With the weather turning beautiful and hot all around the country, there are a lot of reasons to want to spend some extra time outdoors. While some states are slowing reopening, others are stuck inside for the nicest weather in months. Taking advantage of any outdoor space available is key to keeping the summer enjoyable. Check out these fun warm-weather DIY patio project ideas to try this summer.
Create a stylish patio planter
One thing you can make yourself with just a few materials is a stylish outdoor patio planter. It can be difficult—and expensive—to find cute planters that fit your space and decor style. For this project, all you need is basic plastic planters in your desired shape and size, a few two-by-fours, and some paint or stain. Build the wooden casing around the plastic planters. While plastic planters are low-cost and functional, they aren’t too stylish. Adding the wood around the planter makes it look a bit more regal. Then you can either paint or stain the wood pieces to ensure the patio planters match your decor and desired style. It’s a quick and easy project that can take you one or two days, depending on how many coats of paint or stain you need to apply.
Make your own outdoor couch
You can make your own outdoor couch—which is great news because store-bought patio furniture sets can run you upwards of $1,000 on a good day. For this project, all you need is some old pallets (four per couch), some paint, and a couple of cushions. Simply stack the pallets two high next to each other and attach them with nails. Then you can simply paint the wood to cover any worn or old patches the pallets may show. If you’re a new DIYer, check out some tips for painting wood furniture to learn more about the dos and don’ts of the process. Once the paint is dry, simply place the cushions on the pallets, push the new couch up against a wall or fence, and lay the two top pillows against the wall for a cushy back. It’ll add a cozy and stylish charm to your yard.
DIY outdoor pet house
If you have a little dog or cat that loves to play out in the yard but sometimes also needs some shade from the sun or rain, make them a DIY outdoor pet house. Pre-made or custom-made dog and cat houses are expensive and often the wrong size for your fuzzy friend. Instead, get a bucket that is the right size for your pet, turn it upside down, cut an entryway hole into it, and attach wood to the outside of it the same way you would with the previously mentioned patio planter. This way, you have a stylish and modern pet house that takes advantage of the waterproofness of the plastic container. For an extra layer of luxury, add a pet bed for maximum comfort.
