Whether open-air, screened-in or wraparound, a porch links a home to the outside world. A porch's presence is most welcome, especially during the coronavirus age, where physical distancing and fresh-air activities are necessities when socializing, says Nancy Moore, president and owner of The Porch Company in Nashville, Tennessee.

"In our 28 years in business, we have never been busier, as our sales have seen a 50% increase," she said. "People are looking to either build a front or back porch on their home, or spruce up an existing one."

Porches aren't a modern architectural phenomenon, but are enjoying a contemporary comeback after falling out of favor in the mid-20th century. Some of the oldest porches on record are stately porticos on Greek buildings, from which the word "porch" is derived. These columned entryways to ancient buildings serve the same purpose in today's home: a covered architectural transition for those entering or exiting a building.

"A porch is an outdoor structure, which must have a roofline and walls that breathe," Moore said. "Whether it's screened-in or open to the elements, a porch requires a contractor that understands this structure is exposed to weather."

A Porch Production

Before building or renovating a porch, Moore says the covered structure needs to fit both the house's architecture and the character of the neighborhood. "A front porch gives homeowners a connection to the street and community, and can be perceived as a form of hospitality," she said. "A back porch is more private and connects people to nature or serves as a personal sanctuary."

When it comes to construction, Moore says to make sure you're working with competent contractors who have experience installing porches. After a design is drawn, the site needs to be prepared so the porch slightly slopes away from the house and drains away from the foundation.

Moore says a typical porch her company builds is about 300 square feet with a vaulted roof with at least a 1-foot overhang to provide greater protection from rain. A peak or gable in the center of a porch roof creates a focal point, often leading one to the front door. "A house that just has a stoop or a simple walk-up can really get a facelift when the entryway is expanded to include a porch," she said. "That being said, you would never build a Victorian-style porch on a ranch house. You have to get the proportions and the aesthetics right."

Renovate and Refresh

Painting or staining a wooden porch is one of the quickest and easiest ways to freshen an existing or new space. While there are building codes that must be followed, panels -- in a myriad of designs -- can easily replace badly beaten balusters on a porch railing. With a typical rail height of 30 to 42 inches, The Porch Co. sells panels made of low-maintenance cellular PVC, which emulates a wood look, starting at $125.

To refresh an existing grey cement porch, the slab may be acid-stained or painted with a concrete acrylic coating. But, if pouring a new porch, the concrete can be tinted and stamped to emulate real stone or tile on the floor.

Finishing/Furnishing Touches

When a porch is illuminated properly, it creates an airy, inviting atmosphere, says Moore. It's important to choose lighting fixtures that complement a home's architectural style and also rated by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL Wet) as safe when exposed to the weather. Ceiling fans are important fixtures on porches and can pull double duty when outfitted with a light kit. Fans also draw in and circulate fresh air, while providing a cooling effect in a shaded space.

Whether a homeowner wants to shoot the breeze or just catch one, the porch's furniture provides a finishing touch. Of course, the iconic porch swing can be seen as a must on every porch, but make sure there's enough room to accommodate the size and movement of this piece of furniture. To sleep in peace, The Porch Co. also sells bed swings (starting at $1,650), which can double as seating with enough pillows in place.

If a homeowner wants to embrace the neighborhood, arrange furniture on the porch to face the street. But if creating an intimate setting is more important, arrange furnishings in tight groupings that face each other. Most porches double as entries into a home, so it's imperative to allow for a clear pathway to the front or back door.

Furnishings made of sturdy materials such as wood, durable plastic and rustproof metal will withstand the elements, but can still be comfortable and attractive. Porch furnishings and accessories range from traditional to contemporary, but the outdoor furniture you choose should complement the style, colors and materials inside your home.

Moore says the porch should be a fully integrated design element to a house.

"There are porch people, who see this structure as a respite from work inside and outside the home," she said. "A porch gives people a place that is sheltered, where they can feel safe and also take in the sights of the world around them."

Picture-Perfect Porch

The Porch Company products: PorchCo.com

Captino 05: A house that once featured a simple walk-up has a more impactful entrance with its front porch, designed by The Porch Co. in Nashville. The architectural gable in the center of the porch roof creates a focal point and pleasantly leads one to the front door. Credit: J. Paul Moore Photography

More homeowners are taking the plunge into building and maintaining a backyard poolscape. Designed with swimmingly sublime features, today's residential pools provide cool inspiration for both homeowners and their backyards.

Instead of traveling on a vacation this summer, many people are opting for a staycation during the coronavirus pandemic, says Sabeena Hickman, president and chief executive officer of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, based in Alexandria, Virginia. "What we're hearing from our 4,000 PHTA members across the country is that homeowners' interest in pool and hot tub installations have exceeded their expectations," she said. "I think that it directly relates to people wanting to get away by creating a safe and fun environment in their backyard. Having your own pool and/or hot tub ticks both those boxes."

Today, Americans take the plunge in 8.4 million backyard pools and soak in 5.5 million hot tubs, according to PHTA's latest data. People are swimming in style with splashy features built around their pools, with extras like fountains, waterfalls and customized swim zones, which allow swimmers to soak up the sun and waterside atmosphere.

People are designing pools to create a resortlike atmosphere in their own backyard, Hickman says. "Today's builders aren't just dropping a one-size-fits-all pool into a backyard," she said. "Homeowners want a pool that complements their yard, their home, their lifestyle."

While people want a backyard pool to beat the heat, they also want one to make their home a gathering place for selective summer entertaining during the pandemic. "Having a custom-made backyard pool with a hot tub is part of a larger trend to create additional living space outdoors," Hickman said. "A backyard pool should reflect a home's architecture and the homeowner's style."

Hickman says homeowners should make a pool plan before construction begins, and that starts with hiring a pool designer with a Certified Building Professional (CBP) designation. "Building a pool is so much more than just filling a hole in the ground," she said. "You need a reputable builder that is well-versed in your area's building permits, engineering and the latest pool technology."

Hickman says a pool installation can start around $30,000, with costs dependent on site preparation, the pool size/design, and the finishing touches surrounding it. "Some people want a lap pool for exercise, a recreational pool with water slide or an adjacent hot tub," she said. "If you want to entertain around the pool, consider decking materials, places for seating and sunbathing and the placement of other amenities, such as a gazebo or outdoor fireplace."

To avoid getting soaked when building or upgrading an existing poolscape, take design cues from your home's existing architecture and surrounding landscape. "Some people want a very clean-lined, minimalistic pool to complement a modern home," Hickman said. "Others may want a more naturalistic pool with stone and running water features. What your pool looks like with the landscaping surrounding it is an extension of your home."

No matter the size and style of pool, Hickman says a backyard pool can become a backyard resort with popular splashy add-ons that include:

-- Flowing water features. An infinity-, negative- or vanishing-edge design gives the illusion of water merging with the surrounding landscape. Pool water spills over the edge into a hidden catchment basin that makes the water appear to be suspended in midair or vanish when viewed from certain angles. Fountains and waterfalls are also popular water amenities that incorporate the sound of running water.

-- Customized swim zone. Free-form or lagoon-style pools allow homeowners to build pools that fit the landscape. Sun ledges or shelves are shallow areas (usually no deeper than 18 inches) made for lounging and playing with small children. An adjacent hot tub gives pool participants a place to sit and chill out.

-- Light up. Underwater light-emitting diodes (LEDs) cast cool shades of blue, green, red or white colors in pools. Lights surrounding pools can also be solar-powered, which increases energy efficiency and safety.

Balancing safety and swimming makes for an enjoyable poolside experience. Besides fencing and gates surrounding the pool, other safety strategies include automatic pool covers, float lines, life ring and/or shepherd's hook, posted emergency information with outside telephone, and anti-entrapment drain covers and fittings.

"When others are swimming in your backyard pool, it's important to go over water safety rules and have layers of safety precautions in place," Hickman said. "We also advocate for swimming lessons, so people know how to get to shallow waters if you find yourself in over your head, literally."

Hickman says it's important for consumers to know the cost of maintaining a pool for long-term enjoyment. "There are high-efficiency pumps that recirculate water, and technology available to heat the water that doesn't waste resources," she said. "It's essential to make investments in pool safety and maintenance."

People don't just have a pool in the backyard, they want to create an outdoor environment, Hickman says. "Pools can have tremendous benefits, which include exercise and stress release," she said. "Now, more than ever, people are searching for safe places to gather with family and close friends, and where better to do that than poolside?"

Take the Plunge

-- For more information, go to: Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, PHTA.org

A blockbuster-designed media room really entertains at home. While a full-service home theater includes everything from the big screen and sound system to seating in a controlled environment, a family's media room can have multiple uses in a more relaxed social space.

Home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic has led to families engaging in everything from movie marathons to online gaming, often from the same communal space at different times, says Giles Sutton, senior vice president of Industry Engagement with Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, based in Indianapolis.

"While people are spending more time at home with family, we are all aware of wellness and how one works and plays from home," Sutton said. "Now is the time when homeowners are considering how to upgrade the family room into one with a home entertainment system that can be used in many ways."

Sutton says there's an important distinction between having a home theater and creating a multiuse media room. "A dedicated home theater is often a space that is designed when building a house," he said. "The architecture of a home theater room should emulate that of a movie theater, which is, ideally, a larger enclosed, rectangular room with very little outside light, great acoustics and an immersive cinematic experience."

By contrast, a media room allows for a more flexible use of space and may require a smaller budget when compared to a home theater's top-of-the-line projector, screen and sound system. Because of advances in technology -- along with more affordable electronic componentry -- a media room can be easier for professionals to retrofit and a more realistic option for homeowners wanting to upgrade their home entertainment system.

But no matter how elaborate a home becomes with audio and visual equipment, Sutton says the first step toward a streaming media room is to make sure the internet connection is a robust one. While fewer wires may be needed as more electronic components become compatible with wireless equipment and controllers, the network for wireless systems still has to be hardwired into a home.

"Involve a certified integrator to make a technology plan for your media room before just adding the latest television technology and speaker system," Sutton said. "There's nothing worse than music or movie buffering due to a lack of Wi-Fi connectivity in your home."

Space

A media room can be open, both in design and functionality. Updating the audiovisual technology in a home with an open floor plan family room can make for a compelling couch-side cinematic experience, Sutton says. "Wherever the media room is located -- a converted garage, unused attic or basement -- the space should also be conducive to social interaction," he said. "Whether you're watching the big game or streaming a yoga session, the space needs to also feel comfortable."

Screen

After the space has been determined for a media room, the size and placement of the television screen is the next step. The picture should be large enough to be easily visible, but not so large that viewers have to crane their necks to take in all the on-screen action.

"Obviously, a 15-feet-wide screen wouldn't work in everyone's media room, but some people want to make that big statement," Sutton said. "The best in today's home electronics is more affordable and attainable than ever with a 4K ultra-high-definition television."

Seating

Creating the "best seat in the house" for everyone in the media room is not a task to take lying down. The size of the screen and the placement of the speakers are all interconnected to the seating setup.

Choose seating that is comfortable, but also opt for pieces that can be reconfigured and moved as needed in the media room. A sturdy sectional in an easy-to-clean neutral microfiber or denim fabric is a thoroughly modern and modular choice.

Surround-sound

Soft surfaces on the walls and floor -- such as curtains and carpeting -- cut down on disruptive echoes in a media room. "The quality of audio in thinner televisions is lacking, so it's important to strategically have speakers placed throughout the room," Sutton said.

For a proper surround-sound system, the media room setup requires two or more speakers in the front of the room -- from where the primary sounds emanate -- and two or more speakers toward the back of the room, which will fill in background sounds, such as birds chirping, dogs barking or water rushing.

Having a subwoofer speaker strategically placed on the floor or against a wall will help the low-pitched frequencies carry throughout the room.

Lighting

A media room setup shouldn't be made completely in the dark, either. While there shouldn't be a lot of ambient light in the room to cause glare on the screen, a completely dark room may strain eyes or cause a hazard, should someone have to leave while a movie is rolling.

Ideally, a media room should have soft ambient lighting, which is connected to a dimmer and adjusted by a single remote or voice-control device. If a television screen is mounted near a bank of windows, having motorized shades can draw the curtain on distractions.

While the do-it-yourself route may seem like a less-expensive alternative to setting up a media room, in the long run it's always better to have a technology strategy session with a professional, Sutton says.

"Now, through the aid of technology, there's a do-it-with-me movement, in which professional electronic designers and installers can ship the exact equipment you need and be available remotely to help the homeowner put components in place," Sutton said. "By planning with a professional, a homeowner can avoid the nest of cables and the purchase of unusable componentry, all while creating a show-stopping media room that can continue to grow with your needs."

Star-studded

Consult a local Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association professional to help create a personal home theater: www.cedia.org, click on the "Find a Pro" link.