Asked on Mar 30, 2016

I need help with front porch area

Melissa Ballard
by Melissa Ballard
I just bought this home built in 1959. I am trying to decide what to do with the brick flower pots permanently located on the front porch, the metal post and possible the front door color. I have considered painting the bricks on the flower pots, but not sure if that would clash with the rest of the house. Suggestions please!!! I need to dress this up a bit so I can start planting flowers in the beds and pots. Thank you.
  26 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 30, 2016
    I would also consider painting the black shutters,metal post etc to blend in .Another suggestion would be to redefine your planting area with a low wall block in a neutral color and procede to plant based on you hardiness zone. Once that is complete see what else you feel needs to be dressed up.
  • Judy Judy on Mar 30, 2016
    I would definitely paint the front door and use the same paint on the shutters. That alone will make an amazing difference. You need to use a color, of your choice, that makes the front of your lovely home "pop". Good luck!
  • Virginia Virginia on Mar 30, 2016
    You might want to look at the "No porch, No Problem " post for ideas to really add to adding useful spark to the front of your home.
  • Shari Shari on Mar 30, 2016
    Congratulations on your new home! You may be able to demolish those planter boxes without much trouble if you don't like them. I'm sure they are just bricks placed on top of the porch slab but perhaps you have a friend, relative or new neighbor that is DIY savvy and could examine them to see how difficult it would be to remove them. If you end up leaving them, I would not paint them. As it stands now, I think it's better to let them blend in rather than make them a focal point or draw your eye to them with paint. As far as the metal post... it looks to be a support post for that corner of the roof so it probably cannot/should not be removed. However, you could replace it with a different style post, or if it is still structurally sound, you can encase it with wood to make it thicker. Check out this blog post to see what I mean: http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/04/column-like-i-see-em/ On our former home, we originally had wrought iron columns (which looks like what you have) and we *boxed* them in and then had them stuccoed over (along with the rest of the house). See first photo below. Most people seem to go very traditional and conservative with color when painting shutters and doors on red brick houses. Black or white is often the choice for shutters and black or red for doors. Personally, I like to see something a little bit different. Using the second photo below as my inspiration, I've used aqua on my red brick house. I also think plum is a surprisingly pretty (and fun!) color with red brick.
  • William William on Mar 30, 2016
    I would get rid of the planter boxes - too 50's. They are just bricks sitting on the slab. Get rid of the metal post. It's just decorative, non structural and too 60's. Then I would get two columns, one for each side of the slab painted white. Paint the shutters and door one color. If your budget permits, get an electrician to wire and mount two antique brass wall lights. One on each side of the door. Eliminate the overhead light. I also would consider talking one of the medium colors from the bricks and paint the slab. Not everything has to be done all at once.
  • Mickey Baron Mickey Baron on Mar 31, 2016
    Get rid of that metal post, you might just be able to wrap around it! I wouldn't paint the brick. Leave it natural. That cold, hard, cement slab, however, THAT needs to be painted & stencil on a rug, so it's coming down the steps! THAT would be cool! You need COLOR on the door & the shutters need a fresh coat. I don't know as I'd use the same , to match, but do some homework. I WISH I had those planter boxes.! But if I can't convince you, they're easy to cover up. Then, on top, put 2 urns. Nice little "nook" of a porch. GOOD LUCK, post afters please...
    • See 1 previous
    • Mickey Baron Mickey Baron on Mar 31, 2016
      @Melissa Ballard You're very welcome. I've seen the stencils done to look SO convincing, it's awesome! On the door, go with a bold beautiful color. They go so colorful nowadays I luv it! And then I'd go possibly with black house letters or black sconce hanging light. Black really looks sharp next to all the bold colored doors.
  • Wayne Sheppard Wayne Sheppard on Mar 31, 2016
    I agree that getting rid of the brick planters is a good idea, and replacing or boxing the metal post. Not sure if that's structural, it might be, so be sure to get a pro to check that. In those days some were... That said, one thing that could help your porch area to really pop is using a siliconized acrylic stain to add some color. This is sooo easy to use, it's like paint, except that it's a real concrete stain. So the face of the porch and steps could match the shutters/door, while the top are different or same, lot's of options to do something interesting without spending a lot. Sherwin Williams and others carry products like this and can match any color using swatches or codes just like regular paint. I'd consider using this in a dark gray to stain the garage and driveway as well. I've seen it used in nearly black and it made the driveway look like asphalt. Good or bad? I couldn't decide, but it was certainly different. :) Just something to noodle, good luck!
  • Laurie Laurie on Mar 31, 2016
    What if you turned them into a bench. If you added a cedar wood top on them and a cushion it would add color
  • Tina Tina on Mar 31, 2016
    You could probably demolish the planters fairly quickly and easily (low cost). I would wrap the post. You could bring pictures and dimensions to your local box store and the "contractor desk" can write up a list of materials to build a box column around the current metal post. I would be afraid of the roof starting to sag if you removed the post. And paint/stain the cement front stoop and steps. You might be able to find an outdoor accent area rug online or at a box store, if you want to add more color and style. Paint the front door, and then finish it off with some planters and gorgeous annuals!
    • Melissa Ballard Melissa Ballard on Mar 31, 2016
      @Thank You Tina I am definitely going to box in the metal post because it does help hold up the porch cover. I have a friend that is a landscape guy and he is going to dress up the flowerbeds with some color.
  • Jan Green Jan Green on Mar 31, 2016
    Don't know your financial situation, but I would be inclined to get the whole house plastered....cover the brick.....then paint a nice modern colour, or have the plaster coloured....
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Mar 31, 2016
    I'd break down the brick - use IT to build the column to replace the metal post. The cost would equal the amount of cement to rebuild a hollow post/pilar. With both 'planters' gone, the piler built, the sides would match. A stone/cement (decorative of course) bench on the right side with a small table for morning coffee/guests. A chair on the left side for conversation. Leave some 'holes' in the new column to hang plants, signs, wreaths, lights (coffee stirer size).
  • Allinthefamilysingers Allinthefamilysingers on Mar 31, 2016
    You need some color there get white lattice and cover the metal poles and plant some red geraniums there at your steps and paint your door that would look so pretty and bring it all to life put in some different shades of greenery good luck dhall
  • Nanette Crow Nanette Crow on Apr 05, 2016
    I replaced my wrought iron post with a 6 X 6 post and love the look. I would dress the planters up with Hostas and daylillies that come back each year. As far as your front door I would paint it a nice color that appeals to you. Also, you can take your shutters down and clean and spray paint them a different color. Good luck
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Apr 06, 2016
    I would put a column in each planter, to get an effect similar to the pics.
  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jan 22, 2017

    I think the column idea is great. However It would open up the porch area if the planters were eliminated. Work with your Landscape guy and plant shrubs and perennials before you tear out the planter boxes. They may not stand out as much if there were other interesting things to catch the eye. Your brick does not need to be painted, there just needs to be more of it hidden by green plants. They have got to be easy to grow in Fla. Painting the shutters and landscaping are the first things I would do. Then see if anything stands out too much.

  • Teresa Seeger-Gesser Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 24, 2017

    I think the home is lovely. It is lacking lush landscaping. There are a lot of straight lines with your home - there are none in nature. I would have lots of rounded soft flower beds. Plant a dainty flowering tree near the front area to welcome guests. NEVER close to the house. Bring flower beds out from the house and let them curve into the yard, height at the ends. Use the planters to your advantage. Paint the metal post black, Then plant a vine that flowers and let it climb.

  • Loretta Loretta on Jan 28, 2017

    Also, there are some wonderful staining type of techniques for your bricks. I would like to see your bricks kind of whitewashed, for lack of the proper term. I have seem some German technique done in ththe bricks on this site but can't remember the name of it. You can use many different colors, not just white and it really is beautiful. But personally I would remove them anyway and create landscaping like Teresa above said, round and lush. And definitely box up the metal pole. Then you could have some beautiful ceramic pots where the planters are with flowers in them.

  • Lily Schlender Lily Schlender on Jan 28, 2017

    Your house looks really nice. Dont paint your brick. Are your windows in good shape? If you need to replace them change the style and color. Paint your door to a color you like. Are your planters built into the house brick? If you remove them save all the brick you may need a bricklayer to repair area behind where they meet the house. Go to an aluminum column to match trim or shutters. Round or square. No maintenance. You need the corner for support without one your roof will sag. I would only use one column in the corner because the scale of porch is too small. Take pictures when you are done!

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Feb 07, 2017

    I would place a large paver on each one then paint the wrought iron post same color as bricks. I would never paint the bricks. Then puchase 2 planters in a bright color but only plant with non-flowering plants so that you don't have bees attacking you or guest. I would pick a color for door that can be seen from street but not red,everyone turns to that. Make sure that if you have perennials planted that they complement door and planters so it's cohesive.

  • Cathy Cathy on Feb 08, 2017

    If you painted the shutters, maybe consider the door a same colour like a teal or earthy green and do the same with your shingles which look like they need to be replaced. A new roof is very catchy and would tie everything together.

  • 807288 807288 on Feb 12, 2017

    A quick, inexpensive fix would be to plant hanging plants to help cover the brick along with bright flowers to draw your eye up. But I would remove them as soon as possible. They really date the facade.

  • Swinnen Lisette Swinnen Lisette on Feb 12, 2017

    I quickly read all the posts and most of them are very good ideas. I have another one for you : The wall around the door in wood (shiplap) and painted white.

    Cover around the planters in the same white wooden shiplap. Put some flowers on it who are "hanging over".

    I like very much the colour red, rouge basque, which is a darker red with a hint to purple for the shutters and door, or lavanderblue. Before you cover the post, provide some electric wiring in it to hang a light (and christmas decoration). And with a climbing rose, it will look terrific.

    personally I would paint the windowsils, now in brique, white. It brightens the place up without having to paint the whole wall. Some shrubberies in front and voilà ! A lot to think about.


  • Jane Highwater Jane Highwater on Feb 12, 2017

    I agree with many - brick is classic and as maintenance free as you can find, so don't paint it. Paint the window trim a blue-gray or a charcoal, and put some pink and/or orange-tinted flowers in the planters. Change out the metal post with wood.

    Put in some shrubs to soften the lines of the house. Can't see the walk-way, but stone is so much more inviting than concrete.


    Congrats on your new home!

  • Grace Grace on Feb 14, 2017

    I would convert the planters into seating...use concrete adhesive to cover with treated wood cut to size. Paint door, metal post, and treated wood in matching color... evergreens would complement the red brick...add cushions. place large round planters in front, on the ground with plants...a nice climber for the side with the post, something full and green for the other. Add a nice wreath for the door and small statuary or decor in or around the pots that reflect your personality. Instead of the wreath, I would also consider painting the door 2 or 3 different colors, perhaps even using the squares as "frames" for a stenciled design...did this in my living room and it looks awesome.

  • One8414992 One8414992 on Feb 16, 2017
    Oh MY, that is a LOT of brick....But, don't paint it.....And don't remove the planters either. Why would you and then go buy new pots? Cover them in shiplap and trim and paint a pretty color, then plant with things that drape over the sides, like Aspargrass ferns and some Perennial plants......I don't see a walkway? Don't care for the grass right up against the house......I would build or have built a 2-3 tall, long flower bed, and then get it planted with flowers and use some perennials so something will be growing all the time........Keep shrubbery low growing nothing tall..Plant 1-2 trees, flowering.........Fast growing........The black trellis could be used to train a lovely perennial vine up it.....Or cover in wood column and paint a neutral shade.......In my mind, the lack of a walkway is vital issue......Probably would need a pro. to do this......Cement, edged in yes more brick...A complimentary color to the brick is TEAL.....Use several shades of this for shutters and other areas you wish to add some color........And YES, for the front door.......Medium dark TEAL. For the garage door as well if it faces the street.......A lighter shade of teal.......Bring in the Florida look by specific Florida plants...Camellia's are good.......Currently, the house looks like it is the Mid West.

    Search PINTREST for ideas.......Good luck and have fun!
  • Lori Lori on Feb 17, 2017

    I would paint the door your favorite color ...than fill the planters with a tall plant and flowers of the same color in the middle and creeping plants around the edge.