Before and After: This Renter-Friendly Privacy Hack Completely Changed Her Porch
Having an outdoor space is a priority for a lot of people, but for some, their yards, patios, balconies, or porches need a little sprucing up.
For Colorado-based renter Morgan Ford, creating a cozy outdoor spot was all about “mixing patterns and colors,” she says. “And don’t get me started on all the fun small details like wind chimes, bird feeders, and flower pots.”
Her Porch “Needed Some Polishing” So That It Could Reach Its Full Potential
Morgan started with a mostly blank space that gets lots of tree shade, located right off her kitchen and dining areas. (See the entire apartment here.) “I would describe the porch before as a gem that needed some polishing,” she says.
The Flooring Was in Good Shape, It Just Needed Texture and Color
Because the decking on the porch was in good shape, rather than adding tiles or a stencil and paint combo, Morgan went with a diamond-patterned rug from Nuloom.
On top of that, she added a rug from Marshall’s that she’s had since 2017, and most of the accessories like pillows and cushions, planters, and linens are from IKEA, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, or thrift stores.
She Added Curtains for Privacy and Coziness in the Outdoor Space
Morgan hung the curtains and string lights herself. She used a hammer and thumbtacks for the curtains and hammered them into the siding using thumbtacks, although eventually she plans to get a tension rod “so that I can move the curtains in and out when needed,” she says.
For now, she likes how they add coziness — and color — to the setup.
The Biggest Change Was Simpler Than Any DIY She Did
“The biggest change is, honestly, adding plants,” Morgan says. “They bring so much life to a space and help everything else feel more cohesive. I also love having a table of any sort out here that I can lay a tablecloth over for added color and dimension.”
For a list of plants that are perfect for shady porches, check out these eight beginner-friendly potted plants. And for outdoor furniture inspo, check out this trending IKEA outdoor storage bench and this cute patio set that’s on sale.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
Shop This Before & After
- Products
- IKEA MAVINN Handmade Cushion Cover
- IKEA SANELA Yellow-Brown Cushion Cover
- IKEA SARAKAJSA Pink and Red Striped Cushion Cover
- Sabina Diamond Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug from Nuloom
- Threshold Checker Stoneware Planter Pot from Target (Alternative)
- Light Brown Woven Wicker Seagrass Pouf from The Home Depot (Alternative)