Budget Friendly Patio Refresh

Welcome to my low-budget friendly, use what you’ve to patio refresh! No fancy outdoor furniture? Me either, so I got creative! And I added bright & happy color with some new outdoor safe dishes, serving pieces, versatile lanterns, lots of potted flowers and some twinkle lights!

Now, keep in mind it’s still early in the season here and… the weather was really not cooperating. When the rain finally stopped, I was under the wire to get it photographed quickly so I could share. Then, it got so windy I couldn’t keep the tree dandruff off of everything. I think I must have swept up 437 times. Wind and trees sure are a messy combo! I might have to consider working with a professional arborist like The Local Tree Experts to reduce the amount of tree mess on my patio. But for now, go ahead and laugh picturing me picking pine needles out of that shaggy rug, it’s okay.

Now about this space. LOL. Our upper patio deck sits off the sun room & kitchen, and it’s the most accessible from the main level of the house. I picked this outdoor space to spruce up. Before I got to the fun part of decorating though, I needed to clean the all winter off the deck. Austin was a real help and he cleaned the deck chairs for me while I did deck, and then I got all our Hydrangea pots cleaned up. They live on this upper deck permanently since the Deer wouldn’t leave them alone otherwise.

Next, I freshened up some of my favorite galvanized containers with Million Bells & Bacopa! Both in purple.

This new tub got filled up with some too.

Just drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage, and they make great planters! They blend right in with my vintage galvanized metal pieces.

I wish you could have seen my Clematis a week ago, it was stunning! The rain really beat it up and the flowers are about spent. They sure were a treat while they lasted though.

(if you look through the deck railing, you’ll spy a peek of the new workshop in the upper left of the photo)

Welcome To My Budget Friendly Patio Refresh

I added some super-cushy seat cushions, and set up 4 Adirondack chairs to create a conversation style seating area. Next, I needed a table for the center, and I came up with this quick solution. I popped my round wood topper [click here for the easy diy] on top of a vintage metal crate, and boom. Free & done. Jim and I like to hang out here on summer evenings when he gets home and I bring my breakfast out here on nice mornings.

The makeshift table matches the chair height, and that makes it perfect for holding drinks & snacks – as well as books, magazines, etc…

I bought a set of the white ceramic planters from the garden department several weeks ago and didn’t end up planting in them. I realized I prefer them as serving pieces! I added a cute dish towel and piled up tortilla chips in it to test it out. Isn’t it too cute?

I like the raised dots around the edge. I bet it would look great with succulents in it too.

I ended up mimicking the general idea of the round table over on the other side of the deck, and created a buffet style serving table.

GET CREATIVE: I used two freshly painted bar stools, and a few boards of painted and nailed together pallet wood as a console sized table! Super sturdy, and holds a fair amount. All for free. Bonus, it can shimmy right back in the house in two shakes when not in use, or if the rain or wind start up.

You know I am all about versatility! These bar stools pull triple duty acting as;

• extra seating

• side tables

• or when paired like this, become a table!

USE YOUR SPACE WELL: You might notice I wiggled a tray in between the two bars stools. The wood handles rest perfectly and securely on the rungs.

When hosting guests, this is the perfect spot to pop a bucket of iced sodas or beer and have extra serving space!

I had noooo idea when I bought this ceramic lantern last July for my coastal cottage bathroom makeover [click here], that I was going to use it so often. I don’t think I’ve put it away since. I even bought the smaller one to go with it when I picked out a few new items for this space. I did my paper bag planting trick because I don’t want it to be a permanent planter, though you can do that with them if you prefer.

The little votive candle holders in the lanterns are filled with citronella tea light candles to help keep the bitey bugs away. The votive holders came in a 4 pack, with two aqua & two blue. I’ll use the blue ones to add a patriotic flavor to the lanterns later in the season. I’m telling you, I have gotten my monies worth out of these white metal lanterns too. I’ve got a great little collection of BHG stuff going that really works well together.

That’s it guys. I took four inexpensive Adirondack chairs, shopped my house, and added some new pieces from Better Homes & Gardens to create a comfortable and colorful spot to gather. The flowers are just an added bonus. A must have if you ask me though!

If the weather holds, I’ll try to get a nighttime shot so you can see the lights I’ve got strung up too. Lights outside just add soooo much charm to any space.

Disclosure: If you’ve visited before, you’ll already know I work in partnership with Better Homes and Gardens. And if you are new, now you know too! Every opinion I share about the BH&G Live Better line from Walmart is mine. And I’d like to think you know I wouldn’t be working with them, or sharing them with you, if I didn’t think the products were of good quality & value. Which I do! I’ve been super impressed with everything and I love that it’s all so budget friendly. Find my full disclosure policy here.

Click & Browse Shopping Sources Below:

• Better Homes and Gardens Glass Edison String Lights, 10 Count [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Color Rim 19 oz Tumbler, 6-Pack in “Teal” [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Rustic Teal Swirl Melamine Dinner Plate, 6 pack [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens White Metal Lantern [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens 4 pc. Votive Holder [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Aqua Ceramic Lantern, Large [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Aqua Ceramic Lantern, Small [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Serving Tray, Gray [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Galvanized Steel Oval Party Tub with Wood Handles [click here]

• Better Homes and Gardens Flowers, in the Floral Department

Update: After getting lots of questions about what exact flowers I used in my big oval planter, I made a overly with them all listed for you!!

Happy Planting, Shan

If you live in a small town like I do, like the convenience of shopping online, or can’t locate something in the store, you can find even more by shopping Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart online here. You can BH&G on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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