Back Porch Storage {Before & After, part 2}

So . . . I’m back, with the short but sweet Part 2 of the back porch cleanup.  Sorry I just cut and run last night, but my post on Part 1 was getting much longer than expected  – probably because of all my unnecessary cat photos  – and I was really hungry for dinner!

The second part of the porch clean-up was pretty simple.    This ratty old wooden shelf was too small and pretty much un-functional at the back door.

When I spied a white metal bookshelf at Ikea for only $19.99, I knew it was the perfect storage solution for the side of the porch.   As hoped, the taller height adds a bit more visual interest to the otherwise boring wall, and the perforated mesh construction of the shelves means that no water will be pooling on them, etc.

Are you sensing a white and galvanized metal theme out here?  If so, you’re right.  I know it has nothing in common with our wood chairs and tables, but it was an affordable and cohesive storage solution.    The galvanized metal buckets were actually flower pots that cost between $2 – $4 bucks at Ikea.  Talk about cheap and easy storage.  One big pot hold the gardening supplies I like to keep handy – gloves, scissors, a shovel, and bug spray.   Another large pot (not pictured) holds our lighters, lighter fluid refillers, and “off” mosquito repellent coils.  (Are we the only ones going absolutely CRAZY with the little blood suckers this year?)

And on a storage note – Sure, I could have made storage containers out of something I had on hand, but frankly I didn’t want to spend the time. Shocking, I know.  You will rarely hear me say such things!

Further up the shelf, I added a sealed glass jar for seed storage, because you’ve gotta keep the moisture out of them.  And I snagged two of these galvanized metal outdoor candle lanterns, too.  I liked that they have covered (but vented) tops, so I could actually have lit candles in them without worrying about the flames shooting up to the shelf above.

I added a few plants just to dress things up a bit more.  The top one is lemon balm, which is supposed to help repel insects too . . . and the large thing on the bottom left was supposed to be a hibiscus, but it’s slowly losing all its leaves.  I think I need to return it to Home Depot.

Hey, at least I tried.  And I’m oh-so-glad to have my porch back to its new and improved state of cleanliness and organization!