A porch can be paradise with DIY enhancements
Q. Our porch is looking forlorn. Any ideas for a face-lift that we can handle ourselves?
A. Any outdoor space that is part of your home, whether it’s a tiny apartment balcony, a bit of backyard or an inviting porch, is wonderfully welcome as the weather beckons us outside.
Your porch is an outdoor living space that fulfills many roles. Round-the-clock entertainment is just steps away — watching the birds and wildlife; viewing nature’s greenery, trees and flowers; feeling balmy breezes and the sun’s rays; and watching the stars at night.
For these solitary pastimes, you will want a comfy padded sofa or a rocking chair to settle into and enjoy the sights. Eating alfresco is as easy as setting up a bistro table.
Look for old pieces of furniture around the house that can be fixed up for outdoor living. Repurpose trunks, crates and ladders to add character and to provide spots to line up flowerpots, a reading lamp, and books and magazines.
How are the exterior walls and floor of your porch? Just like inside, you don’t want to be staring at surfaces that have cracks, dirt or peeling paint. Give the walls and floor a good clean. Repair what you can, including split floorboards, wobbly steps, a damaged screen door and poor lighting.
If you decide to replace the floor, make sure the porch’s foundations are solid. There are excellent outdoor flooring products — pressure-treated wood, vinyl and composites — that look like natural wood, are durable and are resistant to water, mold and stains. Brick pavers and stone have a special appeal but are heavy and require strong foundation support.
Decorate simply with comfort in mind. Introduce fabric colors and patterns with touchable textures.
Cushions and blankets, a curtain or blinds to protect you from inclement weather, a bit of signage or wall decor, lanterns and other task lighting all combine to create a welcome mood.
Q. I am an avid collector of funky art, especially pieces made from iron and other metals. Some of my neighbors comment about the “ugly pile of junk” on my veranda, but I think they are wrong. Should I not be able to display what I like?
A. The famous quote that “art is in the eye of the beholder” came to mind when I read your letter. Your veranda is your property, and you can decorate it as you like. I would draw the line at any art that has offensive motifs or subjects, but otherwise, enjoy your collection.
Take a look at your display from your neighbors’ views of your property. Don’t overcrowd. Set up a tableau. Make it a point of interest, and you just might win some converts.
Ensure that your property’s exterior is kept up — a fresh coat of paint, clean windows, and the lawn and plants cared for. With one or two rocking chairs set up in the middle of your collection, the scene will be positively welcoming for you and those who walk by.
Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is written and produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email decorating questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Follow Travis at instagram.com/debbie_travis or facebook.com/thedebbietravis, or visit her website, debbietravis.com.