33 Covered Porch Ideas We Love for Style All Year Round

A covered porch allows you to get the most from your outdoor space in many kinds of weather. A covered porch may be built into the architecture of an older home, or you can create a variation of a covered porch with an add-on that may be topped with a solid roof, a pergola, a tarp, a canopy, or another structure such as a retractable awning.

Covered porches make outdoor living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and other spaces more functional, shielding them from the elements while remaining open to the outdoors.

What's the difference between a covered porch and a patio?

A porch is usually covered and attached to any side of a house, whereas a patio is a freestanding, detached structure at the back of the house. “Covered porch” can mean anything from a porch, veranda, or lanai that is built into the side of the home to a covered patio or deck connected to the home as an extension.

Check out these covered porch ideas in a range of styles, settings, and budgets for inspiration.

Woven Pergola

Transform an open back patio deck by installing a pergola. Pergolas come in varying materials and styles to suit a range of exteriors. Kendall Wilkinson Design chose a modern black pergola that shades the seating area outside of this spacious primary bedroom. The woven design filters direct sunlight and throws intriguing shadows on the green lawn when the sun is shining.

Traditional Covered Porch

Hang a porch swing from the ceiling of a traditional covered porch to create a homey feel. Crisp Architects paired a porch swing with a second seating area on the open back porch that looks out over the backyard.

Covered Porch Gazebo

Transform your open backyard deck into a covered porch by installing a large gazebo on top of existing decking. Craftberry Bush renovated this outdoor space to create an outdoor living room and entertaining space that is decorated with furniture, rugs, plants, curtains, and accessories for a comfortable and cozy indoor-outdoor feel.

Covered Porch Curtains

Create a covered porch with a natural material like bamboo reed panels for an affordable and sustainable option. This covered back dining patio from Fantastic Frank is finished with billowy white curtains around the periphery to protect the space from harsh sun or rain.

Extra-Long Pergola

Install an extra-long pergola on the backside of your home to create the feel of a covered porch. Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs chose a dark wood stain to add contrast with the brick siding. Adjacent dining and living spaces are anchored with airy woven pendant lights that add visual interest during the day and ambient light in the evenings.

Fixed Awning

Use a fixed awning that is attached to the house and secured in place with posts to create a covered back porch for a DIY option that is less expensive than a permanent structure. A Beautiful Mess decorated the underside of the awning with a multitude of LED string lights for a starry night feel.

Covered Porch Styling

Don't forget to add lighting to your covered porch so that it's usable day or night. Give the covered porch on an older home a modern feel with comfortable seating and oversized lighting, like this space from Leanne Ford Interiors.

Central Covered Porch

Modern homes often include multiple outdoor spaces that are a hybrid between traditional porches and patios. Kate Marker Interiors made a focal point of a covered central porch that is just a few steps up from the adjacent patio and backyard. The covered patio is equipped with space heaters in the ceiling to make it usable year-round.

Is a covered porch a good investment?

A covered porch or patio will make your outdoor space more functional and can increase your quality of life by making it easier to spend time and socialize outside. It is a key home improvement upgrade that can add value to your home and may pay off in the future depending on the cost to build and other factors.

Covered Farmhouse Porch

Decorate a wraparound covered porch attached to an older home to give it a vintage feel. Liz Marie Blog styled this all-white farmhouse porch with vintage furniture and decor objects for an authentic feel that matches the architecture and style of the house.

Covered Porch Fireplace

Turn your covered back porch into an outdoor family room with an outdoor fireplace, TV, and plenty of seating. Chango & Co. added built-in firewood storage directly beneath the fireplace for chilly nights, and a ceiling fan to keep things cool on hot summer afternoons.

Rustic Covered Porch

Mix materials such as stone and reclaimed wood to give your covered porch a modern rustic feel. Marie Flanigan Interiors turned the roof of this covered porch into a feature with exposed beams that contrast with the stone floor and wall coverings. Comfortable modern furniture in neutral tones makes the space feel inviting.

Covered Upstairs Porch

Create a two-story covered porch on the back of a spacious home to provide double the outdoor entertaining space. This upper level covered terrace from Emily Henderson Design houses an outdoor TV and seating area, while a dining area is located on an adjacent open porch. Below there is another covered porch to create a second outdoor living room.

Covered Porch Kitchen

Create space for an outdoor kitchen with a covered porch or patio. Crisp Architects built this outdoor space beneath a bedroom. Can lights are embedded into the roof to provide adequate lighting, while a dining table and chairs provides space-saving seating.

Ground Level Covered Porch

The large covered porch below is set up like an outdoor living room with a pair of sofas. Emily Henderson Design chose decorative patterned tile flooring that carries from the covered porch to the open patio a few steps down for a cohesive feel.

Covered Porch Wood Canopy

Create a defined zone in an open backyard that will read like a covered porch with a wooden roof canopy held up by slim poles. Blanco Bungalow decorated this boho-style space with furniture and decor in neutral colors that harmonize with other outdoor areas and painted the wood structure white to blend in with the home's exterior.

Covered Porch Arbor

A large plant-covered arbor can provide shade for a porch on an older home for a timeless look. This outdoor space from Leanne Ford Interiors has a painted white arbor covered in trailing vines and plants for a soft and natural feel.

Tarp-Covered Porch

If you are looking to shade your back patio without renovating or building any kind of structure, consider installing a large tarp or DIY canopy that will protect it from the elements, like this spacious outdoor kitchen and dining area from Fantastic Frank. The tarp can be pulled back and put away in the off-season if desired.

Semi-Covered Porch

Add a wood-clad roof structure to shelter part of your outdoor living space from the elements. Michelle Boudreau Design created a semi-covered porch in this spacious Palm Springs backyard that shelters a seating area with an outdoor TV. The adjacent grill station is left open in this hybrid space.

Retractable Porch Awning

If you are looking for a simple way to give a small back patio the feel of a covered porch, install a rectractable awning. This outdoor space from Fantastic Frank is decorated in shades of black and gray that make the green lawn and lush landscaping look vibrant.

Wall-Mounted Pergola

Attach a wall-mounted pergola to the side of your house to provide partial cover for an outdoor space. Jessica Nelson Design covered part of this wraparound porch with a pergola that is painted the same color as the home and railings for a seamless look.

Contemporary Covered Porch

Use clean lines and modern materials to create a sleek covered back porch on a contemporary home. This space from Gaia Inspired has concrete columns and roofing, gray floor tiles and steps, and is decorated with modern seating for an indoor-outdoor feel.

Metal Canopy Covered Porch

Create a covered back porch on a budget by installing a freestanding metal structure with a lightweight crown canopy, like this farmhouse space from Liz Marie Blog. Hang a black metal chandelier from the center and light it with short LED pillar candles operated by remote control for after-dinner entertaining.

Midcentury Covered Porch

Adapt the style of your covered porch to the architecture of your home. This midcentury modern house from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors has a covered porch with a pergola roof that provides a shady place to socialize. The outdoor seating area includes a wide open area with steps leading to the backyard.

Raised Covered Porch

A raised covered porch that is connected to an outdoor space like a pool deck will add variation to your outdoor entertaining spaces. Interior designer Maite Granda outfitted this Florida backyard with a raised porch set up like an outdoor living room. An adjacent wood-slat-covered seating area across from the outdoor kitchen provides another shaded space on the spacious pool deck.

Modern Farmhouse Porch

A spacious covered porch with a wood-clad roof, white board and batten walls, and a seating area around a fireplace will complement a modern farmhouse, like this space from KG Designs.

Small Covered Porch

A small covered porch or patio will create a shady entertaining space while leaving plenty of yard space for kids and pets to run around. This Austin, TX, bungalow from Martha O'Hara Interiors is enclosed on all but one side to protect it from harsh direct rays, but includes a transom window on one wall to allow natural light to stream in.

Covered Porch With Balcony

If you're considering an addition, one option is to combine a covered porch topped with an upstairs balcony to get a two-for-one punch on a two-story home. This lake house from Erin Williamson Design has a wraparound wooden porch and balcony addition that adds contrast with the pale stone facade.

Garden Trellis Porch Roof

Use square garden trellis to create a roof for a cottage-style covered porch. This whitewashed space from Leanne Ford Interiors is full of charm, with the pattern of the trellis throwing shadows around the small outdoor seating area. Both the trellis, siding, and porch floor are painted white for an integrated feel.

Modern Rustic Covered Porch

Mix rustic wood tones with concrete flooring and black accents to create a modern feel, like this covered porch/patio hybrid from Forge & Bow Dwellings. The space is softened with textile accents like throw pillows, floor pillows, and blankets to make it feel cozy.

Covered Farmhouse Porch

Decorate a brick farmhouse porch with vintage furniture and decor accents for a homey feel. This covered porch from My 100 Year Old Home is set up like a living room for an indoor-outdoor feel.

Pergola Attachment

Create the feel of a covered porch on an open deck by shading part of it with a pergola. The Home Consultant added a stained wood pergola to create a semi-covered zone on this open deck, with a hanging chair suspended from one of the beams to make it into a functional seating area for one.

Covered Porch Awning

A striped awning that follows the roofline can turn your open back patio into a covered dining area without major renovations. This space from Calimia Home has a classic black-and-white-striped awning that is complemented with neutral furniture and decorated with plants.

Detached Fireplace

The rustic stone fireplace on this covered back porch from Marie Flanigan Interiors is located just outside the edge of the roof structure, allowing you to enjoy the fire from the seating area while allowing air to circulate. A high roof allows an expansive view of the surrounding landscape.

Read the original article on The Spruce.