When people hear the word renovation, alarm bells start to ring in their heads. The thought of hiring a contractor, buying materials, and turning your home upside down sounds like a nightmare. However, renovating doesn’t always have to be a stressful or expensive task. DIY culture is on the rise and nothing is more satisfying than getting the job done yourself (and with a cheap price tag). Nowadays, you can learn to do practically anything on the internet so why not get stuck in and renovate your patio yourself.
Set a Budget
Setting a budget is the best way to ensure that you don’t end up overspending on unnecessary items. A great way to calculate your budget is by creating a list of the most essential features you want to include. Don’t be afraid to review and re-calculate your budget as this will help account for any mishaps along the way.
One of the things that you learn as you become an adult is that furniture is painfully expensive. However, when collating your inspiration for furniture and themes, don’t focus on the price tag as there are many ways that you can cut down on costs. Just because you are eyeing up a two-hundred-dollar garden chair, doesn’t mean you have to buy it, you can find similar pieces that are cheaper, hire someone to make a similar chair, or even make it yourself.
Find Inspiration
There are many ways that you can find inspiration for your dream outdoor patio. You can flick through design magazines, scroll on Instagram, or even create your own mood board on Pinterest. Creating a mood board is a great way to get a feel of how your backyard will look. Rather than copying a design, you can pull inspiration from different patios and create a unique backyard. This is a technique that many interior designers use. When creating a mood board, you should focus on themes, color palettes, and general atmospheres.
An important factor to consider when building your dream patio is defining its purpose. Do you want to use the space as a place to relax, entertain, or dine? Backyard areas should be functional yet visually appealing. If you are looking to create a peaceful Zen garden try to stick to a neutral color palette, minimal decor, and a lot of nature-inspired elements. If you want a place to entertain, look for comfortable seating, an open-plan space, and some led rope lighting to set the mood. If you want the area for dining, you should think about installing some type of gazebo or shelter and an outdoor dining room table that fits at least four people.
Cut Down on Costs
There are several ways you can cut down on costs during your renovations. One of the easiest ways to do so is by engaging in some good old fashion DIY. If you are handy in the woodwork department there are loads of cool furniture pieces that you can create using simple wooden pallets. Add a coat of paint to the finished product and voila you can have a table and set of chairs for less than a hundred dollars. Look at your mood board and see what items could give your patio that added boost of elegance. For example, a fire pit is often considered to be a show-stopping piece. This brings warmth to the design and luxuriously elevates any backyard. Fire pits look amazing and are super easy to make yourself.
Although building furniture from scratch is a feasible option, it may not be everyone’s idea of fun. Another option to cut down on costs is buying second-hand pieces from flea markets or charity stores. This is a great way to recycle, or upcycle, pieces and give back to the environment. All you need is some good imagination and determination. Another way to cut down on decor is by including plenty of greenery.
Hang up some flat-backed plant pots using zip ties and fill them with flowers or herbs.
A home’s backyard or patio is an area that has infinite potential. However, with this being said, it is often one of the most neglected areas of a house. Families will buy a few deck chairs or some garden furniture and call it a day. Don’t be discouraged by the prospect of renovating your patio. No matter the size of your patio or budget, you too can turn this area into an oasis for relaxation or entertainment.
