What is a front patio?

Generally, patios are constructed directly at the back of the home that allows you to step out directly onto your patio. The back of the home is usually chosen due to privacy, security, the backyard and garden, and the main land area being situated at the back of the home. Sometimes, a patio is located at the side of the home due to space and aesthetics, or side access to the home. Another option is a garden patio with a seating area which is separate from the home. Queenslander-style homes include a wrap-around patio that encompasses all four sides of the home. A wrap-around patio like this is really a veranda. It is commonplace for verandas to extend across the front and also sides of the home.

A front patio as the name suggests is located at the front of the home. It has a roof and is sometimes called a porch or gallery. Generally, a porch is located at the front of the home, whereas a patio is found at the back of the home. Other differences include – a porch is a covered area for transition to the entry of the home (front or back), whereas a patio is a larger area and often used for cooking, dining, and outdoor entertainment.

For our discussion today we will focus more on the location being the front of the home, and discuss both front porches and front patios.

A front patio can be enclosed meaning it is closed off and offers better protection from outdoor elements. An enclosed front patio can have many uses – lounging, dining, and/or entertaining. There are many options for front patios that are enclosed – sunrooms, solariums and screened porches are all different types of enclosed patios. An enclosed porch at the front of the home usually has a roof and often has screens that permit fresh air to ventilate the porch area. Some porches are fully enclosed and can be used for additional living space or storage, or utilised as a sitting, waiting, or wet mudroom area. A porch that is screened also protects against bugs and mosquitos. Enclosed front porches and patios both provide a weather-protected area to welcome visitors to your home.

Front patios and porches can also be open. The roof will offer some protection from sun and rain, but the open sides allow breezes. A front patio or porch can also be a great decorative area for the home and may be filled with plants, seating, and a water feature or fish pond.

Here’s some inspiration for front patio ideas …

The Blank Canvass – enclosed front patio

This enclosed front patio is a blank canvass. It could be used as a sunroom or second lounge, a dining and entertainment area, an indoor garden oasis, kids play area, pet zone … What would you use this additional living space for?

Privacy screened open front patio

This is a great example of an open front patio that wraps to the side of the home. Protected by the roof you can entertain outside through most weather conditions. Simply furnished with an outdoor dining setting. The addition of the metal privacy screens gives the owner privacy from anyone walking by on the road at the front of the home. As the plants in the garden bed grow, they will also give more privacy.

A classic welcoming front porch

A lovely example of a front porch that welcomes your guests to your home. Some nice potted plants to add a little greenery. A couple of chairs and a little side table to sit on, and the hanging porch swing. The additions of fans and lights make this space more comfortable. The splash of colour on the ceiling ties in with the chair colour. Could just imagine sitting on this front porch, drinking a cool lemonade, and watching the world go by.

Floral front patio

Bringing the garden right to your doorstep. A beautiful garden and front patio combination. The swinging double chair under the cascading floral hanging pots is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the lovely garden and suspended flowers. It’s a great example of bringing nature to your front patio.

We are here to help

The Diamond Patios team can help design your front patio and bring that vision to life.

You have complete peace of mind as we only use quality products offer expert advice.

Get an obligation-free quote using our patio roof calculator for an estimate, or Get in touch with the team at Diamond Patios to talk about your carport plans.