Front Porch Ideas for Ranch Style Homes

Screened-In Porch

• One option for your ranch home’s porch is to have it screened in. The screen helps protect guests from the elements and insects. A decorative concrete floor will hold up against any rain that makes it through the screen. A larger seating arrangement is possible with this type of porch design, so you can place a wicker loveseat and armchairs in the area for a comfortable grouping. A sleeping porch is an alternative that allows you to have a screened-in porch immediately off a front bedroom, such as the master bedroom. This type of porch will be visible from the front of the house but will be more intimate than a porch extended from the front door.

Porch With Attached Patio

• If you have an existing porch but it is small, adding a patio may be the most practical solution. This addition won’t require you to change the architecture of your existing porch but will add more square footage to the area. Brick pavers can help accent the brick façade that is common in Ranch style homes.

Wraparound Porch

• To maximize porch space, build a wraparound porch. This porch will extend from the front of the house to the side of the house. Wooden flooring or flooring painted in the same color as your home’s façade will complement the home’s design. Decorative railings add a charming feature to the wraparound design. Rocking chairs fit into the idyllic space. Add colorful cushions, a side table and a pitcher of tea to complete the staging.

Modifying Your Existing Porch

• If your ranch home has an existing porch, consider modifying the current porch to achieve the desired look. Add large columns to the front of the porch to make the porch a more prominent feature of the home. A decorative archway can also add architectural detail to the front of your porch without requiring a massive architectural overhaul. If your porch consists of wooden decking, you may be able to add more wooden planks to extend the square footage.