High-Style Patio Makeover

Updating the look of your patio doesn’t have to mean a complete remodeling job. Take the patio in the small before photo. It has good bones—the bricks are still in good shape, there are some wooden screens for privacy and the outdoor furniture is solid with a timeless style. All it needed was a little help to liven things up and make it more inviting.

You might not even recognize it in the large after photo at left. And while it may look like a huge undertaking of time and money, it’s easier and less expensive than you might think. See the “new” dining table? It’s actually just a wooden cover that makes it possible to seat two additional people for dinner. Find out how to make it on page 56. Plant-filled containers on the patio and the table add color, soften hard edges and bring the garden up close where you can enjoy the pretty details. Want more ideas for updating your tired outdoor living space? Turn the page and follow along to see how we transformed this patio.

Fresh look

Let’s get started by taking a step back and looking at the big picture—what’s good about this space and what areas might need some help.

It started with the loss of a large tree several years earlier that left the patio without much shade or any privacy from the street.