{"id":18786,"date":"2021-04-19T19:45:37","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T23:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefrugalhomemaker.com\/?p=18786"},"modified":"2021-04-19T19:45:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T23:45:37","slug":"how-to-make-your-back-patio-or-porch-be-an-outdoor-oasis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefrugalhomemaker.com\/2021\/04\/19\/how-to-make-your-back-patio-or-porch-be-an-outdoor-oasis\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make your back patio or porch be an outdoor oasis!"},"content":{"rendered":"

If anything 2020 taught us to make our home and outdoor spaces a priority for our family to enjoy!  I did quite a few projects on our back porch and we spent hours and HOURS out here last year \u2013 every lunch and so many suppers were eaten around this table all spring and summer!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Spring<\/p>\n

As I cleaned it up this spring when the pollen finally ended, I had a few more projects I wanted to do this year.<\/p>\n

\"Spring<\/p>\n

For one, the stained and dirty concrete has been bugging me for years!  I have pressure washed, scrubbed it, used cleaners and it just doesn\u2019t come clean \u2013 thank you GA red clay.  I have considered painting it for quite some time and finally bit the bullet and did it.  I wish I had done it a long time ago!  You can read about the whole process and color I chose in this post. <\/a><\/p>\n

\"How<\/a><\/p>\n

It made such a huge difference! <\/p>\n

The other thing I wanted to address was the rug.  I got the rug above last spring from Boutique Rugs (called the Ware rug)<\/a> and I absolutely loved it!  I loved the color, the design, how it defined the space, it cleaned up very well.<\/p>\n

\"Spring<\/p>\n

\"Spring<\/p>\n

BUT once again, GA red clay and kids\u2026 it got dirty so fast!  The white design part on the design is actually a soft raised design that feels like indoor carpet (but it\u2019s an outdoor rug!) and since they take a shortcut running from the yard to the front door across that front corner it just got so dirty!   So I wanted to move this rug up to our pool area concrete where it won\u2019t get traffic running across it from the dirt and get another one that was darker and would hide dirt better. <\/p>\n

Ready to see my refreshed porch for spring and the rug I chose?<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

I just love it so much!!  I can\u2019t get over how much painting the concrete completely changed this whole space!  It makes it feel bigger because it is all one color with no stains everywhere. <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

We just absolutely adore this space!  The sun comes up on this side of the house so in cooler months I will come have coffee out here\u2026 but the rest of the time by lunch time this spot is shaded and we eat lunch out here, I\u2019ll bring my computer out to the table and work while my little girl plays in the back yard, and we eat so many dinners out here! <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

This past fall we added a DIY stone firepit to the back yard <\/a>so my potting bench\/serving station also became the perfect firewood holder too. <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Once pool season begins that coat rack or hall tree is filled with pool towels and goggles on a daily basis. <\/a><\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Every piece of furniture (except the chairs) on this back porch has been built by us!  My husband built the grill table at our old house, then I built the farmhouse table completely out of 2×4\u2019s<\/a>, and also built the potting table<\/a> and the hall tree<\/a> as well! <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

You can find the tutorial and details on all those projects below:<\/p>\n