Budget-friendly backyard patio plans

We are finally starting to feel a bit of warmth in the breeze here in the mountains of Pennsylvania. It has been a long, snowy winter and we are all ready for spring! I am looking forward to feeling the sun on my face and preparing our patio for some backyard barbecues with family and friends. We practically live on the back patio from May through September.

This year, with the help of my dad and the hubs, I’m planning on making some upgrades to our patio, starting with this hot mess:

Patio-before

To begin sprucing up the space, we’ll be pouring a concrete step off of the back porch. After doing some research on how to do this project – I recommend this video tutorial – I created a game plan. I’ll begin by cleaning up all the yard debris; digging out a spot for the stair, which will run the entire width of the porch; forming up the area where concrete will go; and preparing for a successful pour by removing and killing any weeds and grass in the vicinity using Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer.

Spectracide-Weed-and-Grass-Killer

Photo via Spectracide.com

I have been around a lot of concrete pours, both large and small. But I have never actually been heavily involved in the process before. This will definitely be a learning experience for me. I’ll be sharing all the details along the way so those of you who are thinking of tackling a similar project will get the information you need. If you haven’t already, be sure to “like” me on Facebook here, as I’ll be sharing the daily progress there.

I’ll be glamming up the patio with some other thrifty DIY upgrades, too.

Patio-plans

In addition to removing weeds and debris and pouring the stair, I’ll be refurbishing the ceiling fixture (a project I’m really excited about); adding my $160 upcycled patio dining set; and filling some stylish planters for the new patio stair.

To see some of the inspiration behind this project, check out my Outdoor Pinterest board here. Here are some of the elements I’m planning to incorporate into my space:

DIY-patio-set

Thrifty DIY patio set

Torches in planter

Adding color

DIY outdoor ceiling fan update

The coolest part of this whole backyard endeavor is that I’m working hard to make sure the project is one of my thriftiest makeovers yet. I’ll be sharing all my money-saving strategies along the way so you can make your backyard gorgeous, too, without busting your budget.

We’ll be going to work on the project hopefully this week, so more details and photos will be coming soon.

In the meantime, if you have an outdoor project that requires the use of weed and grass killer, save yourself some money by heading over to the Spectracide Facebook page, “liking” them, and snatching up their $2 off and $5 back coupons.

To all of my yard warriors, whether you are after a total yard overhaul or just want to keep your yard looking its best, visit the Spectracide Facebook page for tips and savings to get started.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Spectracide. The opinions and text are all mine.

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9 Responses

  1. Cheryl says:

    Love your ideas! A cheap and effective solution to weeds or unwanted grass that won’t harm you, your children or the environment is to just pour boiling water over the area. If you feel you must spray something, an easy homemade mixture is 1 gallon distilled vinegar, 1 c salt, and 1 T dish soap. Mix in a large pan and heat til salt is dissolved (no need to boil). Cool and put in spray bottle and then treat desired area.

  2. Dawn Rene says:

    I am anxious to see the results! I live in a condo (townhouse style) and have a small front and back yard. I love the lanterns in the planters…thanks for the ongoing tips!!

  3. laura says:

    Concrete work is HARD work. My husband does it for a living. Drilling holes for the rebar to tie into the existing concrete is a fun job 🙁 Just make sure the site is absolutely ready for the concrete. It doesn’t wait for anyone or anything! Good luck!

  4. Angela says:

    Love the idea of the bamboo lights in the planter!! Off to Pin!!! Thanks!~~Angela

  5. Big Mega says:

    I love your fan sis! I’m looking forward to seeing your back porch finished and decorated~ Rob and I are currently working on our back porch as well, we painted everything and I found an old metal rocker that was here previously so we are grinding the old chipped paint off of it right now and getting ready to paint it as well. That grinding rust and paint off any metal is no joke, my hands felt like jelly for the entire day!

  1. April 14, 2014

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