The timeless charm of covered outdoor spaces

Between indoors and out, porches, terraces and pergolas offer a different way of enjoying one’s home. Sheltered from the sun and the elements, these spaces opening onto the garden have become living areas in their own right.

“By connecting indoor and outdoor living, the versatility of these spaces contributes to their timeless appeal,” writes Elizabeth Fazzare.

Enjoying outdoor living is one of the great pleasures of summer. But when the sun is at its strongest, having a shaded space becomes essential. As early as the 18th century, homes in the southern United States adapted to the climate with generous covered outdoor areas, protected by an extension of the roof. Open to the garden, these porches and galleries provided shelter from the heat while allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors protected from rain and wind.

The concept has its roots across the ocean, in the traditional homes of the Indian subcontinent, before spreading to British and then American architecture. In the traditional homes of the American South, these features gradually became an integral part of the way the house was designed and lived in.

Today, in luxury properties, this connection between indoors and out remains just as relevant. Porches, covered galleries, terraces and pergolas allow residents to enjoy the light, landscape and surrounding nature while still benefiting from the comfort and protection of the home.

Traditionally, a covered gallery can extend along the façade and sometimes around the sides of a home, naturally becoming a welcoming space and a transition between indoors and out. More than simply a passageway, it is a place to gather, entertain and simply take the time to enjoy everyday life.

In grand American homes, these spaces play a role similar to that of a living room opening onto the garden. Designed for entertaining guests, relaxing or even enjoying meals, the most generous examples offer enough depth beneath the roof overhang to create a true outdoor living space.

The expansive gallery of this home in Hendersonville, North Carolina, is a perfect illustration. Protected by a broad roof, it provides a generous outdoor space from which to admire the surrounding landscape. Originally built in 1855, the house was renovated half a century later by Richard Sharp Smith, an architect and leading figure behind the renowned Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. The gardens also benefited from the contribution of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park and Prospect Park. In recognition of their contributions, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Buyers are not necessarily looking for an additional room, but rather a space that allows them to enjoy their home in a different way,” explains Paul Wegener, consultant at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. “A beautiful veranda becomes part of everyday life. It is where you have your first coffee of the day, enjoy your first glass of wine in the evening, watch the children play in the garden or simply sit back and take in the beautiful view.”

This same approach to extending the home into the outdoors can also be found in the Annecy area. In Chapeiry, this property offered by Annecy Sotheby’s International Realty features a generous roof overhang, complemented by impressive ceiling height, naturally extending the living spaces towards the garden. A large dining table and barbecue area create a true outdoor living space, perfect for entertaining family and friends and enjoying long summer days and evenings while remaining sheltered from the sun and the elements.

In regions where rainfall is scarce, this desire for outdoor comfort can also take the form of a pergola. Once owned by filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, this 1913 Hollywood residence features a rear gallery designed as a pergola. Its slatted roof allows natural light to filter through while limiting direct exposure to the sun.

This approach also responds to a very contemporary concern: by reducing direct sunlight on façades and windows, these architectural features can help maintain cooler interior temperatures.

Beyond their practical function, these spaces possess a timeless appeal. They invite us to slow down, enjoy our surroundings and embrace a more spontaneous way of living at home: having a quiet morning coffee, enjoying lunch in the shade, gathering with friends over a drink or simply sitting back and taking in the garden at the end of the day.

Open to nature, sheltered from the elements and naturally integrated into the architecture, covered outdoor spaces offer a different way of experiencing the home. They strike a balance between indoor comfort and the freedom of outdoor living that continues to appeal, generation after generation.