Finally took the photos and videos for this post and I can’t wait to share because this update transformed our house. Introducing the area we now call the kitchen porch — the grillin’ spot surrounded by greenery.
If you followed along on Instagram Stories over the last few months, you saw this side porch exist in various forms. After we closed off two doors from our bedroom that led out here (yes, our bedroom once had eight exterior doors and still has six), the porch had become a floating space with no direct access. We started with a basic porch—exterior stairs had already come down and the house still needed painting and upgraded railings.
That window in the before photo looks into the kitchen. The double doors on the left were former bedroom doors that we terminated so we could place the bed in the best spot and gain a larger closet. Once we added a new door from the kitchen to this porch and reworked the exterior, the whole area became far more useful.
Now we can step outside and grill a few steps from the kitchen — the grill sits literally about five steps from the counter — and we have a parking spot nearby that makes bringing groceries in quicker and easier. It’s amazing how a small change in access can improve daily routines.
We also have a fenced side yard that Burger used to enjoy. That space now feels complete with a gate, stepping stones, a parking spot with crushed rock, and defined planting beds. Although Burger didn’t get to use it for long, we’ll always treasure the memories and look forward to the day we rescue another dog.
Between the initial brown stage and the finished look was a midpoint where we painted the porch floor and temporarily drywalled over the old doors. We also installed Trex decking to match the rest of the house, which tied all the exterior spaces together. Making the new door from the kitchen permanent and matching the decking to other areas elevated the whole project.
The roof over this porch used to leak when it rained because the upper deck above it had gaps. We had a professional add a watertight metal ceiling so the space is now fully sheltered. That investment made the porch usable rain or shine and turned it into a true outdoor room.
The porch feels compact in spots — we would have loved a tiny bit more width — but we make it work by scooting the table out when we eat. On its maiden voyage we ate out here as a family and it was perfect. The porch can be configured for everyday use or pushed back to allow clear passage when we need it.
A major practical win: the grill. A friend recommended a stainless steel grill for months, and after reading reviews and discovering features like a peekaboo window in the lid, we bought one and have loved using it. We’ve grilled everything from burgers and chicken to pizza, and because it’s so close to the kitchen we use it far more than past grills that were tucked away on distant patios.
We added cozy touches like string lights, a hanging plant bracket in the corner, and a rattan side table found on the curb. The string lights are a simple, inexpensive upgrade that makes the porch irresistible in the evening — we put them on a timer and they draw everyone outside like magic.
Beyond the porch itself, the fenced yard changed the way the whole side yard functions. What once felt like streetside nothingness now reads as multiple defined spaces: a parking spot, a fire pit area, a swinging tent for the kids, and the new kitchen porch at the end of the stepping stones. Dividing the space with a fence made each zone feel more purposeful and larger.
We planted several fiddle leaf figs and found they thrive outdoors in our climate. One has been outside for a full year and is thriving, so we added a few more in planters and even planted one in the ground to see if it becomes a large tree. Plants have become a defining feature of this porch and yard.
We also thought carefully about how the new kitchen steps would interact with the existing bedroom steps. Instead of forcing them into an awkward arrangement, we designed the kitchen steps to be wide and left planting beds on either side. This kept the approach inviting and maintained flow between levels without visual clutter.
From inside the kitchen we now have a big full-glass door that frames the yard. The moment they started cutting the opening we were sold—the view is lush and calming while we prep meals or do dishes. At night, with the string lights glowing, the scene becomes cozy and magical.
In short: plants make everything better, the grill is five steps from the kitchen, and we love this porch. The update increased the home’s usability and gave us more room to live outdoors, which feels like a second living space. We plan to share more about the kitchen-side updates soon, including some details John worked on.
We spend a lot of time outside here, and the combined exterior square footage across porches, decks, and patios makes the house feel much larger than its interior footprint. Creating several inviting outdoor zones with comfortable seating, meaningful plantings, and warm lighting has been one of the best investments in how we live day to day.
If you’d like to experience the whole space, we filmed a walkthrough that moves between day and night to show how the porch and yard feel at different times. It captures the flow from the kitchen door to the grill, stepping stones, gate, and fenced-in parking spot. For now, enjoy the photos and consider adding a few plants, a grill close to the kitchen, and string lights to make your outdoor spaces more inviting.
Happy Monday — may you find a small project that transforms how you use your home and brings a little more joy to everyday moments.
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