10 Patio Additions to Bring on Summer in Style
Add a vintage sign to the wall, repurpose old tree stumps into a table, or hang some cafe lights to spruce up your outdoor zone this season
Been gazing out at your backyard, wishing you could spruce up your hangout space? You don’t need to spend a lot to make a big difference in the way your outdoor rooms look and feel; you can whip up furnishings and decor, hunt for vintage bargains and make smart choices about new purchases. Here are 10 ideas for updating your space on a dime.
3. Cover an imperfect patio with a colourful rug
Cheap and cheerful plastic outdoor rugs are perfect for covering up less-than-perfect brickwork or cracked coement.
4. Hunt down a used outdoor fireplace
Scour salvage yards, flea markets and online classifieds such as Trading Post, Gumtree or Traderoo for an outdoor feature fireplace that can bring your outdoor area to life. Keep an eye out – you might get lucky! Also, try searching for used fire bowls, patio furniture and big planters. You won’t know what’s out there unless you look.
Cheap and cheerful plastic outdoor rugs are perfect for covering up less-than-perfect brickwork or cracked coement.
4. Hunt down a used outdoor fireplace
Scour salvage yards, flea markets and online classifieds such as Trading Post, Gumtree or Traderoo for an outdoor feature fireplace that can bring your outdoor area to life. Keep an eye out – you might get lucky! Also, try searching for used fire bowls, patio furniture and big planters. You won’t know what’s out there unless you look.
5. Make some furniture with salvaged pallets
Stacked wood pallets can make an almost-instant outdoor bench, love seat or daybed. You can buy salvaged pallets, find them on Gumtree/eBay or see if local stores have any they want to get rid of. Paint them first if you want, then top them with seat cushions.
Stacked wood pallets can make an almost-instant outdoor bench, love seat or daybed. You can buy salvaged pallets, find them on Gumtree/eBay or see if local stores have any they want to get rid of. Paint them first if you want, then top them with seat cushions.
6. Hang outdoor curtains
Look beyond the catalogues to find ideas for whipping up your own outdoor curtains on a budget – painters’ drop cloths, cute shower curtains and tablecloths can all work. If you don’t want to sew, purchase a grommet kit and pop in grommets along the top side of your fabric, then simply hang it from any curtain rod.
Look beyond the catalogues to find ideas for whipping up your own outdoor curtains on a budget – painters’ drop cloths, cute shower curtains and tablecloths can all work. If you don’t want to sew, purchase a grommet kit and pop in grommets along the top side of your fabric, then simply hang it from any curtain rod.
7. Use a coffee table and poufs in your backyard hangout
Poufs on sale can be quite a bit cheaper than dining chairs, and they make for a fun twist when entertaining. Less formal than a dining table and chairs, and more convivial than an outdoor living room, the intimate setup here encourages chatting, snacking and sipping.
Poufs on sale can be quite a bit cheaper than dining chairs, and they make for a fun twist when entertaining. Less formal than a dining table and chairs, and more convivial than an outdoor living room, the intimate setup here encourages chatting, snacking and sipping.
8. Choose gravel instead of stone
Gravel – and other crushed quarry stones such as decomposed granite – cost far less to install than pavers or other hardscaping, and can look just as chic. For a beach-inspired twist, try spreading shells instead of gravel – if you live on the coast, it may be cheaper than gravel, too.
Gravel – and other crushed quarry stones such as decomposed granite – cost far less to install than pavers or other hardscaping, and can look just as chic. For a beach-inspired twist, try spreading shells instead of gravel – if you live on the coast, it may be cheaper than gravel, too.
9. Make a table from tree stumps
Four solid trunk sections make a sturdy table base when trimmed to the same height. Set an old wooden door or scrap-wood slab on top, no nailing required.
Four solid trunk sections make a sturdy table base when trimmed to the same height. Set an old wooden door or scrap-wood slab on top, no nailing required.
10. Never underestimate the power of cafe lights
A strand or two of outdoor cafe lights (the kind with large bulbs and exposed filaments) is a can’t-miss way to bring life to an outdoor seating area. If you do not have access to outlets, hang solar-powered string lights instead.
TELL US
How have you saved money on your outdoor spaces? Share a photo in the comments section.
MORE
Indoor-Outdoor: 10 Living Rooms That Cross the Line
Nifty Thrifty: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
When Less Is More: 10 Ways to Give Your Creativity a Boost
A strand or two of outdoor cafe lights (the kind with large bulbs and exposed filaments) is a can’t-miss way to bring life to an outdoor seating area. If you do not have access to outlets, hang solar-powered string lights instead.
TELL US
How have you saved money on your outdoor spaces? Share a photo in the comments section.
MORE
Indoor-Outdoor: 10 Living Rooms That Cross the Line
Nifty Thrifty: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
When Less Is More: 10 Ways to Give Your Creativity a Boost
One big, statement-making piece is enough to bring an outdoor room into focus. Hunt through the stalls at local second-hand markets, or search online to find a sign that speaks to you. Spending a little more than you’re used to on this one item can actually be worth it, because it will make everything around it look instantly cooler.
2. Rustle up a sawhorse table
Need a table fast? Head to the hardware shop. A pair of sturdy sawhorses topped with a door slab makes a quick dining table that can be taken down and stored when not in use. Paint the sawhorses and tabletop, or simply cover the whole thing with a giant tablecloth.