These 7 Porch Makeovers Will Convince You to Upgrade Your Own

It may already be well into the summer season, but it’s never too late to turn your attention outside — if you’ve been considering a porch makeover, now is the time. After all, a porch sets the tone for all guests — and design pros know it’s one of the easiest places to make a big impact without a full renovation. Editors at Apartment Therapy have published thousands of DIY porch makeovers that span everything from small stoops to wraparound verandas — and even the quickest, cheapest jobs can lead to dramatic transformations.

If you’re looking for fresh ways to rejuvenate your own space, the following porch makeovers are full of some of the best tips we’ve seen at Apartment Therapy. They’re all featured in real homes where families created magical outdoor spaces that are the envy of the whole neighborhood. Each of these tips guarantees both personality and curb appeal — everything from painted floors to custom murals, gardening hacks to full layout redos. Whether you’re looking for a complete makeover or are simply searching for a small tip to steal, these before-and-after porch transformations are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Follow along as they inspire you to create an outdoor haven you’ll actually want to spend time in.

Painting your floors (and front door) is often the easiest (and cheapest!) thing you can do for a porch that needs love — it does wonders. In this case, the family opted to start a full porch renovation with a splash of muted pink; a dusty rose color creates instant charm that also plays well with nearby foliage surroundings. Dousing your entire porch in a single color may feel bold, but it’s a design move that elevates curb appeal while ensuring any furniture you may use — mismatched as they may be on their own — feels intentional.

See more of the full porch transformation.

Outdoor rugs may feel comfortable underfoot, but they also serve a design purpose: they help ground any porch, visually softening cold, hard surfaces like concrete or stone pavers (or aged wood!). In this case, it can also help create “zones” in your outdoor space, whether it’s a reading nook or an al fresco dining corner. Outdoor-friendly pillows and throws make this formerly barren porch area a lovely WFH setup that the family can use well into the fall season (all for under $150, too!).

See more of this cozy outdoor lounge and porch makeover.

Painting is a surefire way to revive any porch — but taking it a step further by installing bricks where plain concrete once stood adds visual texture that paint alone cannot. This DIY project cost the family just under $1,000, with a thin layer of brick overlay simply added to an existing stair entryway. The stoop acts as a focal point for the rest of this relaxed front porch, completed by a row of freshly mulched lavender and ivy that thrives in the summer. Comfy Adirondack chairs add seating to complete the relaxed patio; even if you don’t have much more than a stoop, its proof that your outdoor space can be just as lovely.

Read more about this front porch makeover.

This droolworthy renovation ended up converting a former sunroom into a covered porch (or veranda!) that can be enjoyed in spring, summer, and especially in fall. But anyone with a front porch can appreciate that part of this project included restoring a few Victorian details that the house (built in the early 1900s) originally had. The family deliberately referenced architectural catalogs from the late 1800s and ended up restoring 40+ decorative brackets and corbels using scrap wood. Applying details like these to your own home can really bring the wow factor of a porch to a full 10!

See more of the full renovation of this charming veranda.

When in doubt, go green! Add vibrant, rich detail that doesn’t feel like clutter through live foliage of your choice, as this versatile element beautifully bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor spaces. This family created beautiful dimension just outside their entryway with potted succulents, pothos, monstera, and more. Plus, the cascade of greenery frames a centered al fresco dining table perfectly — making it a spot that family, friends, and neighbors will have a hard time leaving at the end of a meal.

Read more about this screened-in porch makeover.

Traditionally, a porch precedes the front entryway — but in this case, the family uses their dooryard entrance next to an extended driveway more often. So it makes sense they harnessed the power of a painted mural and stencils to transform boring driveway pavement into a vibrant, gorgeous outdoor oasis. Cracked cement was converted into stunning “tile,” thanks to handy stencils that made the DIY job so much easier. The cost of the paint and an updated outdoor set? Just under $800.

See more of this total porch upgrade.

Adding a dash of pattern into the mix can visually expand the width of any porch, and is downright gorgeous, too. The family in this home ached for real tile outside, but their budget required them to get crafty: A stencil created a checkerboard motif that mimicked outdoor tile in the best way. The visual interest that the pattern creates gives this outdoor porch so much more personality, alongside a sweet outdoor armchair set that invites you to sit and stay a while. 

Read more about this full front porch overhaul.