7 Pretty Summer Porch Makeover Ideas From ‘Home Town’

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Ben and Erin Napier, stars of “Home Town,” love putting the Southern charm back into old houses. And what says Southern charm more than a pretty front porch?

On the latest episode of Season 4, “Sit a Spell,” Erin and Ben look back on their best porch renovations from previous seasons. Consider these porch makeovers the perfect inspiration to spruce up your own porch this summer.

1. A porch gives off welcoming vibes

Before Ben and Erin Napier’s renovation, this house didn’t have a porch at all.

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In Season 3, Bill and Julie need Erin and Ben’s help when they decide to move from Arizona to Mississippi. They find an amazing house right away, but it lacks a porch, making do with just a small stoop with steps out front.

Ben and Erin know right away that this house needs a porch to present a more welcoming, friendlier vibe. Plus, a porch would give Julie and Bill a great place to enjoy their new home.

This house looks much improved with the new porch.

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When renovations are finished, the results are amazing. Not only does the front porch make the house look more welcoming, but it also brings a more balanced look to the exterior.

2. A porch handrail can make a big difference

This porch was a mess when Ben and Erin first found it.

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Candace, also from Season 3, is a retired anesthesiologist who decides to move back to her hometown of Laurel. Of course, Ben and Erin are thrilled to help her with her house hunt, but the house she chooses needs a lot of work—especially when it comes to the front porch.

This porch now looks welcoming and fresh.

So, Erin and Ben decide to bring this porch to life with new Chippendale handrails and a fresh screen door that matches the pattern in the railings. Paired with a new coat of green paint for the home’s exterior, this porch ends up looking incredible.

3. Don’t let bushes hide your front porch

This overgrown garden hides a beautiful porch.

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A beautiful garden surrounding a nice porch can make afternoons sitting outside even more enjoyable. But overgrown, unruly plants can literally hide the front of a house.

When it comes to Peggy and Patrick‘s house from Season 3, Erin and Ben know that the first step in improving their porch is simply removing the huge holly bush blocking the view.

This porch just needed a garden refresh.

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Once the holly bush is removed, the house looks completely different. Ben and Erin add a beautiful white and green railing to the porch for style and safety, leaving Patrick and Peggy with the ideal outdoor space.

4. Install a porch swing that glides

This porch was falling apart. Completely.

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Bill and Jody, also from Season 3, want a beautiful porch, and Erin and Ben know exactly how to turn their overgrown, decrepit front porch into an oasis. All they need is a little bit of paint and a fabulous porch swing.

This porch looks brand-new!

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Ben and Erin explain that the secret to the perfect porch swing is the four-point glide effect. While many swings go back and forth, this swing glides around, which, as Ben demonstrates, is perfect for napping.

5. A porch looks prettier with a roof and gable

The homeowner was disappointed that this house didn’t have a porch.

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In Season 1, Amanda has a porch on her must-have list. Problem is, the house she chooses has only a small stoop. So Ben and Erin decide to add a porch to this charming house, and to make the porch look like a natural addition, they also add a roof and pretty gable.

The gable makes the porch look like it’s always been there.

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The porch with gable roof turns out to be a great addition. It adds dimension to the exterior, and it looks like it was always part of the house.

6. Fresh paint can make a porch stand out

This porch looked plain at first.

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Season 1 couple Coy and Kenya love their new house, but they admit that the porch is a little plain. Luckily, Erin has an idea to freshen up the porch without breaking the budget. She does this with a fresh coat of paint on the floor and shutters to match.

This porch transformation is incredible!

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Erin and Ben also end up adding a beautiful white porch swing, a cozy sitting area, some curtains, and plenty of potted plants. The improvements don’t cost too much, but they make all the difference to the exterior of this house.

7. You can turn indoor space into a porch, too

This was just a dark living space before.

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Season 2’s Anne and Russ decided to move back to their hometown. While they opted to buy a large home, they know right away that they don’t need that much space inside. So, they turned an addition into a beautiful back patio.

Ben and Erin get creative by taking down a wall and using exposed beams to create a pergola. They give the space lights above and a warm fireplace. In the end, this porch is perfect for a party or dinner outside.

This back porch is now a perfect spot for entertaining.

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