4 affordable outdoor updates with huge impact

It's often the last place people think of during a renovation and it can easily be forgotten, especially if you're low on budget. But the outdoor areas of your home can create a huge impact and most of us spend so much time outside during summer months that it's worth spending some time making the space work for you and your family. Today I'm bringing you some affordable updates with big impact, and the best thing is most of these projects can be done this weekend!

1. Paint or build a chalkboard

It's no secret that I love a chalkboard. I did a full post about this a few weeks ago (here) but this focused largely on indoor ideas. Given the mess that chalkboard dust can create (although look out for dustless chalk on the market), an outdoor chalkboard is a great idea for a mess free, creative environment that will entertain the kids for ages.

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Or great to keep the little people entertained at a kids party (a full tutorial on how to create this DIY beauty can be found here)



It's also a great place to write notes to adult party guests as well, like I did recently at a baby shower I hosted for my sister.

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Admittedly these next few don't fall in to the weekend project category but I couldn't resist including them. How much would the kids love these - and on top of that they look amazing and in keeping with the modern aesthetic of the houses.

 

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To make your own chalkboard, take a section of a wall, spray paint an old vintage frame and add some board with chalkboard paint, or even paint one of the columns of your house, like I did at my house. Just include one somewhere for a dramatic outdoor update!

2. Style a beautiful outdoor table setting

My next tip for an easy and affordable outdoor update is to create a beautifully styled table. This is a really inexpensive way of bringing life to your outdoor space and looks so inviting for a dinner party - or even just for family dinner.

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It doesn't have to cost a lot - some simple rustic furniture decorated with flowers and candles looks amazing. Bring in some colour with bright chairs or stools (or even paint or spray paint your own in your favourite bright colour!).

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Or hang some inexpensive lanterns with candles inside, so pretty. 

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And how cute is this chalkboard table runner? Think of all the possibilities for something like this - draw on the place settings with an outline of the knife and fork spots, write guest's names, write the menu down the middle, write some conversation starting questions for dinner parties with people who don't know each other, give kids some chalk and let them draw on it while they wait for their meal, the list of possibilities is endless!

Go to the source of this photo below for the DIY tips on how to make one of these yourself. I'll definitely be doing one of these for my next dinner party!

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3. Put together some great planters with hardy plants

Plants that require little or not water (or better still artificial ones that look as good as the real thing) are perfect for people who don't have green thumbs (like me!). Succulents, for example, are really modern looking plants that, in a lovely planter box can dramatically transform the look of your outdoor space without the need for major work. Planters are a perfect option for all outdoor areas, including small terraces and even to bring greenery and life to an otherwise dull balcony.

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4. Inexpensive lighting

Lighting can often be forgotten outside but with some clever tips you can light up your outdoor areas and make them usable for longer in the day. People often get put off outdoor lighting as it can be expensive to get an electrician to come and rig up the required waterproof equipment. But there are so many other options on the market these days that there is no excuse for not getting some light outside. The first ideas I've sourced below are solar powered. One warning with solar lighting (from personal experience!) is that unless you have an outside area that gets a seriously good dose of daily sunshine, they are unlikely to charge for long enough and therefore don't throw off enough light. We recently had to bin the solar lights we had bought for that reason, so I've had to come up with some other ideas instead (keep reading...)

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For those who don't have good sunshine (like me!) and are feeling crafty, I've also sourced some other amazing and effective DIY options that would be so beautiful. Follow the source links for instructions on how to make these. I personally love the paper bags.

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So I hope you've found some tips that will help you spruce up your outdoor area. Would love to know if you give any of these tips a try - or if you have any other ideas to contribute! Just let me know via FB or in the comments below.

Have a great day! x