As we live in the United Kingdom, it’s safe to assume that most people will want a covered porch.
Open and screened porches are gorgeous additions in hotter regions of the United States and other countries; however, with so much rain, sleet, and fog in our winters, an open porch would be seldom used outside of summer.
Here are a few ideas for a covered, front porch in the UK, with a number of size and style considerations.
Deck chairs
While beach-style deck chairs might be a little bit kitsch for some people’s tastes, deck chairs refer literally to the act of adding some reclining chairs to your porch.
If you are lucky enough to have a large porch, which can wrap around the front of your property, then you have some room to play with.
Adding large, double-glazed windows to watch out of provides the perfect view to look out over. Wrap-around porches with deck chairs, and maybe even a coffee table for good measure, are perfect for country homes.
Useful storage
If you have minimal space for your porch, you will need to be clever about how you use your storage. Here are a few options to consider:
- A table with multiple drawers: vertical-stacked drawers provide you with somewhere to hide keys, umbrellas and other front-door essentials.
- Vertical shoe-racks are an ingenious way of saving space. If you have kids who are prone to chucking their shoes to the side when they get in, then get them into the habit of chucking them into a vertical shoe cabinet instead.
- Coat pegs: better to opt for pegs rather than a rack when it comes to storing your items.
Add a glass roof
If your reason for adding an extension in the first place is to add a feeling of spaciousness to your home, then there are ways of adding to this using glass.
Opening up the roof of your porch extension by using glass will flood it with light and make it feel even roomier.
A burst of colour
While your porch extension may carry out a very practical purpose, it’s good to ensure that you still maintain at least a little bit of fun and playfulness with how it looks.
An all-white extension could feel Scandinavian and chic, or it could just feel a little too clean and dull.
Adding a coloured wall or pops of vibrancy through your storage features could help it to feel uniquely yours in terms of style.
Double doors
If you want a grand entrance to your home, then double doors could be an intriguing option to think about.
You will need planning permission for anything larger than three square foot of floor space, but if this is something that doesn’t phase you, then two clear double doors could add a bit of a wow-factor to the front of your home.
When it comes to adding a porch extension, have a think about how it will practically function for your home.
You will want to ensure that it can also partially function as a means of storing everyday belongings, as well as being easy on the eye and providing a break from your front door and the outdoors.