One thing our new location has taught us is how much of our life happens outdoors. From kid-powered play breaks and weekly s’mores at the fire pit to afternoons spent working on the second-floor deck, we spend a lot of time outside. The weather helps, but having several inviting outdoor areas makes it easy to be out there every day — the upstairs deck, in particular, has been a delightful surprise.
Many outdoor spots on our property only needed a simple update to go from “rarely used” to “our favorite hangout.” The covered side porch is a perfect example. It sat mostly empty for months until we realized it was an ideal place to hang a large tent-style swing we bought for the kids.
This porch is accessed from our bedroom and, in the long term, we plan to convert part of it into an ensuite bathroom. For now, though, a full renovation isn’t a priority — we’re focusing on a pool and a small detached guest studio first. So creating a low-effort, kid-friendly spot where they can lounge, read, color, or play feels like the best temporary use of the space.
The porch floor had been painted white by our contractor when we moved in. That looked fine at first, but white decking shows dirt, leaf stains, and scuff marks almost immediately. After a few months of use, the floor looked tired and stained.
We already had porch and floor paint left over from another project, so we decided a medium gray would freshen the area without a big investment. Prep was minimal: we blew off loose debris, pressure washed the deck, and let it dry thoroughly. Some discoloration remained, but the porch and floor enamel covered the stains well.
We used Sherwin-Williams Porch & Floor Enamel in Requisite Gray, a warm gray that pairs nicely with our siding and reads well inside where we’ve used the color before. The new coat transformed the porch in just a few hours — between prep, painting, and hanging the tent, the entire update took under three hours.
The finished gray floor looks cleaner and is far more practical for an outdoor space. If it needs another refresh down the road, repainting will be quick and easy. For now, the change made the porch feel intentional and welcoming.
From the kitchen window you can see the painted floor and our green fence, which has been a standout in our outdoor updates. We’ll share more about the fence color — Halcyon Green by Sherwin-Williams — along with the fire pit and surrounding landscaping soon.
The hanging tent we installed is large (60″ wide) and rated for 450 lbs, so it’s roomy and sturdy enough for both kids to lie comfortably in any direction. Unlike a double hammock, the tent is stable and doesn’t let users slide toward the center, so each child has their own comfortable spot.
The kids use the tent for reading, coloring, imaginative play, and even daytime “sleepovers” and board games. It complements their webbed tree swing, which is geared toward more active, energetic play. I’ve even taken a turn in the tent after evening s’mores — it’s a relaxing little retreat.
We hung the tent with a strap system — the same kind used for our tree swing — which felt secure and was easy to install. The tent fabric is a thick, semi-translucent material that feels cocooning without being overly dark; the kids can see and read easily while enjoying the sense of having their own private space. It even includes a small cup holder, which delighted my husband when he tested it.
This quick porch refresh — a new coat of floor paint and a hanging tent — turned an underused area into a favorite hangout for the kids and a pleasant spot for adults, too. It’s a small, affordable update with a big impact on how we use our outdoor space.
We’re still fond of evening string lights and the cozy glow they bring, so yes — the tree is still up and the lights stay on for ambiance. It’s fun to compare this to a photo from last February when we first toured the house; a few coats of paint and removing an old rickety staircase made a dramatic difference.
If you want to follow more of our Florida house updates, our archive gathers every change chronologically for an in-depth look. We’ve also written about downsizing and how it’s affected our lifestyle, including the surprises and challenges that came with that decision.
PS: We’ve shared tips on painting porch ceilings and why a “haint blue” is one of our favorite porch ceiling colors in a separate post if you’re considering a similar update.
More Flooring Projects
If you’d like to read more about flooring projects we’ve completed, check out the posts below:
- Refinishing Hardwood Floors 101
- How To Install Hardwood Flooring Yourself
- How To Select Hardwood Flooring
- How To Install Hardwood Floors Without Nails
- How To Install Click-And-Lock Cork Flooring
- How To Stain A Concrete Floor
- How To Remove Carpet
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