Many homes have an old, weathered shed in the backyard that’s been sitting there for years.
While some homeowners’ vision might be to tear down the eyesore, one South Carolina couple decided to rehab their old shed into the screened porch of their dreams.
That old shed out back
When the couple moved into their newly renovated bungalow, they knew something had to be done about the backyard shed. It was in rough shape -and stood only seven feet from their back door.
The new homeowners had always wanted a screened porch to enjoy and shut out those pesky Southern mosquitoes. They realized that with a little bit of work, their shabby shed had the potential to be that very porch.
Dreams of a screened porch
The couple started by cutting large windows into the sides. They didn’t want to compromise the structural integrity of the building, so instead of removing the entire sides, they cut two 7-by-6-foot windows on each side. After framing the openings with headers and supports, they added screens and exterior trim.
Rustic charm for the win
The initial plan was to scrape and paint the exterior to match their house, but the homeowners both have a fondness for old, rustic barns and decided to leave the weathered boards as is. They took apart the original doors and use those boards for trim so that the entire exterior had the same finish.
Inside was a no-brainer. It was already filled with plank walls, a vaulted plank ceiling, and exposed rafters. To keep that rustic charm, the homeowners decided to leave the original wood finish on the ceiling and just painted the walls white to brighten the space and create contrast.
The couple wanted the screened porch to feel like an extension of their home, so they added comfortable furniture and details like a rug, throw pillows, and artwork.
They also wanted the space to have several functions.
First, the homeowners created a large lounge area because they knew that would be used the most, but they saved one little corner for a dining nook. By adding a small farm table and two chairs, they have a spot to dine safe from the mosquitoes.
To maximize comfort, they added a fan overhead to cool off those hot summer evenings, and really played up the magic factor with some strung bulb lights.
With a small budget, some hard work, and a lot of creativity, this shed is now a lovely screened-in spot this family will enjoy for years to come.
Photos courtesy of White Buffalo Styling Co.
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