Outdoor Spaces Before & Afters

Now there’s plenty of space to relax outside, rain or shine.

Actress Taraji P. Henson took on the makeover as part of HGTV’s show “Celebrity IOU.”

The DIYer has great tips for making a cool ‘70s vibe work in 2023 without feeling like a time capsule.

The new look strikes the perfect balance of welcoming and private.

Paint and a new ceiling are total game-changers for this once-brown and drab porch.

It’s renter-friendly, too!

According to trendspotters, the porch is taking priority over the backyard in 2023 — after all, it’s where the first impression is made.

This is a DIY anyone can do.

The falling-down fence and mushy ground spots had to go.

These homeowners daydreamed about all the cool things they could do with their ample space.

This clever DIYer “shopped” free resources to turn her unwelcoming balcony into a cheery hangout.

See how this homeowner upgraded her patio with $1600 worth of budget-friendly finds.

If you want to revive a tired outdoor space, paint is the way to go.

Thanks to checkerboard floors and faux plants.

“This is the first time I'm living in an apartment with a balcony, so that was very exciting,” this renter says.

I’ve always loved the concept of having seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces — and a few weekends worth of DIYs helped me make my own.

Paula Bishir-Jensen made her gazebo safer and so much more sophisticated.

A DIYer built her own pergola to get the oasis of her dreams.

It took five different paint colors and $300.

Fresh paint brought out the best in this charming old house.

Sweat equity and a little creativity go a long way in transforming this dreary space into a must-see hangout.

This family's yard redo offers multiple hangout spots that help them take full advantage of their outdoor space.

Paint rescued the front door AND the concrete steps in this budget-friendly refresh for fall.

The "before" was the perfect blank canvas.

I am gearing up to finish a few garden projects….one of which is a deck that we dug the footings for last fall. I have gone back and forth on the way to finish the deck. Do I do pressure treated wood that I stain (cheap), or do I invest in a hardwood that will be less maintenance (expensive)?I have obsessed so much that I even had an architect friend write a whole article about the pros and cons of all the decking options.

Are you tired of it getting dark at 5 PM every day? I know I am, but we’re in luck: this year’s Winter Solstice fell on December 21st, which means that the days are getting longer, and that summer will come again, and that this is a perfect time to start thinking about sunny days and outdoor projects. Here are 10 of our favorite outdoor-space transformations from 2012.TOP ROW:1. Before & After: Bare Patio Turned Luxurious Cabana2. Jane and Justin’s Backyard Before & After3.

This 1957 ranch's warped garage looks way more sophisticated after a major upgrade.

This outdoor space went from a dead patch of grass to a cozy boho-style family hangout.

This bummer space got a beautiful new look.

Some clever additions make this standard-issue balcony feel like a custom cozy retreat.

"The whole setup with the repotting of the plants took me less than three hours," this renter says.

This balcony is small but mighty.

Renters and owners with small balconies: This one's for you! "I feel like I am escaping the city and have a relaxing space away from the hustle down below," this DIYer says of her redo.

From custom built decks and DIY furniture to unique dining solutions and twinkling lights, these seven formerly frightening spaces show dramatic before and afters that totally changed the way these homeowners and renters live. 

A quick but ambitious DIY project took this front door from cookie cutter to contemporary.

This transformation gives the house a fresh update without losing all its retro charm.

This chic shed will make you want to start gardening immediately.

This 1910 door had been painted over plenty of times, but stripping it down and repainting it in a fresh color gave it a completely new life.

This makeover turns a bare rooftop into hangout central.

The "old, creaky, and slanting" deck was causing major problems before.

You've got to see the refurbished outdoor tub.

One item you should always add to your secondhand shopping list? Wicker baskets. You never know what kind of cute accessories you can make with them.

This Miami backyard is a masterclass in landscape design

No space is too small to enjoy al fresco dining, sipping, reading, or relaxing.

A pro painter completed this project for his own home, and he's got tips to share.

Ali Wong give her best friend's backyard a makeover with the help of the Property Brothers.

"I have always dreamt about having a beautiful backyard that feels like an oasis," this DIYer says. See how she made it happen.

"It had never been landscaped previously," this homeowner says of her overgrown backyard. Now, it's well-manicured with great spots for entertaining.

It's not too soon to start thinking about your outdoor plans this spring, and this is just the project to inspire you.

Winter blues got you dreaming of warmer days? Get inspired by this patio redo.

"It changed the look of our backyard completely," this DIYer says of her shed facelift.

The new paint color honors the original house while also making it feel modern.

Small DIY changes went a really long way in making this 1977 house look totally fresh.

Budget-friendly items and clever touches deck out this small outdoor space and create two distinct zones.

Concrete slabs, chic black rocks, and tons of plants turn a backyard hangout into a bohemian paradise.

It all started with terracotta checkerboard pavers!

This DIY-filled weekend project puts the "power" in "power washing."

A smart new layout makes more room for this family's favorite activities.