If you ’re look to add more room for entertaining while also select advantage of outdoor space , a Lanai Island might be for you .
Helen Norman
Key Takeaways
For those dwelling house in more temperate climates , the great outdoors can be an alternative for adding worthful substantial footage to your home ’s entertaining distance . Picture this : a all-encompassing set of slue door that open your living room to a generous , covered outdoor area , complete with extra seating area , a well-heeled breeze , and the power to permit Edgar Guest effortlessly flow between the interior and exterior space . If this sound like a dream , a lanai might be for you .
We tappedCharlie Lankston , executive editor at Realtor.com , to share all the detail on this exterior entertaining hero .
History of the Lanai
concord to Lankston , the word “ lanai ” pack its name from one of the Hawaiian islands . “ The condition describe a cover , open - sided porch that is traditionally furnish for puff , featuring detail like couches or death chair , as well as roof fans , and often opens up onto a property ’s yard or pool area , ” he says .
While the word was primitively coined in Hawaii in the 1800s , Lankston says the intercrossed anatomical structure , oftentimes used for entertaining , have long been a fixedness of the islands ’ architectural heritage . These years , the popularity of the lanai has spread out to many other tender climate within the continental U.S. , ranging from Florida to Southern California .
What Is a Lanai?
A lanai is an candid - zephyr exterior elbow room that has at least one loose side and is typically attached to the back of the property , Lankston explain . It is oftentimes thought of as an telephone extension of the home and thus used as an entertaining area or additional living space . “More often than not , lanais are located on the ground trading floor of the property , and may well boast screens or window to protect those inside it from outside elements like inclement weather or hemipterous insect , ” he say .
What’s the Difference Between a Lanai, Porch, and Patio?
Porches , patios , and lanaisare all within the same crime syndicate , but Lankston articulate there are a few distinguishable factors between the social structure .
While there are side porches , back porch , and second - story porches ( among others ) , typically the password porch is most often associated with a space off the front of the property that could have a roof but is mostly clear away from a back bulwark , which it would share with the belongings . Apatiois typically without a cap and averandais oftentimes only partially compensate .
A lanai provide a type of inside - exterior smell that is unique to this type of architectural constituent .
Credit:Helen Norman
Brian McWeeney
Lanai Design Ideas
Put Comfort First
“ A lanai should be all about conversation and ease — call up big , cushioned death chair or lounge , perhaps a mesa for multitude to place food or drinks , and , ideally , a lover of some sort to forbid the space from have too stuffy in very live weather , ” says Lankston .
Consider Screens
Opting for screensinstead of windows can help provide that indoor - outdoor feel but , if you need even more customization , expect into screens that can be lour and advance to totally get to the space to the great open . While this will get along with a powerful investment , some might find it is worth the spend for increase the space ’s functionality .
Select Furniture Wisely
“ It is worth noting that any furniture you want to place in a lanai should be capable of holding up in an out-of-door environment , particularly if you live in an field that might experience a band of rainwater , ” warns Lankston . bet for textile and materials that are sturdy enough for heat , humidness , moisture , and temperature fluctuations to guarantee your trappings can suffer up to the elements .
Keep in Mind How You Can Best Use the Space
If you frequently dine out of doors or choose to take your dawning coffee out of doors , consider how your lanai ’s furnishings can further this target . The same can be said when it comes to deliberate your entertaining need . If room for guest to sit down with a cocktail is often in high demand or you only need more seating for your family dinners , let your lanai assistance . A large outdoor dining table , comfortable sofas and rattan armchair , or even a largeTV hung over a built - in outdoor fireplacecan assistant add satisfying footage to your home ’s animation space — all without overhauling the interior .
Credit:Brian McWeeney
