A great front porch begins with a simple idea: Add beauty and function to your front entrance and enhance your curb appeal.

What makes the concept so exciting is the variety of options available. It can also be extremely daunting. But it doesn’t have to be when you have the right resource on your side!

With an experienced contractor — like Georgia Front Porch — you can create the best solutions for your home and for your budget. For example, is a front porch right for your home or would a portico be a better option for your front entrance? Should your design feature a round, square, or tapered porch column?

Start with what YOU want to accomplish. Is the goal to extend your living space to the great outdoors? Do you see it as a place to entertain or to welcome guests or neighbors who walk by your home?

Use resources like Houzz or Pinterest for ideas. Create a digital or paper folder of ideas you can share with your contractor who should also bring his own ideas into the discussion.

Be prepared to dig into the details to determine flooring material, posts, ceilings, roofing, siding, trim, doors, and more. Another thing to consider is the roofline because you want to ensure your new front porch or portico is a natural fit with your home’s architectural design.

Architectural Styles for Your Front Porch

It’s very important that your front porch stylistically complements your home’s design.

For example, classical style homes typically have a central entrance and the same number of windows on each side of the door. Victorian homes are a perfect fit for wraparound porches. Traditionally this style features elaborate decorative details like intricate balustrades and moldings. Colonial home front porches typically are on the smaller side and feature crown molding, columns, or pilasters.

Farmhouse homes are ideal for wraparound porches that feature shingled roofs with dormers, gables, and simple moldings.

If your desire is to extend your living space AND entertain, then an expansive front porch is a must. Given Atlanta’s sunny climate, a generous front porch with ceiling fans is a great way to beat the heat, relax with friends and neighbors, and enjoy the fresh air even when summer arrives.

With a roof to cover your porch, select your outdoor furniture wisely to increase the livability of your new space. Rockers are great but upholstered furnishings will be more comfortable and inviting for you and your guests. If you haven’t recently shopped for porch furniture, you’ll be surprised by how cushy and thick the upholstery for furniture is. In many cases, they are just as comfortable as indoor furniture. Space permitting, consider a porch swing to complete the picture of the ideal front porch.

Don’t Forget a Main Focal Point

Your front door is a key design feature so make sure you review your options early in the front porch design process. Your choice should be driven by the impact you want the door to have on your home. Whether it is a vivid color, an impressive archway, or stunning reclaimed wood, your door should be inviting. Also, be sure to consider lighting, mail slots, or street numbers when you make your final decision.

Check Local or Subdivision Building Codes

Before you begin, make sure that your design meets all requirements. In some cases, there are separate requirements for different components like columns, stairs, and rails. Better yet, at Georgia Front Porch, we do the research for you. Contact us today!