Create an inviting outdoor space that’s easy on the budget
These days, we’re all looking to get the most useful and efficient square footage out of our homes. Not to mention, as the days get warmer, we’re all starting to spend a lot more welldeserved time outdoors, maybe for a fabulous barbeque with friends or a beautiful sunset with our families at day’s end. People everywhere are viewing their outdoor spaces with a creative eye for improvement ideas, only to come crashing back to earth at the ridiculous costs. If you’re one of them, read on for fabulous strategies that can add hundreds of livable square feet to your home, at prices everyone can afford.
Back patio space: We’ve all seen (and drooled over) gorgeous back patios in our favorite home magazines. They’re gorgeous, they’re fun, and often, out of our price range. My first bit of advice would be to contact your (well-researched and reviewed) local contractor anyway – tell them about your budget and see what they can do. If you’re looking for a do-it-yourself solution, check out your local home improvement centers for springtime sales – patio pavers, bricks, wood, it’s all there. While you’re researching prices, check out any in-store courses for tips on making the job easier.
Don’t forget my favorite go-to online purchasing buddy, Craigslist. As I plan my own back patio (still under construction), I determined that I didn’t want an overly-sophisticated look, all I was looking for was some solid, uniform bluestone pavers that I could place over a flat 15x20 foot space in my backyard, creating a rustic look that matched the 120-year old bluestone paver walkways around the house. Craigslist to the rescue. Within an hour of searching online, I found a landscaping company that had what I was looking for, and a fraction of the cost of retail, including delivery. SCORE!
I have to mention this patio option from a local reader, it’s pure genius — Roger K. of West Chester sent me pics of his back patio project, and it just blew me away. When he was shopping at a local warehouse club, he saw the wooden stockroom pallets piled up neatly near the back door/dumpster area. He asked the manager if he could buy a few off of him, and was immediately offered as many as he wanted, for free! The average pallet size is about 4 feet by 4 feet, so Roger hauled 16 of them home, flipped them over, screwed them together with extra-strength carpenter screws, put a beautiful coat of dark stain and waterproofing on it, laid it on the flat area of his backyard near the house, and now has a lovely 16x16’ dark wood, waterproof deck off his home, for next to nothing! Frugal On, Roger!
For the rest of you hardworking, sunshine loving readers, send your ideas as well! Email me at Kristen.hagopian@comcast. net, and here’s to a fantastic Springtime. Frugal On!