First of all, make sure she follows the rules of safety, if she is going to be out there scraping paint. The house looks old, and the paint, is most likely lead paint. Once she gets it cleaned, scraped and painted, then, just some colorful furniture, to lounge on.

Thx - we did think about that! She is lurking in fb marketplace for some fun furniture.

Since it is just a temporary housing for her. I would scrub it well, find some rugs for the porch, and put the furniture in there and enjoy it. I wouldnt put anything into it money wise, that I couldnt take with me when I leave.

The stucco looks dingy. A good wash will go a long way. A row of hostas in front of the daylilies will make the garden look tidier. Hostas are usually fairly cheap and one pot can usually be split into 2 or three plants.

In my experience, college rentals have a collection of ill-assorted discarded furniture on the porch. Without seeing it or knowing her needs, it's hard to advise, but attractive furniture you want to sit on is a plus. Of course, if other tenants store their bikes on the porch, using it might not work.

There's an arch, she could grow something up it. Clematis would be pretty.

The sign is not adding to the curb appeal.

Does she get a break in the rent?

Sounds like a lazy landlord and a tightwad. Victorians look good in bright colors yet he won't allow a paint color other than neutral. The house next door looks nice.

I considered hanging plants between the porch posts but they would suffer during school breaks without regular watering. Fun decor would be a good alternative. Spray paint plant pots in different colors and fill with silk flowers to hang from the beams.

I would use hanging baskets with fake fern or flowers, or boh.

I think hanging lights are a great idea. I really think so but then it really just depends on the plants that you put in there, right? What are the best low-maintenance plants to put in hanging baskets like this?

The best low maintenance plants would be good quality fake plants. Knowing kids, they will forget about watering, even when they dont mean to. College kids are very busy, and just dont think about messing with plants.

Love the aqua trim.