Outdoor Ideas: A Look at Porches & Decks
Now more than ever, porches, decks and outdoor living spaces are essential to new home construction. They provide superior protection to doors, windows and exterior walls. They help with a home’s energy efficiency, and have many other positive benefits. While all those points are important functionally, the necessity of the outdoor spaces today may be most needed because of our culture.
Many of us have memories from our past of time shared outside on the porch. Personally, I love it when a Spring storm blows in. I go out on our screened porch and just enjoy watching it rain. The smells, the sounds, and the feeling of the cool breeze rushing by is both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Most importantly though, it reminds me of time with family. Growing up, my father and I would do the same, and I guess that is why it sticks with me even today. It was an opportunity for him to pull me away from MTV, or video games. It gave him a time to relax. Most importantly, it gave us time to connect.
Distractions within our homes are continuously growing; cell phones, iPads and iPods, recorded television shows, and the list goes on. One great way to connect with family is by spending it outside of the home. Equipping your new home with porches and decks is beneficial to your family, relaxation, and is also good for the home itself in terms of protection and appeal.
The rest of this article is dedicated to photography and ideas. Most are practical and affordable ideas rather than over-the-top. Use them as starting points to create the perfect space outside your home.
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- The porch of a home is often the first area visitors get to see up-close. Designs like this allow for a beautiful entry way, but also serve a functional purpose to the home owners. Extending an open deck beyond the covered porch creates an even greater open feeling.
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- Does it get any better than the traditional front (or back) porch swing? It’s easy, affordable, and provides a great place to relax. With Honest Abe’s exposed 4×6 porch rafters, hanging a swing is no problem. The standard width of our porch designs are eight feet wide, so there will be plenty of room for the porch swing as well.
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- This development’s clubhouse (a hybrid log/timber frame built by Honest Abe) features a pool area open to home owners. They chose to use rustic log and timber components for their pool house and shelter area.
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- Elevated porches have a number of benefits. Besides adding extra protection to the walls, door and windows, they can create a secluded escape. Often, these areas are accessed from the master bedroom. With private access, the area becomes the owner’s private get-a-way. The added height is great for enjoying the beautiful views that many of our log and timber homes seem to enjoy.
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- Honest Abe’s porch materials can also be used for sheds and shelters. This Honest Abe Log Home features an extensive amount of back porch to the home, then also incorporates a rustic shelter over a portion of their pool.
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- Porches don’t have to maintain the traditional “shed” design or appearance. This “gable” porch roof creates a grand entrance into this Honest Abe Log Home. By incorporating the right mixture of multiple tiers, stone work, exposed rafters, lighting and details, this porch is sure to leave an impression with visitors.
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- Exterior fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular. Winter or summer, they become a natural gathering area.
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- When you have a great view to take advantage of like the one above, make sure your design incorporates proper outdoor living areas. This gazebo is elevated about 12’ off the ground and attached to the first floor porch of the home.
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