7 Outdoor Makeovers That Turned Bare, Unsightly Spaces into Lounge-Worthy Oases

An outdoor oasis isn’t exclusive to those who have lush yards, green gardens, and serious acreage. With a little bit of creativity, any tiny plot of exterior space can be turned into an inviting hideaway for relaxing, dining, lounging, or entertaining. From custom built decks and DIY furniture to unique dining solutions and twinkling lights, these seven formerly less-than-ideal spaces show dramatic before and afters that totally changed the way these homeowners and renters live. 

This patio before and after is magazine-worthy. In this space, a tiny deck felt dark and barely functional, but these homeowners had modern dreams. A custom deck was created piece by piece to add storage to the small space, while a paver patio provided a spot for al fresco entertaining. Local artists created the screens that frame the space, and outdoor lights add twilight sparkle. 

An enormous blank canvas of a patio was the selling feature for this condo, which has been transformed into an artistic, elegant, and cozy sanctuary. The outdoor space, which feels like an extension of the indoor design, has a full dining area and an inviting lounge area. Considering that it was inspired by the homeowner’s childhood in Taiwan, the entire space feels personal, too.

When thinking of ways to revamp a functional-but-bland outdoor patio, this couple looked to one of their favorite countries, Italy, for inspiration. There are three distinct zones in this long space for lounging, dining, cooking, and bartending. The design is full of warm texture and print that evokes golden afternoons spent sipping on crisp wine while soaking up the sun, and there’s also a projector and a pizza oven for plenty of buona seras at home.

This apartment is only 200 square feet, so that gives you an idea of how small this balcony must be. After drawing up a custom, innovative design that would comfortably fit three people, this apartment dweller contacted a local woodworker to bring her vision to life. With a bench, small stool, and a nesting table — all on casters — this tiny balcony is capable of comfortably hosting a happy hour. There is storage incorporated into each piece, and custom cushions were made to perfectly fit the space. Manicured flower boxes and fairy lights are the cherries on top.

Faux grass was the jumping-off point for this balcony makeover. Using a space planning app to make the most of limited square footage, these homeowners then brought in comfortable, cozy lounge furniture and a storage bench to multitask as a coffee table. The IKEA rolling cart holds thriving plants, while a wood trellis wall with a decorative neon light steals the show as the sun goes down.

All you need are plants: That’s the motto that drove this small DIY balcony refresh. This condo dweller found her old outdoor chairs had walked off in a case of mistaken giveaway, and it gave her an excuse to totally rethink her outdoor space. She brought in sleek Design Within Reach chairs, a patio console table to serve as a plant stand, and modern graphic textiles, including throw pillows and a patterned rug, to give the balcony a complete facelift. But the real stars are the plants. Multitudes of greenery make the space feel warm and welcoming, and turn it into a true outdoor retreat.

This balcony was already ahead of the game before its DIY makeover. With lovely, calming shades of blue, gray, and green, as well as warm, organic wood tones, it seemed like a wonderful space to sip a cup of coffee. But now it’s completely elevated. When the creative behind this transformation realized plants wouldn’t grow on her balcony, she looked for an alternative to add vibrance to her space. She painted the wall a tropical salmon hue, then painted lush banana leaves in blue and green. The result is #plantgoals — without the need to water.