School is almost out and my number one priority this past week was sprucing up our deck so that we could really enjoy that space. (ok, ok, my number one priority was finishing that container of Ben & Jerry’s but the deck was a CLOSE second.)
Last year, Jeremy and I worked overtime to get the deck safe, finished and beautiful and this spring it has paid off in spades. If you wanted to see the completed space, you can check out this old post. This spring, I love love love having that outdoor space! I am trying to squeeze in as much outdoor time as humanly possible before the Georgia weather turns so hot that I get burned to a crisp! But first we needed to pressure wash all the pollen off and plant a bunch of flowers I received for Mother’s Day, and do a whole lotta sprucing. It was a hot mess! I will have it ready to share soon here on the blog but until then, here are some inspirational posts from the past on ways that you can jazz up your own exterior. These super cute ideas are little projects that we have tackled in years past and still highly recommend for anyone looking to spend quality time outdoors 🙂
MAKE STUMP SIDE TABLES
These take some time to allow for the wood to dry out but they look stunning when finally finished! Plus, the cost can’t be beat! Click here for the full tutorial.
MAKEOVER YOUR MAILBOX
Not satisfied with the look of your mailbox? Well, a little tape and some spray paint and you can completely change the look! Your mail delivery person will thank you 🙂 Click here for the full tutorial.
BUILD A PLANTER
Got $20 and some power tools? You can build these tall planters in one afternoon and wow everyone. They are seriously one of my favorite builds ever…and everyone else’s that has ever come to my house. Click here for the full tutorial.
CLEAN UP YOUR EXTERIOR
Have some paint on your exterior brick that you would love to clean up? The process is simple with a little elbow grease and some muriatic acid. And when everyone asks you what you did this weekend, tell them you binge watched your house become beautiful. Click here for the full tutorial.
FIXTURE FIX
Giving your light fixtures a makeover is literally like having a Cinderella moment. And you get to be your own fairy godmother….with spray paint…and the dream doesn’t end at midnight. Your outdoor light fixtures get exposed to loads of abuse and it’s their turn to be beautiful! Click here for the full tutorial.
RENOVATE THE RAILINGS
Rusty railings plague porches everywhere but say it ain’t so for your favorite perch. The process can protect your railings and make them look brand new. It’s tedious but so easy a child could do it! Click here for the full process.
BUILD A FIRE PIT
By far one of the best projects we have ever done for our exterior is our outdoor fire pit. Build it and marshmallows will come. Promise 🙂 Click here for the full tutorial.
HANG YOUR HOSE HIGHER
Hose holder poetry. That is what this is people. Don’t be satisfied with a curled up hose hugging the mulch any longer. Your hose deserves better. Click here for the full tutorial.
FIREWOOD TABLE
What’s hot? Fire. And this table. What’s not? Tables that don’t pull double duty. And also when you are trying to screenshot on your phone and instead just turn it off. SOoo…moral of the story….go build this table and be ready to roast some smores. Click here for the full tutorial.
PRETTIFY A POT
This pot actually has a movie deal, a book deal and an agent. It’s that good. You need to get this kinda pot in your life because it might buy you a house one day in Beverly Hills when it makes it big. Click here for the full tutorial.
OUTDOOR CHALKBOARD TABLE
A coffee table that also doubles as a play table that also doubles as a chalkboard that also doubles as a double agent known as double oh great? And did I mention it can withstand the elements outside? #mindblown Click here for the full tutorial.
IMPROVE YOUR SEATING
Whether you got your seating new or used, most chairs need some sort of sprucing when it comes to spring. Toss your cushions in the wash or pressure wash them clean. Add new pillows or sew up some simple outdoor fabric into envelope pillow covers for a whole new look. You can also clean your furniture with the help of a pressure washer and refresh the paint job with a little spray paint. Click here for the full tutorial.
Happy DIYing y’all!
Any tips on how you deal with mosquitoes, while enjoying your outdoor space? We love spending time outside, but they swarm us in the evenings.
Do you have a post about pressure washing your deck? Tips, tricks? We are going to do ours for the first time next weekend to get all the leaf stains and everything off it.
Hey Katie – wondering how your painted wicker chairs have held up? I bought a pair from a garage sale for a couple bucks and they were already painted. Didn’t hold up long though so I’m wondering if they used outdoor paint. Thinking about redoing them myself but thought I’d ask how yours have held up. 🙂
Thanks!
Well, it does matter if it is stained or not. If you have a stain painted on it, you can pressure wash it lightly with a soap solution and that should help. Otherwise, you can really blast it like in this past video.
xo – kb
We don’t have a big mosquito issue but have you tried Citronella candles? They do help at my mom’s house!
xo – kb
Ours held up great until I left them out in the driveway one summer and then they really dried out and now I need to redo them 🙁
xo – kb