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Porch Life: Modern Porches Step It Up
With dramatically different lines and sometimes not even a separate roof, modern porch designs leave tradition behind
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Close your eyes and think of the word "porch." Chances are, you are imagining a wraparound veranda on a farmhouse furnished with rocking chairs and a porch swing. However, modern architects have been reinterpreting the porch for years, stripping it down to its most basic elements while keeping the advantages and uses intact. Sometimes they remove "having a separate roof" from the definition, creating covered spaces underneath roof overhangs and balconies overhead.
A porch not only has delightful uses, but it also is a powerful design element that can transform the facade of a home. Here's a look at some modern and contemporary porches that may change what the word "porch" conjures up in your mind.
More Porch Life: Wraparound Porches | Sleeping Porches | Screened-In Porches
A porch not only has delightful uses, but it also is a powerful design element that can transform the facade of a home. Here's a look at some modern and contemporary porches that may change what the word "porch" conjures up in your mind.
More Porch Life: Wraparound Porches | Sleeping Porches | Screened-In Porches
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Traditional porches usually have a separate roof by definition, but modern rooflines often provide porch protection via an overhang from the main roof. This keeps the lines minimal and the porch's inclusion seamless and streamlined. A rainbow of butterfly chairs punctuate this exterior with color.
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I have to play favorites here. This is a former small barn in my neighborhood in Atlanta and is one of my all-time favorite houses. To the left is a two-story addition designed by Samuel "Sambo" Mockbee. The front porch with its metal roof and simple lines creates a perfect transition between the vernacular structure and the contemporary addition. The cheerful Eames rockers bring midcentury flair to the combination.
Side note: Mockbee's Rural Studio is still going strong today.
Side note: Mockbee's Rural Studio is still going strong today.
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Houzz contributor John Hill declares that entrance canopies are the new front porch.
More about modern entrance canopies
More about modern entrance canopies
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An extension of the roof beyond the exterior walls provides protection from the elements while keeping the clean lines of the house intact.
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This front porch extends the roof's strong diagonal line out over the entrance area. The thick beams serve as a sneak peek at the structure of the home.
by The Brick House
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Over at The Brick House, slats of wood add a wonderful contrasting detail to the front of the home and offer protection from the California's desert sun.
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This back porch, paired with folding doors that open completely, erase the boundary between indoors and out. The porch is the transitional space between the two.
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The wide-open space of this screened-in porch has sparse industrial appeal, from the concrete floor up to the high metal ceiling. The placement of the open walls takes full advantage of the breeze. The space also serves as a dogtrot.
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This roof overhang on the back of this home serves as a porch between the house and the pool. The line of the overhang continues around the side, providing shade over the windows and thus keeping the house cooler.
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The bold straight lines of this porch, along with other details like the Japanese-inspired windows and light fixtures, gives this traditionally shaped and shingled cottage a modern facade. It shows how the design of the porch can change the overall style of a house.
Browse more porches
More:
12 Ways to Prep the Porch for Summer
Breezeways: Architecture's Cool Connections
Browse more porches
More:
12 Ways to Prep the Porch for Summer
Breezeways: Architecture's Cool Connections
Comments
Wicker Patio Furniture and More Our screened in porch on the back of the house overlooks the pool and patio and is our favorite outdoor spot. Be sure to add some comfortable and stylish furniture so that you can take advantage of and enjoy your porch.
14 months ago · Like
kujo Becky Harris, you are just about the only author i add to my idea books. Great designs, great ideas, you're the best!
14 months ago · Like
Becky Harris Wow, thank you kujo!
14 months ago · Like
microhouse Front porches help to soften contemporary designs and make for better communities. http://www.microhousenw.com/ 
13 months ago · Like
suecochran819 Any of these porches would look beautiful with a bed swing from VintgePorchSwings.com. Check them out. With different finishes or special touches or suggestions, we can make it fit your way of life and decor. We will also work with your designer or builder.
8 months ago · Like
