What is a sleeping porch? The historical home feature that could be making a comeback

Traditional architecture has long been desirable, but as interior design trends embrace all things historic, features that were once deemed old-fashioned are creeping back into homes across the country.

Rooms that all old homes once had and perhaps fell out of fashion are once more becoming all the rage. From larders to keeping rooms, these traditional spaces that were once a staple in classical architecture are popping up in interiors everywhere. While each has its own unique purpose and charm, there's one room that I couldn't be happier to see being factored into house designs of the moment – the sleeping porch.

The clue is in the name when it comes to this historic room. It's a space designed for the utmost relaxation during the warmer months, allowing you to bask in the warm breeze without taking a step outside.

What is a sleeping porch?

Described as 'a summer’s lullaby' by designer Bryan Graybill, a sleeping porch was once the perfect place for rest during the warmer months. Typically located within an extension of a property (namely the porch), a sleeping porch was a popular feature pre-aircon times, fusing outdoor and indoor living, creating a breezy spot to unwind.

It's a common room that older homes once had, but have fallen out of favor as air conditioning replaced the need for these cool, indoor/outdoor spaces. There's a bit of a medical history here too, as sleeping porches were encouraged in the Victorian era to ensure plenty of fresh air to stave off diseases like tuberculosis.

But today they are just a calming spot to feel the fresh cool air and still be surrounded by beautiful interiors, and designers say this dated feature is due a comeback.

Not to be confused with front porch ideas, sleeping porches are more elaborate in design, enclosed, usually with screen windows, and can sometimes feature on the first floor and stretch the whole length of the home.

How are designers incorporating sleeping porches today?

Sounds dreamy? We agree, so here we speak with designers who have embraced the sleeping porch and incorporated them into their modern-day remodels.

1. To create the most inviting of guest bedrooms

Sandra Cavallo, known for her account Old Silver Shed, created a dreamy sleeping porch in her Cape Cod home so she could gaze at the sea view. She said, 'When we designed our house on Cape Cod, we knew we would have a lot of guests (who doesn’t want to visit the Cape in the summer?) Though our home is a new build, we wanted it to look and feel like it has been here for a hundred years, so we were careful to study the old, shingle style beach cottages that dot the New England coast and incorporate some of the traditional design elements.'

Embracing the Cape Cod house style, Sandra added the porch to honor the traditional architecture. She said, 'I decided that our guest bedroom would be modeled after a classic sleeping porch, where people would sleep in the summer when the heat was oppressive.'

'The room faces southwest, so in summer there is always a light breeze. I kept the bedroom small and cozy, wrapped it with windows and doors to take advantage of the breeze. We used old exterior doors for the entry to make you feel like you were stepping outside. The rest of my home is a mix of modern and vintage, but the guestroom has a distinctly cottage feel, so my guests would enjoy a truly charming Cape Cod experience.'

2. To add character to a new build home

This coastal-style sleeping porch, designed by Carly Ahlman Design, feels refreshingly relaxing and serene. How much do you want to prop yourself in that bed with a book on a sundrenched afternoon?

'We love the inherently cozy feel that a sleeping porch creates,' says Carly. 'They are the perfect place for built-in beds for sleepovers or a sunny place to set up a workspace. We also love that these spaces are reminiscent of older homes that have enclosed porches – they are a great way to make a new construction home feel more charming.'

3. Too add extra space in an underused part of the home

Designed by Lauren Conner Interiors, this sleeping porch is not located in the traditional porch area of the home but instead sits in a former garage. The designer made use of the underused space attached to the home and transformed it into a relaxing and plush sleep space that feels cozy and connected to nature.

Lauren says, 'This former garage has been transformed into a laid-back game room and extra sleeping porch for the main lakehouse overflow. It’s a rustic, no-frills space with a charming camp vibe and plenty of vintage finds, many of them original to the cabin. The collection of maps documents different time periods of the lake. Think of it as indoor camping, but with the comfort of A/C and the bonus of games for some good old-fashioned fun.'

Sleeping porches are a timeless addition to a home, allowing you to enjoy fresh air and a garden view with utter ease and relaxation. A room every period home once had, they're a peaceful and elegant space that makes year-round lounging even more serene.