With the spring weather comes a desire to refresh your home, and there’s no better place to start than the front porch. The front of your house is the first impression guests get of your home, so you want it to be welcoming. Follow these tips for cleaning and sprucing up your porch this spring:
Wash and seal your front door.
Washing and sealing your front door is a simple way to give it a fresh coat of paint.
First, wash the door with a soapy sponge and rinse off all of the soap. Then dry it off with a towel or rag. Next, apply a clear sealant to protect the wood from moisture and UV damage (this step is optional but recommended). Apply two coats of sealant using an old sock or soft cloth as a buffer between the door’s surface and your brush or roller—let each coat dry for 24 hours before applying another one if necessary. Once your last layer has dried completely, wipe away any excess sealant with a clean cloth to leave behind an even finish that looks natural without being too glossy!
Apply a fresh coat of paint to your porch fretwork.
To freshen up your porch fretwork, apply a fresh coat of paint. This can be done any time of year, but because of all the rain in spring and summer, now is an especially good time to get at it.
- You can find paints that meet most or all of these criteria by looking for low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints at your local hardware store or paint store.
- Remember that if you are painting over existing paint, you will need to sand down the surface before applying another coat—even if it looks clean and new.
Clean your doormat.
- Remove any dirt and debris from your doormat.
- Wash the mat in the washing machine, if it’s machine-washable, on a gentle cycle with mild detergent (and no bleach), then dry it outside in direct sunlight to kill germs and prevent mold growth. If you can’t wash your mat in the washing machine, use a stiff brush or vacuum attachment to remove excess dirt from its surface before you take it out of service and store it away until spring arrives again next year.
Upgrade your hardware.
Replace your old hardware with new, matching hardware. If you have a home that is more than 50 years old, chances are that your front door has the same type of lock and handle as it did when it was built. If this is the case for you, consider replacing them with new ones that match both the style of your house and the style of your front door.
It’s easy to find inexpensive replacement hardware at any home improvement store or online retailer like Amazon—just make sure you purchase something that matches one or both of these elements! A great way to find inspiration on what would work best for you is by looking at photos online (either in person or on Pinterest) because they can help give an idea as to how something will look before purchasing it in person.
Add potted plants.
Potted plants are a great way to add some color and life to your porch.
- Choose plants that are in season. If you’re planting them outdoors, you’ll want to pick something that will be blooming at the same time of year as it would in its natural environment. For example, a potted pansy plant can be planted from seed outside in springtime, but if you’re bringing one inside for the winter months and replanting it back outside when the weather warms up again next year, avoid choosing pansies as they don’t look particularly good until mid-summer when they bloom with bright yellow flowers on top of fragrant green leaves.
- Choose plants that are easy to care for—and stay away from annuals or perennials that dry out easily! You might also consider adding herbs like basil or mint into your potted plant collection; both herbs can survive indoors throughout winter if given proper care (a sunny window ledge is best).
Set out a colorful mat.
A colorful mat can be a great way to welcome guests into your home. It also makes it easier for them to wipe their feet before setting foot in the house. Additionally, it’s nice for you if you have small children running around outside—they will definitely appreciate being able to step on something that is clean and un-sticky!
Keep in mind:
- Choose durable material over cheap plastic or paper mats
- Choose something that is easy to clean (and store)
Clean your windows.
Clean the exterior of your windows with a squeegee. Clean the inside of your windows with a soft cloth. Use a non-abrasive cleaner to clean dirt from the window frames, and then dry them with another soft cloth.
Repaint window frames.
If you have wood window frames, consider repainting them. Paint that is easy to apply and clean will help keep your home looking fresh for years. Wood is a renewable resource, so choosing paint that’s environmentally friendly is good for the planet as well as your front porch!
To get started with this simple project, decide what kind of look you want your window frames to have (traditional? or modern?) and choose the right type of paint. A high-quality exterior latex offers excellent durability and coverage; it also cleans up easily with soap and water. If you don’t have time to apply or remove traditional latex while on vacation or out of town, consider using an oil-based stain instead—it doesn’t require any prep work at all!
Keep it tidy.
Keeping your front porch tidy and organized will help to make it more inviting. You may have seen some of the “before” photos on our website, and you can see how much difference a little bit of cleaning and organization can make.
If you want to keep your front porch looking great all year long, we recommend sweeping up leaves off the ground and placing them in the trash or recycling bins (depending on where you live). This will not only keep your space clean but also helps prevent mold from growing in the dampness under branches or piles of debris.
Just as important as keeping things tidy is making sure that nothing is broken or damaged. We know that accidents happen, but we also know how expensive they can be! So if there’s something on your porch that looks like it needs fixing—whether it’s losing shingles or a cracked window pane—it’s best to get at least one estimate before doing any work yourself so you don’t end up spending more than necessary.
With these tips, you can create an inviting entrance to your home this spring!
Spring is the perfect time to freshen up your entrance and welcome guests into your home. A well-kept front porch can be an inviting place for friends and family, as well as neighbors who are visiting for parties or barbecues. If you’re ready to breathe new life into yours, here are some simple tips. We hope this post has inspired you to spruce up your front porch and make it more welcoming for spring. A little elbow grease can go a long way toward making your home more inviting, whether that’s for visitors or just to come home to at the end of a long day. Even if you only have time or energy to tackle one of these projects, we think you’ll notice an instant boost in curb appeal (and gratitude for your hard work!)
