Transforming our outdoor spaces has been a rewarding journey, and following the recent side yard play area makeover, it’s time to unveil another significant renovation: our side porch. For years, this neglected area of our home was, frankly, an eyesore. It was the kind of space you’d conveniently forget existed, always tucked away from plain sight, silently deteriorating.
Even when we first moved into our house, this small deck walkway area on the side was crying out for attention. The painted wood had already seen better days, showing signs of wear and tear. While it might not have looked as utterly worn out six years ago, it was far from an inviting or attractive feature of our home. It simply wasn’t a pretty situation, and it deserved a complete overhaul to bring it back to life.
Revitalizing Your Outdoor Space: Inspiring Side Porch Decor Ideas
The timing for our side porch renovation couldn’t have been more perfect. With plans already in motion to replace our non-working side door (more on that exciting development later!) and the ongoing process of refinishing our back porch, it felt like the ideal moment to finally tackle this long-neglected outdoor space. We had procrastinated for too long, but the results have been nothing short of amazing!
Considering the narrow nature of this deck, our decorating options were somewhat limited. However, even the smallest additions and thoughtful design choices made a profound impact on both its style and functionality. If you have a similar space—be it a small side porch, a narrow side deck, outdoor stairs, or a simple walkway area—that needs a significant pick-me-up, allow us to share a few transformative ideas we implemented to make it look a million times better and enhance its appeal.
Illuminate and Enhance Safety with Deck Post Solar Lights
It’s no secret that we have a deep appreciation for abundant solar backyard lighting around our property. Therefore, when it came to the side porch, incorporating these deck post solar lights was a natural choice. We selected white lights to seamlessly blend with our existing white deck railing, which is painted in Behr Ultra Pure White, ensuring a cohesive and clean aesthetic.
This particular side of our house tends to get incredibly dark in the evenings. Given that it connects directly to the kids’ trampoline and playground in the side yard, it’s a high-traffic area, especially when we host gatherings for families. Whether it’s lively fire pit nights, refreshing evening pool parties, nostalgic backyard movie nights, or casual cookouts, this space sees a lot of activity. Adding these solar lights was a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution. They significantly enhance visibility, making it much safer for children running around as dusk settles, preventing stumbles and providing peace of mind for parents.
The side porch area itself is somewhat hidden behind lush bushes on the side of our house, yet it serves as a crucial link to the vibrant side yard play area. The stairs, in particular, were in a dire state before we embarked on their much-needed refinishing. They were a prime example of the wear and tear this overlooked space had endured.
The Power of Paint: A Fresh Coat for a Lasting Transformation
Our side porch makeover began with the arduous task of sanding and meticulously scraping off the old, peeling paint from the deck boards. It was a tedious process, but essential for a durable and beautiful finish. However, given my husband Robert’s ongoing recovery from knee surgery, I was keen to ensure he didn’t overexert himself. This led us to a strategic decision: we hired professional painters to handle the remainder of the job.
Looking back, I am incredibly relieved we chose this route. While painting the deck is certainly a DIY-able project, it would have taken us exponentially longer to complete with just two people. A skilled team of painters, on the other hand, was able to finish the job efficiently and flawlessly, saving us considerable time and effort. This decision allowed us to achieve a professional-grade finish without compromising Robert’s recovery.
For the deck boards, we aimed for a consistent aesthetic with our other outdoor spaces. We had the paint color custom-matched as closely as possible to our beloved back porch stain, which is Behr Taupe. The result is a harmonious flow between the different exterior areas of our home.
Specifically, we used Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor Enamel in a beautiful satin sheen. This product is designed for high durability and resistance to foot traffic and weather, making it ideal for an outdoor deck. To achieve the exact custom color, simply show the accompanying photo of the label at any Sherwin Williams paint counter. This personalized blend provides a warm, neutral taupe that elevates the entire side porch, giving it a sophisticated and well-maintained appearance.
Guiding the Way: Elegant and Safe Step Lights
To further enhance safety and ambiance on this particularly dark side of our house, especially concerning the steps, we integrated practical yet beautiful solar-powered step lights. These small but mighty additions have made a world of difference. The steps, once a potential hazard after sunset, are now clearly delineated and well-lit.
Beyond their crucial role in improving nighttime visibility for safety, these step lights also contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic. They cast a soft, welcoming glow that transforms the utilitarian steps into an elegant feature, adding a touch of charm and warmth to the entire side porch area. They’re an effortless way to combine functionality with decorative flair, creating a more inviting and secure entrance.
Maximizing Small Spaces: A Garden Stool as a Stylish Plant Stand
The inherent challenge of our side porch is its narrow dimensions, which simply don’t allow for traditional seating arrangements. However, this limitation spurred a creative solution: utilizing a garden stool, which doubles as a chic outdoor side table, to create a stunning plant stand in the corner. This approach not only adds greenery but also introduces a decorative element without obstructing the walkway.
Expert Decorating Tip: When arranging decorative items, especially in groups, aiming for odd numbers (like two, three, or five) often yields the most visually appealing and dynamic results. By nestling three planters together on and around the garden stool in the corner, we created a cohesive and harmonious grouping of plants. This simple trick adds depth, texture, and a focal point to an otherwise overlooked area, making it feel intentionally designed and inviting.
The strategically placed deck post solar lights perfectly illuminate this charming little corner, highlighting the plant arrangement and the decorative garden stool. The gentle glow enhances the visual appeal, making this spot a delightful feature even after dark.
Adding Vertical Interest with a Garden Trellis
For as long as we’ve lived here, this side door has been screwed shut, serving no functional purpose. But the good news is, we are finally replacing it very soon, and we couldn’t be more excited! In anticipation of the new, fully functional door, we wanted to dress up the area and add some much-needed visual interest around the limewashed brick. This led us to incorporate a beautiful garden trellis, paired with elegant square planters placed underneath, perfect for climbing ivy. The ivy will grow to create a lush, living backdrop, softening the brickwork and adding a touch of natural elegance.
To complete the entrance, we also added a welcoming door mat, ready for the day the new door is installed and this area becomes a functional entry point. The trellis, with its potential for vibrant greenery, transforms a previously barren and ignored wall into a dynamic feature, truly showcasing how small decorative elements can have a monumental impact on curb appeal and overall outdoor aesthetics.
Sustainable Beauty: Embracing UV-Treated Faux Flowers and Plants
When it comes to nurturing live plants, I must confess, I have a rather unfortunate track record of killing everything green in my path. This reality, coupled with the extremely harsh conditions on our side porch—where the area is completely hammered by intense sun exposure, causing any real plants to quickly fry—led me to a practical and beautiful solution. Just as we did on our front porch, I opted for high-quality UV-treated faux flowers and plants for this side porch as well.
This decision ensures year-round vibrancy and color without the constant struggle of watering, feeding, or replacing sun-scorched flora. I carefully selected these realistic faux outdoor geraniums and faux geranium leaves to fill the planter pots. They offer the lush, inviting look of live plants but are completely maintenance-free and designed to withstand the elements, providing lasting beauty despite my “black thumb” and the intense sun.
Side Porch Makeover: Product Sources and Supplies
For those inspired to undertake their own side porch or deck walkway transformation, here is a comprehensive list of all the products and supplies we utilized to perk up this once-forgotten space. These are the exact items that contributed to its fresh, functional, and inviting new look:
- Deck railing paint color: Behr Ultra Pure White
- Door / shutter color: Behr Cracked Pepper
- Deck floor color: (custom matched Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor Enamel, satin sheen, matching Behr Taupe stain)
- Deck post solar lights
- Deck step solar lights
- Woven door mat
- Large terracotta resin planter
- Garden trellis
- Square gray planters
- White woven outdoor table
- Small terracotta planter
- Beige planter pot
- Faux UV treated geranium flowers
- Faux UV treated geranium leaves
- Faux ivy
With the side porch now completely transformed, I think it’s safe to say we can take a much-deserved break from major outdoor projects for a while. That is, of course, with the exception of installing the new door, which I absolutely cannot WAIT to have. A functional door will significantly improve access to the side yard play area for the kids, making their outdoor adventures even more enjoyable and convenient.
This project is a testament to the reality of home improvement: sometimes, projects take years to reach completion. It reminds us that our homes weren’t built in a day, and transformation often unfolds at a pace far different from what we see on aspirational HGTV shows. And that is perfectly okay. Every step of progress, no matter how small or how long it takes, contributes to creating a more beautiful, functional, and cherished home. Here’s to embracing the journey and celebrating every accomplishment along the way!
