With most of the interior renovations and redecorating finished in our brick rancher, curb appeal becomes the priority this spring. We wanted to bring charm, color, and a timeless look to the exterior—transforming our modest home from plain to striking—starting with the front porch. Our one rule: spend a little, get a lot. Below is the after photo and a clear rundown of what we did to achieve the look.
We had our hearts set on two large square black planters flanking the porch. Designer options were beautiful but expensive—two planters for $300 didn’t fit our budget. Instead, we found sturdy 18×18″ planters at Home Depot for just $30 each. For that price and size, they were a steal; most non-plastic planters at that price are hard to find.
The wood tone didn’t match our color scheme, but a couple of coats of exterior semi-gloss paint solved that instantly. The planters’ random metal-branch pattern looks unexpectedly chic painted black-on-black—almost like an abstract coral—adding texture without competing with the rest of the porch.
To plant the boxwoods, we mixed some homemade compost from our backyard compost bin with potting soil to create a nutrient-rich blend. The $6 boxwoods will fill the planters over time; in the meantime, we’ll add seasonal annuals for immediate color and fullness.
Following advice from a horticulturist friend, we broke a few old chipped terra-cotta pots and placed the pieces in the bottom of each planter before adding soil. The broken pottery helps with drainage and prevents soil from slowly escaping through the drainage holes.
We also grabbed a couple of budget-friendly outdoor pillows at Home Depot—just $12 each. Their colors play off our bold red front door and help tie the seating area together.
We paired the pillows with old Target porch chairs that we spray painted last summer. A fresh coat of paint and a couple of cheerful pillows gave the chairs new life and created a durable, weather-ready seating option for the porch. (One wooden chair you might spot in photos is actually borrowed from the sunroom; we wanted something more resilient to stay outside full-time.)
Down the road we’d love to add a long outdoor runner and a small side table between the chairs to make the space cozier. For now, we’re happy to save those additions for later and let the boxwoods grow into their new homes. Patience will pay off as they mature and provide fuller greenery around the porch.
What about you—any curb appeal projects planned this spring? Share your ideas and updates; small, thoughtful changes can make a big difference in a home’s first impression.