Front Porch Makeover on a Budget: How We Transformed Our 1908 Porch
- Mama Poe
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
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When we bought our house, we knew we were signing up for a lot of projects. Built in 1908, our home has held up surprisingly well in many ways—but our front porch has definitely seen better days.
To be fair, it wasn't in great shape when we moved in. But over the years, it has only continued to deteriorate. Peeling paint, split wood, soft spots, and years of wear and tear had left it looking pretty rough.
Most people would probably recommend replacing the damaged boards or tearing the entire porch down and starting over. Unfortunately, that just wasn't in the budget right now or something we had time for.
We are currently in the middle of converting our attic into a bedroom, loft, and bathroom, and we also built an entirely new deck in our backyard last year.
That being said, the condition of our front porch couldn't be ignored much longer. I knew it needed some attention, so I decided to give it a facelift—even if the repairs only buy us another year or two before a full replacement becomes necessary.
Sometimes old houses require a little creativity and a lot of compromise.
What Our Front Porch Looked Like Before
Our front porch had quite a few problem areas. In several spots, the wood had completely split, and years of peeling paint had left the exposed wood vulnerable to constant rain and snow. The stairs were worn down, and the entire porch was showing its age.
Aesthetically, it wasn't exactly my style either. I've never quite understood why a previous owner painted the door frame pink, or the porch blue when the house itself is gray. Our front door was also in rough shape—weathered, poorly stained, and paired with a cheap storm door that was barely hanging on.
While I briefly considered replacing the damaged boards, it just wasn't a project I felt comfortable tackling on my own. And with two toddlers and a six-month-old at home, finding the time for a major porch rebuild wasn't exactly realistic.
Instead, I decided to repair the damaged areas as a temporary solution. My goal wasn't perfection—I simply wanted to improve our home's curb appeal and hopefully buy us another year or two before a full porch replacement becomes necessary.
Our Goals for the Porch Makeover
Before I started, I had a few simple goals in mind:
Improve our home's curb appeal.
Stay within a tight budget.
Avoid replacing porch boards if possible.
Make the porch safer to walk on.
Preserve the character of our 1908 home.
Create a welcoming front entrance again.
Products We Used to Restore the Porch
Product | Why We Used It |
Minwax Wood Hardener | To stabilize soft, damaged wood |
DAP Exterior Wood Filler | To fill damaged areas after hardening |
BEHR DeckOver | To create a thick, protective finish |
Shop Vacuum | To clean debris and sanding dust |
Paint Scraper | To remove peeling paint and damaged wood |
Orbital Sander | To smooth surfaces and prep for paint |
Rolling Stool | To save my back while working |
Paint Roller Extender | To paint the entire porch more easily |
Detail Brush | For edges and trim work |
Painter's Tape | To protect glass and hardware |
Sherwin-Williams Cajun Red Paint | For the front door makeover |
The Process
Soft Wood Repair: Wood Hardener + Exterior Filler
One of the biggest issues we had was soft, damaged wood.
I started by scraping away loose paint and removing as much rotted wood as possible. After vacuuming up all of the debris with a shop vacuum, I applied wood hardener to the damaged areas. Some of the deeper spots required multiple applications before the wood felt stable.
Once the wood hardener dried completely—it becomes shiny when it's ready—I filled the damaged sections with exterior wood filler.
I am still somewhat skeptical about how some of the larger repaired areas will hold up through an Indiana winter, but even if these repairs only buy us another year or two, I'll consider this project a success.
Sanding and Prep Work
Prep work was easily the least glamorous part of this entire makeover, but it was also the most important.
After making repairs, I sanded rough areas, smoothed chipped paint lines, and gave the entire porch a thorough sanding with my orbital sander. Once I finished sanding, I vacuumed everything again to remove dust and debris before painting.
If I could go back and do one thing differently, I would spend even more time on prep work. Old houses have a way of revealing additional problems once you start digging in.
That said, when you're juggling projects around naps, snacks, and three young children, sometimes "good enough" has to be good enough.
Painting the Porch
For the porch itself, I chose BEHR DeckOver because I wanted a thick coating that could help hide imperfections while also providing some protection for our aging boards.
I applied two generous coats to the porch, focusing extra attention on high-traffic areas like the stairs and entryway.
Because DeckOver is much thicker than traditional porch paint, drying times were longer between coats. However, I appreciated how well it filled in small cracks and imperfections. I needed two cans total.
One thing I quickly discovered is that lighter-colored paint shows dirt, dust, and shoe prints much more than I anticipated. With three young children constantly running in and out of the house, keeping the porch spotless isn't exactly realistic.
Still, the dramatic improvement in appearance made the extra maintenance completely worth it.
For the front door, I chose Sherwin-Williams Cajun Red, and honestly, it transformed the entire exterior of our home.
Our Front Porch Decor Necessities
→To shop my favorite front porch decor, check out my Amazon Storefront here.←
Seating Area
Our porch isn't huge, so I wanted the seating area to feel cozy without feeling crowded. Comfortable seating, outdoor pillows, and a welcoming doormat helped create a space that feels intentional and functional. I opted for both a wooden bench and a conversation set.
Planters and Greenery
Adding planters and greenery was one of the easiest and most affordable ways to elevate the entire space. Plants instantly make a porch feel more welcoming and can easily be switched out seasonally.
Lighting and Accessories
Small details like lanterns, house numbers, and decorative accessories helped tie everything together and made the porch feel finished.
The Biggest Challenges We Ran Into
Like every old-house project, this one came with surprises.
The biggest challenge was discovering just how much soft wood we were dealing with once I started scraping away old paint. Every time I thought I had found all of the damage, I discovered another spot.
Another challenge was simply finding time to work on the project. Tackling a porch makeover with two toddlers and a six-month-old meant squeezing work in while the kids were asleep or even just sending them to their grandparents for the day.
Weather also complicated things. Exterior projects always seem to require several consecutive dry days—which, of course, never happen when you need them.
What I Would Do Differently Next Time
If I tackle another porch restoration project in the future, there are a few things I would change.
First, I would probably experiment with an epoxy wood repair product for some of the larger damaged areas. While the wood filler worked well overall, epoxy may provide a longer-lasting repair.
I would also budget significantly more time for prep work. Sanding, scraping, cleaning, and repairs took far longer than I originally expected.
Finally, I would lower my expectations. Old houses are rarely perfect, and I've learned that preserving and improving what you already have is sometimes more realistic than chasing perfection.
Was Restoring Our Old Porch Worth It?
Absolutely.
Would replacing the porch entirely have been the ideal long-term solution? Probably.
But homeowners often have to balance priorities, budgets, and reality.
For a few hundred dollars and a lot of sweat equity, we dramatically improved our home's curb appeal and hopefully extended the life of our porch for another year or two.
More importantly, our front porch no longer feels neglected. Instead, it feels welcoming again—and that's worth a lot.
Front Porch Makeover After
The transformation honestly surprised me.
While this project may not be a forever fix, it completely changed the appearance of our home's exterior and gave our 1908 porch new life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint over old porch boards?
Yes, you can paint over old porch boards, but proper prep work is essential. Before painting, I scraped away loose paint, sanded rough areas, and repaired damaged wood. Painting directly over peeling paint or rotted wood will likely lead to premature failure.
Does wood hardener actually work?
In my experience, yes. Wood hardener can be an excellent temporary solution for minor wood rot and soft spots. While it isn't a permanent replacement for new wood, it helped stabilize our porch and extend its life.
Is BEHR DeckOver worth it?
For our situation, absolutely. We needed an affordable way to improve the appearance of an aging porch without replacing it. DeckOver helped fill minor imperfections and dramatically improved the look of the porch.
How much does a front porch makeover cost?
Costs vary depending on the size of your porch and the amount of repair work needed. Since we restored rather than rebuilt, we spent a few hundred dollars instead of several thousand.
How long does a painted porch last?
A painted porch can last anywhere from a few years to over a decade depending on climate, prep work, and product choice. Because our porch already had existing damage, I realistically expect these repairs to buy us another year or two before more extensive work is necessary.
Final Thoughts
Our porch is far from perfect, but for a house built in 1908, I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished with some paint, wood filler, and a lot of stubbornness.
If you own an older home, don't feel like every project has to be an all-or-nothing renovation.
Sometimes a temporary, budget-friendly facelift is exactly what your home needs while you save and plan for larger projects down the road.
And honestly? I think old houses wear a little imperfection pretty well.
Posted from the heart,
Mama Poe
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