I’m thrilled to be tackling a few simple weekend makeovers this summer.
Especially projects inspired by the desire to create meaningful, memorable family spaces for warm summer evenings.
This holiday weekend we finally checked off a long-held wish: a backyard fire pit for family nights. YAHOO!
Before the makeover the fire pit sat in a rather lonely corner with no landscaping to speak of — unless you count the weeds. It wasn’t very inspiring, so we decided to do something about it.
We had just a couple of hours to transform the space and make it ready for an informal “s’mores and fireworks” gathering on the 4th of July.
What you need to create a simple backyard oasis
Start with a few easy, affordable touches:
- Comfortable outdoor chairs placed around the fire pit.
- A couple of cute outdoor pillows to add color and comfort.
- Planters with bright summer flowers to frame the space.
- A flag or simple decoration for a festive touch.
- Everything for s’mores — graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows and long skewers.
Oh, and it helps to have about 25 friends to celebrate with, if you can manage it.
There’s more we plan to do to improve this space. Soon we’ll add a rock or stone surface under the fire pit for safety. Our long-range vision includes planting trees, installing trellises, adding more fencing and filling the yard with shrubs and flowers. It’s exciting — and a little overwhelming — to have a blank canvas to work with.
Even if your yard isn’t perfect or your budget is small, you can still create a memorable outdoor space for your family this summer. Small, thoughtful updates can make a big difference.
Baby steps and simple makeovers are perfectly fine — they add up to a space you’ll use and remember.
A fire pit, a few potted plants and some new chairs = a backyard makeover our family will remember for a lifetime.
Materials used in this makeover included woven chairs, outdoor pillows, potted plants and an above-ground fire pit. These simple elements quickly transformed the corner into a warm, inviting gathering spot.
More weekend makeovers are on the way. I’m currently refreshing a front porch, updating a deck and creating a small potting area. And yes — in case you’re wondering — I’m still making progress on the bathroom and a few other rooms around the house, even if I haven’t posted everything here yet.