fbpx
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The Money Pit house logo

Home Improvement Tips & Ideas

  • Start Here
  • Money Pit Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Posts
  • Search
  • Start Here
  • Money Pit Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Posts
  • Search
  • Spaces
    • Kitchens
    • Bathrooms
    • Home Exteriors
    • Garages & Sheds
    • Outdoor Living
    • Basements & Crawlspaces
  • Reno/Repair
    • Heating
    • Floors
    • Windows
    • Roofs & Gutters
    • Lighting & Wiring
  • Popular Topics
    • Storage & Organization
    • Painting & Decorating
    • Cleaning
    • Pests & Wildlife
    • Buying or Selling a Home
  • Features
    • DIY
    • Pet Friendly
    • Green Home
    • Quick Tips
  • Podcasts
    • Subscribe
    • The Money Pit Podcast
    • Your Calls, Our Answers Podcast
    • Money Pit Minute Podcast
    • Top Products Podcast
  • Spaces
    • Kitchens
    • Bathrooms
    • Home Exteriors
    • Garages & Sheds
    • Outdoor Living
    • Basements & Crawlspaces
  • Reno/Repair
    • Heating
    • Floors
    • Windows
    • Roofs & Gutters
    • Lighting & Wiring
  • Popular Topics
    • Storage & Organization
    • Painting & Decorating
    • Cleaning
    • Pests & Wildlife
    • Buying or Selling a Home
  • Features
    • DIY
    • Pet Friendly
    • Green Home
    • Quick Tips
  • Podcasts
    • Subscribe
    • The Money Pit Podcast
    • Your Calls, Our Answers Podcast
    • Money Pit Minute Podcast
    • Top Products Podcast
You are here: Home / Outdoor Living / 4 Ways to Spruce Up Your Entertaining Space on a Budget
Outdoor LivingPainting & Decorating

4 Ways to Spruce Up Your Entertaining Space on a Budget

Tom KraeutlerUntitled-2 Leave a Comment

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0Email0
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Cinder Block Seating
  • Let There Be Light+−
    • Stepping Stone Pathway
  • Privacy Fence Alternative

You might have a great backyard for entertaining and hosting get-togethers, but it can still feel like something is missing. Something you just can’t seem to put your finger on. Well, you are not alone. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of the creative ways we can spruce up our space – without breaking the bank.

It won’t take much to revive your patio into a fabulous space for entertaining. Below are a few creative ways to really spice up your entertaining space.

Cinder Block Seating

You can never have enough seating.

This summer, don’t worry about frantically running around to find more seating for your guests. Create a simple DIY bench (or a few) with cinder blocks and lumber. You will need:

  • 12 cinder blocks
  • 4 pieces of lumber (4×4)
  • Landscape block adhesive

Three ingredients – that’s it!

Begin by placing four cinder blocks on the ground standing tall next to each other and then place two more on top (lying horizontally). Use your adhesive to secure them in place. You are going to repeat this process again for the other side of your bench. Lastly, slide your 4×4 posts through the top four holes in the cinder block to complete your bench. Stain or paint your lumber for added detail, and don’t forget to sand your wood for a smooth finish.

Let There Be Light

We are starting off with the basics. This is something you can do that is extremely simple but will make the world of a difference. Proper lighting will provide an ambient vibe at night that will help to keep your guests around longer, plus it will deliver a beautiful and warm glow to your outdoor space. Scatter tiki torches around your patio or lounge area to offer some “natural” lighting. Another great way to light up your space is by hanging up outdoor lights. Drape string lights from the rafters of your gazebo or pergola, or hang them around the perimeter of deck railing. Having good lighting matters.

Stepping Stone Pathway

This is an easy weekend project that will make such a difference in the appearance of your yard. Stepping stones look great, add dimension to your space, and provide functionality. That’s a win-win-win. There are a variety of stepping stones available that can work for anyone’s budget. Once you have the stones you are going to use, we are ready to get them into the ground. Follow the simple steps below to complete this backyard update.

  • Lay your stones down on the grass where you want them to be.
  • Use a sharp garden knife to cut around your stones and remove the sod.
  • Pack down some leveling sand in that empty space.
  • Put your stepping stones into place.

Don’t worry if they are an inch or so above the rest of your grass, as they will settle into place over the next few days.

You can also build your own stone-like path with concrete mix and QUIKRETE’s Walkmaker form, as shown here.  Building a path is a great do-it-yourself project. Once you’ve laid out the path, you mix the concrete, set and fill the form, then lift off the form to reveal the finished design.

Privacy Fence Alternative

A privacy fence may not be for everyone, or maybe it is simply not in the budget right now. That does not mean you cannot still have privacy. When you are hosting parties and sitting outside, you might want some added privacy – we get that. Below are two different options for creating a more private space.

Ornamental Grass: Plant some ornamental grass into the ground or to gain more height, plant ornamental grass into tall planters or a few galvanized tubs. A bonus tip would be to plant lemongrass, as it naturally repels mosquitoes (and grows taller).

Shrubbery: Adding shrubs will allow you to choose exactly where you want additional privacy. You do not have to close off your entire backyard, as one row of shrubs still makes sense in a yard. Two commonly used shrubs for this job include arborvitaes and boxwoods.

For even more ways to spruce up your entertaining space this season, visit our blog.

Related Posts

basement finishing, basement remodelingBasement Finishing: How to Get the Best Bonus Space for Comfort & ValueHow to Plan The Perfect Outdoor Living Spacestrong outdoor lightingPatio Decor Ideas: Get Ready for Summer PartiesMillennial couple painting walls in their new house5 Best Paint Colors that Make a Room Look Biggeruneven heating; space heatersThe Best Type of Space Heater for Your ApartmentAdd Storage Space to Speed Home Sales

Related Podcasts

insulation when building new houseInsulation RecommendationsThe Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast LogoGet Rid of a Moldy Smell From Your CrawlspaceThe Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast LogoSpace Heater Tripping Circuit Breaker: SolutionThe Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast LogoTurn an Attic into a RoomThe Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast LogoHow to Create Gardening and Entertaining Space in a Small Yardinsulate finished atticHow to Insulate Within Tight Space
Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0Email0
Outdoor LivingPainting & Decorating

About Tom Kraeutler

Tom is the Host, Founder and Chief Home Improvement Evangelist of The Money Pit. He is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight -- when their basement floods!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

Favorite Posts

Best Heaters for a Garage: Forced Air, Infrared or Portable?

Basement Waterproofing Tips | How to Fix a Wet Basement

How to Make Natural Wood Stain Using Coffee, Berries & More!

How to Floor Your Attic Without Wrecking Your Roof

10 Easy Recipes for Natural Cleaning Products

Popular Podcasts

Episode # 2080: Stopping Noisy Plumbing | Fast Fix for Loose Wallpaper | Solutions for Smelly Water | Your Q & A

Episode #2079: Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting | Automatic Pet Doors | Kitchen Cabinet Organization | Your Q & A

Episode #2078: Quick Ideas for Curb Appeal | Top Home Repair Mistakes | Cleanups for Driveways & Walks | Your Q & A

Episode #2077: Paint Colors that say Wow | Top 5 Projects for ROI | Easy Fix for Noisy Radiators | Best Floors for Damp Places

Episode #2076: Kitchen Spruce Ups for Renters | Secret Code for Best Air Filters | Power Plan for Black Outs | Your Q & A

Newsletter

Get weekly updates with the latest tips and tricks to save money in your home.

No spam, ever.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Site Footer

  • Media Kit
  • Partners
  • Endorsement Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy and Cookie Solution
  • About
  • Affiliates
  • Cookie Policy (US)

Copyright © 1999–2021 The Money Pit · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!