Porch improvement advice

8 months ago

Good day all!

We moved house 6 months ago and have always struggled deciding how to jazz up and lighten the front porch. We are somewhat limited by the fact the roof overhangs creating a practical but dark and rather drab front to the house.

We intend to change the front garden design including replacing the tarmac pathways with traditional limestone paving slabs, as well as changing the flower beds etc.

We were initially considering adding Oak beams and braces with a low wall for structure. Something similar to the below. However, we are still unsure and would welcome any advice or suggestions.

A couple of neighbours have extended/squared off the corner and by doing so increased the internal space. However, we aren't looking to invest too much money due to a planned extension to the side & rear, and we would miss the practicalities of having somewhere to hide from the rain. Yet I understand compromises must be made somewhere.

Thanks,

Anthony.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Studio Four Point Ten
8 months ago
Hi Anthony,

Your message caught my attention so thought I'd see if I can be of any help. Many follow up questions really, as its always hard to know what best to do until you understand how its been built and where the structure is, especially if you're not looking to spend too much on major changes.

1. What orinetation is the front door? What kind of light will this area get during the day and what opportunity is there to open up to more light (be that in the morning or evening for instance..)

2. Is the roof space over this area used or accessible internally, or does the outside wall structure continue up above the front door? This may dictate whether or not you can open up or lift the soffit to make it feel more welcoming, and may dictate how difficult or expensive it would be to do so.

3. As it's a black painted soffit under here, it will tend to feel rather enclosed beneath. You may find that simply lightening this up (with paint), or replacing the soffit boards with a lighter natural timber battening would add greater interest and feel less oppressive.

4. Obviously there is some important structure in there so you have to be careful what you choose to remove or replace without impacting on the roof support, which could otherwise get costly. Try to gain a better understanding of what is hidden above here to ascertain if the soffit can be raised or removed, and if in any doubt speak with a good local builder to help you do this safely.

5. Also check you're not in a specially designated area (like a conservation area) that might otherwise limit what you are allowed to do out front without seeking permission.

Hope that helps as a starting point.
Jen
8 months ago
Painting the soffit beneath the porch roof the same white as your doorframe, and the door a glorious, sunny yellow might be all that’s required?
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Thanks for all the comments so far. It's a small 2 bedroom "house", approx 700sqft. -Fridge: yes this is one of my concerns too, just unsure how to fit in a full size. -Microwave: I never knew there were corner versions! That could change things! -Glazed doors: very good point, I had thought it might make the kitchen feel bigger and less claustrophic, but actually as you say, could look dated and less tidy. And agreed, sounds good going for one clean style of cupboard doors styles. -Angled cupboard: was thinking of making the most of the storage, but actually gives very little extra, and as you say will look dated, so good point! -Free standing counter: I think that would be a push, but it's food for thought, and potentially a small mobile butchers block might fit.. my main concern is that the front door is right there, so would be a bit hectic/cramped with people coming in and out if there was something in the middle. @Jonathan I think it probably would fit, and I like the idea, but we'd lose the dishwasher, I definitely have a think about rejigging the layout a bit, thanks.
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Tony Pearce
Original Author
8 months ago
Thanks both for your advice thus far. The idea of brightening the soffits is something I hadn't considered but would certainly make a difference.

Please see answers below.

1. The front door is west facing. Lots of light in the morning but we are lucky that the entrance remains quite bright throughout the day due to the decor and light coming in from the side and back of the house.

2. I believe the wall structure continues up. The house opposite with a slightly different design had its porch replaced recently and I managed to see it was a hollow timber structure holding the roof tiles up.

3. We would like to replace the dark cladding as a whole. Maybe this plus lightening up the soffits may help. Unfortunately there's block work under the cladding (not Brick) so it requires cladding of some sort.

4. Good point. When you say raise, do you mean reduce the overhang depth, as in sit it back a tile or two?

5. I don't believe so other than a convenient saying we can grow hedges around the front boundary to close the house off from the street.

P.s. A yellow door sounds glorious but will require some bravery :).

Thanks,

Anthony.
Jonathan
8 months ago
Personally I would:
1/ build brick around the corner post or replace it with something much more substantial.
2/ add spot lights to the underside of the itch and use dawn to dusk lights for practicality.
3/ Add tall planting in front of the brick wall to the right of the door.
4/Retile the porch area with a porcelain tile in a light colour to bounce light in.
5/ choose a more impactful colour for the front door.
Sonia
8 months ago
A cheap and cheerful update is to change the front door colour to something brighter and lighter, maybe a pale powder blue, and then painting the boarding in a lighter blue too or palest grey or white, giving it a bit of a New England look.

Porch improvement advice

Comments (5)

Studio Four Point Ten

Jen

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Sonia

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Porch improvement advice

Comments (5)

Studio Four Point Ten

Jen

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Tony PearceOriginal Author

Jonathan

Sonia

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Tony Pearce
Original Author