As apartment dwellers and renters we don't often want to invest a lot in the outdoor space we've got. Adding those lovely (but expensive) pebbles, doing any real hardscaping, etc just isn't practical. But sometimes you really feel like you've got to spruce things up a bit. Here are 4 ideas that won't cost an arm and a leg and are easy to undo when you move:
4 Ideas for Sprucing up that Patio Floor
1. Ikea sells these Platta's for diying a little deck area. This would be a great upgrade over something concrete and can be taken with you when you leave. It's not too expensive: each 17" x17" square is $5.99.
2. Flor sells all kinds of modular carpet tiles and some are good for a covered patio or balcony that isn't going to get soaking wet. They have a version of astroturf that could be really fun, or you could try Home Depot for the real thing.
3. If your deck is already painted, you can stencil it (the image is from Holly's Hip Stencils) or paint it another color since you can always paint it back before you move. If your deck it tiny it won't be too labor intensive. Don't forget to try out some eco friendly exterior paint.
4. Recycled plastic rugs are another great, durable solution for the outdoors. We've had our eye on this one from Viva Terra for longer than we can remember. The soft hues along with the fact that we can take it with us wherever we go. For $50 it seems worth it, as long as it's as durable as they say.
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I used some Danish teak oil on an Ikea Platta square and use it for a bath mat. It was way cheaper than the teak or naot wood mats sold in catalogs. Just check it for any rough spots and smooth them down first.
They clean up well (cat fur collects between slats) and can be re-oiled periodically.
Oh, and I also use them on my patio because they don't hold the heat as much concrete does.
view stejeanne's profile
@stejeanne,
no problems with bleeding on those Ikea tiles? I've been thinking about them as bath mats as well.
view art's profile
Ooo....Those IKEA tiles might just find a home at my house...
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
view EmmieB's profile
Just bought the PLATTA as a bath mat. L-O-V-E it. Especially because my bathroom is tiny galley style and a normal sized mat would be obtrusive. Best part? You don't have to wash it!!!!
view Jesse Lu's profile
Where can I find that groovy floor pillow?
view Cosmotosis's profile
just got a plastic outdoor rug from Cost Plus World Market in a wacky aqua&green color!
view Lilli K.'s profile
must try stenciling for my out door balcony. I cleared it out last week - much more room now and stenciling sounds like fun.
view fmktjod's profile