Backyard Patio Makeover (Part 2)
Continuing with our backyard/patio makeover, we’re finishing up with the fun stuff – the decorations!
This post contains affiliate links for Amazon products for your convenience. All other product links, I will not be compensated.
For Part 1 of the Backyard Patio Makeover, click here.
It wasn’t until the end of July that we could afford patio furniture to complete the pergola that we purchased from Wayfair at a great price. We realized right away that the kitchen area with the afternoon sun made it too hot to enjoy relaxing while grilling in the late afternoon. Originally, we intended to get a smaller, matching pergola, but instead…
On a trip to one of the big Lowe’s, hubby saw a smaller pergola that is taller, with a built-in fan that would better accommodate the kitchen area. Because the weather was much hotter (and muggier), he erected and built this pergola by himself.
We both love this outdoor furniture set from Wayfair. The set includes a couch, which can be “strapped” together or separated to create three chairs. It also has two rocker/swivel recliners, two ottomans, the firepit coffee table, and a small side table. It’s the perfect size for the patio.
We’ve spent the rest of the summer sipping coffee in the morning, grilling in the late afternoon, or having a glass of wine in the early evening – it’s become the place to relax, enjoy nature, and watch the hummingbirds and butterflies before they migrate south.
Until the small pergola was finished, we didn’t realize what a difference it made to the entire patio area.
I saw a picture where they had taken leaf vines and hung them around the top edge of the pergola, along with hanging lanterns. I loved the look and found some vines on Wayfair under an open box deal. The vines were limber enough to work with and hang from the top edge nicely. There was enough in the open box deal to hang around the entire pergola’s outer edges.
The pergolas work so well together. The large pergola has louvres that can be opened or closed based on the weather and personal preferences.
At the end of the small pergola, we placed the container beds for some of the herbs. I can’t believe how much the basil has grown! Notice the cute little solar shovel? It’s adorned in solar flowers and is actually a stake. It’s so cute lit up at night! The bird on the far right is also a solar pick, and it lights up at night, too. With a built-in movement sensor, he chirps… I have been known to walk in big circles just so he starts whistling!
Not only the basil, but the sage, chives, and lavender are doing well. Obviously, Marley must think so too!
We needed a small flower garden with a birdbath that we could enjoy from the kitchen or sitting area. It’s such a pleasure to enjoy coffee in the early morning or eat breakfast outside.
In putting in the flower bed, we bought the curved borders from one of the home improvement stores and arranged them several times. We were happy with the last layout, since we didn’t want a circle, a square, or, for that matter, anything predictable. Once we viewed the shape from the kitchen area, we realized it’s the shape of a butterfly! LOL.
The flower garden is a hit with the bees and butterflies! The hummingbirds loved the feeder, and we enjoyed watching the banter/fighting of the birds, the fluttering of the butterflies, and even the buzzing of the bees.
You may have noticed the pillows on the couch. The one on the left side reads: In our family, we don’t hide crazy. We put it on the front porch and give it a cocktail. It’s such a fun pillow that can be found on Amazon, here.
On the right side of the couch, we have a pillow that reads: Welcome to the fire pit, where friends & marshmallows get toasted. This is another pillow that can be purchased from Amazon, here.
The solar wall lights, above, were purchased in Blowing Rock at one of our favorite stores. They look so pretty at night! You can read more about our day trip here.
The solar lights on the fence are on, and so are the lights Ron strung along the top edge of the large pergola.
When our sister-in-law visited last month, in August, we treated them to day trips to both Blowing Rock and Mt. Airy, where we once again managed to snag a few more yard ornaments. The hot air balloon is the best of all. It’s solar, and when it comes on in the evening, it’s made so it looks just like the fire that lifts a real hot air balloon.
I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to do much of the work ourselves. We still have more work to do, such as planting a tree, which we will do in late September or early October. Next spring, we’ll add some hydrangeas along the back fence. Then, it’s merely a matter of maintenance.
