$12 Thrifty Summer Porch Update

It’s officially summer here in Georgia and it’s perfect timing for a thrifty summer porch update. I committed to a challenge to spend $15 or less and transform some items with a summer theme. I hit up my favorite roadside junk store that’s just around the corner – Come see what I found and what I made!

Is it possible to makeover your summer porch for $15? Of course it is. You won’t be purchasing new furniture, but you can give yourself a peaceful and relaxing porch on a budget.

My goal with this challenge was to add a few things to my plant shelf on the back patio as well as adding some planters to the front porch. We have a fairly small front porch but there’s room for a swing (favorite thing ever!), two chairs, and a small table.

For more front porch inspiration – check out these gorgeous decor ideas!

Summer Porch Update – What I Bought for $12!

• A rusty old part from a wood stove $5
• Antique watering can $5
• Rusty enamelware pot $2

I also had two old crates that came from my husband’s aunt’s basement that I knew could serve as planter stands and they were free! The best kind of decor!

Back Patio

I hung the rusty stove part on the side of my newly refinished plant shelf – if you want to see some scary before pics, check out the plant shelf makeover.

For the watering can I shopped my yard. I have a pitiful planter from last year that is in my get rid of pile. So I used dirt from that in addition to some random Portulaca that was growing there.

Make sure to drill a few holes in the bottom if you are using something like this for a planter. I used a small drill bit and made 4 or 5 little holes in the bottom. It goes quite nicely with the other watering can planter I made recently.

Front Porch

For the enamelware pot, I filled it with some zinnias that were too close to the grass and were going to get cut down anyway. I haven’t had much luck with potted zinnias before but this is a thrifty challenge and I wasn’t buying any plants.

I used the crates as plant stands and added my new rusty enamelware pot of zinnias to one by the front door. The other one I put in between the chairs and it holds the DIY farmhouse planter I made last year.

I had an outdoor pillow I scored from Target last year on clearance so I added it to the swing. It looked nice, but I thought it could use a little something extra. So I shopped at my house.

I had some clay pots that I quickly dry brushed with some white paint I had on hand, filled them with dirt and rocks and added some faux lavender stems I had lying around.

Add in some rusty railroad spikes that came free with a trunk I bought weeks ago and done!

The chair and swing cushions were free from a neighbor last year and I love them! The chairs were purchased years ago from At Home and they are holding up beautifully. I couldn’t find the exact ones, but here’s a similar one and it’s a rocker!

And that’s my summer porch – Not too shabby for $12! And if you’re looking for some good plant suggestions for the porches or patios, check these out!

Container Plants for Full Sun

Plants that Love Shade

Perennial Plants You’ll Love

And don’t forget to Pin It!

And check out the other “Thrift Games” challenge ideas by clicking here!

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