Why a Veranda Is a Crucial Choice for a Modern-Day Home

Why do most Australians choose to live within a very short distance of the beach? Could it be something to do with the extreme temperatures that can often be found within the interior, a place where life seems to hang on by a thread and opportunities seem so remote? Maybe the real reason is not quite so dramatic, but there is nevertheless an element of logic involved. Those cooling sea breezes do make daily life a bit more bearable through the summer, so if you are drawing up plans to build a new home in sight of the glorious ocean, why should you include a feature that has become quintessentially Australian — a veranda?

You Can Enjoy Your Outdoor Space

Many generations ago, before the invention of air conditioning, local people would often struggle to deal with summertime conditions. They would find it difficult to stay inside their homes and would look for ways to expand their living space outward. This led to the development of the modern-day veranda. Those ancestors would simply create a space on the windward side of the property and transition to this area for comfort's sake, but today it is common to see a veranda around the entire property.

This Opens up the Home

Modern-day design principles can minimise the number of walls in a typical home. The upper floors and roof can be supported by columns and pillars and this can reduce the need for load-bearing walls. Consequently, an outer wall can, instead, be made from floor to ceiling glass and these can be folded out of the way to create a seamless divide between the inside and outside.

You Can Enjoy All Four Seasons

Think about adding a veranda and make sure that it is furnished appropriately for all seasons, so that every member of the family can make full use of it. They will be able to enjoy a relaxing evening in good company, rather than trying to endure high levels of humidity in a closed environment.

Some people will create two different pavilions for living and sleeping, each one of them using a veranda as a natural extension. When these areas are carefully designed they can be protected from any adverse weather elements and can provide a meaningful living space all year round.

Make sure that you allow for this type of design within your plans, so you can really take advantage of your decision to live by the sea. Talk with your architect and building suppliers to come up with a solution that is perfect for your needs.