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- 1). Measure the space you will allow for the porch. Use a sketchpad to draw the house facade, porch roof lines and overhang areas. Design a porch shape that blends with the house, so it will look original to the home construction. Plan to enclose the porch with opaque materials, but use windows in large areas to keep the porch open to outdoor views.
- 2). Research enclosure materials that complement the house. Brick veneer or cut stones are options to enclose the lower sections of the porch's walls. You could also install siding over 2-by-4-inch framing to enclose the bottom half of the porch. Plan to insulate the roof areas, floor joist spaces and outer walls to enhance the room's comfort during spring, summer and fall.
- 3). Plan the interior look with natural materials and colors. Use tongue-and-groove wooden walls, for example. Add a media cabinet made of cut stones and oak board shelving. Give the room a relaxed feeling by selecting sofas in light green and area rugs of bamboo or natural fibers. Incorporate masonry products, such as wood, stone and brick, along with lots of plants to make the room seem in harmony with the outdoors.
- 4). Finalize plans for furnishing the porch. Buy chairs, tables and possibly a bed. Plan to construct a media cabinet for a television, computer and CD player. Don't install plumbing, because you can't use the porch in winter; however, do include a couple of portable oil-filled radiator heaters. Use the heaters on chilly days to extend the time you can use the porch.
- 5). Sketch the room in detail once you've defined a design. Transfer the design to graph paper and obtain a building permit before starting construction. Talk with city officials about your design to see if they have any suggestions for your project.
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