Old ideas have a way of becoming new again, given enough time. Good ideas can be timeless, which is why some things always seem to be on-trend. Outdoor living spaces have continued to gain popularity over the years, and sleeping porches have started to make a comeback in some home designs. Here’s what to know about sleeping porches and some design ideas for sleeping porches to inspire you if you’re thinking of including this feature in your custom home design:
What is a Sleeping Porch?
Sleeping porches were popular outdoor living spaces in homes during the Victorian age and early 1900s, especially in the South. These were screen-in porches or enclosed porches that were designed for sleeping, prior to air conditioning becoming more accessible and widespread.
They were usually located on upper floors as an enclosure on a deck or balcony and would have been partially or fully screened. An upper-story bedroom on the corner of the house was a common location for a sleeping porch. In some homes, the sleeping porch stretched across the whole length of the back of a house to allow for maximum exposure to cooler nighttime breezes.
Sleeping porches were built to provide access to the health benefits of fresh air and a more comfortable sleeping area during warmer weather to take advantage of air flow and cooler nights without leaving someone exposed to the elements. Although modern sleeping porches are still designed for these benefits, they are also often fully enclosed with plenty of windows and feature modern temperature control for more flexibility and year-round comfort, no matter the weather.
Is a Sleeping Porch Right For Your Home Design?
If you want to prioritize a connection to the outdoors when you sleep, a modern sleeping porch can be a great addition to your home design, and could even be an idea for a bonus room. In a lot of ways, modern sleeping porches can range from screened-in porches to four-season sunrooms that are used as a bedroom, temporarily or permanently.
Similar to considerations when adding a sunroom to your custom home design, there are some things to think through when it comes to a sleeping porch. Some questions to ask when determining whether a sleeping porch is right for your home design can include:
- Will your lot give you enough privacy for a sleeping porch?
- Is there a lot of surrounding noise that would disrupt sleep?
- Will it be designed for year-round use and comfort?
- What heating and cooling methods will be included in the design of the sleeping porch?
- Can you include a sleeping porch in your home design without sacrificing other things you want or need?
Privacy
If your lot will not provide much privacy, and that would bother you, then it may be best to forgo an official sleeping porch and stick to a bedroom with the option for a lot of light or a sunroom that you can use for the occasional nap. Comfort and privacy are big considerations for planning window placement and make a big difference in whether a sleeping porch is right for your home design.
Even if your lot does afford you some privacy, you’ll still need to consider how much light you want to let in, how expansive you want the windows to be, and how you want them to work. Window walls designed to open and close, and sliding glass doors are popular options for sunrooms and outdoor living spaces like these.
Noise
Similarly, if your custom home will be built in a busier area and the surrounding noise might disrupt your sleep, a sleeping porch may not be the best option. If you really want to make it work, you can work with your builder to include plenty of soundproofing options. Although this can help with noise reduction, you might still need to sleep with earplugs if you want to have the windows open at night.
Weather and Temperature
The northeast can have harsh winters. Any outdoor living space you are considering for your home design will need to account for weather and temperature. Even if you want a three-season screened porch or room, you still need to consider weather protection and winterization of the room.
With four-season rooms, you’ll need to address heating and cooling. Depending on the room and the purpose, it may make sense to have the heating and cooling for it separate from the rest of the house. Regardless, you’ll need to figure out how you want to heat the room in the winter and cool it in the summer for year-round comfort.
Overall Home Design
Sprawling home designs are not uncommon, provided lots are large enough to accommodate them. If you want one and will use it, a sleeping porch can be a great addition to your custom home design.
However, if having one means you can’t have something else you want or need, then it might not make sense to prioritize it, especially if it’s something you are only planning to use occasionally. In this case, it might make more sense to make sure the bedroom design features a lot of windows and has a balcony or porch you can enjoy instead. This can give you the things you love about a sleeping porch in a bedroom without having to give up square footage for an additional living space designed for sleeping.
6 Design Ideas For Sleeping Porches
Whether you’re going for a sleeping porch or looking to incorporate some elements of one in your bedroom design, here are some design ideas for sleeping porches to inspire you:
- Layer the right window treatments.
- Create a comfortable and cozy lounge.
- Include a variety of adjustable lighting options.
- Use decor and accessories to create a calm and soothing atmosphere.
- Design a multipurpose outdoor living space.
- Include additional temperature control methods.
1. Layer the Right Window Treatments
The style of the room and the functionality of the room are key considerations when choosing window treatments. Sleeping porches may be traditionally designed to let in as much airflow as possible for cooler, more comfortable sleeping, but you still want to have window treatments that allow you to have privacy and control light.
Layering different window treatments is a popular window treatment idea that gives you the flexibility you need to adjust light and privacy as you need to. Light and airy curtains can let in light, while providing some privacy. Insulated curtains or blinds can block light and heat and provide complete privacy. Whatever mix of window treatments you choose, you want to be able to adjust light and privacy to what you want, when you want it, and be able to accommodate changing needs throughout the year.
2. Create a Comfortable and Cozy Lounge
Sleeping porches are meant to be comfortable and cozy. Consider what should be included for a lounge look and feel. Picking the wrong bed or getting the bed placement wrong are bedroom design mistakes to avoid, and the same is true for a sleeping porch.
If you’ll be including a dedicated, true sleeping porch in your home design, make sure you are taking the time to make it a comfortable, sleeping lounge area. The bed should be comfortable and a focal point without overwhelming the room. Taking cues from luxurious hotels is a bedroom design trend, and it’s one you can use for design ideas for sleeping porches.
Think about the perfect mattress, luxurious, lush textiles, plenty of pillows, the right mix of blankets for the season, and more. These are things you can include in a sleeping porch to truly make it a luxurious getaway in your own home. You’re also not limited to textiles. Some sleeping porches or other outdoor living areas designed for relaxation include things like outdoor showers or hot tubs.
3. Include a Variety of Adjustable Lighting Options
Lighting can make or break the atmosphere in a room, and is particularly important in a bedroom. This also makes it essential to get the lighting right in a sleeping porch. You don’t necessarily want overly bright or harsh lighting when you’re trying to wind down for sleep. What you consider when planning bedroom lighting design also applies to something like a sleeping porch.
Task lighting with enough light for reading or other things should still be soft. You should also have a variety of lighting options for overall lighting, spot lighting, task lighting, etc., and you should be able to adjust them to what you need. Being able to dim the lighting to create the relaxing atmosphere and sleepy ambiance you want is important for a sleeping porch.
4. Use Decor and Accessories to Create a Calm and Soothing Atmosphere
Because a sleeping porch is meant to soothe, calm, and relax, make sure the decor and accessories you choose help create and enhance this atmosphere. Bright, energizing colors and a lot of decor don’t encourage winding down and sleep. Relaxing and soothing colors can be a way to design your bedroom for better sleep, and this applies to sleeping porches, too.
Instead, pick a color palette that features soothing, calming hues and take a minimalist approach to decorating. You don’t necessarily have to go for a minimalist interior design. Taking the minimalist approach of being intentional and making sure anything that is added serves a purpose and should be there to support the overall look and feel of the room can be helpful.
5. Design a Multipurpose Outdoor Living Space
There are plenty of ideas for outdoor living spaces, and you don’t have to have a dedicated sleeping porch to enjoy the benefits of one. If you really want to make sure you have a comfortable place for sleeping connected with the outdoors, consider creating a four-season outdoor living space, like a sunroom, and designing it to be multipurpose.
A well-designed sunroom that takes a flex room approach can offer extra entertainment space and relaxation, and easily become a sleeping porch on demand with something like a high-quality daybed or transitional furniture that can turn into a comfortable bed. Even something as simple as a hammock can fulfill this purpose.
It all depends on what makes the most sense for your home design, desired function, and what you find comfortable. This approach allows you to have full use of an outdoor living space year-round, and still be able to experience the benefits of a sleeping porch when you want it, without having to commit to it all the time.
6. Include Additional Temperature Control Methods
Whether you’re going for a dedicated sleeping porch or not, any four-season space should already have enough insulation and a heating and cooling system for year-round comfort. Including additional temperature control methods only increases comfort and convenience.
Ceiling fans are a popular option for better airflow in a room, whether the windows are open or not. This is a key benefit of ceiling fans. Fireplaces are another popular feature in outdoor living spaces and can be a great fit for a sunroom or sleeping porch for comfort, convenience, and ambiance in the cooler months.
Design and Build Your Custom Home With CHG
Even if a sleeping porch isn’t quite what you want in your home design, there are plenty of design ideas for sleeping porches that you can repurpose for a bedroom design that is more connected to the outdoors or to consider for a sunroom or other outdoor living space.
No matter what you want for your home design, working with an experienced custom home builder can make the whole journey much easier. They can help you narrow down options based on your style, wants, and needs, and ensure you end up with a home design you love. If you’re ready to make your dream home a reality in Central Pennsylvania or Northeastern Maryland, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090.
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