Television commercials trying to evoke nostalgia often feature a home with a big front porch, according to a recent article by Claire Walter, a contributor to The Denver Post. Architecture plays an important role in how we interact with our neighbors and develop a sense of community.

If the world had a front porch like we did back then
We'd still have our problems but we'd all be friends
Treating your neighbor like he's your next of kin
Wouldn't be gone with the wind
If the world had a front porch, like we did back then

- If the World had a Front Porch Lyrics by Tracy Lawrence

The notion of the old-fashioned porch evokes warm, fuzzy feelings even among those who have never lived with one.

PORCHES DEFINE NEIGHBORHOODS
Steve Turner of Historic Denver Inc. calls porches the greatest urban neighborhood builder. "They foster a sense of community," he says. "It is impossible for neighbors not to get to know each other when they have front porches."

In the days before air conditioning, porches were energy-efficient, shady and often breezy places to keep cool in the summer.

THE AMERICAN PORCH
"When I am on my porch, I wave at people and they wave back," states Michael Dolan, author of "The American Porch: An Informal History of an Informal Place."

“Porches have aesthetic value as well – pity the poor house that doesn't have one,” Dolan says. "A house without a porch is like a face without eyebrows."

By the 1920s, the American porch was on its way out. The 1950s suburban development boom killed the porch altogether. Television and air conditioning contributed to the porch's downfall as well.

"When you drive into a garage and go right into the house, it is hard to connect," says Dolan. "Something was lost when the porch went away."

PORCH IMPROVEMENTS
If your porch is cramped and uninviting, consider enlarging it to make room for plant containers, a sitting area or some other purpose.
Points to ponder:

• A stone porch offers durability while a wooden porch suggests a country or rustic appeal.
• Consider wrought iron railings and built in planters for sections of the porch’s siding.
• Add a new light fixture— either one that hangs from the ceiling or a wall sconce.
• Plant filled containers are appealing porch ornaments.
• Add a stone bench to set groceries or a swing for relaxing outdoors.

ADDING A PORCH
Transform your home’s look and provide a serene setting for everything from family meals to afternoon naps. Before hammering the first nail, review these suggestions:

• Consider scale, materials, and overall architectural style.
• Check out types of porches appropriate for your home’s style and size.
• Choose materials that relate to the existing structure.
• Classic elements such as wooden columns and railings work with many houses.
• Flooring and ceiling materials make a statement too.