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.
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?
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...
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.
I have a lot of debris around the house that needs to be turned into mulch.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteA 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.
ReplyDeleteAll the clutter in my backyard
ReplyDeleteMy 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
ReplyDeleteWeeds in flower beds controlled somehow. ENdless job always pulling or spraying weeds.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to put new bushes in.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to put in a paver brick sidewalk from the front of the house leading to the pool in the backyard
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteWhere 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!
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had more deck space-we have a huge huge yard and a tiny tiny deck
ReplyDeletewe have too many trees and bushes in the back, it takes away from the deck.
ReplyDeletethere are some overgrown shrubbery areas that seriously need to be cut back or removed
ReplyDeletemy deck..its ugly
ReplyDeletetiffany lane
mckenziesmom1@hotmail.com
I'd love to screen in our front porch.
ReplyDeleteI would have more trees for shade.
ReplyDeletewe are unable to grow grass in our backyard, which i would like to do
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have some potted herbs and flower baskets on our patio.
ReplyDeleteWould like less grass to have to mow, and the weeds are out of control already.
ReplyDeletethe 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI would put in a circular driveway.
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a bigger back yard
ReplyDeletemore space to plant things
ReplyDeleteWe need more seating and more landscaping. We only moved in last year, so lots to do!
ReplyDeleteGrass 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.
ReplyDeleteI need to replace the rotting deck and replant around the new deck.
ReplyDeleteI 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!!!)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletewe 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!@
ReplyDeleteWe 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
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI'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
ReplyDeleteI'd like to get lusher, greener grass.
ReplyDeleteI would update my deck since the wood is rotting
ReplyDeletebiggest issue is drainage, its like a swamp back there, also bad grass and weeds, carawling(at)hotmail(Dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would love for my grass to be less patchy and weed free.
ReplyDeleteMy ducks chickens and geese have taken over the back yard!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have more room for flowers.
ReplyDeleteI need a new lawn.
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
I wish my outdoor space had more shade. We have a very exposed patio.
ReplyDeleteI would like to have a nice outdoor table and chairs set and a fire pit for warmth in the evenings and to roast marshmallows.
ReplyDeletecolljerr at comcast dot net
We have minimal plants and flowers and I would love to have more flowers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
my biggest issue.... i want a fully fenced in back yard (our yard is only partially fenced in)
ReplyDeleteI would like to have my driveway repaved. It's looking pretty bad lately.
ReplyDeleteNew outdoor furniture
ReplyDeleteMy biggest issue with our outdoor space is bugs during the summer - mosquitoes and wasps!
ReplyDeleteOur yard is a work in progress. The biggest thing I would change is the fence.
ReplyDeleteI would love to change everything about our back yard especially the weeds and grass!
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
ReplyDeletewe need new lawn furniture. We need to grow some new grass where the dog has spent the winter.
ReplyDeleteI would love to remove the weeds and maybe make my yard a little cozier
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI'd love more space in the yard.
ReplyDeleteI would like an outdoor grill.
ReplyDeletewe need to add a couple of flower beds we dont have any and our yard is dead
ReplyDeletehebb dot julie at gmail dot com
get rid of the bugs!
ReplyDeleteadinatm(at)aol.com
the bugs! the mosquitoes are so bad i cant even enjoy being outside
ReplyDeletea cozy place to sit and watch kids play
ReplyDeleteI definitely need some flowers and veggies for my garden, er... dirt.. lol
ReplyDeleteLori Taube
cltaube @ gmail.com
My biggest issue is a lack of space. I'd love to have more land so that I could have a nice garden.
ReplyDeleteOur problem is the patio has weeds growing between the pavers and no shade. I would love a pergola.
ReplyDeletesflickinger at rocketmail dot com
Would like more lighting in the back
ReplyDeleteI'd like more space than I have with my town house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
I would love to sand down my wood deck, and give it a fresh coat of sealant.
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to put in some shrubs and get rid of the clutter.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest issue is that I don't have any decorations out there.
ReplyDeleteWe need a new patio
ReplyDeletejjak2003 at gmail dot com
My cement patio has cracked and needs to be changed.
ReplyDeletejanetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
the deck needs work
ReplyDeletedrea8685 at yahoo dot com
less shade from the neighbors trees so my garden could grow
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have some sort of grassed area for our dogs
ReplyDeletesagegiveaway@yahoo.com
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.
ReplyDeleteThere 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 !!!
ReplyDeletektgonyea at gmail.com
I'd love to beat some of the mosquitoes in our very wooded yard.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add more seating and I would like better night time lighting for when we are entertaining guests
ReplyDeleteI would like to plant a few rose bushes in the back yard.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletelike2sweep@gmail.com
Beth H
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.
ReplyDeleteI would like to replace our weeds with real grass
ReplyDeleteMy outdoor space needs some lawn furniture!
ReplyDeleteWe need a new pond
ReplyDeletemy yard is so plain theres nothing out there
ReplyDeletei need to plant SOMETHING - i have some sad blank dirt areas
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a deck!
ReplyDeleteweeds get them out for good
ReplyDeleteWe need to add new mulch in our flower beds.
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
GFC & G+ id: abfantom fantom
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
I would love someone to clear out the brush and get rid of all the poison ivy.
ReplyDeleteWe 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! :)
ReplyDeleteI would like part of our grass replaced with pavers to make a patio.
ReplyDeleteWe need our porch painted and our cellar doors painted because they are rusted.
ReplyDeleteI would like a better area to entertain guest, such as a bigger deck and a new patio.
ReplyDeletekellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
We need more shade and bug protection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
Oh there are a couple issues, but the biggest is the big, huge, enormous weeds that took over my grass :(
ReplyDeletewould like to change the landscape, needs some new bushes
ReplyDeleteI wish our grass would grow outside! It's always patchy. We try to grow new grass every year!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeletesksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net
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.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much clutter is my backyard!
ReplyDeleteBugs 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.
ReplyDeleteWe had a war with the weeds and the weeds won. We now need to rip them all out & put in new sod.
ReplyDeleteNo grass - all sand. I need grass or a deck over top of the sand!
ReplyDeleteId like to have the uneven backyard leveled.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Plant a garden
ReplyDeleteWe need to finish our fence.
ReplyDeleteneed new fencing
ReplyDeleteI need to replace a section of fence that a nor'easter destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI would like an outdoor seating are.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest issue is the amount of mosquitoes in my backyard
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more grass space with a new fence.
ReplyDeletegreaseballs80 at yahoo dot com
There are spots in our yard where the grass won't grow. No matter what we do, it just won't.
ReplyDeleteI could really use some more seating outside. I would like it to accomodate more people and me more inviting.
ReplyDeleteI hate my patio! Would like to redo it!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com
Would like to be able to expand my back yard
ReplyDeletejessicawedwards@gmail.com
I want to put in a water feature but power lines are underground at the spot I would like to put it
ReplyDeleteI lost quite a few shrubs and perennials over the winter. Don't know why! I need to replace them.
ReplyDeleteWeeds 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.
ReplyDeleteI wish my backyard got a little more light so it would be easier to grow plants. Too many trees!
ReplyDeleteI wish my ground was more even, I have a lot of roots that make the ground uneven to walk on.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add a fence & a couple of hanging plants.
ReplyDeleteWe need to rebuilt our deck and make it larger.
ReplyDeleterhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
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.
ReplyDeleteI would like to have the grounds look a little tidy. My plants and trees are just growing all crazy!!
ReplyDeleteI'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
ReplyDeleteI'd like to put some more plants along our driveway wall.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
The biggest issue right now is the deck. There are quite a few boards that need replacing.
ReplyDeletemarcia.goss@gmail.com
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
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteI would love to add some landscaping and flowers to my backyard and a patio!
ReplyDelete~chelsea @ married filing jointly
the back yard is concrete, rocky and uneven. with lots of cracks. just not pretty.
ReplyDeleteoops i put the wrong name in the first entry.
ReplyDeletei put Lynn in stead of minimeeh.
i'm sorry
My backyard is to wet
ReplyDeletewould love a pool. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net
ReplyDeletegetting rid of clutters and unwanted plants
ReplyDeleteFollowed on GFC …as Paol Trenny …pls use emscout9 at hotmail dot com instead of gmail to contact me
ReplyDeleteFollowed on Google +…..…...... as Paol Trenny …pls use emscout9 at hotmail dot com instead of gmail to contact me
Hopefully I will be able to beautify the yard/lawn as it is becoming quite the monster!!
ReplyDeleteI need a nice flower garden
ReplyDeleteI just moved in, so everything - i need to plan flowers, put up some decorative elements & make it pretty
ReplyDeleteOur 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.
ReplyDeletemagloro@gmail.com
I need more flowers for our front yard
ReplyDeleteI would like to resurface our patio.
ReplyDeleteI need sum shrubs and trees to be cut down to make more space
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice giveaway!
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?
ReplyDeleteMy 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!
ReplyDeleteI would like more shade next to the house. The east side of my house gets blasted with sun in the summer.
ReplyDeletesafety_chick@hotmail.com
I would love to have good soil and more plants for my garden and some cement blocks to make my back sidewalk wider
ReplyDeleteFor me is the heat here in Arizona no fun being outside in the summer for me. So umbrella would help I believe
ReplyDeletelots of stuff in backyard
ReplyDeleteWeeds and wasps are my biggest headaches. lexbaylor17 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI need some more plants at the sides of my house
ReplyDeleteMy yard could use a few more trees or large bushes.
ReplyDeleteI would desperately love a nice area to put my table. Even a palette deck or something. That is my dream!
ReplyDeletei would like to create a larger area of grass outside
ReplyDeleterypm25@aol.com
My deck gets way too hot, we need trees and overgrown bushes taken out and my ground is so uneven.
ReplyDeleteI rent an apartment so i don't have any issues with my outdoor
ReplyDeletexuanthaohkus(at)yahoo(dot)com
My largest issue is that I have no space!
ReplyDeleteMore 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!
ReplyDeleteOur 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.
ReplyDeleteI need to work on landscaping.
ReplyDeletehuntandride@hotmail.com
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!
ReplyDeletei would love to make it drain better. when it rains it pools in the middle of our yard and becomes a lake
ReplyDeletecold use a patio
ReplyDeletegabbflabber at live.com
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
ReplyDeleteOOOh, 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!!!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have enough privacy in our outdoor space.
ReplyDeletejtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
We're moving to a new house in a few weeks and I'm so excited to start landscaping. It's a blank canvas.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
steph0828 at hotmail dot com
I'd like to rip out our grass and put lava rock there instead. Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
ReplyDeleteReneewalters3 at yahoo dot com
Need more space period... all of the girls toys take up most of our backyard.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a patio to grill on. We always have to grill in our driveway.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had some seating on our front porch, a rocker or bench or something like that.
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteits very bland looking. I need some color
ReplyDeleteWe need to work on the deck with new fence.
ReplyDeleteRebbykins
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of dead trees that need to go. :/ They are depressing.
I don't have very good soil.
ReplyDeleteWe want to put up a fence and clear out a wooded spot. New furniture would be great also.
ReplyDeleteother than a bigger backyard, a better back porch, the one I have needs some serious work done if we want to entertain on it.
ReplyDeleteI wish the kids toys would go away and we would have our porch back...:) actually we just need lighting and better seating
ReplyDeleteI would love soft green grass
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI would like to build a new bonfire pit.
ReplyDeleteI would like more shade in my outdoor space.
ReplyDeleteGetting plants to grow in my sandy soil. I would like to buy some amendments to the soil so my plants will fluorish.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have some fruit trees or shade trees to break up the space.
ReplyDeletei would like to plant a garden
ReplyDeleteI would like to have a yard
ReplyDeleteMore backyard space! Its too small
ReplyDeleteseyma_bennett@hotmail.com
I have very little outdoor space, but a chair for my little patio would be nice.
ReplyDeleteWe need to reinforce our deck posts--they are starting to become a little weak! Eek!
ReplyDeleteI would love more flowers.
ReplyDeleteI would love some shade!!!
ReplyDeleteI live in a duplex with a tiny, tiny deck. I would love a little more space for a container garden.
ReplyDeleteRocky ground---would love it smoother
ReplyDeleteWe 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!
ReplyDeleteI would love to get rid of the weeds and plant a vegetable garden
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete