Ten Ways To Spice Up Your Yard For Summer

Ten inexpensive and creative ways to spice up your yard for summer.

Come check out the DIY ideas and projects to give your patio and garden a makeover.


Last night, my husband surprised me and opened the pool. Greatest day ever.

Almost better than Christmas.

Well almost.

Here on my long northeastern island, the winters are long and summer is fleeting, so we try to embrace every last second.

Even more importantly, from September to May, my waterview disappears and it makes me sad.

So when that awful green cover is peeled back to reveal that gorgeous, deep blue color, you'll find me smiling in the kitchen.

You'll also find me making plans for the garden.

Looking for inspiration.

Flipping through seed catalogs, surveying my beds, dreaming up new ways to turn my old junk into garden decor to dress the patio.

And this weekend is no different.

Of course, each year there are some new ideas, but there's always the old standbys. Tried and true favorites that keep me smiling all summer long.

Here's hoping some of our past DIYs will inspire you.

Ten Ways To Spice Up Your Yard For Summer

1. Add A Trellis

I have to say that of all the things we've done in the yard, this one's had the most impact. A little bench, a little twine and in no time flat, our boring and bland garage door, was turned into a flower covered show stopper.

Don't tell the others...but I think it's my favorite.

Get the full trellis DIY.

2. Paint Your Patio

Years ago when we renovated the yard, we agreed that a cement patio with wooden dividers was most appropriate for the age and style of the house.

We had the cement tinted brown so it appeared aged. We wanted it to look and feel like it'd been installed back in the 20's when the house was built.

Of course almost 20 years later, it just looked dingy. Not so charming anymore.

Replacing the patio would cost thousands, so instead, we painted it.

And now, it's fabulous all over again.  I love a quick fix.

It's a process that works great on steps, walkways, patios, stoops and porches.

Grab a peek at how to paint your own concrete.

3. Add A Curtain

Have a shed, garage, cabana or coop in your yard?

Why not add a little fabric to cozy the place up?

We'd had a basic white sheer on our garage door for years. When it tore, I decided to replace with something fun and red. No surprise there.

The color brightened the window and added a little unexpected charm to an otherwise utilitarian door. Sometimes, it's the little things, that have the biggest impact.

You can make a curtain up your own with this simple pattern.

4. Add Some Unexpected Garden Art

When I found this plate rack in the thrift store, I knew I didn't have enough wall space for it in my tiny cottage.

But I had plenty of room for it in the garden.

It's a bit out of the box to hang a plate rack outside, but it looks perfect and adds some interest.

Check out how we mounted it.

5. Feed The Birds

I've always thought one of the best things about summer is the return of the animals, especially the birds. Suddenly, my yard is buzzing with movement and song.

To encourage my feathered friends to visit more often, I feed them.

What? It's just a little harmless bribery.

However, you already know that no ordinary bird feeder will do around here. So I opted for a unique thrifted one.

Check out my bundt pan bird feeder...and who popped in it for a visit.

6. Replace The Slings On Those Old Patio Chairs

Our outdoor dining set is aluminum and fits perfectly on the patio.

Unfortunately, after many years in a full sun exposure, the chairs faded. New sets were thousands and we weren't excited about that.

Instead, we bought new slings to replace the old. I didn't even know that was possible.

It wasn't the easiest DIY, but definitely worth it. We saved the set and got a brand new look.

Here's the makeover and the process.

7. Add A Fountain

We have a very small pond in our yard. Very small.

However, the bright fish and sound of the water bring us great enjoyment.

Years ago, my husband turned a family treasure into a fountain and last year he did it again.

Take a peek at how you can turn virtually any garden statue into a fountain in minutes.

8. Grow A Zinnia Bush

Zinnias are my favorite summer flower.

Their colors are outstanding, they look great in bouquets and the butterflies adore them.

A few years ago, my husband combined a bunch of different sized zinnias to make a bush of sorts and it's become a staple in our garden.

Here's the entire zinnia bush tutorial.

9. Add A Variety Of Planters

Several years ago, I asked a bunch of blogger friends how they used their old galvanized tubs and it's become my all time most popular post on Pinterest. And with good reason.

The ideas are brilliant and the container gardens are fabulous. I personally, pepper my vintage tubs around the yard, next to urns, whiskey barrels, ceramic and clay pots.

Want a peek at that popular post? It's right here.

10. Bring The Inside Out

I treat my outside spaces as extensions of my indoor rooms. A lot of people do.

That means I put pillows, throws and rugs on my patio and porch. But let's be honest, it's a lot to drag some of that stuff in and out every day.

You know what you don't have to worry about? Lanterns.

So when I had some for indoor use that I wasn't actually using anymore, we coated them with Rustoleum and moved the candlelight under the stars.

Ambiance and no worries about a dewy morning or sudden thunderstorms.

It's a pretty self explanatory process, but here's the DIY.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to spice up your yard for those hot summer nights.

But I hope some of these spark your own brand of creativity.

At least I hope it will get you dreaming of days full of cold drinks on plushy patios, surrounded by colorful gardens and blue water views.

Because that's what summer was made for.

Don't you think?