BEFORE & AFTER: A Pretty Patio Makeover
I rarely entertain. I’ve never been much of a hostess. I suck at it, actually. It requires a certain amount of “pretty spaces” so you’re not embarrassed about your house when people come over. And you also need to be organized and prepared.
Well, I can’t do anything about the “organized” part, but I definitely can do something about the “pretty” part!
We have a big backyard with a patio, but would you invite someone over if your patio looked like this? Hardly!
BEFORE
Dirty, dark, and dingy.
But after this week, here’s what it looks like now!
AFTER: A Pretty Patio Makeover!
Doesn’t even look like the same patio, does it?! It looks great!
(Minus my neighbor’s NO TRESPASSING sign, that is…).
This table used to be so pretty (I hand-painted pretty flowers on it after finding it next to a dumpster).
But the dark shaded tree that we just cut down caused mold and moisture that would never dry. And the whole table was ruined. *sob sob*
I wanted it to be pretty again, along with the whole patio and be a place where we could entertain and just relax outside as a family.
So I planned some outdoor improvements. But I also wanted some yummy-smelling candles to light up in the new space.
I bought two of the Pumpkin Apple Harvest, which is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a pinch of brown sugar. I love scents that remind me of the fall season, don’t you?! It’s one of my favorite seasons!
(Just be sure not to put them in kids’ rooms, and to always follow instructions on using the candles very carefully!).
I wanted to repaint my table in a soothing teal color, so I chose Quiet Teal exterior paint for the table and the door.
I wanted to create a small little insert in the middle of the table with the candles.
I tried to get the kids to help, but you can see how enthusiastic they were about candle crafts…. HA!
Anyhow, I wrapped them in jute around the neck (securing with hot glue).
Then I pulled the jute through the middle a few times.
I wanted to add some fall leaves around the candles, so I used this old wreath I had gotten last year from the thrift store and pulled out some of the leaves and stuffed them down in the middle of the table’s hole.
Hard to believe this is the same table! And look at that rug! ICK!!! Thank God for pressure washers……
BEFORE
AFTER!
It turned out great! I love the little “fall feel” the candle centerpiece gives!
I think I may do a stencil on the table later, but for now, I just love the simple, fresh color of the turquoise. Ahhhh….soothing…
I think the door turned out nice, too! It matches the table. I plan to stencil some fun wording on the bottom!
BEFORE
AFTER!
The lighting will be getting upgraded, too.
(See the painted Welcome mat HERE).
This is what the patio looked like as we were getting that intrusive tree cut down, which caused this space to be moist, molding, and always gross.
I can’t wait to sit back here and have friends over!!! I still have more work to do (surprise, surprise), but this patio is clean now, with great scented candles to set the ambiance!
AFTER!
My family came up over the weekend and we grilled out.
(P.S. I couldn’t wait to show off my new FRED SANFORD “junk” tee shirt for them! They’re an exclusive of this blog and you can only buy them HERE).
It was nice to finally have a place to chill, guys!!!
So is your outdoors space pretty and ready for entertaining?
Download the 5 freebies!
Thrift Diving inspires women to decorate, improve, and maintain their home themselves...using paint, power tools, and thrift stores! Use these 5 printables, checklists, and ebooks to get started!
getting that tree down was a very good idea! love your “new” patio and those cute guys of yours really crack me up!
Oh my, Jackie, it was!! I know it was expensive, but there’s not a day that I regret paying to get it removed! It did wonders for my house and when I see the sun shining down on the patio and in my family room, I can’t help but sign this happy sign, Ahhhhhhh……!
Thanks for commenting!!
Love the color of the table, and the whole area looks beautiful. I noticed an old wreath with leaves and berries in the garage yesterday, so will probably try to fix it up for a centerpiece for my backyard table.
Love your boys. Was telling a friend about you yesterday and mentioned that the boys are often in your videos. Remember one where one of the kids was climbing on your back as you worked. If you can work with a child hanging off your back, you can do anything.
Still waiting to see evidence that you’re using “outside” bloggers to help take the pressure off.
Hey there, Margaret! Yeah, the old wreaths are great to have around for that type of thing! I had been hunting the thrift store looking for leaves when I realized I had that old wreath! 🙂
I think you should make a cute little bird house that’s the same size as the No Trespassing sign and attach it to YOUR fence. lol I love following your posts and seeing all the beautiful things that you do. It inspires me to get off my butt and do stuff too.
That’s a great idea, Melinda! I was just looking at that sign tonight thinking, “What could I put up there to disguise it??” Hubby has said he was going to paint the sign black! But knowing her, she’s probably call the police for vandalism. HAHA!
So glad that you enjoy my blog!! Thanks for taking time to read it!
Your boys are adorable & should be in a kids clothing catalog!!!!!!
Again, you impress me 🙂
Awww….thanks, Debbie! I totally should try to get them in one, should I? The extra income would be much appreciated! HAHA
Put ’em to work girl!!!!!
You get a quadruple A!!! You did it!! It looks great!! Today I was lucky enough to be able to still return all my cushions, rug and pillows to Pier1 and pick up the cushions that better match the pool tile. It’s a start!! I also returned the so not me pad for my seating area for the side of my house. I think it will take until winter to finish but such a weight is lifted!! I feel like I can finally proceed a bit. Sadly all my potted trees are dying. So the yard is looking rather rough. And I get so tired. But it’s a start and a sense of a huge weight off my chest. Hope you have someone come over just for KoolAide and watermelon and peaches and plums and grapes and bananas and strawberries….may as well make smoothies????. And enjoy all the prettiness????
You are too funny, Gwen, because in fact my best friend is coming over today to return my lawn mower and she is the Queen of Smoothies! Every time she comes, she has to blend one up for me and her! LOL
Sorry your yard is looking rough! I’m right there with ya, sister! Getting it together feels therapeutic, though!
I love that trick with the twine, what a great idea for gifting and for a tablescape! The transformation of your patio is pretty impressive but I think I like the addition of the rug most! #client
Thanks, Jenna! It was quick and easy to make! 🙂 The candles smell great too! Can’t wait to have friends over!
A Great DIY and the color is just right. Kudos!
Thank you, Neti! 🙂
Sheesh… your neighbor is sort of a jerk, isn’t he? How rude to put a ‘no trespassing’ sign over the top of a privacy fencing into someone’s back yard!!!! I’d put one up that covers it, and on his side have something like “Have a great day!”
BTW… great makeover!!
Teri, you’re so funny! It’s actually a little old lady who’s got to be about 75 at least?? And she’s meeeeaaaan. I was pressure washing the fence (which is why it looks so clean now!) and she came out and screamed at me, “Will you stop getting water in my yard!” I stood there and looked at her for about 5 seconds then resumed spraying the fence, while she yelled at me. HAHA!
I bet your neighbor lady goes crazy when it rains, if she doesn’t like “water in her yard!” That’s hilarious.
And your patio looks amazing. I love that color.
Very nice!
Thank you, Cindi! 🙂
So pretty and clean now. I especially like the table and chairs makeover.
Thanks, Jodi! 🙂 I think now that it’s clean, I can focus on the “pretty” a lot easier now!