• Bring a bit of the beach into your screened porch.soothing candles image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
  
  The opportunity to spend time in the outdoors while enjoying a break from the weather, be it sunshine or rain, can be provided with a screened-in porch. However, without some creative decor and artistic touches, screened porches can end up being a bit dull and lifeless. With just a little work, you can create an artistic and comfortable porch haven.
  
  

Wall Mounted Art

• If your porch is screened on three sides, utilize the fourth house wall as a platform to display a work of art. Hang one large piece or various pieces at differing heights and intervals across the wall. Though the porch is partially protected, it is still necessary to find pieces that can stand up to the elements.
  
  

Wall Touches

• Install several simple wooden shelves of various lengths and colors and use them to display items of particular interest. If you have recently returned from the beach, sprinkle sand and seashells you collected on the shelf. During the cooler months, decorate shelves with fall leaves or winter pine cones. Candles provide an elegant touch as well as additional lighting. Take the idea further by hanging lanterns all over the wall.
  
  

Ceiling Flair

• Hang candlelit lanterns from the ceiling, or twinkle lights around the border. Make your own wind chimes out of broken glass, bottles, and pennies, giving the chimes a more rustic, simple flair. Utilize hanging baskets with trailing vines and colorful blooms to bring the outdoors into your screened porch. With these ceiling additions, your porch will become a whimsical and artsy retreat.