With summer in full swing, you might want to upgrade your patio space. This way, you can entertain guests, enjoy the outdoors, and have a really great summer right in your own backyard. Some of these DIY projects can get pretty expensive. However, if you’re willing to put in a little effort and get your hands dirty, there are tons of inexpensive ways to improve your patio space without the help of a professional. If you’re wondering where to even begin, here are some ways you can improve your patio space for super cheap.
Cleaning your patio should be the first step. You don’t want to start decorating on top of dirt, dust, or grime. Over time, our patios can collect all of these things due to weather, so it’s best to clean up first! You can start off by clearing away any furniture or large decorations. Set them aside and clear away any large debris or trash left. Sweep your patio clean. If you have a hose, bring that out and spray down your patio area. If you don’t have a hose, you can always use a bucket of water. If you want it to get really clean, grab a brush and some soap to scrub stains that are on your patio.
You can’t enjoy your patio without some quality furniture. You can find some cheap pieces at your local hardware store, where you can purchase a couple of chairs and a small table. Just a few simple pieces of furniture can set the tone for your patio and make it a welcoming, multipurpose space. You can also go to yard sales or a thrift furniture store to get cheap, yet quality pieces that you can always update yourself if you’d like.
That said, if you have furniture that you think is outdated or has a lot of wear and tear, and you can’t go out and buy a new set, don’t worry. There are simple and easy ways that you can improve the furniture you already own.
First, start by cleaning them off really well. You can hose them down and wipe them dry with an old towel. Once it is clean, there are a couple of things you can decorate your patio furniture with. For one, you can buy some inexpensive outdoor cushions or pillows that can be easily strapped on with ties or velcro. This takes your furniture pieces from old, to chic and trendy. Another great way is to spray paint your furniture, whether that is to match it’s an original color or to totally change it up with something new. Spray paint is inexpensive and is easy to use! Be sure to buy some gloves, a mask, and a protective tarp to lay down so you and your home are protected.
These tips can make your furniture seem like new and take your patio look to the next level!
The surrounding area of your patio is super important to the overall look. You don’t want to be relaxing on your new patio only to look out onto a bunch of tall weeds. This can be done by simply weeding, mowing, or raking your yard regularly.
It requires no money to get out there and pull those weeds out yourself. Grab a trash bag, throw on a pair of gardening gloves (if you have them), put your headphones in and start weeding that yard.
If you can’t get your hands on a mower, ask a neighbor, family member, or friend if you can borrow theirs. Simply mowing your grass makes your whole yard look crisp and clean.
If you don’t have grass in your yard, that’s perfectly okay. Own it! You can get a rake and smooth out the dirt to make the yard look nice and neat.
This can also be a great opportunity to get rid of any extra furniture, toys, trash, or other random items in your yard. Trash, refurbish, or donate these items!
After you’ve cleaned up your yard, it’s time to plant or decorate with beautiful new decor. If you don’t have a big patio space, adding a potted plant or flowers to surround the furniture, or even be placed on top of the tables, can make all the difference.
Real plants are obviously better. Be sure to pick out or plant ones that you are able to take care of. For example, if your patio is pretty much shaded, only buy plants that need a lot of shade, and vice versa for plants who need sun. Also, pay attention to the water needs of the plants. If you’re someone who can’t take the time to water plants very often, try to buy ones that do not require a lot of water, like a cactus or succulent.
You can buy seeds and soil for fairly cheap at hardware or retail stores. If you choose to decorate with plants, there are some that you can get for as low as $5. Keep in mind, you don’t need a lot of flowers or plants depending on your space; one or two is probably enough to make your patio look amazing.
Side note, you can always buy fake plants, too, if you don’t want real ones. Don’t worry, you can still get that homey, natural feel to your patio with fake plants.
The new trend for patio spaces is having outdoor string lights. These can make your space feel cozy and modern, and they will probably make you want to utilize the space even more. Outdoor string lights are sold at any local retailer or hardware store, and are typically priced anywhere from $20 to $70. If this is a little too much for you, you can always use your old Christmas lights. Be sure they are outdoors lights!
If you can, string them in a draping fashion to separate them from the usual way we string Christmas lights on our houses. This will add a different, more summery feel to your patio.
If you're a student at Notre Dame, there are so many classic things to do on campus. Whether you're graduating,…
Have you ever been stressed out by the simplest of things? When you are pressed for time during your first…
There's a lot of talk around the University of New Hampshire campus, whether it's between friends or you just hear…
Even with almost 30,000 student attending Kent State University’s main campus, you are still bound to constantly run into people…
Everybody has those nights where they just want to stay in the house instead of going out. Let’s be honest,…
The transition from high school to college can be scary. You're told that orientation is supposed to provide you with…
