If you expand on that side, you are sitting by cars in the driveway. Why not go the other way? Just a patio. Not a covered patio. Add a bit of fun in front of the windows.

I think it would look better to pave to the right of the door, so ask yourself whether it is going to bother you to be so close to the driveway like auntthelma said.

We're pretty committed to going to the driveway side. Mostly because it just fits there so much better with that open space directly next to the little porch there now. We've always had a little table with 2 chairs set-up there since we owned the house.

Also, there is a carport there and our cars are always (literally 100% of the time) in the carport. The white car in the photo is sticking out a little further than usual because of "stuff" in the carport from the construction. Besides that, we've built a 2 car detached garage in the back, so the driveway is being expanded away from the house so there will always be room for cars farther from the sitting area. We'd definitely not be sitting next to cars.

I should add, I'm having a hard time imagining what it would look like if we went the other way with a patio. If I thought it would look good I'd definitely consider it, but this is actually the first time the idea has been presented. All of the builders we spoke with and our draftsman thought the way to go was toward the driveway.

But again, we'd be open to anything that would look attractive!

I think you could consider ripping out your current porch and building a low brick wall (or even a planter like the one in the pictures) along the driveway side to sort of separate it from the porch area. I couldn't find a good picture of what I mean but hopefully this could give you some inpiration.

You could have a higher wide portion under the triple window or make it all the same level for the most flexibility in moving furniture etc. I would also have a walkway that wraps around the porch from the driveway. Unless it's super common in your neighborhood, I would skip the sidewalk to the street. We had that in a home and ripped it up becasue no one ever used it. Even kids on bikes will park in the driveway.

Front Entry Patio Beloit WI · More Info

Imagine your driveway on the far side of the patio.

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Again imagine your driveway beyond the low wall.

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add pavers to that grassy area.

lots of options... Can you change your entry to the bank of windows?

Since budget is an issue - I would do some landscaping at the base of the home and tuck 2 Adirondack chairs in the grassy spot between the porch and the driveway (and landscape that area appropriately) - in other words, I think there are a lot of ways you could create a nice spot to sit out front without having to resort to construction

You could paver that area in to make sure it's smooth and flat for outdoor furniture, and let the furniture do the work. If you like table seating, get a table that can have an umbrella. Or if you like more casual seating, look for ones that have their own awnings or shades on them. A quick finish of edging the outer side of the sidewalk with some containers of what you like would be nice. Flowers, herbs, small veggies, ect. It will provide a feeling of proper enclosure to the area, with something nice. If you like it you could plan in some more serious landscaping. If you don't, containers are easy to change or move out. Add in a couple outdoor lights.

@la_la Girl - you are definitely on the same page as I am. I'm really trying to keep it simple and inexpensive.

The entire exterior of the house is brand spanking new - siding, doors, windows, roof - everything. So ripping out or moving or building anything is absolutely not an option.

What you suggest is the closest to what we're thinking. The only difference is we might poor a little concrete there to extend the current porch and lift a couple of chairs off of the ground. (We're in the buggy south!)

I put the question out here to see if there was some sort of simple and inexpensive idea we were overlooking. Thanks to all.