DIY Renovating a Front Porch

Walk on and around the porch to inspect for broken or warped boards and other imperfections that need to be repaired. Step back to view the house from the other side of the street to get a better idea of what others see and how changes could improve the front porch's appearance. Think about the things you like about the porch and what you would like to change.

Remove sections of old decking on the porch that need to be replaced if you don't plan on replacing all of the boards. Replace the boards you remove with new pieces of wood that are the same width and style as the previous boards.

Replace the railing with a new updated version, such as a railing with wrought-iron spindles. This is particularly essential if your current railing is unstable or otherwise unsafe as a barrier to prevent people from falling off the porch.

Paint or stain all of the deck surfaces to give them a new appearance. Give the surfaces at least two coats after you apply the primer to ensure the look holds up.

Install new lighting fixtures in the porch area. If you don't currently have enough lighting, hire an electrician to install more lights either on the side of the house or in the ceiling of the porch roof.

Arrange new furniture on the porch depending on how you regularly use the space. Examples include an outdoor dining table, a porch swing or patio chairs and benches.

Accent the newly renovated front porch with decorative touches like candleholders.

Landscape the area around the front porch to help accentuate the new porch appearance. Choose low plants that don't grow above the front porch so the view is unobstructed. Add color through flowers in the landscaping.