Pretty Up Your Patio on a Budget With These 10 Projects
Get your patio ready for guests with these easy, wallet-friendly DIYs.
With outdoor entertaining season upon us, a patio spruce-up is probably on your to-do list. Before you spend a fortune on brand-new furniture and decorations, think about saving money (and keeping stuff out of a landfill) by using what you already have. Got some old outdoor furniture that’s looking worse for wear? Give it a makeover! Have wine bottles, beer cans or extra T-shirts lying around? Upcycle them into lanterns or planters! We've rounded up 10 clever DIYs to help you dress up your patio for less.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY FURNITURE
Macramé Lawn Chair
Even if they're looking a little dated, don't throw away those old folding lawn chairs. Instead, give them a budget-friendly makeover with colorful craft cord.
Make This: Macramé a Vintage Lawn Chair
Mobile Crate Table
Brian Patrick Flynn, Flynnsideout.com
If you don't already have wooden crates lying around, you can pick them up for cheap at a big box store. Then, transform them into this storage-packed table on wheels.
Make This: Mobile Crate Coffee Table
Beach Towel Slipcovers
If your outdoor cushions are looking dingy, you don't have to buy all new ones. Just cover them with easy-sew slipcovers made from inexpensive beach towels, and throw them in the wash when they get dirty.
Make This: Outdoor Slipcovers From Beach Towels
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LOW-COST LIGHTING
Hula Hoop Chandelier
Make a Hula-Hoop Chandelier 00:58
All you need is a hula hoop, ribbon and string lights to make this fun outdoor light fixture that'll cast a soft glow on your outdoor space.
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Citronella Torches
DIY Glass Bottle Citronella Torch
These beautiful citronella bottle torches take less than 10 minutes to make and do a great job of keeping away those pesky bugs.
Photo by: Photography by Mike Faulkner
Photography by Mike Faulkner
Illuminate your patio and ward off mosquitoes with these DIY citronella torches. No need to buy new containers — just use empty glass bottles.
Make This: Citronella Torches in Upcycled Glass Bottles
Beer Can Lanterns
DIY Beer Can Lanterns 00:41
With a little spray paint and some votive candles, you can turn empty beer cans into cute little lanterns for your next outdoor shindig.
ADD GREEN WHILE SAVING GREEN
Pallet Planters
© Rustic White Photography, LLC
You can often score free wood pallets from small businesses or Craigslist. Paint the wood in pretty hues that match your outdoor decor, and make these rustic planter boxes.
Make This: Colorful Planter Boxes From Upcycled Pallets
Hanging T-Shirt Planter
Who doesn't have too many T-shirts? Put the extras to good use by making this cute hanging planter, perfect for small plants.
Make This: Upcycled T-Shirt Planter
EASY FLOOR UPDATES
Painted Canvas Rug
Outdoor rugs are expensive, but canvas drop cloths aren't. Transform one into a colorful area rug with basic painting supplies.
Make This: Painted Canvas Area Rug
Painted Concrete
Painted Stripes on Concrete Floor
Or, use garage paint to give tired concrete floors a bold update.
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