DIY // CABANA + DECK UPDATE

Ever since we did our last big DIY deck project at the old house, and moved to our new (older) house, I’ve missed the cozy feeling of a smaller deck.

The good thing about our new house is that it has a newer deck more than double the size of the old one, which is pretty rare for a downsized house/budget, but something that we were excited about.

The deck is huge. Almost too huge in my opinion (I know, first world probs, ha) I decided that it was time to add some coziness before it got too cold outside to enjoy it. And of course I needed it all to be in the $600 budget range.

Since I forgot to take before photos today (like a total blog newbie), here’s a lil before photo of the deck, but it gives you  the idea. Pretty bad, huh?

We researched building our own cabana/pergola, but the end of season sales were actually more affordable than us DIYing one ourselves (and I was too scared to ask the hubby to do any more deck work, ha). Finally something we don’t have to DIY all the way.  Yessss!! 🙂

It all started with two weeks of me clearance comparison shopping on cabanas and pergolas. I finally found one that we both liked for around $400, and it also had good reviews, so I ordered it. It showed up on our doorstep within a few days (love Amazon)!

Last weekend Tedgar, put it together for me, which took him about 3 hours. He actually likes putting things together! Amazing, huh?! Back off, he’s mine. 😀

And over the last week I’ve been spray painting outdoor end tables and planters, buying inexpensive pillows, clearance rugs, shower curtains, zip ties, you name it.

I was tired of our red and turquoise color palette from the previous deck, and wanted to update it all to a more clean grey with pops of aqua as inexpensively as possible.

I had a plan and I knew what I needed to make it happen. I even painted our old, faded red chair cushions to a light aqua grey. Get the complete tutorial here. 🙂

And here are way too many after photos (from daylight to dusk)  of our updated deck and cabana. Sorry there are so many. I really suck at editing sometimes them down sometimes.

These chair cushions used to be red and faded, so I painted them. More on that in a future post.

These chair cushions used to be red and faded, so I painted them. More on that in a future post.

The grey rugs are from Lowe’s clearance, and I waterproofed them for durability.

The grey rugs are from Lowe’s clearance, and I waterproofed them for durability.

The grey rugs are from Lowe’s clearance, and I waterproofed them for durability.

PS. The shower curtains (suspended on large zip ties) and most pillows came from Big Lots!

And more photos as dusk sets in…

We plan on updating our fire pit and koi pond area next spring.

I have also been eyeing this Amish made patio furniture that would look superb under the cabana.

What do you think? Feel a bit cozier to you? Anything else you would add or change? I’m all ears.

xoxo
Audrey