Backyard Patio Makeover Tutorials for Great Outdoor Space
Updated on November 19, 2019
Even though the weather is chilly right now, we’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of making over our patio when things warm up. We haven’t decided the extent to which we want to overhaul it yet, so we’ve just been on the lookout for helpful tutorials that will help us make smaller aesthetic changes and larger structural ones until we can side which direction we actually want to take things in! We were quite pleased indeed to see just how many useful tutorials there were online when we really got down to searching.
Just in case you’re feeling about as enthusiastic as we are, if not more, about the idea of making some great DIY changes to your patio, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. Easy and inexpensive outdoor bench
Is the number one thing your patio is lacking outdoor seating? Well, there are plenty of plastic or wicker chairs you can buy, but we’d always rather make something ourselves whenever we can. That’s why this simple and inexpensive bench, which would be a chance to practice our budding woodworking skills, caught our eye so well. Get the full details for making one of your own on Jenwood House!
2. DIY vertical wall planter
If you’re still quite interested in the idea of practicing a bit of woodworking on your patio but you’re also convinced that the space needs a bit more greenery more than anything, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how The Handyman’s Daughter built this rather simple vertical planter wall with storage space in its base for whatever you please (or even more plants).
3. DIY mud cloth painted planter
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about DIY planters because more greenery is precisely what your patio needs, but you’d like something a little more colourful and eye catching than what you saw above? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Jenwood House made this beautiful mud cloth painted planter that looks like a whole lot of fun and would suit in any colour you please!
4. West Elm inspired wooden plant stands
Perhaps you’ve already got a few planters that you have set out but you find that they don’t sit flat on the stone of your patio and you’re always worried they’ll rock over and break? Well, maybe some stabilizing plant stands are what you need! We love the way Hey There Home skipped the brand name prices by making (and outlining) their own version of a wooden plant stand they once saw at West Elm.
5. Outdoor storage bench
Have we really caught your eye with this whole idea of making a beautiful wooden porch bench but you’re also constantly in need of places to put your gardening tools or your kids’ outdoor toys? In either case, we have a feeling you’ll be very intrigued indeed to see how Jenwood House made this beautiful wooden storage bench with a cushioned seat.
6. DIY Adirondack chairs
If you’re going to put in all the time and effort it takes to make your very own wooden seating for your patio, would you actually rather recreate a country home classic that people might even think you bought? Then we’d be willing to bet that something like these DIY Adirondack chairs outlined step by step on Skip to My Lou are precisely what you had in mind!
7. DIY potting bench
If you’re also the kind of patio enthusiast who spends a lot of your outdoor time there puttering around the garden and adding new bits of greenery here and there, then we wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you’d really benefit from an extra worktop meant specifically for that. That’s why we think you should take a look at this lovely DIY potting bench that’s perfectly sized for sitting by the patio in good reach! Get the full details for trying your hand at it on Jenwood House.
8. DIY wooden covered patio
Have you actually been thinking about tackling a much larger patio project than any of the things you’ve seen so far, adding a piece that will really change the space in a big way? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at the way Kenarry used their slightly more advanced woodworking skills to create an entire wooden cover for their patio, affording it much more shade than before!
9. Easy $15 DIY wooden patio coffee table
Rather than making some kind of wooden seating for your patio, are you actually looking for an outdoor table to go with the seating that you already have? In that case, we have a feeling you might get along a little better with the way Anika’s DIY Life outlines the simple steps for making an outdoor wooden coffee table for only $15!
10. DIY outdoor patio loveseat
Maybe seating is actually exactly what your patio needs but you’re looking for something a little more comfortable than just a plain wooden bench like you’ve seen so far? In that case, we have a feeling this DIY outdoor patio love seat, outlined step by surprisingly simple step on Rogue Engineer, might be a little more up your alley!
11. DIY farmhouse style wooden spool table
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about the idea of making an outdoor table for your patio seating area but you’d much prefer something that looks a little more old fashioned or clearly repurpose than the previous design? Then we think you’ll get a kick out of the way Must Have Mom created a little side table from an old wooden cable spool!
12. Upcycled wood pallet garden walkway
Is the problem actually less your patio itself and more so the transition from lawn to patio in or around the garden? Then maybe what you really need to build yourself this year is a walkway! We’re currently pretty obsessed with the idea of upcycling wooden pallets into all kinds of things, so we doubt you’ll be surprised to learn that we really loved this pallet would garden path tutorial from The Homespun Hydrangea.
13. DIY patio bar table
Have you actually always dreamed of being the kind of person that has your very own outdoor bar but you’ve just never gotten around to putting in any of the other fancy things people with outdoor bats seem to have, like pools and cabanas? Then we think you’ll be pleased to see this much simpler design from The Chronicles of Home that shows you how to make a very simple standalone wooden patio bar that doesn’t need the rest of the pomp and circumstance to be awesome!
14. DIY inexpensive slat wood privacy fence
Are you actually working with the kind of backyard that shares a lot with the yard next to it and you don’t mind that for the most part because your kids and pets play together, but sometimes you’d like a calm, private moment in the sun and fresh air without being in the neighbours’ full view? Then we think you might really appreciate the way A Beautiful Mess outlines the steps for creating this simple slatted wood privacy fence that still lets sunlight and a breeze through, but turns a small part of your deck or patio into a secluded little haven where you might read or take a nap.
15. DIY outdoor cabana lounge
Did your interested really pique when we briefly mentioned the idea of having an outdoor cabana on or near your patio but you’ve been waiting to hear about that again in more detail, since we didn’t elaborate? Well, we’re very pleased indeed to tell you that your patience has finally paid off! Take a look at this in-depth tutorial from Jamie Costiglio that outlines the full process for making your own little wooden cabana complete with a soft outdoor lounge bed under its peaked roof.
Have you made other kinds of awesome DIY projects and pieces that you were very happy with indeed and still use on your own porch all the time but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!