Home Improvements

Patio Ideas: Revamp Your Space

With summer on its way, you might be looking to revamp your outdoor patio area. Whether it’s inviting your friends over for a braai or relaxing outside, having a nice patio can make a huge difference. 

One of the easiest ways to transform a space is with new furniture. But furniture can cost a fortune! Luckily, there are some easy patio furniture ideas you can try. It’ll require some DIYing to put it together, but it’s all pretty easy!

Keep reading for some patio ideas and inspiration!

patio ideas - simple furniture made with wooden frames, decorated with cushions and pillows

Pallet Couch

One of the most popular patio ideas is pallet furniture. 

With a few pallets, you can create a cosy outdoor couch. First, stack a few pallets on top of each other to get the right height. Remember, an extra pallet behind the stack will help create a backboard for support!

Secure the pallets together. You can do this with a staple gun, wood glue, or by nailing them together. For cushioning, it’s best to get a few big foam pieces or a futon. This will depend on the size of your pallet couch. 

If you’re not interested in a couch, you can also use this method to make any type of pallet furniture. For the best finish, sand down and varnish the pallets before putting them together. 

If the idea of putting this together scares you, don’t worry! We can put you in touch with an expert handyman to help you out. 

Remember to pack away the cushions if there’s a chance they can get rained on! This isn’t a concern if you’ve got a covered patio though. 

patio ideas - stack of wooden pallets that you can use to create furniture

Tiled Tops

Elevate your outdoor tables or bar with some easy tiling. You can either buy a few cheap pieces of wood, or upgrade your existing ones. This is one of the best small patio ideas, because it doesn’t take up any extra space, but still completely transforms the area. 

If you buy new wood, you only need a few sheets of plywood. Your goal is to create a simple frame for your table or bar. If you’re using what you already have, you’re probably just going to tile the top of the table. 

patio ideas - bar that has been tiled over the sides with a concrete slab on top

Tiling the table makes it much lower maintenance. It’s easy to clean, and tiles are a lot more durable than wood and prettier than metal. You don’t need to worry about spills and stains with a tiled table top. 

Buy some small tiles and grout mix, and follow the instructions to apply it. If you’re worried about the execution of doing this project yourself, you can always hire a tiler to help you out. 

patio ideas - overhead photograph of food laid out on a tiled table top

Cinder Block Bench

A cinder block bench is a great touch for your garden. For this, you’ll need a few cinder blocks (usually between 6 and 10, depending on your design) and some beams of wood. Pile a few cinder blocks up, using cement or glue to secure them to each other. 

Make sure you’ve got the cinder blocks turned sideways, so the holes are on the sides. Then, line the cinder blocks up and slide the beams through them. The cinder blocks support the beams, creating a bench!

For extra comfort, you can add some cushioning to the bench.

patio ideas - pile of stacked cinder blocks

Vertical Garden Wall

One of the most popular covered patio ideas is a vertical garden wall or hanging wall. This involves creating a structure from which to hang plants, usually made of wooden planks. This will really add a pop of colour to your patio area. 

There are a few ways you can do this, so you can find a style that works for your outdoor area. Build a wall structure out of the wooden beams with grooves to hang plants. 

If you’re not sure where to start, consider hiring a carpenter to create the structure for you. 

Once you’ve done this, you can buy some cheap pots (or upcycle cool drink bottles) to hang from these grooves. Plant a few seedlings, and you’ll have a wall of green in no time!

This is even more helpful than some other patio ideas, because you can even grow some herbs in these pots! Impress your guests by telling them the herbs in their drinks or food are directly from your garden. 

patio ideas - vertical garden wall

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get the supplies for these patio furniture ideas?

Most hardware stores will be able to guide you through your projects and getting the supplies you need. If you hire a contractor to help you through the project, they can take care of sourcing the materials. 

What if I start making patio furniture but can’t figure it out?

If you’ve made a start and realise you’re in over your head, don’t panic! This is when you can call in a professional contractor to help. A contractor will try to salvage whatever you’ve done so far or simply start from scratch.

patio ideas - patio lit up by dusk light, fairy lights hanging overhead from wooden beams, simple table and chairs set up on a decck

Upgrade Your Outside Area With These Patio Ideas

You’ll be ready for summer days spent outside with your freshly revamped outdoor area. These are just a few easy patio ideas to get you started, but the only limit is your imagination!

DIY furniture is always a bit cheaper, but there’s also a chance it comes out a little wonky. If you want to avoid this, hire a professional contractor to help make your outdoor furniture ideas a reality. 

patio ideas - close up of dove sitting on an iron lattice table

You’re in good company