The porch is a basic feature of every household in foreign countries. The basic setup of the porch usually involves using glass or other materials. According to the specific needs of customers, as well as the choice of porch materials, the design of the porch area size, the structural design of the porch area, the style design of the porch, etc., are all issues that will be encountered during the construction of the porch. Therefore, if you want to design the porch more completely or beautifully, you should try to perfect the porch design in the early design stage as much as possible. This can reduce the problems encountered during the actual construction and effectively reduce the corresponding economic expenditure.
Functional Layout
Buffer Space: The porch should serve as a transitional area between the indoor and outdoor spaces. There should be enough space for people to stay after entering the door, making it convenient for changing shoes, hanging clothes, etc. Generally speaking, an area of 3 to 6 square meters is more appropriate. The shape can be rectangular, square, or an irregular shape designed according to the building structure. For the front and back porches of the house, both the area and the materials to be used should be designed in advance. Try to reserve this buffer space as much as possible so that there is a place at the front and back of the house. This place can be used for enjoying the scenery, resting, and recuperating. You can also set up a tea room and place some sports equipment. You can do aerobic exercises in the morning, and the porch can also be used as a place for meditation and rest.
Storage Function: Set up a shoe cabinet to store shoes. Reasonably plan the capacity and size of the shoe cabinet according to the number of family members and the number of shoes owned. You can also install a hanging rod to hang hats, scarves, coats, and other clothes. The height is preferably between 1.5 and 1.7 meters, which is convenient for most people to hang and take easily. Drawers or storage boxes can also be added to store small items such as keys, wallets, and umbrellas to avoid random placement after entering the door. The porch, that is, the front and back of the house, can be used to place a shoe cabinet or other storage cabinets.
Resting Area: If the space permits, place a chair or a bench so that people can sit down when changing shoes, which is more comfortable and convenient. The height of the chair or bench is usually about 45 to 50 centimeters, and the length can be selected between 60 and 120 centimeters according to the size of the space. You can also set up sofas and some stools in the front and back of the porch to meet people’s daily leisure and entertainment needs. If the porch area is relatively large, you can place some tables for people to play cards and other entertainment games.
Daylighting and Lighting
Natural Daylighting: Try to set up windows in the porch to increase natural daylighting and make the space brighter and more transparent. The position and size of the windows should be determined according to the orientation of the building and the surrounding environment. For example, south-facing windows can receive sufficient sunlight during the day.
Artificial Lighting: Install chandeliers, wall lamps, or downlights to provide basic lighting. You can also set up auxiliary lighting above the shoe cabinet or near the hanging rod to make it convenient to find items. The color of the lights is preferably warm white to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Materials and Colors
Floor Materials: Choose anti-slip and wear-resistant materials, such as floor tiles, natural stone, or reinforced wood flooring. Floor tiles and natural stone have good anti-slip performance and are suitable for humid environments; reinforced wood flooring is more warm and comfortable to the touch. The color can be selected as a neutral color or a dark color that is coordinated with the overall indoor style, which is stain-resistant and easy to match.
Wall Materials: You can use latex paint, wallpaper, or tiles. Latex paint is easy to construct and has a rich choice of colors; wallpaper can create different textures and atmospheres; tiles are easy to clean and are suitable for porch areas that are prone to getting dirty.
Color Matching: The color of the porch should be unified with the overall indoor style. You can use the same color as the indoor walls, or choose contrasting colors to highlight the uniqueness of the porch. Generally speaking, light colors will make the space appear more spacious and bright, while dark colors will give a more stable feeling.
Beauty and Decoration
Green Plant Arrangement: Place some small green plants, such as succulents, Epipremnum aureum, Monstera deliciosa, etc., to add vitality and energy to the porch and also purify the air.
Art Decoration: Hang a painting, a photo wall, or install an artistic wall decoration to enhance the artistic atmosphere and taste of the porch. You can also place a small sculpture or ornament in the porch as a visual focal point of the space.
Door Design: The door is an important part of the porch. Choose a door type and material that match the overall style. For example, for a modern style, you can choose a simple flat-panel door, and for a Chinese style, you can use a solid wood door with traditional elements.
Safety and Protection
Anti-slip Measures: In addition to choosing anti-slip floor materials, you can also lay anti-slip mats on the floor to further improve safety, especially for families with the elderly or children.
Handrail Installation: If there are steps or height differences in the porch, handrails should be installed. The height of the handrails is generally between 0.9 and 1.05 meters, which is convenient for people to hold when going up and down.
Protection Facilities: Install anti-theft doors and windows. Choose products with reliable quality and good anti-theft performance to ensure family safety. You can also consider installing monitoring equipment or doorbell cameras to improve the safety and convenience of the porch.