Summer Patio Refresh
Last updated August 21, 2024
Meg Baker is the face behind the Baker Blooms. DIY has always been a form of therapy and self-expression for her, and she loves to create and incorporate color and eclectic touches in her designs. There is so much joy in finding out just how capable you are, and she strives to encourage others to take their homes into their own hands. She believes paint is magic, tools are fascinating, puns are underrated, and mistakes are how we learn.
A Note From The Home Depot
After months of neglect in the cold winter months, a deep clean and refresh to bring the outdoor living space back to life is key. Keep reading to see how Meg Baker of Baker Blooms transformed her Patio space just in time for Summer.
Table of Contents
Leveling Up Our Outdoor Game with a Summer Patio Refresh
Prepping the Space
Creating the Perfect Lounge Area
Room for Games
DIY Herb Planters
Finishing Touches
Leveling Up Our Outdoor Game with a Summer Patio Refresh
The crucial first step of leveling up your outdoor space is, well, letting it fall completely by the wayside for several months. Paying close attention to this step, my back patio was completely wrecked after the dead of winter, and it then became covered in spring pollen and wasp nests. With summer coming, I was eager to transform it into the ultimate summer lounge space. I wanted a space where my family and friends could enjoy lounging in the sun on colorful, cozy furniture. And what about adding a new family game-piece to enjoy all summer long? Time to get it done with none other than The Home Depot!
Thanks to The Home Depot, I easily found everything I needed (both in-store, and on the app) at everyday, low prices to finally level up my patio game!
Prepping the Space
Step one (if you’re not counting the vital first step I mentioned earlier) is arguably the biggest- cleaning out my cluttered patio. I chucked the battered furniture, called closing time on the unused bar, and said R.I.P. to my dearly departed, dead plants. Next, I used my Ryobi 2000 PSI 1.2 GPM Cold Water Corded Electric Pressure Washer with the Ecolab Scientific Clean Exterior House and Siding Pressure Wash Solution to give the house siding and wooden deck a bath. I love how lightweight, but surprisingly powerful this little pressure washer is! It was essential in creating the clean slate I needed. Added bonus: It’s electric, making it a no-hassle way to refresh your surfaces fuel-free!
Next up: Conquering the six (yep, SIX!) wasp's nests that were taunting me. Spectracide Aerosol Wasp and Hornet Killer to the rescue! I recommend waiting until sundown, standing a safe distance from the nest(s) you’re targeting, and firing away! BOOM! I had completely wiped the patio of my pesky guests. Was I scared? Absolutely. Thankfully Spectracide’s formula works super-fast, the product is simple and easy to use, and it kills on contact. I worried I would need to pressure wash the sprayed areas again in the morning, but this stuff is the real deal. No stains! All was good as new the next day.
Creating the Perfect Lounge Area
Okay. My prep work was done- time for the fun part to begin! I started by adding a gorgeous Artistic Weavers Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug for a pop of color and softness. And like magic- the rug perfectly complements this StyleWell Park Pointe 4-Piece Wicker Patio Conversation Set with these adorable Outdoor Pillows. Phoebe is a big fan, can you tell?
And what patio is complete without a hanging egg chair? The correct answer is none. Every patio needs one! Enter this Sunnydaze Décor Danielle Resin Wicker Outdoor Hanging Egg Patio Lounge Chair. Best of all, each of these pieces were a piece of cake to assemble. I’m obsessed with the soft, light colors which were finally starting to brighten my once dreary deck space.
Room for Games
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! The crowning jewel of this refresh is my new Barrington Shuffleboard Table. My boys, ages 9 and 12, fell desperately in love with the game when we played it out at a restaurant one evening, so they’ve begged for one to have at home. And here we have the perfect space for it. For easy storage and set up, the legs fold in and out. This shuffleboard table wins the patio makeover MVP because I know this is something we will enjoy as a family for years to come.
DIY Herb Planters
Naturally, summer and planting go hand-in-hand! I had a perfect little area for growing herbs sure to shine at summer cookouts, so I decided to DIY some easy planters using cedar fence planks and 2x2s. I would recommend this project to anyone looking for a beginner-friendly and cost-effective way to spruce up their all-essential summer garden.
MATERIALS:
TOOLS:
CUT LIST FOR STANDING PLANTER:
- For the planks, cut the tapered end off of each then cut:
(9) 12” pieces and (6) 4 7/8” pieces - For the 2x2s cut:
(4) 12” pieces
and (4) 16” pieces
Sand all pieces then assemble. Add wood glue to the sides of the bottom piece and the end pieces, clamp together and secure with brad nails using the Ryobi ONE+ 18v Lithium-Ion Cordless Airstrike 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer.
Once all three boxes are made, add the legs. Glue and nail the 16” legs to all four corners of the middle box, then the 12” legs to two end corners of the other two boxes. Then attach the shorter boxes to each side of the taller box using wood glue and brad nails.
This planter is super customizable as you can add as many boxes as you like and cut the legs to whatever height you need!?
CUT LIST FOR THE WALL MOUNTED PLANTER:
- (3) 36” pieces
- (2) 4 7/8” pieces?
- Glue, clamp and nail all pieces together.
Once dry, I used my Ryobi ONE+ 18v drill to add drainage holes and stapled Landscape Fabric into each box.
I filled each planter with Vigoro All Purpose Potting Soil Mix. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor potted plants, which include my precious herbs. My mouth was watering at the thought of fresh, flavorful, homegrown herbs all summer long!
Finishing Touches
The finishing touches on this patio were somehow even more fun than selecting my fabulous furniture! Have I mentioned my love for plants? In my opinion, no space is ever complete without PLANTS. I used my Ryobi One+ 18v Drill and Driver Combo, and the Gorilla Ladders 4.5 ft Aluminum Dual Platform Step Ladder with Project Bucket (a must for us shorties) to hang these lovely asparagus ferns. Plus, I found this amazing indoor/outdoor Pineapple Planter for my snake plant in the corner!
The finishing piece that was a must for this patio refresh was my little Ryobi ONE+ 18v Cordless Hybrid WHISPER SERIES 7 1/2“ Fan. The heat and humidity of Georgia summers are no joke, so a portable cordless fan makes all the difference in actually enjoying my new space comfortably. But why keep the airy atmosphere to just the patio? I decided it should accompany me to the garage to work on projects, to the soccer field for my sons’ sweltering game days, and just about anywhere else that I could use my own, private beach breeze.
And that’s all she wrote (and cleaned, and decorated, and built, and planted)! Thanks to The Home Depot, my outdoor space is completely and totally leveled up. My family’s patio went from dramatically desolate to delightfully darling with all credit to their incredible inventory. I expect our summer family and friend hangs, barbecues, and game nights to be the envy of the neighborhood. So don’t let your beastly backyard intimidate you! If I can reinvent my space, so can you! If you let your slice of sunshine grow a little shabby, remember what I told you in the beginning- that’s the first step to making it amazing. Happy doing, everyone!
This post was created in partnership with The Home Depot. The author may have received compensation for this article and associated images or video, potentially in the form of products and/or services. All expressed opinions and experiences are the author’s own words.
