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Original poster

Does the placement for the door look odd?

38 replies

Yellowmango · 10/04/2025 16:37

We're getting our porch built and I am worried the layout looks odd. I should have told the builder to have the door in the centre but now it's too late. It's not finished yet but do you think it would look okay? Do you have any ideas to make it look better? I was thinking of maybe adding wood cladding on the bigger side but I don't know if that would work

Does the placement for the door look odd?
OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 10/04/2025 16:45

Yes. It's weird and should have been central. It will cost you more money but you might be able to get them to fix it now. Ask the builder how much it will be. It would annoy me too much to not sort out. Worst case, they should be able to make a wider, centralised hole and then you could have panels either side of the door.

Nourishinghandcream · 10/04/2025 16:46

I am sure the door is offset for a reason (although I can't think of one as it doesn't look wide enough for a cloakroom?) but in this case, I think I would have had a small window to the side.
Do you intend putting a light and/or the door number on the wider side, that will balance it up?

Rollercoaster1920 · 10/04/2025 16:48

What do your planning permission drawings show? That looks like it needs planning (over 3m from ground level).

What did you give him to work from?

nbee84 · 10/04/2025 16:51

Once you've put a light and a house number to the side of the door it will look fine.

TheVeryThing · 10/04/2025 16:53

I think it could look fine, put a nice light on the wall beside it and plants etc? What had you planned for inside the porch?
It's just that I have a tiny hallway (though not a porch) and the front door is off-centre, which means there is space on one side for a coat rack and shoe storage. If the door was right in the centre we wouldn't have enough space on either side.

Arlanymor · 10/04/2025 16:54

Just make a feature of the larger side - cladding, house name/number sign, bell, light, etc.

Arlanymor · 10/04/2025 16:55

TheVeryThing · 10/04/2025 16:53

I think it could look fine, put a nice light on the wall beside it and plants etc? What had you planned for inside the porch?
It's just that I have a tiny hallway (though not a porch) and the front door is off-centre, which means there is space on one side for a coat rack and shoe storage. If the door was right in the centre we wouldn't have enough space on either side.

Really good point about the storage, my parent's home is exactly the same.

Mamofboys5972 · 10/04/2025 16:56

We looked into getting a porch and one of the builders recommended the door slightly off centre as it would offer a little more room on one side for coats shoes etc, especially because we couldn't afford the size we wanted lol. Could they have done this ? Bizarre it wasn't mentioned to you

cleanasawhistle · 10/04/2025 16:57

Yes will be fine once you add door num etc
Also easier to get large items in if its lined up with inner door

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 10/04/2025 16:58

I think that's fine - put a house number and mailbox on the wider side. Gives you more usable space inside, e.g. for coats and shoes without impinging on the door opening.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 10/04/2025 16:59

Apart from the first response, everyone agrees!

tillytoodles1 · 10/04/2025 16:59

Oh yes, it definitely should be in the centre. There is a house by me that has an arched porch outside, but when you look through it, you can only see half of the front door.

ShowOfHands · 10/04/2025 17:00

My immediate thought was the same as other posters. Off set means you have room for storage in your porch whether for coats or shoes or a table for odds and ends. Makes a huge difference to the usability of the space.

nahthatsnotforme · 10/04/2025 17:07

Has the builder put the new doorway in front of the original? Because I think that’s fine. And I agree it’ll give you much more options inside

FatLarrysBanned · 10/04/2025 17:13

He's just kept it in line with the internal door. A window to the right and a letter box would be good.

I prefer it this way or you have a chicane effect when you come out of the internal "front door". The internal space is much more useful than 2 shallow spaces either side of a central external door.

Cotswoldmama · 10/04/2025 17:40

I agree that it means a more usable space inside. I would get a trellis and a fast growing climbing plant to grow on that side.

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 10/04/2025 18:47

I think it’s correct actually. Both because it lines up with the inside door and as it provides more storage.

Aparecium · 10/04/2025 18:48

FatLarrysBanned · 10/04/2025 17:13

He's just kept it in line with the internal door. A window to the right and a letter box would be good.

I prefer it this way or you have a chicane effect when you come out of the internal "front door". The internal space is much more useful than 2 shallow spaces either side of a central external door.

Edited

I agree.

It also means you now have space for coat pegs in the porch, and some combination of a shoe rack, drawers for hats/gloves/scarves, drip stand for an umbrella, etc.

I would put the house number and an outside light on the larger wall, and plant something pleasing beneath it.

100percenthagitude · 10/04/2025 18:51

It needed to be offset to match the internal door - imagine trying to get furniture in and out!

Once finished and styled, it will look fab.

lovemycbf · 10/04/2025 18:58

I think it’s fine as you can store coats/shoes etc
and as others have said house number and a nice light

neonjumper · 10/04/2025 19:00

It’s fine … if the outer door is offset it will be difficult to bring large items into the house ie sofas, white goods etc
you could ask to have a window put in to the side if you think it will be too dark in there.

fufulina · 10/04/2025 19:03

Looks like it aligns with the inner door, which makes sense to me. Agree that maybe a window to the side would be beneficial, but I think it will work well.

Mudlarking · 10/04/2025 19:06

Has it been done this way in order to meet building regs/door clearance/accessibility regs?? And also for storage otherwise dead space o’wise. I’d take storage over being central personally.

Doris86 · 10/04/2025 19:23

nahthatsnotforme · 10/04/2025 17:07

Has the builder put the new doorway in front of the original? Because I think that’s fine. And I agree it’ll give you much more options inside

Yes I was going to say that. It’s in front of the original door. If the builder had put it in the centre it would be misaligned with the original door, which would be a bit awkward and odd.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 10/04/2025 19:29

Agree that where it needs to be as it's in line with the original door. If it was central you'd be swearing every time you tried to get anything big into the house. Imagine a sofa delivery!

Put a light, a house number, and a plant pot to the right of the door and it'll look fine.

And you can have somewhere for coats on the right as you walk in. Just make sure the door is hinged on the left!