My Decorating Style
I would describe my decorating style as Bohemian Thrift Shabby Chic beachy style. If there is such a style, it is my own unique weird style. Everything on my screen porch was either free or thrifted. With a little paint and imagination, you can bring back a lot of items to their former glory or create something new.
My Free Items in the Screen Room
The first free item I decorated my screen porch with was an outdoor two-seat bistro table set. The set of brown metal chairs and small glass table were free because a young man was from out of town and his relative had passed away inside the Pine Run community. He was giving everything away to empty the house to get a realtor to sell the home for him and he was available for only a few days in Ocala. The only issue was getting the set to my home, I had to make two trips to pick up a complete set. The chairs had been outside for a long time and were rusted and so was the table.
I took a wire brush and got all the rusted paint chips off, then I sanded the chairs down with 150 grit sandpaper and the table. I covered the glass on the table with newspaper when I sprayed brown paint on it. I spray-painted the two chairs the same brown color and the set now looks brand new. I bought a set of blue chair cushions at Bealls for 16.99 each. I thought the blue complemented the brown color of the furniture finish.
Another neighbor one street over was selling his home and had to be out by a certain time, he tried to sell his table at first. There was little interest, so he offered the table to my neighbor across the street from me. At first, my neighbor wanted the table, but she quickly realized she had no space for it. She asked me if I wanted the table, at first, I was not sure because I originally wanted to get an outdoor small sectional for the screen room. As I thought about it, I often had my friends over for coffee in my screen room and the space was used more for dining. I decided to get the table and set up the screen room as an outdoor dining space. The table was big enough for four people. The gentleman was giving away two small foldable canvas chairs too. I took those two and incorporated them into the space.
The table fit perfectly in the center of the screen room, I bought three chairs from the thrift, one chair was a wicker chair, another was a foldable wooden vinyl chair, and the third chair was a wooden armchair. The final chair was bought at the amazing price of 1.50 at the thrift, it was a solid wood chair, but it needed some work. So, I sanded it down, to get off the old finish and repainted the chair a light gray allowing some of the old finish to show through to give it an old shabby chic finish it.
I got some pillows and some cushions for the chairs, a nice vinyl tablecloth for 2.50. I bought some 1.00 placemats at the thrift and got four for the table setting. I placed some sandal beach saltshakers, along with an Otigari ceramic napkin holder. I use my collectibles or at least decorate with the items around the house. I am a believer in displaying your collectibles instead of hiding them from the public.
In one corner of the screen room, I placed a wooden pallet table, which I had received free at an estate sale on the last day. The owner let me have it, I only had to get it home. On this table, I placed my entertainment items such as a CD player and radio. On occasion, I bring out a small tv. I do not leave the TV outside due to the elements.
The two foldable canvas chairs, I placed near the front of the screen room with a small tray table in the center of the chairs creating another seating area. I have seating for eight people in the screen room.
I love how the furniture placement and all the items work with each other to create a great outdoor dining and entertaining space. I would estimate that this room cost me under 50 dollars to put together with the free and thrifted items I used. I repainted the screen room a crisp pure white when I painted the outside of my home with weatherproof exterior paint.
A little paint and work goes a long way
Thrift items and discarded items that people think have no more use can be re-invented and worked to become the most valued pieces in the home. These items are cherished because they are re-invented to fit the space for the decor created at the time. These pieces are one-of-a-kind and unique because they may no longer be made in that style. Don’t be afraid to purchase an item that needs work or that is vintage or out of fashion for the current times. Finding unique furniture pieces will create a unique decor that defines your individual style and not the cookie-cutter boring house style everyone has. If you like that distinct unique piece, then follow your gut and get it.
Art and Accessories
I painted my screen room a bright high white color and added artwork on the outside walls. Some of the art, included thrifted art, vintage tin signs, and some altered created art. I created an altered art project from an old Monopoly board and an old knit flag from the fifties. In addition, I added vintage art around the walls including bird prints, a vintage pharmacy print, and paint-by-number landscape art. I framed a beautiful magazine art print that I got from Art and Antiques magazine. It is a beautiful boy on the beach scene. I framed it and placed it on the wall because my screen room has a vintage beach shabby chic style. I included some wooden welcome signs and hung them from the metal around the screen from the inside showing the welcome sign on the outside. It is a welcoming decor as visitors enter the screen room. Helping Hands was selling nice wooden Home Sweet Home signs for 2.00 This thrift store has a lot of overstocks from Walmart and other stores. I have found amazing tech items there such as a Google streaming box for 6.00. I use it for my bedroom TV and now I have free TV channels through Google.
Use Your Imagination
I have gotten ideas by reading home decor magazines, decorating books, and visiting home decorating websites like Houzz and HGTV. I have gotten inspiration by simply walking around my community and seeing what some of the other homeowners are doing to their outside decor.
Decorating with thrift items creates a unique one-of-a-kind home decor that is uniquely yours because you bought it and saved these items from the landfill to create your private oasis. Pat yourself on the back for saving vintage items from the dump and breathing new life into these items.
I love how the screen room came out; I take immense pleasure in inviting friends over for coffee and cheese Danish. I often have lunch out on the screen porch because it is a great space for dining.
Conclusion
In summary, if you decide to decorate a screen porch area or a lanai and are seeking to decorate within a small budget. Consider decorating with thrift store items or on garbage day in your community ride around and look for free furniture items. Not all items placed in the trash are in bad condition, sometimes the homeowner has changed decor and does not have the will to sell the item online.
It is not only wallet-saving but fun hunting for rare unique one-of-a-kind pieces to decorate that make your space uniquely yours and not like everyone else’s home. Remember, buy what you like and take a chance on the item to rejuvenate your space.
Have fun thrifting and decorating!
