Don't overlook your porch walls. "I think they set the tone for the overall porch," says Ron Landis, president of R.J. Landis Design & Construction, Inc. "If you're looking at cracks and scaling, you're not as happy as when you're in a space that is clean and nice."

Pay attention to warning signs that your porch walls may have serious problems, Ron says. If you notice leaking water or intrusion of bugs, have a professional check the walls in your porch before you proceed with the project.

If the walls are not suffering from major issues, there are things you can do to improve tired walls.

• Replace broken or warped wood and repaint.
• If your brick walls have a white powdery deposit known as efflorescence, clean the brick with water and a good brush. If the problem is extensive, consult with a professional.
• Fill cracks on stucco walls with chalking and then paint.
• Hide very small and isolated cracks that don't pose a threat with porch furniture or accessories.

Paint Considerations

Paint and the right use of color can bring your porch to the next level. You want to choose porch colors that suit your taste, but you also want colors that fit with your home and the rest of the neighborhood. When it comes to a front porch, you can create a strong statement by painting your door a contrasting color or add definition by painting stair risers.

Take advantage of online tools for color combinations and selection that the paint companies now offer, and make sure to choose a paint specifically formulated for porches and decks.

Tips for Painting Your Porch

• Use sample jars of paint instead of relying on tiny paint swatches. Paint a small section on all your porch walls to see how the colors will look during different hours of the day.
• Make sure to prepare your porch walls for painting. Proper wall cleaning, repair and priming (if necessary) will make your paint job last longer.
• If you have concrete porch stairs, there are non-skid compounds you can add to your paint to improve traction on rainy or snowy days.
• After painting your porch floor, wait at least seven days before moving furniture or allowing heavy foot traffic on the porch.