Final reveal: My $160 DIY patio set

On Friday afternoon, I finished putting together our budget-friendly outdoor dining set. I went $10 over the DIY budget goal, bringing the total to $160. But, overall, I was still happy with the money I saved.

I started with a freebie table, which I refinished in oil-rubbed bronze. For the tutorial on that project, click here. After the table was done (the spray paint came to about $10), I went on a hunt for seating at seven different stores. I finally landed at Big Lots, where I pieced together a $70 bench with four chairs, which were $18 apiece. The total cost of the seating came to $142 (before taxes). Here’s everything all put together:

DIY patio setI love the new finish on the table. I think it matches the seating very well.

Patio table detailThe bench is my favorite piece. I think it adds an upscale touch to an otherwise run-of-the-mill dining set.

Patio bench

If you’re curious about the throw pillows, I made each of them in half an hour. Click here for the tutorial.

The chairs and bench did not go together as a set. I actually found them in different spots of the store and noticed they were made of similar materials. Tip: When decorating on a dime, you often have to think outside the box to create the look you want.

Discount patio chair

I will mention that I need to exchange one of the chairs because its legs are damaged. So if you head to Big Lots for these items, inspect them closely before purchasing. 🙂

To make for a fun and more well-lit photo shoot, I set up the table in the yard, put a Pottery Barn jute rug under it and decorated the tabletop with stuff from around the house. Tiny and I had fun drinking all that lemonade. 😉

Yard sale table decorations

Trivia question: Can you guess which three items on the table were purchased at yard sales for under $1 each? Leave me a comment with your guess and I’ll reveal the answer in my next post. (I’ll also reveal it the night before on Facebook, so if you haven’t “Liked” me yet, click here.)

What do you think of my “new” outdoor dining set? It required energy, creativity and a lot of elbow grease, but I’m happy with the results. To recap, here’s a “before” of the table:

Free patio table

And the “after” …

DIY patio set

I’m linking this up to Home Stories A to ZA Stroll Thru LifeThrifty Decor ChickDIY by DesignHouse of Hepworths, My Repurposed LifeHouse of RoseMiss Mustard Seed and iHeartOrganizing.

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29 Responses

  1. Tanya says:

    Gorgeous!! Sharing on FB today 🙂

    xo, Tanya

  2. Isabel says:

    looks Amazing ….like your style!

  3. Colbi Reese says:

    Looks inviting! Nice job on the table!

  4. melissa says:

    Love this! I have been trying to decide what to do in our backyard and had not considered Big Loya. Thanks for the inspiration. I am guessing you bought the nut bowl, pitcher and basket for under $1 each.

    • Susan says:

      I almost didn’t even stop there. But at the last minute I thought, “I’ll run in quick to see if the store has anything.” Glad I did!

  5. Lucy says:

    Awesome!! ENJOY it.

  6. Shannon says:

    Wow! Just gorgeous! I’m guessing the basket, napkin rings, and napkins? You can’t tell – but you set a gorgeous table. I would love to sit right down!

  7. Carla says:

    Beautiful! I think you bought the nut bowl, lantern, and basket for a dollar each at a yard sale.

  8. Louise Daley says:

    I like your refinished table. It is lovely. I have an antique wrought iron set. My son sandblasted it and painted oil-rubbed bronze. So, I can say first hand that I love the color. It also gives a nice depth to the set. Again, I really do like your set.

  9. PamP says:

    That is amazing! Great job. If you hadn’t told anyone no one would know how much you paid (or didn’t) for this set. It looks real expensive and I like that it’s one of a kind. I’m guessing you purchased the napkin rings, the basket and the pitcher all for $1 each. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with the rest of us.
    Blessings.

  10. Linda says:

    Great job!! It looks wonderful!! Thanks for sharing.

  11. Christine says:

    That’s so sweet I just want to walk up there (barefoot of course) and sit and enjoy being outside. Don’t ya just love Big Lots…their prices can’t be beat sometimes. I just scored some purple dishes a couple of week ago and love them….You did a great job!

  12. Michelle says:

    The fruit basket, nut bowl and napkin rings!

  13. Angie W says:

    Love! The table has so much character – I’m glad you brought it back to life. And I agree with you – the bench really makes it. Awesome job.

  14. oh my gosh, that looks amazing! i would never guess that you collected those seats and table separately.

  15. It looks perfect. I love your table and the chairs and they look so beautiful with your new paint job. The rug is fantastic too. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

  16. Lori says:

    What an amazing transformation! The table looks brand new and I love the bench from Big Lots. You did a great job! Enjoy your new space. : )

    Lori
    Thrifty Decor Mom

  17. Vicki says:

    You did a great job of creating a welcoming outdoor area “on less.” You make DIYing look so do-able.

  18. gail says:

    whoa! Susan, what an amazing transformation on that table! Love your new set!

    catching you!
    gail

  19. Kathleen says:

    Great job! I’m in the process of refinishing my patio set, I’m even using the same paint. I started it last summer – still working on it. Yours looks great.

  20. judy says:

    you sure are talented–and have vision–it’s very nice

  1. May 9, 2013

    […] Final reveal: My $160 DIY patio set […]

  2. May 16, 2013

    […] amazing patio table makeover with bargain seating […]

  3. August 28, 2016

    […] Final reveal: My $160 DIY patio set […]

  4. June 29, 2017

    […] amazing patio table makeover with bargain seating […]

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