Our backyard has always left something to be desired. We have a dining table behind the house, but we’ve always dreamed of having a more laid back, lounge sort of space in which to relax and hang out with friends. So we decided to transform the area between the house and the flower garden… it was basically dead space, but it turned out to be the perfect location for our budget patio makeover!
As you can see from the before and after photos, it was quite a transformation. We dug out the area to create a level surface, added layers of gravel and sand and then placed the pavers on top. It took us about four days total to build the patio itself, so it is possible to complete over a long weekend (especially if you’re starting with an already flat surface, unlike us). Check out a full photo tutorial on the process right here.
Here’s another view of the area before we got our hands on it… what a waste of perfectly good outdoor space!
My goal was to create an outdoor living room sort of vibe, incorporating comfortable seating and colorful accessories. And as with all of our home improvement projects, it had to be affordable! Lowe’s made that incredibly easy – I chose the Atworth conversation set, as well as a navy Moroccan-style rug which were both from their Allen + Roth collection. The outdoor pillows add a hint of tropical flair… and they have a stripe pattern on the back side for a different look. We used 18×18 inch stone pavers, and they worked out great. But more on that soon!
Next, I flanked the sofa with a set of Garden Treasures Plant Stands and topped them with potted butterfly bushes. I like to use plant stands as end tables in outdoor spaces if possible, because they’re usually a less expensive option for a budget patio makeover… which was certainly the case here (they’re currently $9.99 each!).
The planters were a last minute find, and I absolutely adore them. They look like they’re ceramic, but they’re actually resin which makes them much lighter and more durable. Win win!
And aren’t those geometric tabletop Tiki torches to-die-for? If you know me, you know that I had to have a pop of gold somewhere on this patio… and these torches fit the bill perfectly. Also – you can fill them with citronella fuel so they repel mosquitos!
We needed another light source, so we went with solar path lights because we don’t have any electrical outlets outside. We put them in the raised garden, and they help define the edge of the patio.
We’re thrilled with the way our budget patio makeover turned out… and also proud that we did it ourselves! Isn’t it so satisfying to finish a DIY home improvement project yourself?
Our dog Charlie approves, too… and he’s a tough critic! Stay tuned in the coming days for a full tutorial on the process of installing a stone paver patio… it’s easier than you might think! I’ll also be sharing more updates and some behind-the-scenes extras over on Instagram.
This post was created in partnership with Lowe’s.
Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Design Fixation online!