DIY Outdoor Patio Ideas

The perfect patio can take your outdoor space from plain to spectacular. Looking for the tips, tricks, and techniques to make your patio yourself? Allow the Hometalk community to help! Learn how to lay pavers without the help of a professional. Ask a question on our question board or find inspiration in our slideshows. Go on in!

How To Paint Patio Tiles

Create a Perfect Patio

Add a fireplace: Add entertainment value to your patio with a fireplace or fire pit. A fire is a great way to add extra light, warmth, and ambience at night.
Create a lookout deck: Create a lookout deck by arranging furniture to face the view. Position the components of your patio with the view as the center.
Hang a hammock: Hammocks provide comfortable alternatives to regular furniture. Choose natural materials and neutral colors.
Keep it simple: Go for a minimalistic design. Leave an open space in the center and position any furniture along the outside perimeter.
Decorate with cushions: Use cushions to add color or a theme. Be bold with bright colors and animal prints or bring a gentle vibe with pastels and linen covers.

More Outdoor Ideas

Top DIY Patio Projects

Looking to add a patio to your house? Here are the top outdoor patio projects.

How To Paint Patio Tiles

Painting cement patio pavers can change your backyard space overnight, and give you a custom tile look, for a fraction of the price.

Ariel

Backyard Makeover: DIY Landscaping Project

Our backyard area was in dire need of help! This is how we transformed our "weed garden" into a more manageable space. You can also check out my blog for the full details: www.alchemy-home.net

Alchemy Home

String Light Posts and Planters

As part of our little patio makeover, I really wanted to add some lights for all the cozy ambiance.

Nikki | thebuckbungalow

Garden Mosaics Made From Broken Tiles

332/5000Upgrade your garden by creating mosaics of old broken tiles!Our pool area needed to be fixed and connected to the patio at the house, so I used old, ugly pavers, a couple of cement blocks and some old broken tiles, and with that I created a new staircase and a pair of flower boxes.

Ann-Christin Lövstedt

Faux Flagstone Patio

My sister has a plain, cement slab patio in her backyard and she wanted to give it a new look. She loves flagstone but that wasn't in her budget so I gave her the next best thing - faux flagstone!

Alicia W

DIY Gravel Patio With Solar String Lights

This post is sponsored by Worx. All opinions are my own.Our backyard has been a project from day 1 of moving into this house. I'm happy to report that we are almost to the finish line. One of the last DIY’s we finished for this outdoor space was adding a gravel patio with solar string lights. Who would have thought that a little rock could make such a difference! I've always wanted pretty string lights and I can't wait to share my new lighted gravel patio plus an awesome robotic Worx lawn mower that automates our yard maintenance! Let's rewind and look at our backyard right after we moved in.

Lindsey

Pool Patio Makeover- How We Doubled the Space

We tackled a project last summer that I was loathe to do, but after years of praying to the Yard Crasher gods to no avail, we plunged into the pool patio project. Our inground pool is surrounded by a paver patio that pre-project resembled an animal pen. By that, I mean the metal fence that runs the perimeter was very, very close, allowing just enough space for two people to pass but certainly not to comfortably seat anyone. I don’t know how it is that I cannot locate a photo of the before, to illustrate how tight it was. However, here is a photo taken afterward, where the measuring tape denotes the end of the former pool patio. Tight, right?

Kristen Koehler

How To Build A Concrete Paver Patio: In Your Backyard

Expand your outdoor living space and spend more time entertaining with friends!If you’re looking to build a concrete paver patio at home, the step-by-step instructions below will help you do just that.Our new home has multiple outdoor spaces that are in need of repair. We plan to be here a long time, so it’s important we do it right when we makeover these outdoor areas.Here’s what you need to know to build a paver patio.

Artsy Pretty Plants

Patio Door Makeovers - Change the Look to Expensive

This post is about making your existing patio doors look more expensive. Either by painting, replacing the door handles or adding green to give it a landscaped effect. No, you can’t turn a folding patio door into a swinging patio door, without replacing the whole unit, but at least you can update the look. There is a lot more on the blog including videos on how to remove different types of door handles and switching out a sliding door for a swinging door.

Christine - Pearl + Creek

Paint Hex Tile With Cardboard!

Want the look of tile without the price? Try this homemade stencil to create a stunning faux tile!

Sew Bright Creations | Jackie

How To Paint Patio Tiles

Painting cement patio pavers can change your backyard space overnight, and give you a custom tile look, for a fraction of the price.

Ariel

Backyard Makeover: DIY Landscaping Project

Our backyard area was in dire need of help! This is how we transformed our "weed garden" into a more manageable space. You can also check out my blog for the full details: www.alchemy-home.net

Alchemy Home

String Light Posts and Planters

As part of our little patio makeover, I really wanted to add some lights for all the cozy ambiance.

Nikki | thebuckbungalow

Garden Mosaics Made From Broken Tiles

Ann-Christin Lövstedt

Faux Flagstone Patio

My sister has a plain, cement slab patio in her backyard and she wanted to give it a new look. She loves flagstone but that wasn't in her budget so I gave her the next best thing - faux flagstone!

Alicia W

DIY Gravel Patio With Solar String Lights

Lindsey

Paint Hex Tile With Cardboard!

Want the look of tile without the price? Try this homemade stencil to create a stunning faux tile!

Sew Bright Creations | Jackie

Need ideas to help you create the perfect outdoor patio? Check out these slideshows.

Outdoor Patio Videos

Watch DIY outdoor patio videos to get some direction for your own project.

How to Build Cinder Block Steps

I needed some steps going out the back of the garage because the step down was very far. After scouring the internet on how to build regular steps and watching a ton of videos on YouTube, I figured there had to be an easier way.

Craig

Outdoor Living Patio Area (Before & After)

This Outdoor Living Patio Area project included installation of new patio area, pergola, front and side walkways, and lighting as per our design. As you can tell from the before pictures we basically started with a blank canvas. A small existing patio was removed and a masterpiece was created. Installed was approximately 530 square feet of patio area with a landing step area at the rear door. We used Techo-Bloc ‘Blu 60 Smooth’ pavers for the patio area as well as the front walkway. The existing Front and side walks were removed prior to the hardscape installation. Outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and step were all constructed with Techo-Bloc ‘Graphix’ wall stone. Fire pit and step capped with Techo-Bloc ‘Graphix’ Cap. The Outdoor kitchen is topped with a custom marble counter top. 38? grill and 38? double access door were installed in kitchen area. The Pergola is constructed using Western Red Cedar and stained to compliment the hardscaping. Low voltage LED lighting that was installed includes, under cap lighting on step and kitchen; up lights on trees (2 lights each); and a 150 watt transformer. Landscape beds and new plants were installed around the new patio area. The Landscaping included, mulching of new landscape beds, Repair, grade, and seeding damaged lawn areas as well as Trimming existing Hydrangea and Boxwoods. This Outdoor living patio area was installed in Lancaster, PA.

Cepontzsons

DIY Patio With WalkMaker Mold

This is a concrete patio made with individual diy pavers using the walkmaker concrete molds.

Sammy Pampani

DIY Concrete Glaze With Fabric Dye and Sealer

We glazed a patio with color using liquid fabric dye mixed into concrete sealer. The sealer helps lock the color into the surface. We've have lots of tips on how to use this technique on other types of concrete, and more on our longer video here.

Stephie McCarthy

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Outdoor Patio Projects

Here you'll find the best DIY outdoor patio projects on the web today.

Outside Trash Storage and Walkway

A few years ago, I built a "Blind" for the outside Trash, Recycling, and Yard waste. In a rush to finish... I laid down some square paver squares right over the dirt. It worked for a while...

David McIntosh

"No Porch... No Problem" ~ Create the "Porch Feeling" with a patio in the front yard, perfect for meeting and greeting!

Not every house style or home has a big porch on it that provides a wonderful space to greet visitors, hangout with family or friends or just to watch the world go by. No porch, no problem... The addition of a patio to the front of a home can deliver all of he warm feelings of a porch and even more. First of all a patio enlarges the space which allows people to be more comfortable and human interactions more relaxed. Have you ever tried to carry on a conversation with four people on a three foot sidewalk? Next, by providing places to sit you can encourage neighboring and community engagement by being in the front of the home. Seating can take several forms from outdoor furniture to built in raised planters or boulders. Watching the kids play in the front yard or comfortably hanging out waiting for some one to return home is enjoyable on a beautiful front yard patio. A patio can put you that much closer to your wonderful gardens and flowers. Why not immerse yourself in the wonderful gardens you spend so much time taking care of? We would rather see you engage your landscape and enjoy it then to just create some "curb appeal" for the passer by! Last but not least, a patio on front my allow you to take advantage of the different micro climates that exist in a landscape around a home. Just because your home doesn't have a porch doesn't mean you can take advantage the front yard porch feel. Add a patio to your front yard and engage the neighborhood! All images are of projects Designed & Installed by Switzer's Nursery & Landscaping.

Workshop at The Gardens

My Bohemian Balcony Makeover: Built a Mini Deck, Stained & Stenciled..

Hello again from sunny Malaysia :) Just wanna say a big thank you to all who have visited and liked and commented on my 2 previous projects!! :)This is to be my 3rd makeover of the year! And this time, I have chosen to do an outdoor space. Living on the 8th floor, our only outdoor space within the apartment would be the balcony. We have a relatively small balcony, probably about 12 feet x 5 feet give and take. It's a space that I seldom use because there was nothing there. Well we had a table and some plants but that was it ... a neglected space (for me at least). The husband likes to use it in the night when it's cooler outside. It is his go to space to write. It's a really lovely space if I think about it, because we get to watch the most beautiful sunsets during the evenings from this balcony. Don't know why I didn't give it more attention earlier. Anyways, it's time to do it up and give the family a hangout space, watch the sunset and give my husband a nice little nook to write surrounded by beauty instead of dying plants ((O_O))SO here is the Before and After photo of our balcony, and after that I will give you a brief description on the whole makeover process and what projects I did to enhance this outdoor space.*you can see the full process in the video link at the end of this article.

Winnie Luthien Thye

DIY Corner Bench With Built-In Table

A DIY Corner Bench with a built-in table, which is perfect for a front porch or a deck or patio. The built-in table is the perfect spot to display seasonal decor or to set your coffee mug!

Pinspired to DIY

Recycled Garden

I love this rustic little pathway made from recycled bricks.

Nancy T

An Affordable Porch Makeover

The front stoop is a place where you welcome and greet guests. Ours was in need to some major TLC and didn't send off the welcoming vibe that we wanted!

Bright Green Door

Outside Trash Storage and Walkway

A few years ago, I built a "Blind" for the outside Trash, Recycling, and Yard waste. In a rush to finish... I laid down some square paver squares right over the dirt. It worked for a while...

David McIntosh

"No Porch... No Problem" ~ Create the "Porch Feeling" with a patio in the front yard, perfect for meeting and greeting!

Workshop at The Gardens

My Bohemian Balcony Makeover: Built a Mini Deck, Stained & Stenciled..

Winnie Luthien Thye

DIY Corner Bench With Built-In Table

A DIY Corner Bench with a built-in table, which is perfect for a front porch or a deck or patio. The built-in table is the perfect spot to display seasonal decor or to set your coffee mug!

Pinspired to DIY

Recycled Garden

I love this rustic little pathway made from recycled bricks.

Nancy T

An Affordable Porch Makeover

The front stoop is a place where you welcome and greet guests. Ours was in need to some major TLC and didn't send off the welcoming vibe that we wanted!

Bright Green Door

Popular Outdoor Patio Discussions

Here are the popular discussions happening right now on the topic of outdoor patios.

Laying patio pavers on sandy soil

/> Lagree Wyndham

I just came into a large number of patio pavers at my favorite price "FREE" I just have to move them( sweat equity). I want to lay a patio in back of house (all other projects are on hold). My soil is well drained and well packed sand. I will be regrading back yard due to large tree removal. Will it be necessary for a "base to be installed on this type of soil once regraded and packed, also I live in zone 8?

View discussion

Is a 1/8 inch per ft. slope (away from the house) sufficient for a patio?

/> Ron D

I have excavated, graded, compacted, added gravel in 2-inch stages, and compacted again. I've been doing this with a 1/4 inch per ft. slope away from the house. Unfortunately, I now discover that using this degree of slope will not allow me to connect properly with the remainder of my lawn without running into problems with the stoop at the back of my house (a long story). So I 'm thinking of re-grading the last segment of gravel to make the slope a 1/8 inch grade. I'm wondering if this is sufficient for a patio that is northern exposure and often gets a good bit of snow (Denver, CO). I'm also wondering if the 1/8th inch drop will hold up if I compact it thoroughly, given that the early layers were compacted with a 1/4 inch grade. Any info or advice will be much appreciated.

View discussion

New Outdoor Patio Projects

Searching for what's hot and trending in outdoor patios? Look no further.

Concrete Patio Facelift

I transformed our ugly old concrete patio with some cleaning and an easy-to-apply tinted sealer!Here's how to do it yourself...

Leah Althiser

Easy Update For Concrete Pavers!

Need an easy update for your backyard? Painting concrete pavers will add some pizzaz to your outdoor space! A few supplies are all that’s needed to create this fun project.Hey friends, sometimes updating your outdoor space can be super simple. The painted concrete pavers idea came about when I was revamping our backyard for the One Room Challenge. We had a very big project and I looked for ways to creatively keep the costs down. We have a side entrance to the back yard that has always been an eyesore. Practical? Yes. Unwelcoming and generally ugly? Yes. The big problem? The side yard doesn’t have a sprinkler system so sod isn’t an option, but painting concrete pavers is!

Joy

Renters Patio- Plastic Pallet Patio

Plastic pallet patioWe helped my son and his wife with a patio build for their rental home.They can make changes but if it changes the home or yard they have to leave it.So, my son got creative not wanting to leave their project; making it portablefor the next place or reuse it another way.

Judy

Brick Seating Area

Needed to create a seating area and I had some bricks that I wanted to use. the area was unleveled and consisted on dirt, lava rock, and some brick that had been buried in dirt.

Michael Scott

Patio Ceiling "Disquise"

When we purchased our home in Florida, there was a lovely covered open air patio that ran about 2/3rds of the length of the house. The original portion was covered underneath using the waterproof panels you use in showers. The "addition" had only the raw wood 2 X 4's that were exposed. I wanted to cover it up for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Here in Florida (and I imagine other places too) we have carpenter bees. I have never had experience with them, but basically, they bore perfectly round holes in wood, borough down and lay eggs. Not too much you can do except fill the holes with steel wool after you fill the holes with a special powder to kill them. They typically stay away from painted wood, so here's what I came up with.First I plugged the existing holes with steel wool covered by wood putty. Next, I painted the wooden 2 X 4's and the plywood roofing underlayment a beautiful Caribbean blue. Finally, I screwed in white vinyl lattice panels, 3 fit perfectly! In order to hold them up, I built 2 "dead man's" out of 2 X 4's I already had. Just screw into a "T" shape. Then prop up both ends of the lattice, similarly to hanging dry wall and begin screwing into the supports. At first I pre drilled the holes, but quickly realized that I could screw in as quickly without doing that. I had to use my dremel to cut out a small section for the ceiling fan to fit through. All said and done, I paid about $30 for the paint, and $95.00 for the three panels.