How can I create a welcoming patio space using DIY materials?

Melissa Trent
by Melissa Trent
Our back patio is plain. We have lots of space to create more seating and make it look welcoming, but we don’t have the funds to make it happen. The concrete needs painting/staining. All I have is a small table with an umbrella and two chairs. The landscaping around the patio needs revamping too. It gets bombarded by weeds 😵 and looks like a jungle in the spring and summer. Plus we have a power line pole that is right in the middle! Help! It’s no place for the family to hang out. The scenery behind our home is gorgeous. I’d love for it to be a place for family to enjoy nature together. 🙂
  6 answers
  • Kat Hobson Kat Hobson on Jul 03, 2018

    You should first contact you power company about moving those lines. They are responsible for them, as you would be for your mainline against the building. They are a potential hazard & the electro-magnetic field that can be created could make that space uncomfortable too. It can cause short-term headaches, vision issues & also general feelings of creepiness/paranoia. It is a real thing, but is probably dissipated to a large degree outdoors. My only concern is that is all around the area you're wanting to use. If you can't move them you might want to put up a small fence around that area to remove the urge to climb & swing on those ground wires. You could even plant low shrubs around the edges & make it your garden space in the center! It's a large & pretty spot & that would draw the eye away from the wires a bit. I'm sure others more creative could come up with some very cool idea to use them as part of a decorative design but I'm not that girl LOL I'd just have to make them not the focal point.


    Your space IS lovely! You can seal & stain that concrete very reasonably & some of the stains they have at the big box stores are very creative if you wanted to go with a terra cotta look or some amazing pattern/shade. I don't know how they work but the effect is beautiful!


    If you can't afford new patio furniture, Craiglist it! I find interesting things there all the time, and in my Facebook buy/sell/trade groups!


    You could make play areas for your children & guests using that concrete too. You could paint a classic shuffleboard area, some streets to drive toy cars on (I'm not gifted, I'd have to hire someone LOL), a hopscotch area, put a horseshoe pit along the back side with seating on the patio near it, all kinds of easy things like that. And they are easily covered when you decide you're tired of them, again with the stains/paints/seals.


    As for the box on the building, a lattice panel will work wonders! If you have one of the new meters installed that they don't have to read you don't have to worry about the meter guy being inconvenienced. If they still come out where you are you could make it a little gated area. The white lattice panels are cheap & you'd just need hinges & a cheap little latch!


    I hope some of these ideas help! That is a beautiful spot & it's a shame you aren't using it the way you want to!



    • Melissa Trent Melissa Trent on Jul 03, 2018

      Thank you Kat! Love the ideas! Long story super short they can’t move the pole bc it used to be an easement and all the power from our neighborhood leads to that point. So far we’ve not had any major side effects though. It’s just ugly. Lol


      I appreciate the suggestions!

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Jul 03, 2018

    What a wonderful space! I would try to add some sort of seating like a bench or chairs and some color with flowers and colorful decor.

  • Melissa Trent Melissa Trent on Jul 03, 2018

    Thanks for the ideas Morgan!

  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Jul 03, 2018

    Power wash the patio. Look for someone getting rid of outside furniture. Usually it needs scrubbing, painting or new cushions. Or look to Craigs list or thrift shops. Church sales often have this furniture as well, but typically in the spring,. Can you have a vine grow up on the line a few feet? , something seasonal. Look to the clearance section at Lowes. You can get knock out roses and such marked down for $3.00 each - they are very easy to grow and give a lot of color.

  • Melissa Trent Melissa Trent on Jul 04, 2018

    Thanks so much for the ideas! We got it pressure washed after this photo so that step is done finally lol 😆I’ll check out Craig’s List!

  • Kim Castagnola Kim Castagnola on Jul 04, 2018

    Have u thought about making some patio furniture out of painted pallets and coordinated fabrics and pillows with lots of colors or a theme? Use matching pots with plants for some greenery placement and I too like the idea of growing some vines on the poles. An outdoor polypropylene rug that can be hosed off n moved that matches would work too. Add some fun battery operated outdoor candles on some candle stands or mount some to the building for ambiance!