What Is a Lanai vs. a Porch, Patio, or Veranda?

If you live in a warm-weather locale, you may be looking for ways to maximize your outdoor living space at home. A lanai, porch, patio, or veranda can significantly upgrade your outdoor space and extend the time you can relax outdoors.

Read on to see what professionals say about the different features of lanais, porches, patios, and verandas to help you decide which one may be right for you.

What Is a Lanai?

A lanai is a roofed porch, sometimes screen-enclosed or with one wall open to the outdoors. Interior designer Colleen Simonds says a lanai is designed to function as an outdoor room or an indoor/outdoor hybrid space. Because they’re mostly enclosed, lanais are usable for a larger portion of the year.

Lanais are “a type of outdoor room toward the back of a home that is enclosed with screens or windows to keep insects and debris out,” says Kevin Harris of Kevin Harris Architect, LLC. “They offer shade and protection from the sun.”

According to interior designer Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms, “Lanais are your spring, summer, and early fall space.”

The term “lanai” means “roofed porch” in Hawaiian, where the concept originated. Lanais are mainly used in warm-weather locales and functions like an open-air family or living room and are often outfitted with furniture, including sofas, chairs, tables, or TVs.

Lanais vs. Porches, Patios, and Verandas

Lanais, patios, porches, and verandas are all part of the same general family but have different characteristics.

What Is a Porch?

A porch is a covered area adjoining a home’s front, side, or back entrance. It has a roof and can be screened on two or more sides. This type of screened porch differs from a lanai which may have one screened wall.

The most significant difference between a lanai and a screened porch is protection from the elements. A lanai is often part of the house, usually with walls or windows, and can, in most cases, be closed when rain or bad weather threatens. A screened porch does not keep out rain, but its greatest benefit is it guards against insects.

What Is a Patio?

A patio is a paved, flat, open-air outdoor space with comfortable furnishings for outdoor entertaining. An extended roof or awning can also cover a patio near the house though it is open to the elements on three sides.

A free-standing patio unattached to the house typically does not have a roof though it may have a light covering, such as a pergola, canopy, or shade sails.

What Is a Veranda?

A veranda is very similar to a porch, although it is usually larger, wraps around the house, and can feature some seating or furniture.

“A veranda can wrap around the entire home while patios and porches are typically smaller spaces found in the front, back, or side of a home,” says designer Colleen Simonds.

Why Add a Lanai to Your Home?

“A lanai offers the ultimate in true indoor/outdoor living in a very comfortable setting,” Simonds says. “You can expand the “livable’ square footage and suddenly have additional space for entertaining, relaxing, even working.”

Even if your home is relatively small, you can usually expand and build a lanai to make entertaining guests easier.

“It’s the ultimate family hang-out space,” Simonds says, explaining that a lanai will often feature furniture typical of an indoor lounge space and a television. The lanai pictured above even includes a dining table perfect for entertaining, and colorful artwork graces the walls.

“There’s just something so luxurious about having a TV in an almost outdoor room,” Storms adds. “There’s nothing like it.”

How to Choose Between Lanais, Porches, Patios, and Verandas

When considering whether to add a lanai, porch, patio, or veranda to your home, here are several factors to help you choose the right option:

• Extension of your home: Do you want an indoor/outdoor room for optimum living space? Choose a lanai or a screened porch for mild climates.
• Location: If you need to remain flexible about where to place a structure in your yard, you may prefer a simple, free-standing patio.
• Seasonal use: How many seasons would you like to use your space? A lanai or screened porch can be used in multiple seasons.
• Available space: Is there adequate room around your home for a veranda? If you prefer a porch but have limited room, consider a porch on the back of your home.
• Your home’s style: Verandas work well on Colonials, farmhouses, Victorians, and Craftsman bungalows. A covered patio or lanai looks best on midcentury modern or ranch-style homes. Screened porches fit well on most homes.