lanai
 

How much do you use your lanais. If you had to choose would you recommend a 3rd bedroom or a lanai?

I'd choose the lanai. In the summer, it's too hot to be out there in the afternoon, at least for me, but there are many, many months when it's absolutely wonderful to sit outdoors, enjoying the fresh air, watching the birds, anoles, rabbits and whatever else manages to walk through my yard.

Another vote for the lanai. However, I'm a smoker and refuse to smoke in my house, so I do use the lanai constantly regardless of the weather. But, like Pooh, I love to sit out there, especially in the early morning and enjoy the birds.

That being said, I do know of some who have totally enclosed their lanai to turn it into another room and they have no regrets. So, I guess it depends on what you want -- access to outside and nature or privacy and more indoor space.

If I could do it again, I would opt for the family room over the lanai. Air conditioned and livable apace.

We love having a private, backyard lanai. We use it everyday when we are there, even in the early mornings and evenings during the summer. However, as others have said, it's a matter of personal preference.

Our lanai is used year round....we feel it is a big plus to our home. Yes, in the summer it is hot but the ceiling fan helps as well as our landscaping which provides plenty of shade.

another vote for the lanai! we would never be without our enclosed outdoor space. two sides of out lanai are enclosed with screens and windows and the third side is open to covered space - so we can even enjoy the great outdoors in weather from a short shower to a mild storm. we have always had a screened in porch on our homes up north so we made sure we had the same in fl.

The lanai can double as a third bedroom if you have it glassed in. We glassed in our lanai in our two-bedroom Courtyard Villa and it worked well for guests. (Not very private, unfortunately, but then your guests won't stay as long). And we added a birdcage for extra outside space.

No brainer for us... LANAI. We were there in September and spent more time on the lanai than in the house...from early morning coffee and planning the days activities to the late night glass (ok...maybe a bottle) of wine...

We lived in Naples for 10 years, and used the lanai at least 50 weeks a year, daily, early for coffee, and late for a nightcap. On our 2 previous LSV's we used the lanai the same way. When we build in early 2011, the lanai will positively stay on the list.

Lanai. Our house is east/west and the lanai is on the east....not too hot in the morning but get sun on the plants and perfect in the afternoon shade. We use the fan as well some in the summer if there is no breeze. The girls (cats) love being able to go "outside" and survey their kingdom, too.

I'm looking forward to my lanai.
I just wanted an excuse to post so I could comment on your handle, "whartonjelly." Sometimes I like to say my name is "Sue De Monis"

:1rotfl:

But I can call you Scrapple, right?

You betchya!

Lanai for sure. It's where I have my several cups of coffee and read the paper in the morning. That said, we're soon approaching the time when it is usually a little chilly for that, so I'll stay inside.

Besides, The Cat would have an absolute hissy-fit if she couldn't enjoy the outside air! :wave:

SWR
:beer3:

Lanai for sure. Sitting in the middle of a third bedroom...well that is just to boring and nothing to watch. It would have privacy though.

lanai, definitely. Even when it's cool, can put on sweats and enjoy. And I love to snuggle up in a comfy throw on a cool evening, sit in my reading chair beside my reading lamp and read away. . . (with my glass of wine - or two)

We just enclosed our lanai with glass doors with screens and now it is a Florida room. We will use this room so much more than we did the lanai.

100% Lanai. Both for enjoyment and also resale value. Of course if you plan on this being the last home you ever buy, resale may not make a difference. I remember a home over near Cane Garden that was on the market forever and an extremely low price. It is one of the few homes I saw without a lanai.

jeffy

To lanai or not to lanai
 

Well, I already have a 3rd bedroom so I do not need any more rooms. My dogs use the lanai more than we do and we are looking into enlarging it for them since they like laying out there a lot. I am not a big fan of the outdoors so if I had a choice of another room where I could put in a pool table or a lanai, the room would win out. :smiley: