Let me start by saying that I am NOT an interior designer / decorator or anything of the sort! By posting about my before and afters, I don’t claim to be – I just post hoping that it might give some of YOU cute ideas that you can do yourself for a little less money! 🙂 I DO enjoy decorating and trying to make things look “really cute,” but – trust me – my “ideas” don’t always turn out that way…..you’re just seeing the things that turned out decently (kind of like my Facebook pictures – they are very carefully “chosen” to be put on display…..) hehe….
So we have a very small screened in back porch – it’s kind of long and narrow – approximately 7.5 feet wide x 21 feet long. I wasn’t sure how to get furniture and decor to make it look “cute” – I especially wanted to do something so the shed and A.C. unit weren’t so VISIBLE! Here are the before and after pics:
A pretty big difference, huh? So, I’ll break it down because it wasn’t terribly expensive! First, my favorite thing – no more shed!! I found these outdoor curtains on clearance at our local Lowe’s. I did this last year, and I can’t find any just like mine, but Lowe’s DOES have a really cute trellis pattern in some beautiful colors like this teal (click on the picture to go the website!) These are only $39.99 compared with the red curtains on the right at Walmart.com (click on pic) for $54.99.
If you shop around, you can find some really pretty patterns, and if you wait until the end of the summer (which is close to the beginning for a lot of merchandisers), they’re even less expensive!
I got REALLY lucky on my furniture. It was on clearance at HomeDepot.com. A 3 piece set was $699.00 on sale for $299.00, so I got TWO sets for less than the price of one! Again, I waited until the end of summer and started checking online for patio sectionals on sale.
Target.com has this really cute one on sale right now marked down from $799.00 to $599.00, but I guarantee you in another month or so, it will be marked down even more!
This patio set at Walmart.com is SEVEN pieces, very versatile, and has excellent reviews for only $499.00! It will only get lower as time passes, so be patient! 🙂
I found my rug at HomeDecorators.com – this website is actually a brand of Home Depot, and they have AWESOME merchandise at good prices! If you like the teal curtain above from Lowe’s, this outdoor rug (in their outlet) would look great with it! (Click on pic – it comes in other colors, too, but the sizes are going fast!)
My garden stool and pillows came from Pier1.com, and the canvas picture came from Ross Department store.
And yes, those canvas pictures CAN be used outside – just spray them with a clear, polyurethane spray paint like this:
The other pots and plants came from Wal-Mart, and I have to replace those quite often……I probably hold some sort of record for killing a plant the fastest……
So, let me know what you think – and please share my posts! If you have any questions about anything, please comment – as those who know me can attest – I LOVE talking! 🙂 Until next time…..
Beth says
YOU are amazing! that looks fabulous! can you come to Alabama- I have a lot of things I need help with!! Beautiful!
Majesty says
Oh, Beth – I’m blushing – go on! (No seriously, go on…..) hehe – I would LOVE to come up there because I would LOVE to meet you and hang out!! LOL! Thanks bunches for your sweet comment, and please share if you can! 🙂
Cindy says
Maj,
I just live down the road. Can you come over to refresh my patio with plants? Seriously, love the porch!!!
Majesty says
Of course! I’m so excited you’re on here!! 🙂
Cindy says
Come redo mine I live closer!!! Your porch looks fantastic!!!
Majesty says
Thank you, honey! Let’s do it! 🙂
Becky Barch says
Majesty the porch looks fantastic! Great ideas.
Majesty says
Thanks Becky! 🙂
Frances says
That is quite a transformation, Maj. I love it! But I’m going to have to challenge you on that whole plant killing record thing. 🙂
Majesty says
LOL! So you think you might “beat” me in plant killing, huh? I’m a pretty strong contender!! Thanks, Frances! 🙂