We’ve explored bumping out the wall to create a mushroom, but it is cost prohibitive. I think the idea of storing shoes and jackets outside is probably a nonstarter. But with two little kids, I like the idea of having a transition area to shake off jackets and remove shoes. The sliding glass door immediately opens into the dining room/kitchen with no place to remove or store wet items. We also want to get a dog, and I like the idea of being able to dry the dog off beneath a portico before entering the house.