Home Home Decor Ideas 30 Pretty House Plans With Porches Imagine spending time with family and friends on these front porches. By Southern Living Editors Updated on January 9, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Designed by WaterMark Coastal Southern homes are famous for their relaxing and beautiful front porches, so discover some of our best house plans featuring stunning outdoor living spaces where you can imagine spending time with family and friends. Perfect for summer entertaining or lounging outside with a great book and an even better cocktail, the porch is one of the most Southern home design features. We've rounded up the best Southern Living house plans with porches to inspire your inner architect. The porch is a crowd-pleaser with definite curb appeal, and we have an array of house plans with porches to share, from expansive rustic styles to compact designs perfect for two rocking chairs. Or, there are options for coastal-inspired verandas. Whether you're dreaming of a new layout or planning an addition to your home, these house plans with porches will inspire you to take advantage of outdoor space, longer days, and warmer winds in the perfect place to celebrate the season—the breezy porch. 01 of 30 Taylor Creek, Plan #1533 Southern Living House Plans "Southern" and "comfort" may best describe this 2,890-square-foot house. Its snug proportions and simple exterior materials further define the cozy, romantic feeling. The notion of Southern comfort prevails, as porches at the front and side extend both primary and second-floor living areas. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 2,890 square feet See Plan: Taylor Creek 02 of 30 Whisper Creek, Plan #1653 Southern Living Rustic yet comfortable, porches provide the perfect perch to relax and enjoy the views of this mountainside retreat. Elements like a stone chimney and vaulted ceiling help make this cottage, complete with a wide porch, feel incredibly welcoming. 2 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 1,555 square feet See Plan: Whisper Creek 03 of 30 Eastover Cottage, Plan #1666 Southern Living The front porch is directly off the living areas providing ample opportunity to enjoy what makes southern living so unique—bringing the outdoors inside. This house plan combines a simple exterior with a grand interior. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 2,530 square feet See Plan: Eastover Cottage 04 of 30 Carolina Island House, Plan #481 Southern Living Broad, deep, and square porches are the hallmark of this design. Beautifully detailed, this porch stretches 65 feet across the front with three 14-by-14 square foot porches at each end, totaling 1,695 square feet of outdoor living, dining, and entertaining space. 3 bedrooms/4 bathrooms 2,738 square feet See Plan: Carolina Island House 05 of 30 Farmhouse Revival, Plan #1821 Designed by Historical Concepts We love this plan so much that we used it for our 2012 Idea House. The wraparound porch creates a classic, Southern feeling that is warm and welcoming. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 3,511 square feet See Plan: Farmhouse Revival 06 of 30 White Plains, Plan #1799 Southern Living Create a place where tradition can endure. Here's a casual cottage with folk details such as latticed porch columns, a steeply pitched roof, and exposed rafters. The home, accented with board and batten siding and a metal roof, shows a twist on Carpenter Gothic style lending a playful, vernacular feel. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 2,942 square feet See Plan: White Plains 07 of 30 Newberry Park, Plan #978 Southern Living Newberry Park has classic curb appeal, created with the spirit and style of an old Carolina manor. The exterior offers distinct proportions, relaxed porches, and graceful columns for an even more Southern flavor. The elegant expanse of each porch provides an environment perfect for outdoor entertaining or relaxation. 4 bedrooms/4 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms 3,625 square feet See Plan: Newberry Park 08 of 30 Abberley Lane, Plan #683 Designed by John Tee Inside and out, this classical house teems with ideas that reflect the historic charm of traditional, Southern architecture. The wrapping front porch is truly the focal point of the exterior design. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 3,846 square feet See Plan: Abberley Lane 09 of 30 Aiken Street, Plan #1807 Southern Living Simple details and low-pitched roofs define coastal architecture, and while not a Southern invention, shutters are a part of the Deep South design. The front room is one big open area, which helps the modest-size home feel larger than it is as it works as an extension of the interior. It's the perfect spot for dining just off the kitchen. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 2,233 square feet See Plan: Aiken Street 10 of 30 Garden Home Cottage, Plan #1859 Helen Norman Curb appeal starts with the front porch, and this cottage house uses ordinary things in an extraordinary way. It's an eco-friendly cottage keeping with past traditions while taking full advantage of modern innovations. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 1,870 square feet See Plan: Garden Home Cottage 11 of 30 Tucker Bayou, Plan #1408 Designed by LRK Architects Inspired by historic seaside architecture, this design combines the comfort of a vacation home with thoughtful features that make everyday life easier for today's busy families. 5 bedrooms/4 bathrooms 3,554 square feet See Plan: Tucker Bayou 12 of 30 Kinsley Place, Plan #1131 Design by St. Joe Land Company With a Victorian influence, Kinsley Place draws from Florida vernacular architecture with a hint of the modest wood-frame Cracker-style homesteads most commonly found in rural areas of the state. However, this design combines lap siding and board-and-batten siding as it offers exciting twists on the traditional Florida look. 4 bedrooms/5.5 bathrooms 3,510 square feet See Plan: Kinsley Place 13 of 30 Captain's Watch, Plan #1426 Southern Living With broad front porches and generous windows, this home design demonstrates the timeless beauty of traditional design. Porch spaces act as comfortable outdoor rooms, so always opt for all-weather furnishings and fabrics. 5 bedrooms/5.5 bathrooms 4,920 square feet See Plan: Captain's Watch 14 of 30 Vintage Lowcountry, Plan #1828 Southern Living This irresistible design recalls the charm and character of the Lowcountry vernacular style. The front porch, taking cues from the past, features wood-clad walls, ceilings, and floors. The pained and hand-crimped standing-seam metal roof further defines a sense of historic charm. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 2,768 square feet See Plan: Vintage Lowcountry 15 of 30 Forest Glen, Plan #238 Southern Living Inspired by the architectural styling of the Old South, Forest Glen will charm you instantly. Deep front porches, wrought-iron railings, arched dormers, shutters, and multiple French doors add a Southern accent to the elegant exterior. 4 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 4,081 square feet See Plan: Forest Glen 16 of 30 Bayou Bend, Plan #1745 Southern Living This quaint coastal cottage with double galleries is rooted in the architectural traditions of the Deep South. Still, its open floor plan and vibrant interiors are fit for the modern family. 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms 3,589 square feet See Plan: Bayou Bend 17 of 30 The Potter's House, Plan #1489 Southern Living Southern best describes this raised cottage. From its porch, step inside the everyday living space made for entertaining and casual enjoyment. Find style and space in only 2,500 square feet. Organized, comfortable spaces and sensible planning are the hallmarks of this design. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 2,504 square feet See Plan: The Potter's House 18 of 30 The Great Escape 2022 Idea House, Plan #2082 PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLING BY KENDRA SURFACE This dreamy home, designed to accommodate multi-generational families, is the ideal hosting and entertaining hub for family and friends. Enjoy an open-plan design that weaves spaces together to create the most efficient layout. The two-story front porch sets the stage for an inviting space. 5 bedrooms/5.5 bathrooms 3,312 square feet See Plan: The Great Escape 2022 Idea House 19 of 30 Amelia River Cottage, Plan #2069 Southern Living The front porch uses a tongue and groove pine to surround the door, which supports the unique entry in this efficient design that pays special attention to detail. This house is ideal for entertaining, with an oversized dining room and family space—Not to mention the outdoor living areas complete with a brick fireplace and a sitting hearth. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 2,449 square feet See Plan: Amelia River Cottage 20 of 30 Honeycomb Farmhouse, Plan #2064 Southern Living House Plans An unfinished basement allows you to focus on critical areas now and save your resources to build something new in the future. This multi-generational floor plan is perfect for families with adult children and aging parents. 4 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 3,327 square feet See Plan: Honeycomb Farmhouse 21 of 30 Grace Park Cottage, Plan #2063 Southern Living House Plans A house plan with 12-foot ceilings in the great room is sure to impress. This home has plenty of gathering spaces but remembers to include private retreats for a comfortable and functional living arrangement. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 2,089 square feet See Plan: Grace Park Cottage 22 of 30 Bellewood Cottage, Plan #2049 C. Brandon Ingram The open, flowing floor plan makes this house an excellent place to host family holidays or events. The bedroom wings keep everyone comfortable with their private space, with full baths on either side of the main gathering space. 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms 2,937 square feet See Plan: Bellewood Cottage 23 of 30 French Broad Retreat, Plan #2045 Southern Living House Plans The covered porch welcomes you into an inviting entryway flanked by a study and dining room. Continue through the main entrance into the ample gathering space, which connects to the screened-in porch in the back. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 2,965 square feet See Plan: French Broad Retreat 24 of 30 Legacy Ranch, Plan #2028 Southern Living House Plans The Legacy Ranch highlights an indoor-outdoor living space with a huge exterior living space and butted glass panels in the living room. With the giant stone fireplace, built-ins, and living space open to the kitchen and eat-in island, this primary room is perfect for multi-generational families. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 3,165 square feet See Plan: Legacy Ranch 25 of 30 Oakland Hall, Plan #2025 Southern Living Inspired by a historic Nashville home, this three-story design packs a lot into its layout, with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. There is room for extra features, including an elevator, a three-car garage with a workshop, and a primary floor owner's suite. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 6,265 square feet See Plan: Oakland Hall 26 of 30 Summertime Bungalow, Plan #2012 Southern Living House Plans This house has two generous porches making it ideal for entertaining possibilities. The ample front porch includes a covered spot for a swinging bed, and the screened-in porch in the back adds more outdoor living space. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 3,117 square feet See Plan: Summertime Bungalow 27 of 30 Lakeside Farmhouse, Plan #2007 Southern Living Enjoy an open living and dining room space near the entryway or the spacious kitchen and family room combination, complete with a breakfast room. The southern exterior uses timeless styling. 4 bedrooms/4 bathrooms 3,881 square feet See Plan: Lakeside Farmhouse 28 of 30 River Place Cottage, Plan #1959 Southern Living The River Place Cottage, built for entertaining, has a screened-in porch with an outdoor fireplace that flows into an open-plan room with a beamed ceiling. The open and inviting space is classically comfortable. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 2,420 square feet See Plan: River Place Cottage 29 of 30 The Ridge, Plan #1973 Southern Living House Plans This home is steeped in tradition and filled with signature designs and welcoming touches. The sophisticated front porch opens to an entryway that expands into a living room, den, and kitchen. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 3,513 square feet See Plan: The Ridge 30 of 30 Tennessee Farmhouse, Plan #2001 Donovan DeFerraro This Tennessee Farmhouse design beckons to bring the outside in with its double doors, decks, and windows. The finished basement can be anything your family needs, from a workout room or additional family room space. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 4,423 square feet See Plan: Tennessee Farmhouse Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit