Turning a Porch Into a Study

Goal of the Room

• Prior to beginning the construction phase of the project, determine the overall goal of the room. Since it will be used as a study, consider whether you'll be placing a computer or entertainment system in the room, or if you'll use it primarily as a place to read and perform research. Outlining the overall goal of the room will help determine whether you need to fully enclose the space with walls or if you should only install screens to keep bugs and extreme weather at bay.

Privacy

• If your porch faces the street or if you have neighbors close by you'll need to determine the level of privacy you wish to achieve. For a quiet, closed-off space installing walls completely around the porch with only a few windows may be ideal. However, if you wish to keep the outdoor feel while still achieving full privacy when desired, you could install large curtains that may be closed or opened. Soundproofing may be an issue if you live near a busy street, or loud neighbors. If you wish to cut off exterior noises, or prevent interior noises from seeping out, building walls with soundproof material may be a requirement.

Interior Design

• Determining the overall interior design will help during the construction process as it governs how the space should be built. For example, if you plan on placing a large work desk and bookshelves within the study, you'll need to ensure the space is built large enough to accommodate these essential items. On the other hand, if this area will only be outfitted with a small sofa or several chairs for light reading you may not need to transform the entire porch into a study.

DIY or Contractor

• Depending on the depth of the construction process, it may be best to hire a professional contractor. If you're only performing minor upgrades to the porch, such as installing curtains or screens, you may not need to hire a contractor. Because transforming an outdoor area into an enclosed room requires electrical wiring and more advanced-level construction steps, don't attempt the job unless you're a trained electrician and contractor. Contact several general contractors to obtain a quote, and follow up by contacting the Better Business Bureau to determine if the contractor or electrician has any complaints filed against him. While it's generally less expensive to construct and wire a room yourself, if you don't have experience doing so you may end up spending more money than necessary to repair and fix any mistakes.