Need Front Porch Ideas

by Jenn
(Bridgewater, MA, US)

QUESTION: I am buying this house and need ideas for a great front porch!

ANSWER: Jenn, this is quite a charming house and one that is just meant for a front porch!

Option 1
I'd love to see you install a gable-style roof that covers the front door and window to the right of the door. I'd extend it out about 8 feet which is plenty of room for a porch swing and a few chairs.

Here's an example below of a ranch style home porch conversion. This porch is what we call "heavy" because of the size of the columns, etc. We don't recommend that for your home, but you can get a good idea of what we mean by a gable-style porch roof.

For your porch; however, I'd use columns, railings, and perhaps trim as in the photo below. Yours will be a smaller sized porch but it will still have lots of charm. I'll put links to more information on columns, railings, and trim at the bottom of our reply.



Option 2
Option 2 is the same as above but with a shed-type roof design instead. Here's an example of a shed-type roof. This would also work just as well and be less expensive.





Then I'd landscape the around the porch and install a brick or paver sidewalk to the driveway.



Depending on your budget, you may want to consider having someone do 3-D graphics of what your home and porch could look like. It is a great way to see the end result before you start construction. Here's a link for more information if you are interested.

Links:
Porch Parts
Porch Columns
Porch Railings
Exterior House Trim


This should give you a good start and please let us know the outcome of your home project. We'd love to share any before and after photos you may have!

Dave