Rest assured there will be loads more recipes coming your way, but today I encourage you to grab your favourite beverage, put your feet up and enjoy a little tour of our summer screen porch.

I am delighted to be joining the incredible Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate on a summer home tour. Below you will find links to 8 more bloggers who are opening their doors to share a glimpse into their own homes and gardens to offer inspiration for your own summer decorating.

If you are popping over from Chas’ Crazy Creations I hope you took the time to follow her if you don’t already! She is one talented gal and her ideas never cease to amaze me!

Since we live in a tiny little cottage, when the weather starts to warm up we tend to do most of our living and entertaining outdoors. Our screen porch provides space to enjoy both of these things while staying out of the heat of the summer sun, and out reach of pesky mosquitos!

Many moons ago when my husband first built the screen porch our girls were just littles and budget was very tight. The only way to decorate was with things gathered and found through family, friends and thrift stores, or built by husband.

Over the years I often thought that we should update with new furniture and accessories, but I have come to love the eclectic cozy atmosphere. I really wouldn’t change a thing. I feel like is my own little bit of Cotswolds cottage right here in Canada!

In fact I have added just 2 new rattan chairs that were purchased on clearance about 10 year ago. Everything else is either gathered or found!

Where to find thrifted home decor pieces

You will find details about where I found certain things throughout this tour, but here is a list of some of my favourite places to find home decor items on a budget:

• thrift stores of course
• auctions, both online and in person
• family and friends
• stores that are closing and clearing out inventory
• Facebook Marketplace (although I have personally have never purchased anything from our local page)
• yard and garage sales (church yard sales are treasure troves of excellent goods at ridiculously low prices!)

We often eat our dinner in the screen porch on summer evenings. Thrifted home decor doesn’t have to come from thrift stores. The table above was built by friend Leslie’s father probably 30 years ago. She no longer was using it and it’s perfect nestled into the corner with a nice view of the garden.

The mismatched chairs have either been found at a yard sale or left over from an old dining set we no longer have.

A closer look at the table decor. The plates have been in my collection for a few years and get lots of use. I often use them for my summer tables, like this patriotic table setting idea for the 4th of July.

I picked up the terra cotta glasses with blue glazing for just 25 cents each at a local wedding decor rental place. Every year they sell off extra and older stock to make room for new. I always find some good bargains there.

Never under estimate the power of flowers

I have several enamel metal pitchers that make perfect vessels for free flowers cut from the garden! Even if you have little to no out-door space, planting a few zinnia seeds will produce loads of blooms in late summer!

The out-door curtains are a recent freebie acquired from a friend who no longer needed them. Admittedly they are too short for my liking, but I am searching for some blue fabric to sew a panel across the top to add some length.

A black iron lantern, a yard sale find, hangs above the table with clear fishing line. It adds visual interest and ambiance in the evening with a battery operated candle.

The wood-stick blinds are ancient and desperately in need of replacing. We plan to take the screening down almost to the bottom this summer. It will allow more air flow, and a better view of the yard.

I spend many hours on this bench during the summer. And autumn too! It was one of the very first things my husband built for me. When he first built the bench, we had it outside and it was covered in red!

A cozy screen porch reading nook

These fluffy down and feather pillows used to be used indoors, but have been recycled for use in the screen porch. A couple of ruffled pillow cases cover them and add a bit of vintage charm. They are perfect for snuggling into while reading a good book.

This is where I enjoy my Sunday morning tea and homemade cinnamon roll. I especially love to enjoy a cuppa in the evening during a thunderstorm!

The Emma Bridgewater cup and saucer were a Christmas gift. Isn’t it adorable! It is from the Black Toast collection and is really quite large.

The coffee table itself was a yard sale purchase for $10. It was a shiny orange colour, but I stripped it down and waxed it to give it a softer look. Over the years it has developed a warm patina that I love.

I have bookshelves filled with books, and rotate stacks of books on all the tables in my home! A few are new, but I often find them at yard sales or get them as gifts. They are perfect for flipping through on a whim. They’re also great to elevate the ever changing bits and bobs I put on the table!

A side table purchased for $1 is the perfect perch for a fan, more books, and old set of binoculars that we use for bird watching! We have bird feeders in the yard that backs onto a park. There are often different varieties around that are new to us.

Bottled water and other refreshments are always within reach on an old wicker tray. It makes for easy entertaining! The dragon fly table runner was a gift from a like-minded thrifty friend. She picked it up on clearance at Hobby Lobby.

Our mock orange blossom tree has just come in to bloom. I just had to cut some fresh branches and plunk them into a chippy yellow enamel pitcher. The whole screen porch smells so good.

From vintage finds to secondhand treasures and family hand-me-downs, there are endless possibilities for creating charming space that matches your style. Although in the beginning my goal was to find inexpensive ways to decorate our screen porch, it turns out I love the cozy, laid-back thrifted home decor style!

Our screen porch provides a stylish respite from the hot summer sun, the perfect place to watch a good thunderstorm roll through, and a relaxing space to snuggle in with a cup of tea and a good book!

More summer decor ideas

I hope you have enjoy a little tour of our gathered and found summer screen porch! Be sure to visit all the lovely blogs below for loads of inspiration for your own summer decorating!