Hope you all had a great holiday weekend. We spent time with family (more on that later this week) and have been easing back into projects after last week’s big paneling install. In between, we managed a small but satisfying porch refresh.
When we were house hunting last fall we took a couple of terrible porch photos that didn’t show much curb appeal. On moving day we simply set our old wooden bench (a Home Depot find from years ago) on the porch and called it done. It felt bland and neglected.
After living here more than six months, we finally hauled our planters out of the basement and put them to use. We’d stacked them into a large Tupperware bin when we moved and only opened it last week. Miraculously, a hosta inside — sealed in that dark bin — was still alive. Mr. Hosta proves just how hardy some plants can be.
We rinsed off the planters and outdoor pillows to remove dust and cobwebs. Most of the pots are from Home Depot, though we repainted a set of square ones a while back to change their warm wood tone into a fresher finish.
When John had the hose out, he even filled the bird feeder — which prompted a juvenile joke and wordplay. Sometimes small projects bring out the silliness.
We ran to Home Depot for a few plants and shrubs, then tucked them into the pots we already owned. One new addition is a coleus we picked up for about $6; its bold, high-contrast leaves remind me of my mom — it’s one of her favorites. We’re always drawn to strong foliage contrasts.
On the opposite side of the door we placed the resurrected hosta and a feathery, purple-flowering shade annual (a $5 find) that complements its texture. Bringing these plants out immediately added life and color to the porch.
For symmetry beside the door we planted two hardy evergreen shrubs in matching planters. We lost the name tag, but the nursery listed them as slow-growing to roughly three feet tall and about 16 inches wide — a good fit for container life. If they outgrow the pots, we’ll transplant them and try seasonal options like mums in autumn or bright annuals in spring and summer.
This update isn’t a complete transformation, but it’s a pleasant lift while we plan larger porch projects. On the to-do list: remove the scalloped trim above the porch, refinish and square-off the columns for a chunkier look, and relocate the oversized shrubs that crowd the walkway.
We also want to replace the small porch light with a larger lantern-style fixture and possibly add a matching light on the other side for balance. Painting the front door, updating the hardware, and considering a stain for the concrete porch floor are all on the roadmap too.
Our welcome mat from Target has held up well. That’s partly because we rarely use the front door — at our previous house we entered through the sunroom, and here we use the side door in the carport — so it’s stayed relatively fresh.
The whole planter rinse and plant run took about two hours from start to finish. We’ll remember to water them — our rain barrel makes that task free and convenient, which is a nice perk for maintaining curb appeal.
Looking farther ahead, we’d like to open up sightlines so you can see the porch from the driveway. Right now five million bushes and shrubs obscure the view, even though I previously limbed up the magnolia. “Jungle-esque” pretty much describes our yard at the moment.
We also have long-term plans to enclose the carport to create a garage, once we settle on the right doors, windows, and design details. For now, the modest porch refresh has made a real difference and reminded us how much a few well-placed pots can improve curb appeal.
Psst — Clara painted a little masterpiece that we added to our hallway frame wall. We’re so proud of our little artist.