With warm weather holidays and summer entertaining on the horizon, there’s no better time to perk up the patio, dress up the deck, or punch up the porch. Hmmm, sounds expensive.  It doesn’t have to be!  Think of “repurposing” items to add some cheap chic to outdoor rooms.  Repurposing means to take a thing or material and use it for a purpose not originally intended. Many of these repurposed ideas turn out to have inherent character, fabulous flair and unique style… (and are dirt cheap).

In the before picture below, this patio was blahhh. The after picture shows what can be done when thinking …decorate on a budget, repurposed materials, great look.  Here’s some ideas…(click on photos to enlarge)

1. Outdoor drapery is hot! (actually cool). I’m seeing it everywhere. Use it to define a space, add some elegance, as well as shade. For inexpensive casual drapery, use painters cotton/canvas drop cloths (about $10. each). They come hemmed and ready to hang. Hang them from clip-on rings, painted clothespins (cute), or ribbon ties. Attach them to a beam or slide them on a tensioned wire cable to function.  Add some tie-backs to keep them from blowing. If you want some color, stencil a border or a random pattern all over with craft paint.

2. Add an area rug made out of 3 Tatami mats (you know, the bamboo roll-up mats you take to the beach). They usually cost $5. or less. Look for mats that are about 3′ x 6′. Turn them over and line them up sideways. Then attach them together with duct tape or carpet tape. You will end up with a 6′ x 9′ area rug (for under $15.) to place under your table. You can also stencil or paint borders or a design on the mats to coordinate with your outdoor room.

3. For a patio table and chairs, look in garage sales, thrift stores, or home stores for patio sets or pieces. They don’t have to match. Just spray paint them all the same color to unify the mismatched pieces if  they need refreshing.

4. Make some coordinating cushions for your chairs out of more drop cloths. Cut out seat shapes, sew them up partially  (can’t sew, use a glue gun) and stuff them with all those plastic bags from the grocery stores (yes, we are talking recycled and cheap). Stitch/glue closed.  Stencil or paint them with craft paint to coordinate with other elements (do that before you stuff them).

5. Add a “candle-lier”. Pick up an old chandelier at a garage sale or thrift store. Take out all of the electrical pieces. Spray paint it a fun color and hang it from chain or a rope from a beam. Add short chunky candles to light at night. Great ambiance.

6. Add a water feature. Look for large containers like barrels, terra cotta pots or “stone looking” plastic pots. Seal the inside of  porous pots with a water sealer. Add a recycling water pump and bubbler or small fountain to enjoy that great sound of  splashing water.

7. Make your own topiaries. Purchase dense -leaved shrubbery and trim them into shape (not hard).  Try a single, or double ball shape, cone and ball, or spiral shape.  Plant them in inexpensive clay pots.

8. Add pots and borders of colorful flowers.  Ask neighbors for cuttings.

9. Paint or stain a worn cement patio with large stencils or freehand the look of faux brick, flagstone, wood planks, or terra cotta tiles. Seal it with a matte sealer after, to wear well. This looks great,  just take your time and do it right.

10. Add some simple beams attached securely to the house for a simple overhead structure and enclosure. These can be made from recycled 2 x 4 ’s. Nail 2 or 3 together for a heavier looking beam. Paint or stain them.

These are all things you can do for very little cost, but they make a big visual design statement. Can you think of any I’ve missed?  Love to hear anything you’ve done on a dime to add some sizzle to your summer space.

Enjoy your recycled, resourceful, repurposed, residential resort! … Pass the lemonade!