6 Tips from the DIYer Who Pulled off This Stunning Patio Redo

There’s something so satisfying about any “before and after” project when you get to see the dramatic change between the bare, neglected, or outdated “before” and the warm and inviting “after.” But these side-by-side photos can gloss over the process — all of that planning, buying, and labor can sometimes get lost in the excitement of the reveal.

Speaking of a reveal: You might remember Vida Cornelious’s backyard patio redo, which was featured on Apartment Therapy last year. It was one of the best outdoor redos of 2020, and it was clear that Cornelious had put plenty of thought and effort into its execution.

“After I finished, I would go outside and eat breakfast, work, and listen to music,” she says. “It just felt really good to have a nice place to go relax, be comfortable, and take a breath despite all of the madness we were living through.”

That’s a long way from the patio’s beginnings as the bare, lifeless space shown above. I needed to know more about how Cornelious got from there to the stunning space she enjoys now. Whether you’re embarking on a full DIY reno or you’re more interested in doing a tiny makeover, Cornelious’s planning method will help you approach any project with confidence. Read on for her wisdom.

Cornelious spent two or three days creating a mood board that helped her visualize this project down to the smallest details. She lived in Los Angeles for four years, and wanted to emulate the same indoor-outdoor living experience in her Harlem patio. 

Cornelious sourced images from Pinterest, HGTV, and episodes of Fixer Upper and put them all in a folder for easy access. “The folder of images was inclusive of furniture inspiration, colors, textures, plants, and accessories — everything I could imagine being in the space,” she says. 

If anyone is debating whether or not they should undertake a project, Cornelious has some advice: Listen to your instincts. 

“Ignore anyone who thinks it might be a waste,” she says. “Making your space personal, no matter if you rent or own, is important. It helps you feel grounded, happy, and at ease.”

As it stood, Cornelious’s original outdoor patio was far from serene. It was sprinkled with shards of glass and cement rocks, and all the potted plants were dead. Cornelious was making plans to renovate it just as the pandemic was starting, so it would’ve been understandable if she listened to people who advised against taking on a big project. However, she knew there would be no better moment for a private outdoor space, and decided to go for it. Of course, circumstances will likely be different for others in the future, but Cornelious says this sentiment stays the same. 

“There are no mistakes that can’t be corrected,” she says. Well, except for one: Not getting your landlord’s approval, if you’re a renter. Since she planned on painting the fence and installing turf, Cornelious made sure to get her landlord’s blessing before going any further. 

If you’re starting a large DIY project, it’s important to know your limits when it comes to budget, time, and emotional investment. Cornelious wanted to stick to a budget of $2,000, and the biggest item in question was the cost of grass and sand. She pictured a living area on the far end of the patio that would have this feature to offset the existing pavers. 

“If that had turned out to be cost-prohibitive, I probably would have scratched the whole project,” she says. “My limit for that part of the job was $700. If the grass and sand cost more than that, it was a non-starter.”

Once Cornelious figured out that this detail wasn’t going to derail her budget, she decided it was worth the investment for the years she plans to live at this address. 

To properly install the turf, sand needed to be brought in to level the surface. Cornelious researched how to do this on YouTube and found some helpful tutorials to calculate how much sand was necessary. It turns out that she needed… 1,800 pounds. So, that led to another research question: How does that much sand get to a Harlem apartment?

Cornelious found that The Home Depot had the type of sand she was after, and the associates reassured her that, yes, 1,800 pounds was correct. The next step was a happy ending. 

“I didn’t have to haul the sand into Manhattan, because thankfully, The Home Depot delivers,” she says. When the sand arrived in individual bags, Cornelious and the contractor wheeled them into the backyard one by one.

If it wasn’t already clear, Cornelious is not afraid to put in the hard work that comes with doing a large DIY project — from carrying bags of sand into her yard to painting the fence. 

“The choice to incorporate Behr’s Carbon Black paint on the far wall was the number one design decision that made the whole look super chic and modern,” she says.

Cornelious got some help with painting and installing the turf, but planting the herb garden, hanging the lights, and framing the art was all done solo. Being able to do a project yourself or with friends in any degree saves money, and makes the end result especially satisfying.  “Every moment was fun for me,” she says.

It’s a common adage in the DIY community to take your time finishing a space, but Cornelious felt that she didn’t have that luxury. Because of the pandemic, she felt that she needed to complete everything as soon as possible. In all, the entire project took about four months.

“As soon as the ‘COVID summer’ prediction hit the airwaves, I went on Joss & Main and loaded up my cart with everything I needed in one order — furniture, a bar cart, a vintage record player, and rugs,” Cornelious says. “I just wanted the order to be in so if there were any issues, I would be ahead of the game. And that turned out to be a really good call.”

She said most of the items came just in time for Memorial Day, and she was able to add plants from The Home Depot as a part of the final touches. As for the winter months, she moved everything inside until warm weather was back. 

“I have a very cool bohemian work-from-home office space for the time being,” Cornelious says. And soon, she’ll have another summer to enjoy her serene patio hangout.