Porches
Stylistic Details of a Porch Define the Character of a House
Porches were originally intended for purely utilitarian function, and became popular in the American South where the summer heat was intolerable without a shaded respite. Porches also provided a way to communicate with neighbors and keep an eye out on the surrounding land, a space open to nature within the safety of home. Throughout the majority of the 20th century porches were no longer a key element in residential architecture, but they are again gaining in popularity.
Numerous house styles make use of the porch as their defining element. Choose a Craftsman home with a deep, shaded porch, a Queen Anne with a unique wraparound, or a Greek Revival house with stately columns providing a grand entrance. Farmhouse, Country, Tidewater, and Bungalow homes will also offer the comfort of outdoor living at the front of the home.
Stylistic details of the porch often define the character of a house. For example, columns can be one or two stories high, round or square, light and airy or heavy and grounding. Cornices, piers, woodwork and roofline are different for every style; and of course paint color can be used to further enhance a porch’s appeal. Craftsman homes usually have heavy piers that extend to ground level, with lighter columns supporting the roofline. Queen Anne homes will have woodwork painted in a variety of colors to set their unique architectural elements apart. A farmhouse usually evokes a simpler time and is often painted white with basic columns and balustrade.
Today’s porches still serve the utilitarian need for shade, but they are quickly becoming an extension of the interior home. Owners display their decorative style before even entering the home, and treat the porch as an outdoor room. Outfit your porch with fans, unique light fixtures, porch furniture and artwork that suits your own personal style.
Related Collections: Craftsman Queen Anne Farmhouse Tidewater CountryMatching Plans (16499)
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Country Masterpiece
- Style:
- Country
- Size:
- 2,097 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 70’
- Depth:
- 59’
- Baths:
- 3
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Your Own Chateau
- Style:
- French Country
- Size:
- 4,629 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 84’
- Depth:
- 102’
- Baths:
- 4
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Coveted Cottage
- Style:
- Cottage
- Size:
- 2,097 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 64’
- Depth:
- 59’
- Baths:
- 3
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Country Charmer with Open Layout
- Style:
- Country
- Size:
- 2,443 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 52’
- Depth:
- 55’
- Baths:
- 2
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Grand Foyer
- Style:
- French Country
- Size:
- 4,012 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 74’
- Depth:
- 70’
- Baths:
- 4
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Room to Entertain
- Style:
- Prairie
- Size:
- 4,185 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 115’
- Depth:
- 81’
- Baths:
- 4
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Tavern-Like Stylings
- Style:
- French Country
- Size:
- 2,525 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 67’
- Depth:
- 55’
- Baths:
- 3
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Mountainside Majesty
- Style:
- Ranch
- Size:
- 2,091 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 78’
- Depth:
- 71’
- Baths:
- 2
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Lazy Afternoons
- Style:
- Country
- Size:
- 1,286 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 25’
- Depth:
- 36’
- Baths:
- 2
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Refined Ranch
- Style:
- Ranch
- Size:
- 1,698 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 48’
- Depth:
- 58’
- Baths:
- 2
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Grand Outdoor Living Area
- Style:
- French Country
- Size:
- 2,847 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 88’
- Depth:
- 84’
- Baths:
- 3
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Fancy French Country
- Style:
- French Country
- Size:
- 3,349 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 118’
- Depth:
- 72’
- Baths:
- 4
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Covered BBQ Porch
- Style:
- Craftsman
- Size:
- 3,126 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 104’
- Depth:
- 84’
- Baths:
- 2
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Grand Master Suite with Office
- Style:
- Mediterranean
- Size:
- 2,831 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 84’
- Depth:
- 77’
- Baths:
- 3
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 0
-
Center Stage
- Style:
- Spanish Revival
- Size:
- 2,539 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 1
- Width:
- 75’
- Depth:
- 68’
- Baths:
- 2
- Beds:
- 3
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
-
Luxurious Window Walls
- Style:
- Italianate
- Size:
- 3,804 Sq. Ft
- Stories:
- 2
- Width:
- 85’
- Depth:
- 80’
- Baths:
- 4
- Beds:
- 4
- 1/2 baths:
- 1
