An “Unusable and Overgrown” Yard Got a Dreamy Patio Redo with DIY Furniture
Heirloom homes are often some of the best sites for home renovation projects. The house is paid for, so why not use what would have been your house-hunting budget to make what passed down to you into the home of your dreams (and Pinterest boards)?
After Heather West and her husband, Nick, inherited their small 1950s yellow home — located on eight acres of forest — they took time to live in it and really zero in on which home projects would upgrade the space.
Their Outdoor Space Was Not Only Unusable, It Was a Safety Risk for Their Home
“Patience has been my mantra for any home project we have taken on,” Heather says, adding that it’s important to “have a clear plan of what you want before digging into anything major.”
And their patio addition was pretty major. Before, the side of the house was an overgrown, unusable space. “It was basically a small forest,” Heather says. “It was a bit anxiety-inducing, not only because it was unusable, but also because the plants were growing right up to the house and trying to get into the siding.”
After the Yard Was Professionally Excavated, the DIYs Began
Heather says this particular spot was the perfect place to create a large yard and take advantage of the surrounding natural beauty. The house had a window that would be fairly easy to replace with a sliding door in the same spot. After that, they would need to control the yard and add the finishing touches.
Nick replaced the window with a Pella sliding glass door, and then they hired a landscaping company to excavate the yard, build the paver patio, and install the fence (a $13,000, one-year venture). Heather planned the design and painted the exterior a deep blue (Magnolia Home’s Signature “Deep Denim Blue”).
“My husband saved us money by building our furniture,” Heather says. “What cost him a few hundred in materials would have been thousands for something comparable.”
Moisture-Resistant DIYs Were Important for the Pacific Northwest Weather
Nick opted for cedar furniture, a good moisture-resistant option for the Pacific Northwest, where the two live. Another PNW essential? The rain cover. Heather loves that it’s clear, so it lets a lot of light in even on gloomy days.
Nick built the round wall art above the sectional, plus the dining table and bench (for about $300). The dining table is one of Heather’s favorite parts. Nick also built the sectional and the chevron coffee table, which is the same height and doubles as a daybed extension — perfect for catching some afternoon Zs outside.
Expanding the Space Brought Comfort to Their Outdoor Area
After the yearlong project, the couple now has a space that expands the spatial footprint of the home by bringing the comfort of the indoors out. “I love how it truly feels like an outdoor extension of our home,” Heather says. “It makes our small house feel much bigger and is just the perfect retreat.”
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