While you’ve been sitting outside enjoying our fabulous summer weather, you may have spent a bit of time looking around your backyard and thinking it needs a little sprucing up. But where to start?
Revamping your backyard doesn’t have to be a long and difficult undertaking. There are plenty of easy ways to transform your backyard oasis from drab to delightful in just a day or two. All you need are some basic supplies and a creative vision.
Whether your yard needs a pinch of flare or a few upgrades, here are six super-easy DIY garden projects you can tackle this weekend. But hurry! August is already half over and there’s no time to waste.
Hang some style
The soothing sounds of wind chimes can easily be created by going through your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Upcycle a silver plate and mismatched spoons to make a garden plate flower wind chime. Or hang unused silver cutlery beneath an old tin teapot. Not a fan of the noise? Repurpose a tired chandelier by giving it a fresh coat of bold paint, replacing the lamp holders with painted terracotta pots filled with fragrant herbs. Or get crafty with some fallen branches to make a rustic twinkling garden chandelier that will instantly add a golden glow to your patio or porch.
Set up seating
You don’t have to spend thousands on outdoor furniture. Build an outdoor sectional sofa using pallets. For a large, L-shaped seating plan, you’ll need about nine wooden pallets. Don’t need that crib mattress anymore? It’ll make a perfect cushion for your new seating area once you cover it with colourful fabric. If you’re tight on space and don’t have room for a large sectional, make a hanging lounge chair using a few oak dowels and some canvas cloth. Add some contrasting throw pillows and your luxury setup is complete.
Make an entrance
Invite visitors into your garden or create a lovely corner focal point by building an Asian-inspired arbor using old shutters and scrap lumber. Leave it as-is or plant climbing vines to envelop it in lush greenery. If you’re up for a larger project, make a pergola for your patio or lawn to create a private, covered area perfect for dining with guests or taking an afternoon nap. Or just plant some flowering vines to grow above your garden entrance.
Put a lid on it
If you’re tired of the torn, stained cover on your cloth gazebo, replace it with a stylish, permanent fix: a tin roof built from weathered sheets of metal. Although this requires some basic carpentry skills, once you’ve put it together and hung up curtains and string lights, it’ll be well worth it.
Beckon the birds
Want to attract birds to your outdoor space? Tempt them with a birdbath — a place where they can take a dip or a sip of cool, fresh water. You can fashion a unique bird bath using repurposed household items like bowls, pedestals and vases or add some glam to your garden with a reimagined mosaic birdbath covered in pieces of old DVDs.
You can also attract birds to your garden by creating a birdhouse or bird box. Just make sure you place it high up, away from predators and strong sunlight and wind.
Fire it up
A fire pit is a great way to entertain in your backyard (s’mores, anyone?) and can keep your outdoor space functional even when the weather cools down. Make this summer one to remember and build your own backyard fire pit with some simple, inexpensive materials. Be sure to check your local bylaws, as some municipalities have restrictions on open-air burning.
With a little ingenuity and these helpful tips, you’ll revamp your boring backyard into a heavenly oasis and spend the rest of the summer with your feet up.
— Realtor.ca