Portico Design Ideas

Types

• When you begin designing your portico, you should first identify which type of portico you would like. Porticos are classified by their number of columns. A tetrastyle has four columns, a hexastyle has six columns, an octostyle has eight columns, and a decastyle has ten. Some porticos have only two columns and are more of an indention into the facade of the home.

Famous Porticos

• Looking at famous porticos can spark design ideas. Take a look at the famous East Portico on the United States Capitol Building or the Pantheon in Rome. The city of Bologna, Italy, has one of the longest porticos stretching two miles from the edge of the city to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. Porticos are an ancient architectural detail that can also be seen in many of the ancient Greek temples.

Column Design

• A portico is more distinguished than a front porch in that it usually has a heavier, more ornate design. George D. Hopkins, author of "Creating Your Architectural Style," recommends choosing a portico design that foreshadows the workmanship and design details that can expected throughout the home. Keep this in mind when choosing your column type and design, such as rustic-hewn logs for a log cabin to marble pillars for a Neo-classical home.

Details

• A perfectly appointed portico is completed with attention to even the smallest details. Consider the fixtures that will provide the lighting on the portico. Would you like a large, stately gas lantern suspended above the front door or a series of porch lights lining a wall of rocking chairs? A portico is an elegant entryway, so be sure to choose a front door that will compliment the design, including the transom. Last, consider any door or window moldings to create a lavish entrance way.