Before and After: 3 Back Porches That Upgrade Outdoor Living
New configurations, furnishings and amenities transform these indoor-outdoor spaces and extend their seasonal use
A porch can create an inviting, sheltered transition between your yard and indoor living spaces — expanding the use and enjoyment of your home and enhancing architectural interest. Adding features such as a fireplace, screens or ceiling fans not only improves the comfort of a porch, they can also extend their use into warmer or cooler months of the year. Check out the following three back porches and see if any of these renovations inspire ideas for your home.
After: The design-build firm completely overhauled the structure, rebuilding a larger and stronger porch with new outdoor amenities. The homeowners now have easy access to their pool and backyard, a comfortable spot where they can supervise their daughter while she’s swimming and plenty of room to host and entertain friends.
The new design brings more of a contemporary style to the outdoor space, something the homeowners wanted. The designers left the home’s existing facade as a way to maintain continuity between the new design and the original house. “We definitely wanted it to be cohesive and to not stick out,” Hadden says. The new porch features an expanded footprint, offering more room for outdoor entertaining while also creating a safe, easy transition down to the backyard.
A new set of stairs leads to the pool area and backyard. The new configuration takes up less space than the previous stairs and makes it easier for the homeowners to use a storage area under the porch that is accessible through new double doors.
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The new design brings more of a contemporary style to the outdoor space, something the homeowners wanted. The designers left the home’s existing facade as a way to maintain continuity between the new design and the original house. “We definitely wanted it to be cohesive and to not stick out,” Hadden says. The new porch features an expanded footprint, offering more room for outdoor entertaining while also creating a safe, easy transition down to the backyard.
A new set of stairs leads to the pool area and backyard. The new configuration takes up less space than the previous stairs and makes it easier for the homeowners to use a storage area under the porch that is accessible through new double doors.
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A lounge area occupies half of the new porch, with comfy furniture, a gas fireplace and a wall-mounted TV giving the homeowners plenty of space to entertain — even in winter months. (An outdoor kitchen and bar area fill the other half of the porch.)
Encaustic tile surrounds the outdoor fireplace, adding interest and also lending a slightly more Spanish-style feel to tie in with the look of the house. “We looked at a bunch of spaces on Houzz that use encaustic tile,” Hadden says. The fireplace area and built-in shelves next to it screen the view of the house next door.
A new roof completely covers the outdoor porch, spanning up to the second story. A natural cedar ceiling warms up the space, with additional skylights bringing in natural light. When redesigning the roof, the designers reduced the slope, offering the homeowners a better view from their second-story master suite. New ceiling fans provide air movement during hot summer months.
See more of this porch makeover
Encaustic tile surrounds the outdoor fireplace, adding interest and also lending a slightly more Spanish-style feel to tie in with the look of the house. “We looked at a bunch of spaces on Houzz that use encaustic tile,” Hadden says. The fireplace area and built-in shelves next to it screen the view of the house next door.
A new roof completely covers the outdoor porch, spanning up to the second story. A natural cedar ceiling warms up the space, with additional skylights bringing in natural light. When redesigning the roof, the designers reduced the slope, offering the homeowners a better view from their second-story master suite. New ceiling fans provide air movement during hot summer months.
See more of this porch makeover
2. Light and Bright Screened-In Living and Dining Space
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two young kids and a puppy
Location: Apex, North Carolina
Size: 850-square-foot (79-square-meter) screened porch and 400-square-foot (37-square-meter) deck
Designer: Catherine French Design
Before: When a family in North Carolina hired designer Catherine French to add a screened porch to their home, they requested a space where they could entertain, eat and lounge while the kids played, and where one of the homeowners could comfortably work from home full time. The family wanted a space that allowed them to connect with the woodland that surrounds their home while also protecting them from their region’s pesky mosquitoes and allergy-inducing pollen.
There had been a smaller deck where the porch is now, but it sat much lower than the house, didn’t provide enough space for the family to do some activities and didn’t cover or protect anyone from the elements or from mosquitoes. “We were trying to bring it all back up on one level, where they could entertain and hang out,” French says.
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two young kids and a puppy
Location: Apex, North Carolina
Size: 850-square-foot (79-square-meter) screened porch and 400-square-foot (37-square-meter) deck
Designer: Catherine French Design
Before: When a family in North Carolina hired designer Catherine French to add a screened porch to their home, they requested a space where they could entertain, eat and lounge while the kids played, and where one of the homeowners could comfortably work from home full time. The family wanted a space that allowed them to connect with the woodland that surrounds their home while also protecting them from their region’s pesky mosquitoes and allergy-inducing pollen.
There had been a smaller deck where the porch is now, but it sat much lower than the house, didn’t provide enough space for the family to do some activities and didn’t cover or protect anyone from the elements or from mosquitoes. “We were trying to bring it all back up on one level, where they could entertain and hang out,” French says.
After: Now, from the comfort of their screened-in porch, the family of four can dine, relax and take in the surroundings year-round.
In designing the porch, French worked to balance the Scandinavian style the homeowner liked while incorporating the more transitional architecture and style of the house. She kept the lines clean and the spaces open, design moves that work with both styles. The porch’s exterior, though, matches more closely with the home’s style, after contractor Architrave Construction worked diligently to match the new and existing siding.
Steps from the screened porch lead down to a small outdoor deck that features Trex decking and the same vertical black baluster (powder-coated three-quarter-inch aluminum) used throughout the project.
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In designing the porch, French worked to balance the Scandinavian style the homeowner liked while incorporating the more transitional architecture and style of the house. She kept the lines clean and the spaces open, design moves that work with both styles. The porch’s exterior, though, matches more closely with the home’s style, after contractor Architrave Construction worked diligently to match the new and existing siding.
Steps from the screened porch lead down to a small outdoor deck that features Trex decking and the same vertical black baluster (powder-coated three-quarter-inch aluminum) used throughout the project.
Shop for patio furniture on Houzz
When designing the porch, French started with how the homeowners wanted it to function — as a place to eat and relax outside with friends and family (as well as a spot where one of the homeowners could work from home). The designer made the porch wide enough to easily accommodate a table for six, with plenty of room for kids and adults — and a dog — to move freely. She also designated plenty of space for lounge furniture.
Then, French layered in the decor. “She loves the modern Scandinavian [look],” she says of the homeowner, which they finalized by browsing Houzz photos to create a space that’s white and light and would open up to the surrounding views. “She didn’t want to lose the view of the trees,” the designer says. The walls are covered with HardiePlank lap siding (Colonial Smooth), painted Highly Reflective White by Sherwin-Williams. There was room for a vaulted ceiling, which adds to the airy feel the homeowner wanted while also tying in with the rest of the home’s roof structure.
A gas fireplace sits centered on the far wall of the porch, warming up the space during cooler months. PollenTec screens on both sides retain the views of the surrounding woodland and keep almost all of the seasonal pollen out.
See more of this porch makeover
Then, French layered in the decor. “She loves the modern Scandinavian [look],” she says of the homeowner, which they finalized by browsing Houzz photos to create a space that’s white and light and would open up to the surrounding views. “She didn’t want to lose the view of the trees,” the designer says. The walls are covered with HardiePlank lap siding (Colonial Smooth), painted Highly Reflective White by Sherwin-Williams. There was room for a vaulted ceiling, which adds to the airy feel the homeowner wanted while also tying in with the rest of the home’s roof structure.
A gas fireplace sits centered on the far wall of the porch, warming up the space during cooler months. PollenTec screens on both sides retain the views of the surrounding woodland and keep almost all of the seasonal pollen out.
See more of this porch makeover
3. Screened Lounge Overlooking the Water
Porch at a Glance
Who uses it: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Architect: Christopher Strom
Contractor: Crown Construction
Before: A couple bought this house overlooking a split in the Minnehaha Creek, which flows between Lake Minnetonka and the Mississippi River in Minnesota, explicitly for its location and beautiful views. They hired architect Christopher Strom to make sure they could make the most of their waterfront views by upgrading an existing deck, screened-in porch and riverfront landscape.
While the home already had a deck and screened-in porch that overlooked the creek, the design’s chunkier railings, staircase and overgrown shrubs obscured the vista. Plus, “the back of the house looked like a big white box,” Strom says.
Porch at a Glance
Who uses it: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Architect: Christopher Strom
Contractor: Crown Construction
Before: A couple bought this house overlooking a split in the Minnehaha Creek, which flows between Lake Minnetonka and the Mississippi River in Minnesota, explicitly for its location and beautiful views. They hired architect Christopher Strom to make sure they could make the most of their waterfront views by upgrading an existing deck, screened-in porch and riverfront landscape.
While the home already had a deck and screened-in porch that overlooked the creek, the design’s chunkier railings, staircase and overgrown shrubs obscured the vista. Plus, “the back of the house looked like a big white box,” Strom says.
After: Strom replaced the original deck and screened-in porch with new structures in the same spot. He relocated the staircase that led from the deck down to the water so it’s now behind the porch, adding a spiral version that has a much smaller footprint and stays out of view. He also did a lot to upgrade the landscaping beneath the deck and porch, including opening up views to the water and expanding access to the creek.
The new deck cuts toward the house at an oblique angle in order to reduce the property’s impervious surfaces, which were limited due to local Edina and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District restrictions. Strom rebuilt the new porch in about the same spot as before. “The homeowners liked it off to the side because it preserved the views from inside the house,” he says.
Contrasting materials for the new porch and deck help minimize the feeling of the big white box that the original deck and porch evoked. Strom also replaced some of the home’s bay windows and sliding doors and removed the rest of the recessed bays in order to reduce the home’s imposing feel. He also added a skirt roof between the second and third stories in order to break down the scale of the house and add more contrasting color and texture.
The new deck cuts toward the house at an oblique angle in order to reduce the property’s impervious surfaces, which were limited due to local Edina and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District restrictions. Strom rebuilt the new porch in about the same spot as before. “The homeowners liked it off to the side because it preserved the views from inside the house,” he says.
Contrasting materials for the new porch and deck help minimize the feeling of the big white box that the original deck and porch evoked. Strom also replaced some of the home’s bay windows and sliding doors and removed the rest of the recessed bays in order to reduce the home’s imposing feel. He also added a skirt roof between the second and third stories in order to break down the scale of the house and add more contrasting color and texture.
From inside the new screened-in porch, the homeowners can sit during the warmer months of the year and take in the unobstructed view of the waterway that flows right in front of their house. The 16-by-16-foot porch features upholstered lounge furniture and a small cafe table and chairs, which the homeowners stow away during winter. Otherwise, the porch doesn’t need to be winterized.
The steel-cable railings and wood handrail keep views open. “Because the impervious surface requirements limited the size of the deck, we used a facia-mounted system for the railings,” Strom says. The railings mount to the front of the deck, rather than the top. The team used a composite material made of recycled plastic and bamboo for the decking.
See more of this porch makeover
More on Houzz
How to Get Started Adding a Porch
Read more stories about porches
Browse thousands of porch photos
Work with a landscape designer
Shop for your outdoor spaces
The steel-cable railings and wood handrail keep views open. “Because the impervious surface requirements limited the size of the deck, we used a facia-mounted system for the railings,” Strom says. The railings mount to the front of the deck, rather than the top. The team used a composite material made of recycled plastic and bamboo for the decking.
See more of this porch makeover
More on Houzz
How to Get Started Adding a Porch
Read more stories about porches
Browse thousands of porch photos
Work with a landscape designer
Shop for your outdoor spaces
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a daughter in elementary school
Location: Davenport Ranch neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 480 square feet (45 square meters)
Designer and builder: CG&S Design-Build
Before: The owners of this home in Austin, Texas, hired CG&S Design-Build to renovate their porch, which was basically falling off the back of their house. In addition to the porch’s structural issues, its existing skylights also leaked whenever it rained. Stairs leading down to the backyard offered convenient access between the house and the pool, but they took up valuable space that the designers hoped to recoup during the redesign.
In addition to creating a safe outdoor space, the homeowners also wanted more room for outdoor entertaining. A gathering space for adults that also offered a view of and access to the pool topped the list. “They just wanted a space that they felt comfortable in. They didn’t want to feel cramped when people were out there,” says Sara Hadden, who oversaw the project’s design.