Veranda Ideas and Designs
If you think your home could benefit from a sheltered outdoor structure, either for dining outside or just taking your coat and boots off as you enter your house, take a look at the porch, portico and veranda ideas, designs and photos from homeowners and designers to take inspiration.
How do I choose a veranda design?
Glass verandas are one of the most common veranda designs because they let in light, offer slight shade and still protect from the elements, while wooden verandas are also popular due to their traditional-looking style. If your garden and house exterior are styled classically then a wooden veranda or pergola may be the way to go and you may want to consider tiling the roof of the veranda with the same type of tiles you have on your main roof, so everything ties in neatly. Wrought iron and glass verandas can also look classic in their style, appearing almost Victorian, and if you have dark framed windows or other ironwork in your garden or home, this style of veranda could work nicely. Metal and glass verandas would better suit contemporary tastes, and if you don't want the normal pitched roof style, look at flat roofs and verandas and pergolas in unique shapes and designs.
You can choose to have either a supported veranda with posts, similar to a pergola structure, or a cantilever veranda that protrudes from a wall of your house without support via posts to the ground. Obviously if you want more space under your veranda then a cantilever veranda is the way to go, but the look of cantilevers is not always to everyone's taste. Otherwise you may only need posts at each end that won't have to be large and in the way if you need the room.
How do I choose a new porch?
Think about what you want from your porch – if, for example, your front door opens straight into your living room, you may want the added privacy of an enclosed porch rather than a portico-style covering. Appearance is, of course, all-important; the front of your house, after all, creates the first impression of your home. uPVC porches are great for insulation, but they may not look as good aesthetically. It’s important that your porch design fits in with that of your house, so keep brickwork and materials similar or complementary. Front doors provide a wonderful opportunity for dressing your house – embrace colour and gloss, and add attractive embellishments with door knockers, letter boxes and wall lights.
But don’t just take our word for it; take a look around for inspiration. Once you’ve decided which type and material of porch or portico would suit your house – whether it’s a brick, glass or an oak porch, you can now focus on the design and have a look at some great porch ideas from other Houzz users. Find images of traditional wooden porches that give a warmly welcome, large glass porch extensions that dramatically change home exteriors, and pictures of stone front porches and porticos.
Will I need planning permission for my veranda, pergola, porch or portico?
Usually verandas will need planning permission as they are not classed as permitted development under Class A, but there are exceptions, so check with your local planning authority first. Provided that your porch or portico follows the stipulated guidelines, it will be exempt from planning permission and building regulation approvals. Ensure that the external floor area of the porch is within three square metres and that its height does not exceed three metres. Finally, the furthest edge of the porch should not go beyond two metres of any boundary of the house and the road. If the porch or portico you want is bigger than these dimensions, make your life easier by employing a builder or porch specialist who will handle the planning and building regulations for you. Pergolas, as garden structure, also do not need planning permission as long as they adhere to standard regulations, but again, check online or with a professional before building one.
Entrance Porch. Photo by FPA
Photo of a classic veranda in Manchester.
Georgian style porch with coping - brianhannaway
Large victorian back veranda in Cheshire with tiled flooring.
Love this view - tyvinhaque3197
Photo of a farmhouse veranda in Chicago with a potted garden, concrete slabs and a roof extension.
House Number on Pillar, Bright Colour Door - sophie_lingard
Joe Kwon Photography
This is an example of a classic front veranda in Chicago with natural stone paving and a roof extension.
Front garden? Not the swing but a similar wooden bench on these slabs with nice simple plant pots - petegaskell11
The covered porch outside the study is furnished with comfortable teak lounge chairs and ottomans.
Robert Benson Photography
Design ideas for an expansive traditional back veranda in New York with natural stone paving and a roof extension.
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Design ideas for a country veranda in San Diego.
Marina Storm - Picture Perfect House
Design ideas for a large country front veranda in Chicago.
This is the front porch of this craftsman style home. It is inviting and provides pops of color. The bold colors brought about in the furniture and accessories enhance the homes facade and add that wow factor from the street.
curtain and chair in main entrance - morning_breeze
Inspiration for a traditional veranda in Other.
Design ideas for a classic screened veranda in DC Metro with a roof extension.
庭の木（木洩れ陽のイメージ） - r_hiramtsu
Live out here all summer long in this lovely berkshire outdoor porch
Photo of a farmhouse screened veranda in Boston with a roof extension.
This is an example of a medium sized farmhouse front veranda in Richmond with decking and a roof extension.
Andersen A-Series double-hung windows and Frenchwood outswing hinged patio door.
Photo of a medium sized nautical front veranda in Minneapolis with decking and a roof extension.
Tuscan Columns & Brick Porch
Inspiration for a large traditional front veranda in New Orleans with brick paving and a roof extension.
Color of house and shutters make - sunflower89
Exterior Paint Color: SW Dewy 6469
Exterior Trim Color: SW Extra White 7006
Furniture: Vintage fiberglass
Wall Sconce: Barnlight Electric Co
Medium sized nautical front screened veranda in Atlanta with concrete slabs and a roof extension.
color combination - pretty_nails6
Photo of a rural veranda in San Francisco with a potted garden and a pergola.
Thing over the top of the chairs - mariajohnston14
Screened porch is 14'x20'. photos by Ryann Ford
Design ideas for a classic screened veranda in Austin with decking and a roof extension.
would love the bottom part of home to be open windows to bring in light. - janelgately