A Backyard Has an Outdoor Movie Screen — and I Can’t Stop Thinking About It

Megan Baker Detloff
Megan Baker Detloff
I cover home upgrades, DIY projects, hacks, how-tos, and plants. I’ve written about home decor and renovations for more than a decade since earning my degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University. Before AT, I was an editor at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine.
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Before: Empty yard
Credit: Jen Rothbury

My hometown has been absolutely slammed with rain for most of the summer so far, but that hasn’t stopped me from daydreaming about ways to make over my backyard.

I’m pretty happy with the plants — many of them native, in support of my lazy girl gardening methods — but my patio area could use some help.

She Needed an Upgraded Backyard So She Could Enjoy It All the Time

Right now, the only furniture we have is a dining set and an umbrella, which works great when we’re hosting friends for a cookout. But sometimes I just feel like sitting outside and reading a book, and a dining chair isn’t the most comfortable way to do that.

Credit: Jen Rothbury
Credit: Jen Rothbury

Inspiration Can Come from Anywhere and Transform a Bare Space into a Cozy Escape

My dream outdoor space looks a lot like this backyard transformation we featured on Apartment Therapy a while ago. The starting point for these homeowners was pretty bleak: a bare backyard that seemed to be mostly dirt.

The transformation, though, is peak cozy — and thrifty, too.

Credit: Jen Rothbury
Credit: Jen Rothbury

They Upcycled Pavers and Wood Pallets for Easy DIYs

Pavers left over from a driveway project were used for the patio, and the new sectional is made of wood pallets stacked with cushions. I love that the space feels extra welcoming, thanks to the fire pit and string lights overhead.

But the best part, I think, is that the new patio area features a pergola that serves two purposes: shade, of course, but also the perfect place to mount a screen for outdoor movie nights.

Credit: Jen Rothbury

Small Space Redos Don’t Have to Be Complicated

Can you imagine anything dreamier? Check out more photos and read about the makeover in full here.

If you’re looking for ways to upgrade your own outdoor space, check out these makeover ideas for small yards and this gorgeous patio inspiration.