When you think of a village house, one image that often comes to mind is the humble yet inviting porch a space where mornings start with a cup of tea and evenings end with stories under the stars. The porch, or verandah, isn’t just a physical extension of a rural home; it’s the soul of it. It’s where guests are welcomed, kids play, and elders relax. Designing this space well can transform the look and feel of the entire house.
Whether you’re building a new home in the countryside or renovating your ancestral village home, thoughtful porch design can make all the difference.
1. Make It an Open Invitation
Most village porches are open and they should be. Let it breathe. Use local materials like wood or brick, and don’t try to make it too ‘perfect’. The beauty of a village porch lies in its raw, honest appeal.
Think of a few pillars, maybe an old-school bench, and an overhanging roof to protect you from the rain or harsh sun.
2. Let Nature Be Part of It
If your porch doesn’t have a few plants in clay pots, is it even a village porch? Tulsi, aloe vera, hibiscus — whatever grows locally. You don’t need to make it look like a city balcony garden. Just a few plants along the edges add that peaceful, lived-in vibe.
Sometimes, even one creeper climbing up a pillar can make the whole space look alive.
3. Don’t Overdesign — Add Character Instead
You don’t need fancy tiles or imported lighting. Use red oxide flooring or even simple cement flooring with a rangoli corner. Hang an old lantern or a diya holder. Put up a wooden swing if space allows — not the modern types, but the ones with thick ropes and a wooden plank.
4. Use What You Have
Village homes are usually built over time, not in one go. So don’t be afraid to reuse old wooden doors, benches, or even bricks. They carry stories, and they add soul to the porch. You’ll never get that with something brand new off the internet.
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5. Comfort Comes First
Add a charpai or a folding chair. Some people even place a small table and use the porch like a semi-dining space in winters. It’s not about decorating for Instagram — it’s about creating a space you’ll actually use every day.
Paint a small mural, hang your grandfather’s old clock, or put a handmade toran at the entrance. These small things make the space yours.
In village homes, the porch is more than just the front of the house. It’s where life happens — where people gather without invitation, where silence speaks, and where you find a moment of peace.
So when you design it, don’t think like a builder. Think like someone who’s going to sit there, barefoot, sipping tea and watching the world go by.