[784caroline]

I know WE would not be happy with an 8 ft lanai......it limits practically all your options, and you always have a crowded feeling. However if other alternatives are off the table I suggest another design option knowing the fact that you cannot expand back.

I would take out/eliminate the sliding doors from the lanai to the family room, arch the entrance way to the lanai, raise the lanai floor and extend the tile from the family room, then enclose the now lanai area with low E sliding glass windows over transom windows. THis way you can use the lanai area without most of the constratints of it being only 8ft, still have a great open view even moreso from the family and kitchen area, still have 50% air flow when needed, NO outside rain or dirt to worry about, adds liveable space under cover with HEAT/AC, and provides better traffic flow. This work can be done after new construction probably at a much more reasonable price.

Good Luck!!

[sralph99]

My lanai was 8 1/2 feet wide, which was fine for the two of us. Now that it is enclosed I wish it was 2 feet wider. At least I get good use out of it for all 12 months.

[dotti105]

Such great input! I really appreciate it! Keep it coming!!
I am really tempted, at this point, to add 2 ft to the Lanai from the LR/DR wall. Because we are doing a 2 ft side stretch, there will be no sq ft lost in the LR and the DR is generously sized. We are building without the columns and using tile throughout, so the 2 ft lost in the DR will be negligible. I'm glad we have a couple if months to let the wheels turn. Big decisions. Don't want to get them wrong!

[tommy steam]

Which direction does your lanai face?

[dotti105]

South southwest

[SALYBOW]

I had an 8 foot deck at home and I HATED IT

[gmcneill]

You are going to have views of some awesome sunsets during the cooler months of the year!!

Since you LOVE the lot, then just put the size of the lanai out of your mind. It is what it is. Those sunsets and the wildlife will make up for it.


If it were me, I wouldn't buy lanai furniture until after I have moved in and developed a feel for how things flow. You might find that you could do w/out a larger table on the lanai, opting for more informal side tables instead. One of your neighbors to be has "extended" the lanai by setting up lawn chairs seating area outside of the lanai.

No. I'm not a stalker! I live on Luraville and pass by your future street every day.

[dotti105]

I've seen some great patio areas built adjacent to the Lanai which really add some great usable space. There are more options that I realized. So I'll continue to check out our options.
Thanks Debbie, for sharing your photos, and everyone for the usefull opinions!!

[senior citizen]

Dotti:
Every single one of the posters above has shared some really really good advice from their own personal experience. Only you, though, know what your own entertaining style is......or how much larger (or not) your lanai needs to be.

However, that said........if you still have time to change your lot prior to the home being built......and you have serious doubts.......then I, myself, would listen to Jimbo2012. We've owned many homes ourselves and whenever we remodeled, whether it was a great room, a deck or a three season sun porch.......believe me, you will be happy with a bigger expanse of floor space........

When we were in The Villages for the month of November, we did not find it cold at all. We spent all of our time out on the lanai which had a bird cage "off of it"....so even more SPACE. The only time we sat in the living room was when it got dark out......to watch the news, etc.........it was November.

But that lanai got all of our "time" when we were at home. When our adult son and his wife visited over Thanksgiving weekend, it was obvious they also enjoyed it.

The minute they walked into the home.........they went from the foyer into the open concept kitchen and I could see them "buzzing" to each other as they looked through the living room slider to the outdoor area.

It was the "focal point" of the entire home..........

To us, as to Jimbo2012, outdoor living is what it's all about in Florida..............but good luck in whatever decision you make.

I believe his was 45 x 12.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by dotti105

I've seen some great patio areas built adjacent to the Lanai which really add some great usable space. There are more options that I realized. So I'll continue to check out our options.
Thanks Debbie, for sharing your photos, and everyone for the usefull opinions!!

Dotti, those patio's must still be built within the building lot zone, you can not go into setbacks or rights of ways.

Since you're thinking about max out on the build you can't build an extra patio now or later.

[getdul981]

Check with your realtor to see if you can add bird cage space behind the lanai. We are in the process of having 4 1/2 foot bird cage added to our Lily model lanai in the back and expanding about 9 feet to the side. That will be behind the golf cart garage. The current width of the lanai is 9 1/2 feet and appears to bee awfully tight. We have not bought furniture for it because it just seems too small.

[keithwand]

Our covered lanai is 14X38 and we wish it was larger. We did not know we could have it enlarged during Design.

[jimbo2012]

When at home during the day or nite we find ourselves on the lanai, even when we visit others we R in theirs.

Fl = outdoors = lanai

I think inside is only for sleeping & taking a shower

[e-flyer]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Dotti, those patio's must still be built within the building lot zone, you can not go into setbacks or rights of ways.

Since you're thinking about max out on the build you can't build an extra patio now or later.

Best to check with the real estate folks, ours told us as long as it wasn't attached to the house ( ie: birdcage) you can add open patios/Landscaping beyond the setback. Birdcages could only be added out to the setback. Good luck in your decision, we have an 8' kissing lanai & will make it work. We could have upgraded our lot but didn't want to be house poor, lol.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by e-flyer

Best to check with the real estate folks, ours told us as long as it wasn't attached to the house ( ie: birdcage) you can add open patios/Landscaping beyond the setback.

Having just gone thru an application that is incorrect.

It has nothing to do with attached or not or "real estate folks" it is the ARC and building dept.

However, having said that there is an exception to extend 2' beyond the building line without any structure ie: patio

So say U had 10' to build U can go 12' on a patio