It’s been about five months since we first showed you the exterior of our Florida house, and our outdoor areas have been put to good use ever since. You’ve already seen how our second-story deck came together, so today we’re sharing updates on the front porch, the covered “side porch,” and the new landscaping we’ve added.
We’ve made practical improvements, added aesthetic touches, and started a few projects that are still in progress. Come take a look at how the front porch is shaping up these days:
The next photo was taken back in May, when we’d simply unpacked a few pieces of furniture and set down some plants to make the space feel occupied. Most items landed right out of the pod, with a few ferns sourced from the grocery store:
And here we are now. Yes—there are “big plants” involved.
Our planning approach could be summarized as “more plants.” Even though the property is surrounded by natural greenery, adding large potted plants helps the porch feel connected to the broader landscape and creates a welcoming, cohesive entrance.
Between the front porch, the side porch and the upstairs deck, we’re fortunate to have several outdoor “rooms.” As I mentioned when we shared the deck update, we’re deliberately creating low-maintenance spaces we’ll use often. The large second-story deck became the natural spot for our dining table and a larger seating area—perfect for dinners and game nights—while the front porch became a quieter spot for one or two people to sit with coffee or a podcast and keep an eye on the dog.
We resisted overfurnishing the front porch. Instead of squeezing in a dining area or lots of seating that might not get used, we added comfortable seating for daily use and let the plant side of things expand. There are three chairs total, but one woven egg chair has become a favorite for both of us—and for Burger, who claims it every morning.
Some of those planters hold lemon trees that are getting close to fruiting—our neighbors say Ponderosa lemons should be ripe soon—so we’re excited to see how they do. Over the summer the plant collection grew gradually, with many planters from home improvement stores and larger specimens from the local nursery. Several have already matured noticeably in just a few months, including a big split-leaf philodendron that’s taken off.
NOTE: We digitally altered our house number in the photos.
We didn’t stop at pots on the porch; we also planted privacy plantings along the property edge to help separate the yard from the street and create more of an enclosed, private feel:
Back in May the front yard was quite shallow and felt close to the road. Over the last five months we’ve focused landscaping on building a “fence” of greenery for privacy. We planted a palm-like variety that should reach sizes similar to a neighbor’s specimen across the street, which will help create a more sheltered feeling once established.
We also added a simple paver pathway using 20 x 20″ white pavers as an easy, temporary solution to keep feet cleaner and break up the straight lines of the yard. They’re heavy enough to stay in place for now; we’ll dig in and set them flush when we tackle more permanent hardscaping later. A secondary path leads toward the side yard and the tree swing the kids love—an afternoon mainstay for comics, popsicles and spinning each other silly.
We’ve been enjoying a low-maintenance approach—no regular mowing and mostly native plantings, which many neighbors use as well. The regional pine needles (or “pine straw”) are easier to manage than traditional mulch and help the landscape feel natural and sustainable without irrigation. If we spot plants thriving in neighbors’ yards, we’ll often source them at the nursery knowing they’ll likely do well here too.
We also installed a rain chain at a corner downspout with a pot beneath it. The chain guides rainwater into the pot, which has drainage, so there’s no standing water. Eventually we might run a drip hose from the pot to irrigate a garden area we plan to add.
Now, the covered area on the left of the front porch—the “side porch”—has also seen upgrades. First, we added a functional outdoor ceiling fan to move air and help keep mosquitoes at bay. Second, we painted the metal ceiling a soft Waterscape blue (after priming the metal), which instantly brightened and softened the look. Blue porch ceilings are a Southern tradition we love.
While the paint improved the look, the ceiling still reads like the underside of a metal roof. Down the line we’ll likely add beadboard or wood planks to finish it while keeping the exposed-beam aesthetic. We’re also planning a DIY hanging daybed in this covered spot—ideal because it has a sturdy beam for attachment, overhead fan for breeze, shelter from rain, and nearby landscaping for privacy. Materials have been delayed but we expect to start when they arrive.
Opposite the seating we added an oversized woven storage box. It’s a functional solution for beach chairs, umbrellas, bike helmets and toys—an organized way to keep outdoor gear handy without clutter. The box also helps conceal electrical meters and conduit that the builder placed inconveniently on the front of the house. We considered relocating the panels, but costs and foundation constraints made that impractical, so the storage box plus a lightweight fern has been an effective, removable screen. After adding a whole-house generator recently, we’ll share how we plan to further tidy that corner.
Finally, our outdoor shower has looked even better after a few months. We pressure-washed it and later added hanging planters from the ceiling, which have thrived. The shower has become everyone’s favorite spot—well, everyone except Burger, who dislikes baths in general.
Five months in, these outdoor spaces feel more settled and welcoming. The plants have grown alongside the progress, making the porch and surrounding landscaping feel finished and lived-in. We’re excited to keep developing these areas—more hardscaping, finishing touches on the side porch ceiling, and that hanging daybed when materials arrive.
More Plant Guides
If you want more plant info or DIY inspiration, check out these guides:
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide
- Tree Philodendron Care Guide
- How to Build An Easy Plant Shelf
- Protecting Outdoor Plants In A Deep Freeze
- Getting Started With Houseplants, An Expert Interview
- My Favorite Faux Plants
- Easy Houseplants To Keep Alive
- 10 Houseplants For Better Indoor Air Quality
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