Have a humdrum porch? A basic patio or a neglected deck? Well, fear not! With just a few simple additions, you can transform your outdoor space into a cozy and inviting oasis. Whether you're looking to add value to your home or simply create a comfortable area to relax and unwind, these budget-friendly ideas are sure to inspire you.
Rustic Swing
Encourage guests and family members to sway on a slatted-wood porch swing. Hang it with sturdy ropes for a natural look. Ensure the rope is rated to hold at least 600 pounds, and check regularly for wear and tear.
Mood Lighting
Create a subtle nighttime glow with candle lanterns hung from the ceiling or placed on tables or railings. These lanterns are not only easy to move around but also require no wiring.
Indoor Appeal
If your porch is covered, bring some of your living room furnishings outside. Adding items like a wool rug and rocker can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Just make sure to set them back from the porch's open edges to protect them from the weather.
Patios
To transform a basic concrete or stone pad into an inviting outdoor room, start by creating a sense of enclosure. Whether it's using your home's exterior walls or a row of potted plants, this will give your patio a cozy feel. Add colorful accents to personalize the space and make it truly your own.
Dramatic Entrance
Define your patio entry by hinging an old garden gate between a pair of wood posts. You can find ornate wrought-iron gates at salvage yards for a fraction of the cost of a new gate.
Dual-Purpose Planter
Perch a metal farm trough atop chunky balusters to create a raised planter or a party-perfect bar when filled with ice. You can find vintage troughs or pick up a new one that will develop a beautiful patina over time.
Mirror, Mirror
Create the illusion of a window into another room by hanging a wall-hung mirror. You can make your own by fitting a cast-off divided-light window with mirror glass.
Green Canopy
Grow climbing vines, such as grapes, over an existing pergola to provide extra protection from the sun and rain. This not only adds shade but also adds a touch of natural beauty to your outdoor space.
Bold Backdrop
Turn a plain wall into a focal point by using red stain and barrel tiles to give it a Southwest feel. There are various options available for roof tiles, and they can be easily installed to enhance the overall look of your outdoor room.
Container Plants
Transform a small patio into a vibrant oasis with potted plants. Choose low-water options such as sedum and Russian sage that require little care and maintenance.
Paver Grid
Give your thrifty pea-gravel patio a style boost by edging specific areas with pavers. This will create activity-specific zones and add visual interest to your outdoor space.
Living Arch
Create an arbor with plants trained up the side and out onto the overhanging eaves of a shed or outbuilding. Use pots to anchor plants and contain aggressive species.
Flagstone Floor
Arrange a dozen stones in a free-form pattern and turn a small patch of grass into an intimate dining area. You can choose to grow grass between the stones or opt for a traffic-resistant groundcover. Flagstone prices vary, but it's worth the investment for the unique and charming look it adds to your outdoor room.
Impromptu Table for Two
A bistro set is inexpensive and perfect for a small patio. Choose sturdy yet lightweight sets that are easy to move around when needed.
Front-Entry Courtyard
Carve out a seating area in your front yard by enclosing a swath with a DIY sitting wall made from mortared fieldstone. This will not only provide a comfortable space to relax but also enhance the curb appeal of your home.
Herringbone Brick Floor
Add visual interest to your outdoor room by creating a zigzagging design with bricks. This pattern helps lock the bricks in place and adds a dynamic look to your patio.
Walls with Dimension
Add texture to your siding with trellises and draw attention to windows with boxes filled with colorful blooms. This will create a visually appealing and inviting outdoor space.
Decks
Transform your deck from dull to dramatic by integrating colors, materials, furnishings, and plantings that seamlessly transition from indoors to out. This will create a cohesive and inviting space for entertaining and relaxing.
Bench Border
If your deck doesn't require a railing, consider building a bench around the perimeter to provide seating and a sense of enclosure. You can use leftover deck boards for the seat and pressure-treated 26s for the supporting structure.
Stained to Match
Use paint or stain to seamlessly match your outdoor elements with one another. This will create a cohesive and visually appealing look for your outdoor space.
Wall Art
Add a furnished feel to your home's exterior wall by hanging ornaments such as fountains. This will add visual interest and create a unique focal point.
Bright and Cheery
Create a big impact in a small space with intense colors. Consider painting a picnic table turquoise and adding coral-colored accents for an energetic and vibrant combo.
Lots of Levels
Create the illusion of greater space by keeping the eye moving up and down. A stepped deck design or the strategic placement of tall and low container plants can achieve this effect.
Soothing Sound
Turn an urn, a birdbath, or a pretty pot into a gurgling fountain. All you need is a water pump, a GFCI outlet, and a basin for the water to collect and recirculate. This will create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere in your outdoor room.
Lattice Panels
Screen wind and lend privacy to your deck with affordable lattice walls made from treated wood or plastic. Soften the look by adding flowering climbers.
Soft Surroundings
Add cushions and throw pillows to an existing built-in banquette or a storage trunk to create comfortable and relaxed seating. Look for weatherproof fabrics to ensure durability.
Easy Canopy
Create a "roof" by draping a canvas drop cloth between bamboo poles anchored in heavy planters. This makeshift canopy provides shade and adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
Repurposed Table
Get an industrial-chic look on a budget by using commercial kitchen gear. Consider using a stainless-steel prep surface as an all-weather dining table.
Movable Seats
Wood folding chairs are not just for extra party guests; they are stylish and simple to stow away. They provide versatile seating options for your outdoor room.
Image: Porch with swing
Porches
Create a comfortable and inviting porch by taking advantage of its shade, views, and privacy. Just pick colors and furnishings that suit the style of your house, and your porch will feel like an organic extension of your home.
Surfaces with Patina
Preserve a weathered painted finish rather than stripping it. Mottled concrete floors and ceilings can add vintage appeal to your outdoor space. Use a water-based clear coat to seal old paint, ensuring longevity.
Pleasing Opposites
Balance rough or rustic backdrops with hints of formal elegance. Consider adding manicured boxwood in classical urns for a purposely eclectic look.
Hanging Baskets
Add beauty and privacy to your porch by strategically hanging planted baskets from the eaves. Choose lush and trailing plants for maximum impact.
Shutter Divider
Use salvaged shutters to create a partition with rich textures. This can be used to section off a large upstairs porch and add visual interest to your outdoor space.
Air Supply
Install a ceiling fan to keep your porch cool and to keep bugs at bay. Opt for a fan with a built-in light to provide ambient lighting at night.
Soothing Palette
Create a serene effect by using cool tones in your outdoor room. Consider watery blues for the porch floor and seat cushions to promote relaxation.
Evergreen Screen
If privacy is a concern, plant a row of evergreens along the exposed side of your porch. This will create a natural screen and add a touch of greenery to your outdoor space.
Coordinated Colors
Create a manicured look by using a controlled color scheme. Choose furniture, pillows, and rugs that echo the same colors as your home's exterior for a cohesive and visually pleasing outdoor room.
Stylish Synthetics
Opt for low-maintenance and weather-resistant furniture materials. Resin wicker is a great choice as it looks and feels like traditional wicker but requires less maintenance.
Rope Hammock
String up a hammock and indulge in a relaxing sway. Secure it to wall studs using galvanized threaded eyebolts, and make sure to leave enough room for comfortable movement.
Hanging Bed
Create a comfortable and inviting spot by making a wood platform for a twin mattress and suspending it with chains. This hanging bed offers a deeper and more relaxing experience than a traditional porch swing.
Laid-Back Lounger
Transform a backless bench into a cozy daybed by using pillows and cushions for added comfort. This is a perfect spot to relax and unwind in your outdoor room.
With these budget-wise ideas, you can easily create a beautiful outdoor room that adds value and comfort to your home. So, don't let a humdrum porch or neglected deck hold you back. Get creative, have fun, and transform your outdoor space into an open-air living room that you'll enjoy year-round.
