5 Tips for a Beautiful Porch Makeover on a Budget

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If you feel like your porch has some major problems, take heart! You can make a BIG impact on a budget. I recently had the opportunity to makeover a porch for a wonderful couple, Nancy and Ken. They had entered (and won) “The Ugliest Porch in Seattle” contest, sponsored by KOMO-TV’s Seattle Refined and Lowe’s. We had dozen of entires and then the viewers got to vote for the winner who received a $500 gift card from Lowe’s and design help from me.

Here’s the “before.” After connecting with the couple, I got the chance to hear what wasn’t working for them porch-wise. They enjoy having neighbors and friends over to sip wine and sit on the porch… so the current set-up was bumming them out to say the least.

Porch Challenges

The porch measured 25 feet long and 6 feet wide. Overall, the homeowners felt it lacked color and warmth. Looking around the area, they had a vintage bench towards the end of the porch that they never used. The furniture they did use (patio chairs with foot rests) was in great condition, it was just too large for the narrow space. But biggest issue that Ken and Nancy faced was a large dead space adjacent to their porch. There’s a big healthy tree that blocks most of the light to the area. Unfortunately, that same tree also has huge roots that are throughout that dead space and even popping through it in some areas.

Here’s a closer shot of the porch.

And here’s their dog who just happens to be super cute.

Here I am with Jim Wilde from Lowe’s in Rainer Valley. He and his team were a dream to work with. Jim and I talked through some of the opportunities for change. Here are 5 Tips for a Beautiful Porch on a Budget.

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Seattle’s “Ugliest Porch” Gets a Makeover

5 Tips for a Beautiful Porch on a Budget

1. Score size-appropriate furniture: This bistro table set (which comes with the orange chair cushions) was on sale for around $124. Since the seating situation is so important, the set was a must-have item. Plus it provided height in an area where everything was flat.

2. Consider Drought Resistant Grass for Shady Spaces: In areas that don’t get a lot of light, drought resistant grass can be a great way to add color and texture. We used it in one large flower pot as well as in a smaller flower pot.

3. Add Color to “Dead Zones” with Lava Rock: That large “dead zone” adjacent to the porch was the biggest challenges we faced. Nothing could or would grow there, and pavers weren’t an option either, because of the roots. Lava rock added color, is inexpensive and it’s very easy to install.

4. Flowers are Your Friends: Flowers add color and personality to a drab area. We used a hanging basket as well as potted plants.

5. Small Throw Pillows Make a Big Impact: Simply adding a couple matching pillows to some furniture brightens it up and makes it look inviting.

Bonus Tips

6. Reuse What You Have in a New Way: We removed that bench at the end of the porch and replaced it with the two chairs that Ken and Nancy already had (minus the foot rests).

7. Consider an Outdoor Rug: Adding a rug that coordinated with the bistro set, pillows and flowers really tied everything together. We ended up getting the red and white chevron rug (on the far right of the photo) for around $30!

I am happy to report we came in right on budget (which was $500 for everything) and that the homeowners were thrilled! Check out more ideas for sprucing up your front porch below.