Dramatic Deck and Patio Makeovers by Drew and Jonathan Scott

What’s more important for a beach house than outdoor space? The decks and patios at Drew and Jonathan’s houses are in need of some serious creativity and aren’t about to make their jobs easy as they near the end of the competition. 

The brothers asked their friends Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak, hosts of HGTV’s Good Bones, to use their mother-daughter bond and flipping expertise judge the decks and patios challenge.

With $20,000 budgeted for his outdoor spaces, Jonathan has an ambitious plan to greatly expand the square footage of the upper deck and give it a modern feel to coincide with the rest of the home. 

This is quite literally not the same deck. Jonathan replaced all of the old decking with composite boards, which look just as nice as wood but happen to be more durable.

The exterior of the home was previously dated and bland and in need of a major overhaul. 

The new exterior color brings the house into the 21st Century, and the new dining table sits right outside of those dreamy glass doors he previously installed in the living room for true indoor-outdoor living vibes.

The layout of the deck made it feel like walking the plank in the most dreadful of ways. 

By expanding the deck to the width of the home, Jonathan was able to create multiple seating areas for dining and lounging. 

The new large teak dining table has plenty of space for renters and their many guests during peak outdoor dining weather.

Place settings and modern chairs help tie together the home’s modern color palette. 

A large grilling station is key for optimal outdoor dining in a waterfront home like this one. 

Modern lounge furniture with metal accents and cozy cushions play nicely with this much-lusted-after fire pit, not to mention the globe string lights framing the entire deck. 

With his grand plans squashed for turning this bare bones bathroom into a grand ground level bathroom, ideal for cleaning up after a day out on the boat, Jonathan had to quickly come up with a Plan B to make this space usable.  

Gorgeous beadboard with fresh yellow paint and some creative shelving turn this former blank slate into the perfect private spot for changing and storage.

Families renting this vacation home have plenty of room for storing everything from their wet suits to their boogie boards in the new storage space on the ground level of the home. 

With Galveston beach houses up on stilts, there’s plenty of usable space on the ground level to create additional lounge areas.

And so, he did! The ground level of Jonathan’s house now includes a margarita bar, two seating areas and a pool table.

A local woodworker created this custom surfboard bar out of lumber and cedar planks. 

Purchasing a few surfboards outright didn’t quite fit into Jonathan’s budget, but he was able to grab a few loaners to create some extra surfer vibes in the new bar space downstairs. 

Did we mention there are a lot of places to sit, here? 

Louvered walls on either side of the bonus area provide privacy and shade for those extra hot summer days. 

Recreation is just as important as relaxation! The finished outdoor spaces cost $28,000, which puts Jonathan $8,000 over budget — well worth it, we’d say. 

The exterior and deck of Drew’s beach house were quite literally crumbling into the neighboring canal. With a budget of $60,000 for the upper deck and the patio below, can he wow the judges with his outdoor entertaining spaces? 

Now that’s an upgrade. Drew’s new upper deck has a shaded dining area, space for sunbathing, a lounge area and a new bar up against the kitchen windows. 

The former wood decking and railings had seen better days.  

New composite boards and a crisp white railing create some newfound stability and clean lines for the upper deck. 

A shaded pergola is a great idea for this waterfront home, but this ominous awning isn’t exactly the vision Drew was going for.

Ah, that’s it!

A new pergola lightens up the space while providing some shade for the dining area.

With his budget quickly getting blown out of the water thanks to some structural catastrophes, Drew used his frugal creativity to create a bar out of leftover tiles from the master bathroom that adds texture to the previously bland exterior of the house.

The middle of the deck is prime locale for some sunbathing on these cozy loungers. 

Don’t forget the accessories! 

The new lounge area on the upper deck is prime for nightcaps after a day on the water. 

The laundry was previously located on the ground level of the home, which meant hauling beach clothes up and down a flight of stairs. Drew had other ideas.  

This small room on the ground level is indeed a prime location for storing outdoor goodies and games.

Like Jonathan, Drew also had lots of space on the ground level of the home with plenty of potential. 

Lighter and brighter, achieved! A soft, coastal blue and crisp white trim totally transform the home’s exterior. 

Adirondack chairs and weatherproof textiles create a cozy, shaded reading area downstairs. 

Just try to think of wanting anything else on your patio after seeing this custom suspended daybed. While major structural issues put Drew more than $25,000 over budget, the new outdoor spaces are an incredible upgrade, to say the least. 

Karen and Mina were taken with the cozy vibes on Drew’s deck and the “immediate fun” feel of Jonathan’s. Who will they crown the winner? 

Ultimately, the judges fell in love with the colors, use of surfboards and additional space on Jonathan’s deck and patio.

Despite his best efforts, Drew must face his defeat via a ropes course suspended 80 feet in the air while wearing a onesie. 

And he has to do it while his brother, the winner, ziplines through Galveston just above him.