Sherry and John Petersik put a lot of sweat equity into their first home in Richmond, Virginia. That included a paint job of their front porch, which wasn't nearly as time-consuming or difficult as many would think. 

As depicted on her website, YoungHouseLove.com, Sherry proves that homeowners can easily replicate their effort on a wooden deck or patio. Many designers agree that painting is the simplest way to give a whole new look to a space, and that includes outdoor living areas.

Once the paint job - or staining, preferred by many home improvement experts - is finished, homeowners can get to the fun part of decorating their outdoor space with beautiful patio furniture. They may decide to divide their patio into zones for relaxation, family activities and dining. Each space can feature a different furnishings - outdoor chaise lounges or a daybed, a patio dining set and storage cases or shelving for games and cushions for patio chairs.

If paint is the choice, LandscapingIdeasOnline.com recommends that homeowners choose the right type of primer and topcoat to stand up to continuous foot traffic and the elements. Two coats of primer are needed to lay the groundwork for the final coat of paint made for porches and decks.

"You should make sure that the primer you use is [also] good quality exterior primer that can stand the rigors that Mother Nature will throw its way. Use a roller or paint brush to apply it so that the primer will actually penetrate the wood rather than simply lying on the surface," states the website.

When the Petersiks chose their colors, they began by laying out a selection of paint swatches on the porch floor to see them in natural light. A flat finish also is a better choice than glossy paint for safety reasons, because high-gloss paint can be slippery in wet weather. Paint store can include a sandy additive in the mix for a non-skid surface.

The couple opted to give their front porch a creative treatment of alternating floor planks in tan and cream. The technique pinpoints how homeowners can use their creativity to give their patios or porches an unusual look that fits the overall décor they envision for their redone outdoor space.

"Whether you're interested in adding a little bit of zing with some painted porch 'trim' or a lot of polish and personality with a painted floor, there's really nothing hard about either process," states YoungHouseLove.com.