After spending some time on your patio this summer, you have come to a conclusion: it is time to update your outdoor living space.
From ratty old furniture to a splinter-filled deck, your patio is showing its age and deserves a makeover.
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to upgrade your outdoor space and make it both welcoming and functional.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Light It Up
As the DIY Network notes, lighting will not only improve the look of your patio area, it will also make it more safe and secure at night.
For a budget-friendly option, look into solar-powered or LED lighting options; for instance, you can purchase a four-pack of solar-powered-integrated LED landscape path lights from Home Depot.
You can place the lights wherever you wish, including along pathways, around the patio and garden, and near bushes and shrubs to help illuminate them.
You can also install strings of white bulbs between trees, and swap out the old and cracked patio door light for one that is more stylish.
2. Install a Camera System
Another great DIY upgrade for your outdoor living space is to install a security camera system.
This will help to keep an eye on your property whether you are home or not; and if you have attractive features in your backyard like a pool, you can monitor the footage to be sure neighborhood kids are not trying to take an uninvited dip.
Lorex sells a variety of security camera systems that are great for DIY’ers of all skill levels, and they can be ordered online and then installed on a day off.
Consider opting for a system that includes color night vision, which will capture crystal-clear footage at all hours of the day.
3. Add a Large Outdoor Rug
If your patio is old and stained or your deck is looking a bit weather beaten, a budget-friendly fix is to put down a large outdoor rug.
As Extra Space notes, this is an easy way to change up the look of your patio if you are short on time and unable to paint or stain it right away.
Outdoor rugs are easy to hose off if someone drops their BBQ’ed cheeseburger on it, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes to complement the colors of your home and exterior furniture.
4. Invest in a Water Feature
For people who love relaxing on their patios, the sound of trickling water can be incredibly relaxing.
If this sounds appealing, consider adding a fountain to your patio area.
Country Living has a number of suggestions on DIY outdoor fountains that you can put together over a weekend, as well as ideas for models that you can buy online.
For instance, if you have some old flower pots sitting around, you can transform them into a beautiful water feature.
As a bonus, if you like to watch the wild birds, a fountain will double as a bird bath for your feathered friends.
Enjoy Your New Outdoor Space
While you might discover other DIY projects to put on your patio To-Do list, these four ideas will get you off to a great start in transforming your outdoor living space.
By adding beautiful lighting, a security camera system, a durable rug and charming fountain, your patio will be a place where you and friends want to gather, especially now that the weather is so nice.
