We worked so hard on this farmhouse porch curb appeal makeover. I am so pleased to say it is finally finished!
We’ve worked so hard to completely transform the outdated exterior of our nearly 100 year old home. We brought the dilapidated porch on our 1920’s bungalow back to life, and added some much needed curb appeal.
I don’t know if I have ever been more excited to publish a post than this one right here! I can’t believe the difference this project has made for our old farmhouse.
Farmhouse Porch Curb Appeal Makeover
Just a review of where we started:
I’ve partnered up with Lowe’s Home Improvement for this project. See my full disclosure HERE.
There is nothing totally offensive about the state of our home these last 10 plus years, but I think we can all agree it had very little in the way of curb appeal.
Get all the before photos HERE.
Being the DIY and decor lover that I am, you may wonder how I could let this go on for so long.
Well, the simple answer is, I didn’t even know where to begin.
I mean, the boards were rotting, the lattice would come off if one of the kids just pulled on it slightly, and a good storm would blow the pillars, that supported the overhang, to the ground.
The floor boards were beyond refinishing, and the fixtures and screen door were outdated.
Putting pretty plants and rocking chairs on such a porch seemed almost futile.
This thing needed a total overhaul.
It’s hard to believe that less than $3,000 could make such a difference for the exterior of our home!
We did have the help of my cousin to do some building and electrical, but we DIY’ed as much as possible.
SO, for the list of projects we tackled with this makeover:
- Removed the old pillars and replaced them with 6″ by 6″ by 12′ treated wood beams.
- Ripped up the old flooring and laid 1″ by 6″ Treated Pine Deck Board.
- Took off the lattice and added Plywood Siding to conceal the area underneath the porch.
- Removed the old iron stair railing and had a custom railing built from one inch by six inch lumber, ripped into one by twos.
- Covered the concrete steps with wood
- Removed the solid railing around the porch and had a custom raling built from the same materials as the stair railing.
- Took off the old screen door.
- Stripped the paint from the original antique wood door.
- Stained the treated lumber wood floor with Olympic Maximum Transparent Exterior Stain in Canyon Brown.
- Replaced the old light fixture with the Harbor Breeze Calera 52 inch Aged Bronzed Outdoor Ceiling Fan.
- Wired in the Kichler Linford Olde Bronze Outdoor Wall Light to the left of the door.
- Added a few accessories, like this rocking chair, bench, and ferns.
- Spruced up the landscaping with a few hostas and new mulch.
- Outlined our cracking and worn sidewalk with flat creek rocks and filled it in with multi colored pebbles.
- Painted the new railings, stair risers, and beams with White Semi Gloss Exterior Paint.
We decided to stain the floors, so they would stand out against the white house.
Stripping the paint from our antique front door makes it stand out from the road, and adds in another wood tone.
We chose to go with black accents, like we did with our new farmhouse porch fan, lantern style light, bench and house numbers.
We covered the existing concrete steps with wood. We stained the stair treads to match our farmhouse porch flooring.
In my last post for this curb appeal makeover, I confessed my dilemma over which direction to lay the porch floors.
We ended up going the more traditional route, running the porch perpendicular to the house.
To spruce up the cracking driveway, we did a simple pebble path.
I will be doing another separate post on that process, but I love dramatic difference it made for minimal effort and money.
UPDATE: You can find that post HERE.
Ferns and Hostas add in color, while still keeping everything really natural and neutral.
I’ve been hoarding these vintage galvanized tubs, because I always thought they would look pretty in my farmhouse porch landscaping.
But, they actually just sat on my porch for years collecting recycling, because I couldn’t decide what to do with them.
Remember my problem earlier with trying to add pretty farmhouse touches to an old dilapidated porch. Why bother?
After my porch was no longer in shambles, I put one on either side of the steps and filled them with herbs, succulents and coleus. Next year, I will probably use them as a container garden and plant rosemary, thyme and basil.
My little mini potager!
To add in a little more subtle color, I brought out my DIY IKEA tea towel farmhouse pillow, my blue ticking stripe and grain sack pillows and my DIY buffalo check pillows.
Tutorials and shopping links for those pillows are linked above!
I stayed in my usual neutral color palette of white, wood, black, green and blue. I always know I can hardly go wrong when I pair those together.
The new slated porch railing really opens everything and makes the porch seem so much bigger.
We added some vents to the sides of the solid porch skirt, to provide ventilation, and keep moisture from building up under a completely enclosed porch.
To spruce up the landscaping on both sides of the house, we trimmed the bushes and added some fresh mulch.
The only thing we left with our original porch, other than the floor joists, was the white beadboard ceiling.
I love that it runs the entire length of the porch and adds to its farmhouse charm.
I think farmhouse porch furniture should be kept simple and minimal.
I decorated this white rocking chair with a few simple pillows, a white vintage blanket and a straw hat.
My husband built this white farmhouse porch swing.
I kept the styling minimal, with a few gray buffalo check pillows, and this simple blanket, to tie in a little more black, on this side of the porch.
I love this new space so much!
I think it completely transforms our entire house, and gives it more of the simple farmhouse character from the outside, that we already have going on inside.
I can’t wait to fill it with pumpkins this fall, and spend cozy evenings on the porch swing with warm blankets.
This is definitely a place I am proud to call home!
Links to projects in this post:
How To Update A Cracked Sidewalk With A DIY Gravel Path
How To Cover Concrete Steps With Wood
How To Strip Paint Off An Antique Wood Farmhouse Front Door
DIY Grain Sack And Ticking Stripe Pillows
Simple Buffalo Check Pillow Covers
Pin it for later:
This post was sponsored by Lowe’s. See my full disclosure HERE.
Dianne says
Love your beautiful updates you made.
Great curb appeal.
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much for stopping by, Dianne! I really appreciate it!
Laura says
Just wondering…was any consideration made when removing the tapered porch supports that are important architectural elements in this historic arts and crafts period home?
Lisa says
Yes! I definitely considered that. I actually thought long and hard about it. But, the original craftsmen style supports were rotting out and old. We didn’t know how to rebuild them like they were before. We went the more simple route, and I’m glad we did, because I love the new look.
Victoria says
I wondered this too, but I appreciate your honest answer so much. I’m sure other readers will also appreciate that sticking to a budget sometimes means making hard decisions.
Kelly says
Beautiful! What an amazing job, I have been waiting to see this "after" pictures, so glad they are finally in! You should be proud of all of the work that went into this.
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving this sweet comment! I really appreciate it!
Melissa says
It looks FANTASTIC!
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much Melissa! It was a huge undertaking, so that means a lot!
Sandy @ Shady Meadow Cottage says
Oh my – what a big difference! Great job!
Lisa Bass says
Thank you Sandy! You are so sweet to stop by and leave a comment!
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much Debra! I really appreciate you stopping by!
Jessica says
This is absolutely stunning! You are my favorite and my inspiration as I fix up my old lakehouse. In fact I am going out to buy the same color stain for my porch and the same light fixture. I just love everything…you are so talented and I look forward to reading all of your posts.
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Jessica! I bet your lake house is going to be amazing. I’m so glad our porch makeover was helpful for your project!! 🙂 🙂
Julie @LittleFarmstead.com says
Oh my word Lisa! Amazing transformation! LOVE how your front porch turned out. Cutest farmhouse on the block, no doubt! 🙂 Thanks for providing the breakdown of everything you did. Awesome job!
Lisa Bass says
Thanks so much, Julie! Your porch was really inspirational to me through this whole process!
Julie Blanner says
It’s simply stunning! You’ve outdone yourself, Lisa!
Lisa Bass says
Thanks so much for all your support, Julie. Always appreciated!
Angela says
This transformation is amazing!! It was so great meeting you at Haven and I can’t wait to go through blog!
Lisa Bass says
It was sooo great meeting you at Haven! That is seriously the best part of that conference for sure. So glad we could connect. Love your blog! 🙂
Skye says
Hi Lisa,i just found your blog via Lauren at Bless’er House.What an amazing transformation! You would hardly think it’s the same house,congratulations on doing such a beautiful job .It looks wonderful! I just love your whole house ,it is just so perfectly beautiful in it’s simplicity.Thank you for sharing & inspiring <3
Lisa Bass says
Yay! I love seeing readers from Bless’er House. I love her blog!! 🙂 Thank you so much for swinging by the farmhouse and leaving your sweet comment. 🙂
Marianne Radley says
Been following you for about a year, mostly because you are a local blogger. Now I recognize your house! I’ve passed by many, many times. My daughter lives a few miles outside of town, so we are there often. I love what you are doing, your style is refreshing! And love that street sooo much, I wish we could get one of those houses, but will be content with our lake home I guess.
Lisa Bass says
Awww yay, Marianne! I love it when I meet local readers. SO fun! Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it so much! By the way, the lake house sounds awesome! 😉 😉
Anita Ward says
Love your new front porch and curb appeal ❤️️❤️️
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much, Anita!
Nancy says
Absolutely brilliant!!!! I love it!!
Lisa Bass says
Aww thank you so much!
Carol@BlueskyKitchen says
Lisa, just gorgeous. You all did an outstanding job and all your design choices are so well thought out. What a welcoming place to greet visitors or relax with a good book and some sweet tea. We don’t have a front porch, but when I visualize the perfect one, I’m going to imagine yours.
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much Carol! I’m definitely looking forward to times like this on the porch! 🙂 🙂
Ardith says
You can be very, very proud of all of your hard work. Your porch looks so fresh and inviting. Cheers, Ardith
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so very much for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment, Ardith!
Margie says
Looks really beautiful and farmhouse pretty. You did a great job!
Lisa says
Thank you so much!
Zenda says
You have breathed new life into this home! Awesome job!!
Lisa says
Thank you so much Zenda!
nanoo says
I enjoy, lead to I found just what I was taking a look for.
You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
Kathy says
I LOVE everything about your new porch! I was wondering where you found the Sweet Tea & Sunshine sign!
Lisa says
That is from Fourth and Maple on Etsy. 🙂 https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopFourthAndMaple
Erika says
Wow, what a beautiful transformation! We are currently re-doing a farmhouse and picked out the same exterior lights. Just curious what size of light did you go with, is that the 17in or 22in Linford? Just trying to figure out which size to go with! Thank you!
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Erika! We went with the 17″ 🙂
Lacey says
Beautiful! Did you link the paint color you chose for the railings and exterior?
Lisa says
Yes! It is just plain white, but I have it linked.
Cynthia Hodge says
Hey Lisa i no you got the ferns at Lowe’s where did you get the white hanging pots they are in…your home inside and out is just beautiful
Jessica N says
Hi!
Love your porch, and especially love the porch swing! Do you think you or your husband would be up to doing a tutorial for how to make one?
I also noticed a small typo, you’re missing the apostrophe in your I’ve from your paragraph starting “Ive been hoarding these vintage galvanized tubs” 🙂
I love your videos on YouTube, and stopped by your blog to look up how to start sourdough while getting my daughter to sleep 🙂 thanks for the distraction and information!
Lisa says
Thanks for pointing that out! I will fix it. 🙂 Also, that sounds like a really great post/video idea!
Peggie says
WOW! love what you’ve done with your whole front area. Been looking over what needs to be done to our country house area and you gave me some wonderful ideas. Prev owners left a 12 ft church pew on porch…odd but I love it. Prob will power wash, sand a bit and oil it. Porch swing on other side so I’ve got country going on but will sneak some of your homey, cosy touches around. Gotta pillow up the pew for sure. Will send pic when completed. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Lisa says
I was actually looking for a church pew for our front porch but never found one while we were redoing the porch. I think it will be beautiful! Especialluyif you have plenty of space. 🙂
Deborah says
Hi. I want to know what material you used for the solid. porch skit instead of the lattice.? Thank you.
Ramona says
I see the trim color but can you tell me the color of the house? I absolutely love your work!! Amazing
Lisa says
Thanks so much! It is just plain white exterior paint. We have bought it from several different places over the years (it has to be repainted/ touched up every other year) and it always matches fine! 🙂
Cam says
Thanks for sharing your porch replacement experience in words and pictures! We also have a 100 year old home, a two-story with white vinyl siding, black roof and shutters. It’s seen many, many home improvements over time. This year, the front porch including the columns, tongue and groove flooring and wood railing all need replaced. Because the house was orignally a duplex (we opened it up into one house) the front porch is big! *34 feet long by 8 feet deep*. (I’m curious what your porch dimensions are). Finding a contractor to do this project was the most difficult time we ever had in hiring someone for a home improvement! Several contractors said they would only put down (pricey) composite wood. One with 30 years construction experience said he’d never done a tongue and groove porch. A few came to take measurements, then never got back to us with an estimate! We’ve finally signed a contract with a local guy and are on his waiting list—he says he will start in about two weeks. The current flooring runs perpendicular to the house which we love so the new porch boards will run that way, too. Our porch has an old coal cellar below which opens into our basement, so we are unable to use wood decking (altho it’s perfect on our back porch). We will paint the floor light gray and have a darker gray foundation. We’re going with white vinyl railing this time. I was especially impressed with how you covered your cement steps with wood; it really bumped up the entire porch’s appearance to another level. Your porch makeover really updates & transforms the home’s look!
Lisa says
Thank you so much!! Your renovation sounds like its going to be beautiful. I don’t know the exact dimensions of the porch. I would have to go out and measure. Its pretty good size though! We had my cousin help with a lot of the renovation, so we didn’t have to get a contractor for the job thankfully!
Mariana s Williams says
How did you add the glass on the front door? I don’t think it’s the same door…you can see the top edge is thicker in the new one. what a scam.
Lisa says
Nope!! Original door
Sara Burns says
One of your pictures on your web site would be perfect for the cover of a book I am about to self publish. Would it be possible for me to use that photo? What would be the conditions? The picture is the one of the porch swing with the blanket on it.
Thank you.
Sara Burns
linda says
I appreciate the front porch, but would suggest, especially in light of the sweet tea sign, that you consider painting the porch ceiling taint blue. It’s an old rural tradition, supposedly to fool the bugs. It’s called taint because it isn’t really blue and is isn’t (ain’t) really green. Just the right shade would be a wonderful complement to the warm porch boards and stir treads. Brava on all your work.
Erin says
Soooo beautiful you did a great job! What color is the white??? So crazy how many whites are out there!
Trish says
Beautiful renovation! What did you use for the porch skirting?
Dio says
What an amazing job! Thank you for sharing Lisa, I’ve always love a nice and well manicured front porch but wow… ever since I saw those pictures of your beautiful home, I’ve been inspired even more to tackle my project. I will share the before and after pictures. Again thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
Allison says
What a beautiful and timeless transformation! I desperately want to change out the lattice porch skirt around my crawl space but have been nervous about moisture – how do you ensure that there is enough ventilation with the plywood skirt? It looks SO good!
Chuck Hortler says
Thanks for the details on this project.
Can you comment further on how the railing was constructed? Are those standard square railing balusters from Lowes or are they flatter pieces of wood, not square?
is the support top and bottom a 2×4 with the balusters nailed to them or are they smaller than 2x4s
Did I understand correctly that you had a 1×6 plank cut into 2 inch strips and that is the top railing over the balusters?