Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Thrifty Decor Chick Helps Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space Without Breaking the Bank {Home Depot Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway!}

Now that Memorial Day — the official kick-off to summer — has come and gone, everywhere I go the topic of discussion seems to be outdoor entertaining.

Considering that the temperatures have finally warmed up (I was convinced that winter was never going to end here in the Midwest) and that staying home is nearly always more affordable than going out, it only makes sense that having family and friends hang out and relax right in your own backyard can be extremely appealing.

However, if you're anything like me, turning your outdoor space from a boring, grassy nothingness into a decorated, invited space can be awfully daunting. Where do I start? What should I be looking for when I shop? How in the world can I not spend a small fortune yet still have great results?

Fortunately, this summer I had some extra help in the form of the advice and knowledge from nationally-recognized DIY and design expert, Sarah Saucedo from Thrifty Décor Chick.

Thrifty Decor Chick header

Blogging about thrifty home decor and DIY projects at Thrifty Décor Chick since 2008, Sarah has been helping and inspiring her readers day after day by sharing her home decorating process with them. It really only takes one visit to her site to see that Sarah really knows how to make home a haven without spending a lot of money!

Do you think she'd let me move into her backyard?

outdoor living space

While I don't actually want to live in her yard, I would definitely love to transplant it to my own house so that I (and my guests) could enjoy the comfort, style and beauty that she has in it.

Curious as to how she got it that way and what her tips are for creating atmosphere and ambiance that will make all of your own warm weather festivities shine? I wanted to hear everything Sarah had to say about maintaining outdoor furniture, removing clutter, setting the mood, finding inexpensive décor, ways to use lighting, how to maximize space and function, and much more...

...and, as luck would have it, Sarah was gracious enough to take the time to make a video answering five questions that I submitted on the subject.

Pretty great, right? Now I'm even more motivated to get our outdoor space spruced up and ready for a summer full of entertaining, relaxing, playing and more!

If you're looking for ways to get your home ready for summer fun while not breaking the bank, be sure to head over to Thrifty Décor Chick and check out all of Sarah's great posts and photos.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot, one person is going to be able to head outside and get their deck, yard and more cleaned and ready for guests, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift card to The Home Depot, a Bounty paper towel roll, a Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro Magic Eraser and a Mr. Clean Outdoor Pro Spray!

outdoor giveaway

A big thank you to Procter & Gamble and The Home Depot for providing a prize pack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

355 comments:

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Unknown said...

I have a lot of debris around the house that needs to be turned into mulch.

Edmund de Trois said...

I've been wanting to get in touch with nature more lately, and the thought of an old fashioned vegetable garden has been extremely tempting recently. I'd like to turn my back yard (almost in it's entirety!) into row after row of carrots, tomatoes, beans, corn, potatoes, spinach, watermelon, and herbs.

Ariel said...

A lot of our old trees have had to be cut down, so I would like to plant some new trees/flowers so our yard doesn't look so bare.

Mysharona said...

All the clutter in my backyard

Katie said...

My house is west facing and I am in the desert so it's very difficult to keep things alive in the summer wiht the 115 temps and 15 hours of direct sun

Paula V said...

Weeds in flower beds controlled somehow. ENdless job always pulling or spraying weeds.

Courtnie said...

I'd like to put new bushes in.

scottsgal said...

I'd like to put in a paver brick sidewalk from the front of the house leading to the pool in the backyard

Marti Tabora said...

I would like to have a bigger back porch, mine is really small and not much room for cooking out and just sitting out there when the weather is nice.

LissaDora said...

The house was an estate, so there's loads of issues. First, I think, is the lack of anything defining the patio space - no pretty planters, no patio furniture.

Karen Glatt said...

Where do I begin in answering this question. I need the backyard to have the old boards and chair taken to the dump! I need to get rid of all the weeds in the backyard on the hill, and I need to add more plants in the front of the house!

Unknown said...

We get alot of sun in the back around the pool I have an old awning up, but I really want a gazebo for more shade.l.

Amanda Rauch said...

I wish we had more deck space-we have a huge huge yard and a tiny tiny deck

steve weber said...

we have too many trees and bushes in the back, it takes away from the deck.

bettycd said...

there are some overgrown shrubbery areas that seriously need to be cut back or removed

David said...

my deck..its ugly

tiffany lane
mckenziesmom1@hotmail.com

RJ said...

I'd love to screen in our front porch.

Rusthawk said...

I would have more trees for shade.

wigget said...

we are unable to grow grass in our backyard, which i would like to do

Unknown said...

I'd like to have some potted herbs and flower baskets on our patio.

momo said...

Would like less grass to have to mow, and the weeds are out of control already.

Unknown said...

the biggest thing i would like to tackle in my back yard is to add some color with new pillows for my patio furniture and a ton of annuals! thanks for such a great and useful prize!

bunnyswagg said...

I feel like my backyard grows weeds overnight. It gets so unruly so quickly and the branches that keep falling into my garden area from the neighbors don't help much either.

dlhaley said...

I would put in a circular driveway.

Janet W. said...

My biggest issue is a bank/hill we have in our backyard. It's mostly dirt/rocks and it causes the rain water to fill up in our grassy area like a swamp. We'd like to plant some low growing plants to help with erosion, too, but it costs a fortune.

Ashley T. said...

I'd love a bigger back yard

apple blossom said...

more space to plant things

KentuckyCooking said...

We need more seating and more landscaping. We only moved in last year, so lots to do!

Linda Szymoniak said...

Grass that holds up to my five Treeing Walker Coonhounds! I'm wanting to put in a small patio area and sod the area where our above-ground pool used to be (and where there is no grass, and it's difficult to grow it from seed with the dogs running in the area). I also want to spruce up our deck, which is sagging a bit and could use work on that and a good coat of stain.

Unknown said...

I need to replace the rotting deck and replant around the new deck.

frugalistamommy said...

I have a nice sized area off of my back deck... but it's kind of an eyesore.... I would definitely plants some flowers and shrubs, and throw on a new coat of deck stain!!! (Maybe adding a hot tub might do the trick, too!!!)

Sherry Butcher said...

I live in NM so my yard is rock. Small white in front, Large mixed on side and sandy rock stuff in back. I'd like new rock everywere paint my front with ramp and add larger back deck also painted.

bless their hearts mom said...

we have a mudpatch that need to be filled in and raised, so we can put a picnic table on it, as we have lots of company during summer months!@

Savor The Days said...

We have an erosion problem due to loss of grass in a shady spot. We really need to get this fixed this year. kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Anne said...

I want to be able to either fence in a portion of the yard or install a wireless fence for my dog to be able to be outside without being tied up.

JJ said...

I'd like a deck or patio area(pavers/cement) for grilling and displaying plants.We have a front porch but it's not very private. I enjoy sitting outside while watching the birds and listening to them sing. (eat) lol Thanks. gahome2mom/gmail/com

Amy Orvin said...

I'd like to get lusher, greener grass.

latanya t said...

I would update my deck since the wood is rotting

CindyWindy2003 said...

biggest issue is drainage, its like a swamp back there, also bad grass and weeds, carawling(at)hotmail(Dot)com

d schmidt said...

I would love for my grass to be less patchy and weed free.

Helga said...

My ducks chickens and geese have taken over the back yard!

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I'd love to have more room for flowers.

Unknown said...

I need a new lawn.

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

blue65829 said...

I wish my outdoor space had more shade. We have a very exposed patio.

Colleen Maurina said...

I would like to have a nice outdoor table and chairs set and a fire pit for warmth in the evenings and to roast marshmallows.

colljerr at comcast dot net

peg42 said...

We have minimal plants and flowers and I would love to have more flowers.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Lloyd Family said...

my biggest issue.... i want a fully fenced in back yard (our yard is only partially fenced in)

Candice said...

I would like to have my driveway repaved. It's looking pretty bad lately.

Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews said...

New outdoor furniture

Laurie J. said...

My biggest issue with our outdoor space is bugs during the summer - mosquitoes and wasps!

Unknown said...

Our yard is a work in progress. The biggest thing I would change is the fence.

BrunoDogg2 said...

I would love to change everything about our back yard especially the weeds and grass!

Unknown said...

If i could change anything in y yard it would be in my back yard. The dogs run back and forth and have worn away the grass. I would like my grass back.

mahnrafjtb said...

we need new lawn furniture. We need to grow some new grass where the dog has spent the winter.

Anonymous said...

I would love to remove the weeds and maybe make my yard a little cozier

ReviewsSheRote said...

I need to get a nice arbor to add some shade. The tips in the video are super! I love the potting table doubling as a drink bar for parties.

Blimpy said...

I'd love more space in the yard.

Darlene said...

I would like an outdoor grill.

Julie said...

we need to add a couple of flower beds we dont have any and our yard is dead


hebb dot julie at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

get rid of the bugs!
adinatm(at)aol.com

bayctygrl said...

the bugs! the mosquitoes are so bad i cant even enjoy being outside

Unknown said...

a cozy place to sit and watch kids play

Unknown said...

I definitely need some flowers and veggies for my garden, er... dirt.. lol

Lori Taube
cltaube @ gmail.com

Unknown said...

My biggest issue is a lack of space. I'd love to have more land so that I could have a nice garden.

sherylssg said...

Our problem is the patio has weeds growing between the pavers and no shade. I would love a pergola.

sflickinger at rocketmail dot com

Tim A said...

Would like more lighting in the back

slehan said...

I'd like more space than I have with my town house.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan at juno dot com

TeachTechie said...

I would love to sand down my wood deck, and give it a fresh coat of sealant.

Unknown said...

I'd really like to put in some shrubs and get rid of the clutter.

Emaisgr8 said...

My biggest issue is that I don't have any decorations out there.

Jessica said...

We need a new patio
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

janetfaye said...

My cement patio has cracked and needs to be changed.


janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

the deck needs work
drea8685 at yahoo dot com

Gen said...

less shade from the neighbors trees so my garden could grow

Jessica said...

I'd love to have some sort of grassed area for our dogs
sagegiveaway@yahoo.com

Carrie Phelps said...

I live in the center of a small town and the people here seem to think my lawn is a park. I wish it was fenced in.

Karen said...

There is very little I wouldn't change.... I need a new deck on the back, a new porch on the front, and the flower beds could use a ton of more color !!!

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Aleksandra Nearing said...

I'd love to beat some of the mosquitoes in our very wooded yard.

ShellyH said...

I would like to add more seating and I would like better night time lighting for when we are entertaining guests

sparkedcat said...

I would like to plant a few rose bushes in the back yard.

jbmthill said...

I would love to tear down my deck and make it a patio. The maintenance on the wood after long winters is horrible and never ending.

like2sweep@gmail.com
Beth H

debbie said...

I would like to cut down a couple of trees. We have too much shade, and it would bring a bit of sunlight to our back yard.

Growl Tiger said...

I would like to replace our weeds with real grass

Mijal Photography said...

My outdoor space needs some lawn furniture!

kim h said...

We need a new pond

Debra said...

my yard is so plain theres nothing out there

Naomi C. said...

i need to plant SOMETHING - i have some sad blank dirt areas

tat2gurlzrock said...

I would love to have a deck!

Anonymous said...

weeds get them out for good

abfantom said...

We need to add new mulch in our flower beds.

abfantom at yahoo dot com

abfantom said...

GFC & G+ id: abfantom fantom

abfantom at yahoo dot com

clc408 said...

I would love someone to clear out the brush and get rid of all the poison ivy.

Unknown said...

We don't have much of an outdoor space but I would love to just clean up our patio area and have a fun area to visit/sit/drink! :)

McKim said...

I would like part of our grass replaced with pavers to make a patio.

Anonymous said...

We need our porch painted and our cellar doors painted because they are rusted.

kellyr78 said...

I would like a better area to entertain guest, such as a bigger deck and a new patio.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

K.Pugh said...

We need more shade and bug protection.
Thanks for the chance.

Vanessa C. said...

Oh there are a couple issues, but the biggest is the big, huge, enormous weeds that took over my grass :(

Unknown said...

would like to change the landscape, needs some new bushes

Madelyn Sue said...

I wish our grass would grow outside! It's always patchy. We try to grow new grass every year!

sksweeps said...

I need to finish the 2 remaining raised block beds that I sort of started and get them planted with the fruit trees waiting in pots!

sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

Unknown said...

I have been cleaning up around some old bushes. I would like to pull them up and plant new ones since they are so old most are part dead. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

There is so much clutter is my backyard!

Unknown said...

Bugs are the biggest issue I'd like to change, but I'm not sure how I'd most like to do it... maybe screened in porch.

Denise said...

We had a war with the weeds and the weeds won. We now need to rip them all out & put in new sod.

Joanne said...

No grass - all sand. I need grass or a deck over top of the sand!

mogrill said...

Id like to have the uneven backyard leveled.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com

Stacy said...

Plant a garden

Unknown said...

We need to finish our fence.

llinda29 said...

need new fencing

jaylee said...

I need to replace a section of fence that a nor'easter destroyed.

Robert said...

I would like an outdoor seating are.

Anonymous said...

My biggest issue is the amount of mosquitoes in my backyard

Gricelda said...

I wish I had more grass space with a new fence.
greaseballs80 at yahoo dot com

Elaine said...

There are spots in our yard where the grass won't grow. No matter what we do, it just won't.

sweepmom said...

I could really use some more seating outside. I would like it to accomodate more people and me more inviting.

Selinda said...

I hate my patio! Would like to redo it!

Thanks,

selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

jcwega27 said...

Would like to be able to expand my back yard
jessicawedwards@gmail.com

seaburd said...

I want to put in a water feature but power lines are underground at the spot I would like to put it

SueZH said...

I lost quite a few shrubs and perennials over the winter. Don't know why! I need to replace them.

DivasNewsReviews said...

Weeds have taken over my entire yard, not to mention the poison oak and ivy that seems to flourish faster than ants toting off the picnic basket. I'll be finished making my backyard livable right around the time cold weather hits us.. in September. I almost don't want to even bother with it but I have to make the effort because of my kiddos.

Jenny Q. said...

I wish my backyard got a little more light so it would be easier to grow plants. Too many trees!

Teresa said...

I wish my ground was more even, I have a lot of roots that make the ground uneven to walk on.

mecarolks said...

I'd like to add a fence & a couple of hanging plants.

Anonymous said...

We need to rebuilt our deck and make it larger.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

heatherzilla said...

Our yard needs a lot of work. We live next to a salt water marsh and we have huge oak trees. The soil is salty, sandy, and acidic. The yard is very shaded. We have added lime. The lime helped but I am afraid that in order to have a pretty lawn, we will have to add tons of topsoil.

lgothard said...

I would like to have the grounds look a little tidy. My plants and trees are just growing all crazy!!

ShempGames said...

I've been buying a bag of topsoil here and there. I would like to get a bunch so I can cover up all the sandy areas at once and some grass seed to finish the job

Margie said...

I'd like to put some more plants along our driveway wall.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

marcia goss said...

The biggest issue right now is the deck. There are quite a few boards that need replacing.
marcia.goss@gmail.com

tina reynolds said...

two issues are back deck needs redone and and we need a back wall or fence where the alley is we have new neighors and they fly down the alley making it dangerous for my kids

Unknown said...

We need to plant some new grass and landsape our backyard. We put in a pool late last summer but didn't really have the funds to do the yard and plants. We hope to work on that this year.

Chelsea @ Married Filing Jointly said...

I would love to add some landscaping and flowers to my backyard and a patio!

~chelsea @ married filing jointly

MiniMeeh said...

the back yard is concrete, rocky and uneven. with lots of cracks. just not pretty.

MiniMeeh said...

oops i put the wrong name in the first entry.
i put Lynn in stead of minimeeh.
i'm sorry

huntcm74 said...

My backyard is to wet

ken ohl said...

would love a pool. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

Paol Trenny said...

getting rid of clutters and unwanted plants

Paol Trenny said...

Followed on GFC …as Paol Trenny …pls use emscout9 at hotmail dot com instead of gmail to contact me
Followed on Google +…..…...... as Paol Trenny …pls use emscout9 at hotmail dot com instead of gmail to contact me

Allen said...

Hopefully I will be able to beautify the yard/lawn as it is becoming quite the monster!!

Nknouse22 said...

I need a nice flower garden

morgannia said...

I just moved in, so everything - i need to plan flowers, put up some decorative elements & make it pretty

Maryea said...

Our patio always looks bad...dirty, cracked, puddles (roof leaks or blows in), and cluttered. I'd like to have a different kind of patio or something done to make it look better.
magloro@gmail.com

Gala said...

I need more flowers for our front yard

benz1171 said...

I would like to resurface our patio.

Allison Downes said...

I need sum shrubs and trees to be cut down to make more space

Thank you for the nice giveaway!

Unknown said...

We have a lot of weeds, and we're not really gardening people. We're not sure whats a weed and what to pull since it might not be?

HappyEnchilada said...

My biggest issue is that our back yard is one big hill I'd love to level it out someway and have a patio back there!

Christy said...

I would like more shade next to the house. The east side of my house gets blasted with sun in the summer.

safety_chick@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I would love to have good soil and more plants for my garden and some cement blocks to make my back sidewalk wider

tscatterton57 said...

For me is the heat here in Arizona no fun being outside in the summer for me. So umbrella would help I believe

kyl neusch said...

lots of stuff in backyard

Unknown said...

Weeds and wasps are my biggest headaches. lexbaylor17 (at) gmail (dot) com

Di said...

I need some more plants at the sides of my house

Unknown said...

My yard could use a few more trees or large bushes.

Kim H. said...

I would desperately love a nice area to put my table. Even a palette deck or something. That is my dream!

Ryan said...

i would like to create a larger area of grass outside

rypm25@aol.com

walk9 said...

My deck gets way too hot, we need trees and overgrown bushes taken out and my ground is so uneven.

Familyof5 said...

I rent an apartment so i don't have any issues with my outdoor

xuanthaohkus(at)yahoo(dot)com

captainliss40 said...

My largest issue is that I have no space!

Unknown said...

More space! We have a small baclony. I would like to get some hangers so that I can have some pots hanging from the railings and also from above. All the space on the ground is already covered with pots!

Chaffle Chicken said...

Our backyard is far from inviting. We have a tiny patio that's not big enough for a table and chairs so there's no where to sit. It's just a mess.

jenspurg said...

I need to work on landscaping.
huntandride@hotmail.com

flairshare said...

Our outdoor space is outdated and small. It needs tons of work...almost not sure where to even begin.....deck, porch, landscaping...all need some TLC!

Unknown said...

i would love to make it drain better. when it rains it pools in the middle of our yard and becomes a lake

Unknown said...

cold use a patio
gabbflabber at live.com

crankyyanky1 said...

Wow there are a lot of issues but I guess #1 is we have a arbor that is attached to our house that is falling apart which is a hazzard and needs to be replaced or taken down

Unknown said...

OOOh, what a blessing this would be! We have many many projects in the works including transforming our indoor greenhouse into a semi-enclosed lizard lounge for our rescued iguanas and other critters. This would come in very handy!!!

Jennifer T. said...

We don't have enough privacy in our outdoor space.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephanie said...

We're moving to a new house in a few weeks and I'm so excited to start landscaping. It's a blank canvas.
Stephanie
steph0828 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I'd like to rip out our grass and put lava rock there instead. Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
Reneewalters3 at yahoo dot com

Tiffany Hogan said...

Need more space period... all of the girls toys take up most of our backyard.

Mami2jcn said...

I wish we had a patio to grill on. We always have to grill in our driveway.

Kayla said...

I wish we had some seating on our front porch, a rocker or bench or something like that.

Wanda McHenry said...

My biggest issue is that we have two humungous trees that are close to the house in the backyard, so I have no grass! I've tried sod, grass seed that's supposed to grow on cement, etc.

richelle bowers said...

its very bland looking. I need some color

JC said...

We need to work on the deck with new fence.

Unknown said...

Rebbykins


We have a lot of dead trees that need to go. :/ They are depressing.

sohamolina said...

I don't have very good soil.

Dawn said...

We want to put up a fence and clear out a wooded spot. New furniture would be great also.

Michele P. said...

other than a bigger backyard, a better back porch, the one I have needs some serious work done if we want to entertain on it.

Dave said...

I wish the kids toys would go away and we would have our porch back...:) actually we just need lighting and better seating

Heidi said...

I would love soft green grass

Katy said...

I'd like to put in a shed, put some flower beds in and put a paver patio in that would allow us to entertain outdoors more!

MaryAnn said...

I would like to build a new bonfire pit.

joyh82 said...

I would like more shade in my outdoor space.

sheila ressel said...

Getting plants to grow in my sandy soil. I would like to buy some amendments to the soil so my plants will fluorish.

Unknown said...

I'd like to have some fruit trees or shade trees to break up the space.

ColleenMarie82 said...

i would like to plant a garden

Natalie Parvis-Nichols said...

I would like to have a yard

Seyma Bennett Shabbir said...

More backyard space! Its too small
seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

Allison said...

I have very little outdoor space, but a chair for my little patio would be nice.

Lucy said...

We need to reinforce our deck posts--they are starting to become a little weak! Eek!

skater425 said...

I would love more flowers.

emeraldmaz said...

I would love some shade!!!

sweetsue said...

I live in a duplex with a tiny, tiny deck. I would love a little more space for a container garden.

smilekisses said...

Rocky ground---would love it smoother

Victoria Nyquist said...

We just bought our house in October and when we bought the home, we knew that the deck was slightly unsafe. Love that we have a deck at least and there is space already made for one, but we definitely need to upgrade it!

cheryl lister said...

I would love to get rid of the weeds and plant a vegetable garden

Unknown said...

I live in an apartment so I don't get to have a yard but with three auto immune diseases having plants is good for me so I would like to get a few potted plants to have on my porch...maybe even a chair.

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