The Veranda: A Relaxing Open Gallery

The simplest definition that one could come up with regard to veranda is that it is an open gallery that is, at times, partly enclosed. The modern roots for the veranda is believed to be in Australia. Colonial buildings began to appear in the 1850s and these structures began to incorporate an architectural feature called the Victorian Filigree or, nowadays, simply filigree.

The word veranda came from the Hindi word varaṇḍā. This same word also has a Portuguese origin which is varanda. The Spanish word is not too different with their own version – baranda.

It was the English word that was eventually used as a general term for this space. The word is veranda which was also used in France.

The Roots of Veranda

Almost all residential units in Australia and New Zealand have verandas with wrought-iron screens, decorative cast iron filigree, or wood fretwork.

Spain also had its own colonial architecture to boast about. This is the Mission Revival style which also became quite popular in the U.S. in the early 1900s. These verandas were now part of the exteriors and in a few cases, along the interior courtyard walls.

New Orleans also featured verandas. This is no surprise since a lot of southern states and cities constructed stucco or brick balconies and verandas.

The veranda is also quite popular in Africa. Most of the early colonial abodes came with huge verandas. These allowed the inhabitants to keep cool during the hottest seasons. The Omani Arabs, on the other hand, have different varieties of this architectural feature. All had high ceilings.

People who tell you that they have an outdoor architectural feature may be describing a veranda. This is especially true when the structure is historically significant (e.g. the Creole Townhouses in Louisiana).

The Veranda Today

The verandas of today are still a part of the most posh homes. Veranda is also a term that is often used to name hotels, restaurants, even pets. There are even novels that have the word veranda on its title.

If you are looking into setting up the perfect veranda, then you should also consider the kinds of furniture that you will place there. These furniture pieces must be manufactured specifically to last outdoors. Just think about the pieces that you would want to have in a patio, then these are the very things that can also use in a veranda.

The veranda must be practical so you need furniture that are weather-resistant. The materials used must be able to withstand even the harshest elements. If you live in an area that rains or have snowstorms each year, then find durable veranda chairs such as those made with aluminum, wrought-iron, stainless steel and other metals.

There are also specialized kinds of woods that can last outdoors as there are fabrics that can last longer even under the harmful rays of the sun.

You can further amplify the veranda’s appeal by setting up some cushy chairs with matching table. These are needful since you will need an area where you can relax the moment you want to enjoy the garden or the landscaping.

The veranda must always be a place of refuge. This is a spot where the family can gather to relax or for family members to read books. Make sure that the furniture arrangement is proper for entertainment. Keep everything low maintenance so that you won’t have a hard time cleaning the refined furnishings.

A covered veranda can also have its own distinctive garden sets. This is often a glasstop metallic table and some metallic chairs. You can also hang a gilded mirror at the veranda so that the most beautiful sceneries are reflected on its surface.

‘You ready to set up your first veranda?

Tags: decorating the veranda, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, veranda

This entry was posted on Friday, April 28th, 2017 at 9:00 am and is filed under Architectural Elements, Furniture, Outdoors Style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.