Revamp your patio on a budget

Consider costs

Ideally, before you start, you need to set a budget. Most of this will go to the decor or cleaning/rejuvenation of existing furniture. Limiting yourself financially will get the creative juices flowing. If you don’t have any idea of what budget to set, determine what it is you want to do, and then set a budget. Challenge yourself to find cost-effective ways to achieve your goals.

Analysis

There are considerations that will determine not just the costs involved, but the order in which you go forward with the revamp. It starts with removing every item from the patio and then asking yourself questions:

• Space: Usually, the largest area in the space is the floor/ground treatment. Does it need a deep clean or a cover-up?
• Perimeter: Does the patio area have walls, and if so, are you happy with that wall? Could you remove it? If there are no walls, would the area benefit from having one?
• Non-movable items: Such would be a built-in braai. Could it benefit from a deep clean?
• Lighting: Is there sufficient light, and how strong or weak is it?
• Cover or shade: Does your patio have a roof? If yes, what condition is it in? If not, is there sufficient shade?
• Furniture: What is the condition of your patio furniture? Can it remain with a number of revamps? Even ugly furniture can look amazing with a few revamping tricks.

Have a plan

There are two steps:

1. One: Measure the area, including height if necessary, and transfer those to a sketching pad. Account for any door openings if the patio is attached directly to the house.
2. Two: What look-and-feel do you want? It is always good to draw inspiration from images. Search the internet to find ideas that appeal to you, or page through magazines and cut out images that you like.These may include colour schemes and patterns and a theme.

These two steps come together as a style board. You will have a good idea of what you want to achieve, directed by the space you have available.

Build the layers

Like any good plan, you need to start with the foundation. In the case of a patio, this means dealing first with the floor and any containing walls or immovables.

Inexpensive flooring:

• Clean the floor tiles using a high-pressure hose system, which you can hire or borrow from a friend.
• Reseal tiles with a non-slip varnish if necessary.
• Purchase an inexpensive carpet. Many thrift shops sell discarded or donated carpets. The Persian style goes with practically anything. Bear in mind, however, that these are not waterproof, so they will need to be brought indoors if there is no protection from the weather. An outdoor rug that is weatherproof is an option but can be more expensive.
• Artificial grass cut to size can deceive the eye into thinking it is real lawn and is an excellent barrier to breakages and spills. It is also weatherproof for some years.

Cover and shade:

• Define the perimeter by replacing walls with screens and staining them if necessary. These tend not to be costly if buying from the street sellers, which has the advantage of being built or cut to your size.
• Create shade by installing a sailcloth or a shade cloth mounted to pillars if necessary. A large garden umbrella, or one mounted to a wall, can provide shade only when needed.
• Repaint the ceiling if it looks a bit grubby. You can also consider wallpapering the ceiling, which is becoming quite a trend.

Furniture:

• Position your furniture to ensure there are walkways all around, and try different layouts.
• Plastic furniture can be given a new lease of life with a specially formulated plastic paint. Making covers is also an option.
• Consider spray-painting metal furniture, also with specified paint formulations.
• Wooden furniture is a bit more difficult if you are reluctant to paint. A is also physically intensive if considering sanding and staining a new colour.

Lighting:

• Replace any fixed lights or their bulbs with alternatives. Consider an old thrifted chandelier or alternative that you can restore or revamp.
• Buy some string lights, ideally solar operated, and mount them to walls, pillars, or the ceiling in a draping effect.
• Hurricane lamps with candles, or candles on their own, for soft lighting on tables or the ground can be charming. Oil lamps are also a great alternative, especially when filled with citronella to discourage mosquitoes.
• Consider rechargeable and movable small touch lights.

Soft furnishings:

• Choose fabrics that coordinate well. Use those to recover seating areas or cushions.
• Replace any sagging foam bases with new high-density foam for longer life.
• Use a mix of textures—from fluffy to natural fibres.
• Consider using vases filled with branches or other botanicals that you can pick from your garden.

Greenery:

• Incorporate plants in pots that embrace the theme or colour scheme. Paint your pots to match your theme.
• Use a mix of high and low plants to create interest. High plants usually work best in corners. Place the tallest plant first and then place less tall plants incrementally outwards.

Other decor:

• Cushions, obviously. These add interest and can bring the whole theme together.
• Fire pits don’t have to be bought new. Instead, search the internet for ways to create your own.
• Candles are atmospheric and can add a romantic, cozy, intimate vibe.
• Water features don’t have to dominate. Small tabletop water features are available, which add to a calming ambiance.
• Baskets for storing swimming towels or blankets for cooler evenings.
• Small end tables for placing glasses.
• Serving table if there is room, used for your snacks, meal preparation, and serving.
• Place lanterns in nearby trees to create a soft ambience.

Working to your budget should be relatively easy if you are prepared to spend time searching for the items you need or want at a discount. Many thrift stores sell furniture and decor at well below the cost of new options. With a new lick of paint or some touch-ups, you can create a unique patio that may just become the heart of the home.