A patio is the outdoor extension of the home. But more often than not, this outdoor nook is considered boring, so no one really bothers to spend time on it.
But there’s so much more you could do on your patio. It’s a great recreational space where you can have barbecues or host parties. And on warm summer nights, you can just simply go outside and cool yourself with the natural breeze.
So to give your patio a more homey vibe, here are 12 do-it-yourself patio decorating ideas that you can try on your own.
1. DIY Outdoor Lighting
String lights or hanging outdoor lanterns add a refreshing element to your patio that makes it instantly picturesque. Additionally, they create a more relaxed vibe, which is great for nightly musings with friends.
Outdoor lighting also creates a romantic atmosphere, so you can also take advantage of it during date nights.
Having a professional install your outdoor lighting can be quite costly, so it’s good to know that there are do-it-yourself alternatives to it.
Tutorial: cityfarmhouse
2. DIY Privacy Screen
Another useful piece of patio furniture is a privacy screen. These wooden – or sometimes, metallic – partitions instantly isolate your patio from the public eye while also adding style to your outdoor haven.
Privacy screens come in different shapes and sizes, and can also double as a vertical garden. Regardless of how you want it to look like, you cannot deny the fact that these partitions can liven up a dull patio.
Tutorial: fromhousetohome
3. DIY Furniture
If there’s something that a patio really needs, it’s furniture. Even if you have great wall décor or perfectly paved floors, your patio will feel empty if it doesn’t have any piece of furniture.
Fortunately, patio furniture doesn’t have to be expensive. You can use your old sofa set, or go to an antique store for some interesting rustic pieces.
You can also build the whole furniture set from recycling pallets and design it according to your liking.
Tutorial: palletsideas
4. DIY Flooring
One of the most common problems of homeowners is getting the flooring of their patios done.
The most common patio flooring is concrete, owing to its affordable and low maintenance characteristics. However, we can all agree that concrete looks really dull and boring – so you have to make an extra effort to make it look good.
There are several ways to design your own patio floor. This includes laying tiles, using clay pavers, and floor staining. But perhaps the easiest – and that which can create the most intricate designs – is by painting with a stencil.
Just follow the tutorial below to learn how you can stencil your own patio.
Tutorial: dizzyduckdesigns
5. DIY Outdoor Bar
We all dream of hanging out with friends on our patio while we enjoy the nice evening breeze. To make that dream a reality, we must begin with having our own outdoor bar.
Outdoor bars made of either marble or ceramic can be quite expensive. However, we can also build one using old pallets or other wooden pieces.
You can also add an additional shelf at the center of your DIY outdoor bar where you can keep your wine glasses or cups.
Tutorial: recycleart
6. DIY Pergola
We can all agree that a pergola adds sophistication to any outdoor spot – no matter how simple or how small it may be.
Unfortunately, getting an expert to build it for you can cost you quite the sum of money. But if you have enough time on your hands, you might want to consider building your own pergola.
Large, wooden pergolas are great at providing you additional shade from the sun. However, if you don’t have enough space on your patio for a large one, you can opt to make this smaller version that can house your plants, smaller furniture, or a swing.
Tutorial: apieceofrainbow
7. DIY Firepit
Having a firepit inside the perimeter of your patio is a dream for most of us. This is especially true during the colder months when the view is lovely, but you can’t stand the chilly air from outside.
Luckily, firepits are surprisingly easy to make. As long as you have the right materials, you can definitely build one on your own.
And aside from keeping you warm, you can also add a grill on top of it for a quick barbecue session.
Tutorial: zillow
8. DIY Rustic Cooler
For those who enjoy relaxing outdoors with a bottle of beer in hand, but hate having to run back and forth to the kitchen, you’d be glad to know that you can create your own outdoor bar.
By using old wooden pieces and your favorite cooler, you can create a simple outdoor cooler that’s both stylish and functional.
Once you’re done building it, you can simply leave it as is for a rustic feel. If that’s not your style, you can always paint your own design on it.
Tutorial: theownerbuildernetwork
9. DIY Log Pot
For those of you who have a green thumb, you might consider replacing your pots with a more natural alternative – logs.
With log pots, you carve holes on one side of the log where you will be placing your plants. You can use any sizeable log – one that’s fallen on your backyard, one you can buy, or perhaps your neighbor has some unused ones their willing to give away for free.
And even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can start with low-maintenance succulents first.
Tutorial: miespaciopreferido
10. DIY Vertical Garden
Another way to spice up your patio is by adding a vertical garden. These vertical gardens typically use wooden pallets and chicken wire to serve as support for the soil which will hold the plant.
Vertical gardens add vibrant green color to your patio which gives it more life. You can also use them as a privacy screen. And the fact that it doesn’t take up a lot of space makes it the perfect decorative piece for small patios.
You can go for plants like succulents or ferns, or you can plant herbs like basil, cilantro, or dill.
Tutorial: dishfunctionaldesigns
11. DIY Outdoor Rug
Here’s a simple DIY trick that can easily bring color into your patio: painting outdoor rugs from boring old drop cloths.
Outdoor rugs are great for those who do not want to permanently design their patio floors. Rugs are easy to make, and they’re also easy to replace – so once you grow tired of your old rug, you can always make a new one to replace it.
Tutorial: diynetwork
12. DIY Convertible Picnic Table
Like what I’ve previously said, patios will always look empty if it doesn’t have any piece of furniture. But what if you can have a pair of rustic benches that converts itself into a picnic table after flipping the backrests? This is what this DIY project will teach you.
This convertible picnic table not only adds an interesting element in your patio, but it also helps you save space. Thus, even small patios can accommodate this innovative piece of furniture.
Tutorial: hertoolbelt