Sleeping Porches Are Making a Comeback—Here's Why You Need One

On sweltering summer days, you might be tempted to stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning. However, there are ways to bask in the great outdoors without sweating up a storm—like sleeping porches.

These breezy rooms are used in modern homes as a place to lounge and relax, but they have much older (and more interesting) origins. Here’s everything you need to know about these spaces—from their benefits to how you can design one yourself.

What is a Sleeping Porch?

Sleeping porches are outdoor rooms or spaces attached to a home. As their name would suggest, they're often used for sleeping or taking a casual nap outside. They can also be used as a space to lounge—especially when you need a cool respite on a hot summer day.

"The porches are usually screened to keep insects and birds from entering the space," says architect Richard Bubnowski. "Generally, [they] connect the interior spaces of a home with the outdoors."

History

The concept of a sleeping porch has been around for more than a century.

"Around the turn of the 20th century, there was a fresh and sanitary air movement," says Arthur Andersson, FAIA, president, and design director of Andersson / Wise. "People turned to sleeping outside within screened rooms, which were typically located on the upper floor of a house, and were positioned to take advantage of prevailing evening breezes."

According to Andersson, tuberculosis was one of the leading causes of death at the time, so doctors would recommend plenty of fresh air to combat the disease. As time passed, though, sleeping porches shifted from functional to more design-forward spaces.

"There are examples of sleeping porches being used quite extensively during the Arts and Crafts movement, especially in the work of Greene & Greene in California," notes Bubnowski. "This can be seen in the design of the Gamble House in Pasadena. In early modern architecture, R.M. Schindler used them in many of his designs."

Following World War II, the birth of air conditioning drew people off the sleeping porch and into low-temperature bedrooms. ("Not the best evolution," Andersson admits.) However, sleeping porches are still widely used in historic homes thanks to their many advantages.

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Benefits

So what exactly are the advantages of a sleeping porch? For one, they offer a chance to connect with the natural world. "We design [them] in order to reach out into nature, inviting us to see, hear, and feel the elements," says Andersson.

They also let you cool off without having to stay indoors and crank up the AC. "When successful, the sleeping porch takes advantage of naturally cooling, prevailing breezes, while providing shaded space during seasonally warm and temperate months," Andersson adds.

How to Design One

Sleeping porches are usually designed on the upper level of a house for security and privacy, but this orientation isn't a requirement. "We’ll often study the site to determine where the quietest part of the property is located, and also to take advantage of views," says Bubnowski.

You'll also want to consider how much natural light you want. "Since these spaces are usually not heated, we try to locate the porch where it can receive some natural daylight during the day, preferably along the south-facing facade," adds Bubnowski.

Andersson similarly enjoys keeping the design as organic as possible to embrace the landscape and environment. "The essence of a sleeping porch comes from a celebration of nature—surrounded by natural materials such as wood, free from any climate-controlled air conditioning, and preferably illuminated by a creatively positioned lantern light," he says.

From there, you can determine which furnishings you want—whether it's a daybed, hammock, or full bed. In a home near the Jersey Shore, for instance, Bubnowski opted for a coastal-inspired setup: "The client [asked] us to design a queen-sized bed that would hang from the beams above and sway gently from the wind on breezy days."