Get Your Porch Ready for Spring

Paint a Concrete Floor

If you have a concrete porch, it may look worse for wear after a winter or two of harsh weather. A gallon of paint goes a long way to provide a quick transformation. Thoroughly clean the porch first (we recommend sweeping and power washing), then fill any holes or cracks with plaster. Then, brush on at least two coats of paint.

If you’re feeling more creative, you can tape off a pattern and apply a contrasting or complementary color for a striped or diamond effect or use a stencil to design a borer or highlight a walkway.

Tile Over Brick

While brick can be very attractive for a porch or stoop, it can give your home a dated feel if it’s been untouched for a long time. Brick can easily be painted with a special paint designed to cover and seal it. OR you can transform your brick porch in a weekend by covering it with a more modern tile. You can go for a subway tile shape or a variety of sizes to make a patchwork design. Talk to your local home improvement professional to find out what varieties are best suited for your home and easiest to DIY.

Add Wooden Planters

You can purchase wooden planters inexpensively and then custom paint them, or you can build your own from scratch with plywood. Add drainage holes and a liner if you plan on filling them with live plants, or use them to house already potted plants. Custom planters help personalize your seating area, and depending on the variety you plant, might even keep bugs away! Tie in an element from your home’s existing design – like the color of the siding or front door, to make it feel like natural design.

Paint the Railings

Nothing refreshes your porch more than painting the railings. Choose a crisp shade of white, or have fun with a contrasting color. Go for a natural look by sanding and painting, or spray paint for a metallic look. Whatever option you choose, use a coating that can withstand weathering.

Update the Lighting

Lighting has such an incredible effect on the appearance of a porch. Change out your existing porch light for an updated model – consider one -with a light sensor or with bug repellant capabilities. If your existing lighting is updated already, hang string lights or lanterns to create a warm glow for spending late nights in good company.

And all the rest…

No front porch is complete without the right seating options, so get the rocking chairs and the settee cleaned and outfitted with comfy cushions and throw blankets. Buy a storage ottoman for housing these items when the weather turns. If your outdoor furniture is tired, you can easily paint it to update the appearance and have it looking like new. Now you’re ready to spend long days and relaxing evenings out on your front porch.