Back Porch Makeover

The $100 Room Challenge

It’s time again for another house project! Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to be working on my Back Porch Makeover before the weather turns too cold. It can get cold here in Michigan around mid-September- so I better get to work!

Which is perfect timing for the $100 Room Challenge

Hosted by the lovely Erin of Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry 

What’s the $100 Room Challenge? The rules are simple: One Room. One Month. $100. Just the type of challenge that this budget loving-DIY-crafting-make-do kind of girl loves! Count me in!

As it happens this month marks the 5 year anniversary for the $100 Room Challenge! Congrats Erin, I am so happy to be a part of this great community of bloggers who have had the pleasure of participating in these challenges. Thanks so much for inspiring so many to think outside the box and see what magic can happen for so little!

Back Porch Makeover

When looking around my home for a space to work on for this challenge, I looked right outside our back door. To our little Back Porch, which is in need of a good deep scrub and lots of love.

It is a small space that I always try to decorate and make it look cute. But I know that I can make it look just a little bit better. And I’ll do it all for under $100!

My past $100 Room Challenges were such fun. I love the creative side of trying to keep costs super low. Isn’t it amazing how a deep clean, a little paint, creative crafting, some smart shopping, and tiny details can all add up to make space feel so much bigger, better, and brighter? That’s why we all love a good makeover, right?

Check out my other three $100 Room Challenges!

• Our Tiny Bathroom Refresh– it’s all about that shower curtain!
• The Boy’s Bedroom– my adult son let me paint and sew just for him
• No Spend Dining Space Update– using what I had this only cost $34!

Back Porch-

Cute but in need of some work!

This little Back Porch is cute and works just fine. We’re renting our cute little house and it is not in need of any major repairs. Which is such a relief.

What it does need is a really good deep cleaning, some new paint, and a couple of quick repairs. Let’s take a look at a few of the small update projects that I have planned. I believe that these simple projects are going to make such a big difference.

Outside of the Door-

Clean, Paint, and new Screen

The back door and threshold for sure need a new coat of paint. I’m thinking of painting it all a standard Black. With a can of paint that I already have on hand in my stash. Bought new- that paint would be $9.99. Sounds like a budget-friendly update to me.

The screen mesh needs replacing as it has a couple of holes. One of which you can see is covered with a small patch of duct tape. That has got to go! Replacing the screen mesh is a super easy fix and I have already purchased the screen kit- it was just $19.99. And there will be plenty of leftovers for other window screen projects.

I might even paint the Screen door frame itself- I’m still thinking about it. I’ll get back to you on that one!

Inside of the Door-

Clean, Paint, and Kick Plate

When I paint the outside of the door- I am going to paint the inside as well. It is super dirty and the Blue-Gray color is more than a little worn. I will use the same standard Black color as the outside. I think it will look super modern and hide all of the dirty fingerprints too! A win-win in my book

We have a 1/4″ piece of plywood in the garage already cut to cover that uneven spot at the bottom of the door. (You can see it in the photo on the left-hand side) This door was damaged when we moved in 6 years ago, and this small project has been on my list ever since! Better late than never- right?

Back Porch Makeover- it’s not just the stoop getting a makeover!

Let’s Build a new bench, or two!

For this corner of the garage, I always put together this little makeshift bench to display plants and decor on. It’s just a couple of wood boards and these metal grid cubes I have. For this $100 Room Challenge– I think it’s time to build a little bench that is a bit more substantial! And I will make a second one to go on the Back Porch stoop too! That should be a fun project!

My ideas for the bench can be found on my Pinterest board- Easy Build Bench

Paint Door and Brick Odd Spot

Off the Back Porch is this short little walkway to the Garage, with a side entrance door. For this $100 makeover, this will be another door that needs a really deep cleaning, and a fresh new coat of paint.

I want to do the Black paint here too but will have to see. I’m still a little undecided on this one. And I will have to see if the quart of paint I already have will last long enough to do two doors. Should be fun to find out!

Then we have this tiny garden bed that never grows any plants. I filled it with rocks and aquarium pebbles to make it look nicer. But I think that it is now time to fill in this space with some extra bricks we have on hand.

Back Porch Makeover

The start of a new house project is always so fun. The planning, and seeing what we already have on hand to make the budget stretch. I am looking forward to getting this Back Porch Makeover project up and ready before the cold weather hits.

Check out what the other participants in the $100 Room Challenge are up to for their makeovers below! It’s always so inspiring to see what one can do with just $100.

And follow the hashtag #100roomchallenge over on Instagram for daily updates!