Screened-In-Comfort: Creating a Second Living Space at the Lake
This screened porch has always been a gathering place, originally serving as the spot to escape the bugs while still enjoying the outdoors.
Muskoka is, without question, my favourite place on earth. Anyone who has spent time here knows that the mosquitos and black flies demand a certain level of patience, or perhaps stubbornness. Since we refuse to spray toxins around our property, we’ve learned to simply tough it out and accept that the buzzing and biting are part of cottage life.
Long before we purchased the cottage from my parents, this porch was the stage for countless family memories. My mom hosted reunions, birthday parties, and just about any excuse to bring people together. The little 750-square-foot cottage couldn’t possibly contain the chaos of all those guests, but this bonus space did, especially with kids running in and out, muddy feet and all.
When the cottage eventually became ours, the use of the porch shifted. Instead of being a hub for crowds, it became more of a retreat for our family of four. It was a place to slow down and listen to the birds, to tuck into a book with a blanket, or to slip out for a kayak at sunrise. Over time, we realized we needed something more from the space. We craved a second sitting area that was bright, clean, and comfortable, where we could enjoy Muskoka breezes without sacrificing our skin to the bugs. We wanted a spot that would serve us equally well in the quiet of a morning coffee, curled up with a dog and a good book, or gathered around a board game on a rainy afternoon. And on warm summer nights, we imagined it as a cozy place to watch a movie with the windows open to the night sounds, safe from the mosquitos that always seem to know when popcorn is being served.
The first change we made was removing the screened door that faced the lake. Originally, there were three doors leading off the porch: one into the kitchen, one to the backyard where the barbecue sits, and one that opened directly toward the lake. We decided to keep the kitchen and backyard doors, but when it came to choosing between a third exit or creating a proper sitting area, the choice was easy. With large sliders already opening to the lake from the living room, and a front door just steps away, we knew we wouldn’t miss the extra doorway. What we truly needed was wall space to anchor furniture and create a more functional room.
Because the cottage is so small, I’ve always felt that using too many different colours would make it feel busy and choppy. To keep things consistent, we carried our dominant colour, Cloud White by Benjamin Moore, into this room as well. Before we could get to the fun part, though, there was a lot of tedious prep work. Every surface had to be sanded, primed with Bin Zinsser, and then given a layer of Fresh Start. It felt like it took forever, but the fresh, crisp finish was worth every hour.
For the floors, we chose Harbour Gray, a durable floor paint also from Benjamin Moore. Once the paint cured and we were confident the surface was ready for foot traffic, we rolled out the LOHALS 100% jute rug from IKEA. Its natural texture instantly softened the space and grounded the room, while still keeping with the clean, neutral palette we wanted.
Furnishing the porch was all about comfort and practicality. We found a gently used sectional sofa, originally from Pottery Barn, that has become the heart of the room. It may not have been the colour I would have chosen for a screened porch, but the price was right, the cushions are unbelievably comfortable, and the fabric wipes down easily when our Newfie decides to sprawl across it after a swim. Beside the sectional, we tucked in an antique crate that now doubles as a spot to set down a book or a glass of iced tea. The log chair and coffee table, both original pieces from Walter Paige’s Muskoka Store, have been part of this cabin for years and feel right at home in the space. Overhead, the fan is due for an update, but for now it still does its job beautifully. Its large blades turn slowly and steadily, moving just enough air to keep the space cool on hot afternoons.
When it came to decorating, we knew traditional artwork would never last. The sun streams into this porch for most of the day, and anything on the walls would fade in no time. Instead, we decided to get creative. Inspired by the incredible craftspeople of Muskoka, I started a project to build our own artwork out of driftwood gathered from the lake. An old milk crate was placed in the wood shed, and soon it became a treasure chest of sorts. Anytime a family member or guest came across a piece of driftwood with interesting shape or character, it was added to the collection.
One summer afternoon, I drew the outline of a fish on a piece of plywood, cut it out, and painted it black so that any gaps between the driftwood wouldn’t be noticeable. A wrought-iron cupboard knob became the eye, and then the fun began. Bit by bit, the fish took shape, each piece of driftwood fitting in like a puzzle you leave out on the table for anyone to add to. The finished piece is rustic and playful, but also meaningful. It feels like a gift from the lake itself, created with love and laughter by all who contributed. My hope is to make a new fish each summer until the wall is filled with a whole school of driftwood art… a reminder of both the beauty of nature and the simple joys of cottage life.
To extend our time in the porch beyond the warmest summer days, we added a white Alderlea T4 Classic LE2 woodstove in the corner, installed by The Fire Within. It has quickly become one of my favourite additions. On those crisp Muskoka mornings, when the air carries just a hint of autumn, I love to light the stove, wrap myself in a blanket, and sip my coffee while reading The Morning Brew, with Henry curled up contentedly at my side. The gentle crackle of the fire and the view of the lake through the screens make the room feel like pure magic… part indoor comfort, part outdoor wonder.
This little screened porch has become so much more than just a bug-free sitting area. It’s a room that invites us to slow down, gather together, and savour the simple joys of Muskoka life. Whether it’s curling up by the woodstove on a cool morning, playing a board game on a rainy afternoon, or watching a movie on a summer night, the porch has grown into one of the most loved spaces at the cottage. What once was simply overflow space for family gatherings is now a retreat that holds new memories of our own, layered on top of the ones created here long ago.
At the heart of it all, this room reflects exactly what we want our cottage to be: a place that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and connected to the natural beauty around us. It isn’t perfect or polished, but it is comfortable, personal, and very much ours. And for us, that makes it just right.
Until next time,
