Oh happy day! We’re thrilled to share the finished front porch makeover we completed as part of the 48-Hour Challenge with Better Homes & Gardens and Home Depot. The brief was simple: transform our lackluster porch into a welcoming outdoor room using a $500 Home Depot gift card and some creativity. First, a quick reminder of the dull before we started with:
But onward to the good stuff—here’s the after:
We tackled the makeover in four main ways: painting, building, sewing, and hanging. To brighten the space we painted the weathered planked porch with alternating tan and cream stripes for an instant facelift. The lighter palette helps the porch feel like an extension of the house—airy and inviting. We even used extra cream paint to refresh the square planters we’d recently purchased.
Next, we assembled a glider bench and improvised a side table from a large planter topped with a sealed and painted terra cotta saucer. The table is sturdy enough for a book, drink, or a plate of barbecue—perfect for relaxing evenings.
We got creative with cushions, too. A large green paisley lounge cushion became two all-weather floor pillows after a quick cut and resew—perfect for lounging and for our dog, Burger.
It’s now a favorite spot for Burger to unwind after a busy day of sniffing and supervising. He absolutely loves his new porch perch and will wait eagerly by the living room door until we open it so he can bask in the fresh air.
For safety, we created an affordable, temporary leash station so Burger can enjoy the porch without dashing into the street. A simple hook and carabiner—just a couple of dollars—give him plenty of range while keeping him secure. We always use a long leash, supervise him when he’s outside, and never leave him unattended.
We also built a small food-and-water station from a plank of wood, wood glue, and short pieces of molding used as legs. A coat of green paint helped it blend with the porch palette, and Burger appreciates the easy access to snacks and water.
To add greenery and texture affordably, we hung two feathery ferns that act like soft room dividers, creating a cozy, enveloping feel without blocking the view. A tan doormat complements the painted stripes and ties in with the bold red door to create a cohesive entry.
We balanced the space with additional green-and-cream planters on either side of the bench and added plush outdoor pillows to encourage lingering on the porch. One medallion-pattern pillow on clearance for $6 was a happy score that ties the color scheme together.
With a little budget left, we made hanging candle holders from inexpensive bulb covers and wire from the lighting department. We chose thick ribbed glass so the lanterns would withstand outdoor weather, and after a few heavy rains they’re still looking great.
At dusk the glass lanterns cast a warm glow and add a lovely ambiance to the porch—perfect for quiet evenings outside.
As the project wrapped up we were delighted with how the porch came together. We’ll be sharing step-by-step tutorials soon for the striped porch, the planter side table, the dog feeding station, and more—stay tuned.
Budget breakdown (approximate):
- Glider Bench: $200
- Porch & Floor Paint: $45
- Planter-Turned-Side-Table: $40
- Planters & Plants to Flank Bench: $80
- Bench Pillows (two): $25
- Lounge Cushion Converted to Two Floor Pillows: $25
- Dog Feeding Station: $10
- Burger’s Leash Hook: $2
- Hanging Candle Holders (three): $20
- Hanging Ferns (two): $18
- Doormat: $15
- Misc. Supplies (brushes, hooks, etc.): $18
- Grand Total: $498
We couldn’t be happier with the result—stepping outside now feels like visiting a little retreat, rain or shine. Huge thanks to Home Depot and Better Homes & Gardens for the challenge and the opportunity to refresh our porch. We’ll be back with project tutorials and more details soon—air kisses all around!