Looking for simple ideas to makeover your back porch? Here’s a before and after back porch with tons of ideas and inspiration.

disclosure: this post is sponsored by Jeffrey Court.

four kids sitting on before porch

I put this picture here because this is really where we started.

This is the back porch of the house a long time ago in a land far away when my children were littles.

I can’t believe that I blinked and they (along with this back porch) grew up.

My mother and father owned this house at the time and we walked over from where we lived for a visit and I snapped this photo.

I had no idea that one day my mother would sell the house to a wonderful family.

And then?

One day they’d sell the house right back to us.

This gives you a glimpse of where the porch’s story began.

There were red bricks and a white door and molding that needed a little bit of a touch-up.

Here’s what the porch looked like when we bought the house.

before porch

It was right around Christmas time.

We added the black door and painted the molding and painted the brick and added swings. You can’t see the iron pillars that held up the porch in this picture, but they were there.

The porch is fine here.

Sufficient.

But I always had bigger plans.

Here was my wish list for the porch:

  1. Add new landscaping
  2. Add new tile to the porch
  3. Wrap the columns with wood and trim
  4. Add urns with flowers
  5. Make the porch swings look fancier

steps to remodel before and after back porch

We started by tiling the porch.

The tile is this amazing honed basalt tile from Jeffrey Court in the 3″x 6″ size.

You can see it here.

It comes in other sizes including this 4″x 16″ size and this 4″ x 12″ size.

I went with the smaller size because it fit the look and age of our house. I cannot say ENOUGH amazing things about this tile. It exceeded every expectation.

Yep.

Every. Single. One.

It has the prettiest variations in color and looks like it’s been on the back porch forever and it’s seriously one of my favorite things we’ve ever remodeled in the house.

tiling on porch

Here are the steps we took to tile the back porch:

  1. We prepped the area by cleaning and removing any debris and old mortar that was sticking up.
  2. Next, we laid a layer of thin set using a tile trowel directly over the brick. This provided the foundation for the new tile.

how to tile a back porch

        3. We worked in small areas at a time. Because the brick was smaller, it took longer to lay the tile on the back porch.

wood columns on  before and after back porch

        4. Next, we placed the tiles on the mortar and leveled them in place.

tile on before and after back porch

         5. We used these tile spacers to keep the tile in place until it set. You can see in this picture the finished tile which is already set in place and the spacers that we used during the process.

6.After all the tile was set in place and the mortar was dry, it was time to add the grout.

finished basalt tile

         7. Grout can completely change the look of the project, so choose your grout wisely. I wrote an article with four simple tips to help choose a grout color.

8. We grouted the tile with a light gray tile and wiped the excess away.

how to build a column

Next, it was time to wrap the iron columns.

We wrapped them with wood and added top and bottom molding and trim to the edges.

I wanted to mimic the look of the front porch.

Next, we caulked and painted everything and added flowers and additional landscaping.

And now?

The porch looks like this.

Can you EVEN BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE?

Every time I drive into this driveway I smile.

With weather delays, this project took about three months.

But truth?

It was worth every minute of every second.

It is one of the prettiest back porches I have ever seen.

And now?

In even more amazing news?

It made the back inside cover of a book.

Yep.

This amazing book.

I’m so excited to share this amazing news with you!!!!!

Jeffrey Court just published the most amazing all-new coffee table book! It’s FULL of tile and design inspiration for your next renovation project (including tile projects from my house along with so many other incredible tile designs!)

And the best part?

You can get your copy TODAY! This is a limited edition book with only one print run and it’s AMAZING. If you have a tile renovation project in your future, or if you simply just like to dream of tile? This is the book for you.

You can get your very own copy here.

Here’s to all the amazing befores and afters.

Especially porches (and long ago before photos) that make me smile.

disclosure: this post is sponsored by Jeffrey Court.

All opinions are my own.

Please see my disclosure page for more information.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Stephanie Brown Stephanie Brown

    Oh you know I love a porch! Beautiful. What a beautiful memory keeper of a house you have sweet friend. Please take a picture of your beautiful children in that same spot for a memory keeping picture. Precious that would be. So talented you are! If you ever need another challenge I am still struggling in Kentucky with my mermaid moves into Tara theme.😂 Blessings on all your adventures! Amazing and adorable you are. Keep shining sweet friend!

  2. Image for Lynn Mosher Lynn Mosher

    AWESOME!!! KariAnne, what a beautiful transformation! I love it! You always are so amazing!!! And congrats on making the book! (I think too many of those exclamation marks snuck in there!) ❤

  3. Image for Kris Kris

    Love the tile. Can you put it on top of old cement or concrete? We have a back porch that someday I'd like to upgrade. I don't want a deck there but I would like to pretty it up. Thanks!

  4. Image for Barbara Zuleski Barbara Zuleski

    Your taste level is beyond compare, what a transformation, to an already gorgeous home.. congratulations on having Your project featured in a a fun table top book.

  5. Image for TERESA GONZALES TERESA GONZALES

    It is so beautiful! How do you keep your husband from leaving yard and construction stuff there? Mine loves to leave all of the project stuff on the back porch! Love what you all did with the porch!

  6. Image for Theresa Theresa

    Hi "neighbor"! I remember the day Larry and I visited and you explained your plans for the back porch. Glad to see the finished project. Yes, the columns make your porch! Door, tile, flower pots -- all beautiful. Now, think about gathering again your young adults on the steps of the porch for an updated photo!

  7. Image for Kathleen Kathleen

    Gorgeous as usual! You *do know* that your BACK porch would be a “FRONT PORCH DREAM” for many, right?!?! Love everything you do and share ... and congrats on being in that book!!!

  8. Image for Claire Claire

    Simply Fantastic! Love the new columns -- Any hints on how to wrap the columns like your husband did? I just found your blog in the last few months and have been binge reading the blog during the Coronavirus stay-at-home order in our state. LOVE IT ALL!!!

    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      Claire, Yes! You are so sweet! He just used 1" x 10" boards and attached them with finish nails to each other. They overlap on the sides and the finish nails hold them in place! Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy day!karianne

  9. Image for bj bj

    Just stunning.. question.. mailbox❓ Mail delivered to back? Bet if your mom could see how pretty it looks now, she would love it ♥️ And how is your sis?

  10. Image for Edie Edie

    If I did not know about your home I would thought this was the front door. It is beautiful. You are so lucky to have this beautiful home. Enjoy.

  11. Image for Lynne Zemaitis Lynne Zemaitis

    Wow! What a gorgeous transformation! I love the tile, grout, and how your husband wrapped the columns. It is so welcoming! Congratulations on being included in the book! Well deserved, my friend! xo

  12. Image for Barbara Moore Barbara Moore

    Columns, flowers, big cool things in the urns by the door and to top it all off....that tile! Just gorgeous! I'd smile every time, too.

  13. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    Those cuties on the porch, what a good picture. You also have a pretty porch, love it, i could spend a lot of time out there in the cool. Congratulations on the book article of your porch.

  14. Image for Debra Matcovich Debra Matcovich

    Hi there, The back porch looks lovely. I have one question. I need to put a door knocker on the door. My doorbell is not working and I give up along with my electrician to figure out where they put the electrical box in my home. Is that the placement of a knocker if you want a wreath, and what type of hook did you use for the wreath. Thank you Regards, Debra

  15. Image for Mary S Mary S

    Those swings call for a nice mug of coffee and then later a tall glass of sweet tea. I'll be right over with come brownies :)

  16. Image for Sue Sue

    Are you sure that is your back porch? Too pretty to be in the back of your house. Only hope you have lots of company who "go the back way" to visit.

  17. Image for Diane Ruebel Diane Ruebel

    Absolutely delightful transformation. I'd love to show up at your back door and have a swing with you. hugs from Camano Island, Diney

  18. Image for Donna Marie Donna Marie

    Just when I think you have nothing left to improve; you go and improve! Does this make an improvement or what! Lovely and exciting!!!

  19. Image for Adrienne H. Adrienne H.

    I love it! I have been struggling to pick flooring for our entry (I wanted brick because our house is brick, but I couldn't quite commit to the red because that is nowhere else in my color scheme) and I think this might be the answer! I can just imagine it in a herringbone pattern in my entry :)

  20. Image for LORRI LORRI

    OMG!! It is to pretty to be the back door. Very nice.😍Just one question.. What did you put under your urns so that the metal won't stain the tiles. Love the mandellia in the black urns.

  21. Image for BeverlyO BeverlyO

    The transformation is beautiful and inspirational. Maybe it is summer in the south. Maybe it is because we've been staying home more. Maybe it is because when we don't feel comfortable going somewhere else, we can still go to the porch. We've had a few porch projects, too. Painted the back doors, painted the back porch furniture, added a new bench to the front porch, and just sitting on the front porch reading a book have all been on our agenda. After replacing our front porch furniture and completing those projects previously mentioned, I tend to smile when I'm passing through there and feel drawn to go out there and spend some time. Not only does your porch floor look so pretty but everything above it and around it does as well. Love the brass kick-plate on the door, the landscaping, the porch columns! I can see why you smile!

  22. Image for Kathy Scheibel Kathy Scheibel

    Everything about your porch is amazing and pretty and so charming!! I'm confused though. You have a mailbox and house number on your back porch? Just wondering

  23. Image for Mich Mich

    Another beautiful project! You are an inspiration. But lets not forget who helps you accomplish all these more hands-on projects. :) I'm not sure what folks do when they need something done around the house and don't have a handy-hubby. Cheers to the man that ensures your ideas are possible.

Comments are closed.