Plants & Yard Ideas

Q: I’m really hoping the Apartment Therapy forum will help me out on this one. My husband and I bought our first house in October, and now that the weather is nice we have turned our sights to the exterior. Landscaping aside, we want to achieve a brand new look on the cheap by repainting the upper purple scalloped siding [see listing photo below].

Name Type of Project Location: Upper Tangletown — Minneapolis, Minnesota Type of building: 1930s Tudor-Style Duplex Erin and Ken finished their total backyard on time, but did they also get the job done on budget? What’s your guess? Did they go over or under? Electrician: $494.46 Design fees: N/A Gas Grill: $288.57 Exterior Backdoor Light: $325.96 Garage Sconces: $192.55 Semi Raised Gardens: $112.75 Screen Door & Hardware: $88.88 Garage Main Door + Hardware: $303.98 A/C Fencing $245.

Ready for your next weekend project? With summer slowly winding down, all I can think about is spending my evenings outdoor, whether in a friend’s backyard, a restaurant patio, or a city park. Patrick Davis, consultant by day, DIY carpenter by nights and weekends, has just the project to get your outdoor space ready for those early fall hangs. The best part? It only takes up a few square feet!

IKEA hacks are often inspiring, but there are so many I’ve never tried myself because they take too long and require tools that I don’t have–and they’re often furniture pieces that I just don’t need. So when I found myself wandering the floors of IKEA recently, and the TOPPIG lantern presented itself as a possible hanging planter, I knew it was a hack I was willing to try because I could do it quickly and with minimal supplies.

This easy makeover proves you don't have to sweat to create an inspired space.

Pothos and snake plants may be pretty, but sometimes, they just don’t scratch that houseplant itch. If you’re in the market for something unique, check out the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla). This plant comes in all different sizes—from tabletop babes to tall, majestic specimens that deserve a corner of their own. Plant shops and nurseries used to carry them exclusively around Christmas. After all, Norfolk pines have the look of a festive, holiday tree.

Curious about growing the feline-friendly catnip (Nepeta cataria)? Why wouldn’t you be? A quick Instagram search brings up thousands of videos of cute kitties going bonkers over the green stuff. But catnip isn’t just for cat owners: It’s a delightful addition to any window herb garden and even consumable by humans. Catnip tea can help with stress and digestion. Here’s how to grow this purr-fect herb. Give your plant as much sunlight as possible.

Because knowing how to decorate so your outdoor space is both functional and stylish can be tricky.

Fresh flowers are happy-makers, and I almost always have some on our kitchen table. But the second my flowers start to show where they’re headed (death), I toss them into the compost pile. Wilting blossoms bring me down. Flowers given to you by someone else aren’t just colorful pick-me-ups, they’re a symbol of care and a gesture of love.

Few things make the scorching summer heat more bearable than jumping into a sparkling swimming pool. But what to do when you don’t have access to one? Fret not my sweaty friends, there are still plenty of ways to cool off outside this summer without a proper swimming pool, it just takes a little imagination. From sprinkler balls to water balloons, here are seven H2O-friendly ideas for staying cool this summer—sans the swimming pool.

New York City is not exactly known for its camping, I mean, it’s called the concrete jungle for a reason, right? But as a Midwestern transplant living in this hectic city I find myself craving some quality outdoor time on a regular basis. Typically, when that urge hits I grab a train to visit my brother upstate in the Hudson Valley, but he’s currently in Alaska fishing for a few months, and a trip back to Ohio requires advance planning. So what’s a grass-deprived girl to do?

Your backyard needs this.

If the closest you’ve managed to come to dipping your toe in some salty ocean water this summer is Googling affordable beach resorts or longingly scrolling through photos of celebrities hanging out at their dreamy beach homes, consider kicking those nagging symptoms of beach withdrawal to the curb by investing in your very own backyard swimming pond.

This glass-topped patio table was acquired for the sweet price of $0, but it had a few issues. Enter our reader Sydney, armed with a vision, an X-Acto knife, and $2. Oh, and incredible amounts of patience and precision. This is so incredibly fun and poppy now! It’s stylish, playful, and nothing but fun—the perfect vibe for relaxing on the patio.

Maximize your enjoyment.

If the fast-approaching summer season has snuck up on you, you’re not alone. Thankfully, designer Emily Henderson chatted with us on how to get your outdoor space ready for warmer weather. Emily, in her ever-so-fab capacity as style ambassador, transformed a space three different ways using Target’s Project 62, Threshold, and Opalhouse collections.

There's ALWAYS room for another one of these.

Get the most floral bang for your warehouse store buck (while you grocery shop).

It's SO much warmer and more inviting than before.

Spring is here, or almost here, depending on where you live, and it’s a great time to think about the design of your outdoor space. Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of alfresco rooms that really embrace the bohemian vibe. Think assorted textiles, worn wood accents, and, of course, lots of plants. I love this look, and I love that it’s one that you can pull off, even in a smaller outdoor space. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

Above: When I look at this backyard design by Sawyer Berson, I can almost hear the sound of the fountain. What better place to relax after a stressful day? Tall trees add a dreamy element to this Manhattan backyard from Dwell. The high walls make this backyard into a world its own, and the little fountain ensures that city sounds are far away. The separate, square planter areas add a bit of a formal element to this city backyard from Foras Studio, but also provide a place to wander.

We’ve seen plenty of impressive room conversion Before & Afters—closet to nursery, kitchen-turned-bedroom, closet to mudroom—but a balcony-to-bathroom renovation is definitely a first. The space was languishing as a slightly awkward office, when what the family really needed was a bathroom. They wisely turned to the pros for help. Let’s take a look at the full-length “Before,” so we can see both the wood-paneled sloped ceiling and the beige carpet.

Your neighbor’s yard is home to a community of inflatable snowmen, but you’d like to celebrate the season in a slightly more understated way. If you’d prefer for your exterior decorations to be as minimal and tasteful as your interior ones, look no further than these ideas that will have your home looking festive and holiday-ready, with nary a snowman (or even a reindeer) in sight. Above: Wouldn’t you just love to come home to a place like this?

The previous owners of Karin’s home had used the backyard as something of a doggy dumping ground. After some much needed clean up, Karin called in the professionals to help lay pavers and stone, before attacking the planting herself. Add in a shed and a re-done deck and you have a totally transformed backyard oasis. From Karin: I purchased my house in December, from people who were using the yard as a “doggie daycare”.

Project by: Becky Daly of Daly Digs Location: Tampa, Florida Becky’s client wanted to add some oomph to her outdoor space, so she designed a lanai that reflected her passions, style and personality. The space went from standard to stunning with bold and bright furniture, plenty of greenery and surprising accents sprinkled throughout. From Becky: My client friend Jessica wanted to transform her drab lanai into a tropical, West Indies-inspired oasis.

Jennifer knew not to take her Brooklyn patio for granted, since outside space in New York is a beautiful rarity, and set out to make the most of it. She kept things budget friendly while warming up the space, creating a casual space perfect for outdoor cocktails. From Jennifer: In 2009, I moved from a soulless shoebox on the UES into my (now) husband’s apartment in Brooklyn. One of the perks of the apartment was the ever-elusive (though tiny) outdoor patio area.

Riddle me this: why would someone buy a house on a lake and then grow a bunch of shrubs to block the view of the lake? We may never know the answer to that particular question, but we do know that Ashley’s backyard makeover not only restored the view but made the space infinitely more stylish and safe. From Ashley: When we moved into our home a couple years ago, I knew our back patio had major potential, but it was a big eye sore at the time.

Plant ladies – and gentlemen – unite! Every houseplant is unique, so shouldn’t their planters be unique, too? With some simple supplies, a spare hour or two, and an itch for creating cool color combos, you can easily craft a playful new look for all of your plants. The coiled cotton piping offers the ultimate neutral base for all of your favorite embroidery floss hues, and it makes this DIY perfect for pairing with all things textured, natural and bright.

Expecting the guests at your backyard barbecue to grill their own food would ordinarily be considered a huge faux pas, but when they’re seated at JAG’s innovative table and grill combo, the usual dinner party hosting etiquette no longer applies. The Dallas-based design and manufacturing company’s product is an expert combination of sturdy outdoor patio furniture and a BBQ grill. The multi-purpose table houses a grill at its center and can also be transformed into a fire pit.

Julene’s backyard had become a bit of an afterthought, more of a storage space than outdoor gathering place. But enough is enough — she decided to apply some crafty know-how and turn the space into a colorful and inviting spot, all on a budget! From Julene: The back patio area has been a dumping station for random unfinished projects and items that accumulated around the yard. I was sick of it looking trashy.

Here's a roundup of beautiful pools, because you deserve a break, even if it's only in your eyes and in your imagination.

It’s that time of year again when the weather starts to get ever so slightly warmer and you suddenly have hope that winter might someday end. It’s also that time of year when people start thinking about outdoor projects, so this transformation of a neglected Brooklyn backyard is particularly timely. Having your own private backyard is something that most New Yorkers can only dream of. K.V.

When Molly moved to her new home she knew her back yard was full of potential, but would require a lot of work. After tearing things up, moving things out and putting in new roots, her backyard is a funky and welcoming oasis. From Molly: When we moved in, the backyard was all dirt and pavers and lattice, everywhere. Eveeeerywhere. We took out lattice in front of the concrete fence, around the raised beds and around the air conditioner.

I recently moved from Houston to New York, so my access to actual swimming pools is a lot more restricted than it used to be. I have dealt with this by spending a disproportionally large amount of time looking at pools on the internet.

First, let’s just take a moment to admire that view. Alright now we can talk about the patio. Silvia’s patio was the perfect blank canvas for some truly dramatic design, and she was totally up to the challenge. Check it out! From Silvia: A gorgeous new face for a old and slipshod terrace. It was totally refurbished with wall paint, wood decking, two dark gray panels (Pircher) and a modern Gandia Blasco outdoor set. Thank you, Silvia!

Name: Sidra Location: Drogheda — County Louth, Ireland My balcony was the absolute emptiest space of my apartment. Since it is uncovered it was used for basically nothing. When I decided to turn it into a garden, I wanted to create a calm and peaceful corner for myself where I could enjoy a book in the afternoon or a cup of tea in the evening. I wanted my garden to have an organic, relaxed vibe. So I naturally gravitated towards the Zen style of garden.

As soon as summer hits, you may feel the urge to move everything you own outside so you can live under the sun and stars. Utilizing whatever outdoor area you have is especially important when you call a small space home, because it can give you the dining room, living room, or reading nook your place typically lacks. Whether you have a balcony, a rooftop, or an entire backyard to work with, these $100-or-less details will make it feel like an extension of your home. Give your space a glow up.

The outdoor design for an urban dwelling is something totally different to a sprawling suburban or country yard. There’s much less space, to be sure. But you also have to take in mind your neighbors (and how much you want to see of them) and also what feels appropriate for your area and even your type of home.

Sunrooms are like bit players of a home. They don’t get top billing on the floor plan, like the living room and bedrooms do. But they’re important, still. They can be decorated and redecorated to serve a million different uses. Just check out these house tours for inspiration. Why waste that gorgeous sunlight on anything else? The sunroom in Irene & Evan’s Los Angeles home makes for a great spot to curl up with family, or to entertain and serve up cocktails.

So you somehow got roped into a family camping trip this summer. If the word camping inspires a particular feeling of dread in the pit of your belly then you need our help. You CAN get through your ordeal vacation. Follow this guide. Maybe you think sleeping on the ground is for suckers or maybe you don’t fancy the idea of being shower-free for multiple days. These problems have solutions!

With a shared driveway behind her home, Anne had no private outdoor space to relax and entertain. This overgrown side yard might not scream outdoor oasis, but that’s what Anne created: From Anne: Thank you Anne!

Having a summer party that looks like a million bucks doesn’t have to mean spending a million bucks. Here are nine easy DIY ideas that will make your next outdoor party especially memorable… and that won’t break the bank. Above: A wheelbarrow makes a great impromptu drink cooler. Spotted on Style Me Pretty. DIY low table (cinderblocks and plywood perhaps?) + blankets and pillows out on the lawn = an unforgettable outdoor dining experience. Image from Eye Swoon.

You can still have the backyard or patio of your dreams, even if you rent. You just need to use temporary, removable accessories or decor that you can take with you at the end of your lease. Easy peasy. Outdoor Decking: Temporarily mask the ugly tile on your patio with these deck tiles that can move with you. The above photo is from a Swedish apartment seen on Dust Jacket Attic, but you can buy those tiles from IKEA. 32 square feet will cost you about one hundred bucks.

Anna had these basic folding chairs and wanted to use them on her balcony, but they needed some style first. Using a colorful oilcloth as inspiration, check out her quick and budget-friendly makeover: From Anna: The whole project took 8 hours: 3 hours to separate the seats and the backs from the aluminum frame 2 hours to paint the frame 2 hours to change the fabric of the seats and the backs 1 hour to put together the chairs. It cost €29.58: – 4 spray paint cans X €3.

When it comes to outdoor space in the city, you often take what you can get. That was Julia & Bruno’s thinking when they purchased their Montreal home and inherited this dumpy backyard. If you remember their House Tour from last year, you’ve already seen part of the colorful transformation! From Julia: We did all the work ourselves with a small budget of about $3000. The main problem with the backyard was the old and dangerous shed. The first thing we did was to demolish it.

With their family home coming in just under 1,000-square-feet, John and Jami knew they would need great outdoor spaces to act as extra living/dining/play rooms when the weather was nice. Therefore, their messy backyard was one of the first projects they tackled after purchasing their house.

When Mark and Melinda bought their home in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles in 1999, the backyard was littered with uneven, rocky terrain. The expansive backyard provided a multi-level outdoor area that boasted a killer view of the city, but, naturally, some safety concerns arose as their family began to grow. A few landscaping tricks and fixes added just enough structure to create the perfect backyard jungle, perfect for playing or hosting friends on a warm Summer evening.

Andréa wasn’t a fan of her drab concrete balcony, and wasn’t entertaining outside like she wanted. She decided to give it a makeover, and came up with a smart solution to fill in the gaps square decking tiles made on a round balcony: From Andréa: I really like the apartment where I live. It is bright with its large windows, located on a very quiet area, there is a train station only 2 walking minutes from it and very good connections to the city.

Iris wanted to better enjoy her balcony, but it took time to furnish on a budget. She ended up with a stylish space worth waiting for: From Iris: Ever since moving to sunny California from the Windy City of Chicago, I’ve always wanted to create a space in my apartment balcony to enjoy the beautiful weather and views outside. I wanted a sanctuary where my boyfriend and I can kick our feet up and relax with a glass of wine.

I own Don Draper’s patio set! I didn’t know it at first. It was just a rusty little table and chairs at the Nashville Flea Market. One of the chairs was missing some scrolls and the top was gone, but I fell in love. $100 later I was loading it into my neighbor’s truck. Lucky for me, there’s a powder coater near the flea market and I brought it straight to him. He had another company recreate the missing scrolls and weld them in place.

Celine from Aquahaus participated in this past One Room Challenge, and tackled two outdoor outdoor decks on the roof of her Austin home. Here is one of the two, which she calls “Deck A.” As you can see, the original space is reminiscent of an army bunker with tons of grey concrete (and even an American flag). After six weeks, it had an entirely new vibe…. Tada! Celine turned that underwhelming grey space into an outdoor oasis.

Steph endured two years of an ugly tarred roof in her rented San Francisco apartment before she realized that rent control meant she might be there awhile. So she committed to making her outdoor space a place she really wanted to be. From Steph: To create the space, I knew I needed some big pieces to draw attention away from the gray rooftop and dingy storage unit. I love plants, so I started with a few large ones.

Makeover by: Judit Location: Budapest The balcony of my 1st floor flat is a mere 2 sq m, and previously it was only used for storage. I got rid of it all at the annual junk-clearing and set out to renovate. The walls have been repainted a new color, the old glass banister has transformed into a white-glazed fence and astroturf has been placed on the floor. I’ve mounted white curtains for shades and to add a romantic touch to this miniscule space.

When Soffia’s family moved into this house in Alftanes, Iceland six years ago she dreamed of transforming this small shed into a playhouse for her daughter and son. The shed, and her plans, lay fallow for years until recently when she harnessed her creative energies and unleashed them onto what she calls a “small slice of heaven” for her kids. Soffia tells us: Most items are hand me downs or thrifted, so this was made on a shoestring budget.

Armillary spheres (sometimes referred to as armillary sundials) are a common decorative ornament in many gardens but can most often be spotted in the traditional English garden. Today’s armillary spheres, used as simply a decorative feature instead of a scientific instrument. are primarily fabricated of metal, and have become much more streamlined compared to their ancient counterparts. So what exactly is an armillary sphere, you might wonder?

With warm weather finally here, the wheels in my mind have been turning thinking of fun ways to get my little ones outdoors as much as possible. Of course there’s the park down the street, our little plastic play pool, and the tree my four-year-old loves to climb, but I’d love to come up with something fresh for a little added fun.

On the hunt for something that would fit perfectly in their covered patio area, Lauren found this interesting loveseat on Craigslist for just $30. Sturdy, it had potential, and Lauren took it home to add her own personality to it. From Lauren: The wood on this seat was fully refinished and repaired before it was adorned with this native-inspired wooly fabric. The upper back rest was finished with a soft suede-like fabric and finished off with matching tufted buttons.

What makes for great outdoor flatware? Above all else, it should be inexpensive and easy to clean (keep grandmother’s intricate silver inside). Bonus points for any set with natural or nautical details that make make a casual backyard barbecue feel like dining in a posh yacht, glam campground or lavish maharajah tent. Each of these options is not only beautiful, but priced just right to entertain four for less than $60 (and most are under $40).

Nate and Michelle’s Greenpoint roof deck had a gorgeous view — but not much else going for it. They wanted to turn this bleak space into an outdoor room, one that would feel like an extension of the rest of their home. Through Sweeten, an online resource that matches New York-area homeowners with architects, designers and contractors, Nate and Michelle found Corey Hutson of Hutson Landscape Design, whose experience crafting urban outdoor spaces made him the perfect fit.

We don’t want to say these standard metal and glass outdoor furniture tables found on plenty of patios, decks and more are ugly (they might suit you just fine!), but we don’t think anyone would call them particularly pretty. That is until you see what Rea did to transform this plain patio furniture into something eye-catching and unique! From Rea: It all started one sunny Saturday morning when I finally let my kids loose in the backyard.

Carolyn tells us that she loves her big, bright apartment but the balcony was “a bit rough.” She considered an outdoor rug or tile to cover up the peeling paint, but we think her final solution was a stroke of genius. From Carolyn: I worried about how those other solutions would weather the Canadian winters. In the end I bought a little outdoor paint and cut a stencil for a more permanent solution. I can’t wait to see how this looks after a couple years of wear.

The weather’s getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and cabin fever is imminent. A weekend in the wild would cure what ails you… but the weather’s getting colder, your schedule is jam-packed, and none of the buses or trains go past any decent campsites. Time to invite your similarly-fevered friends over for an indoor camping party, s’mores and a (inevitable) sleepover! The Decor: Sleeping Like A Log Pillows, Think Geek, 16.

Intrepid DIYer Emily was looking for a patio table, and happened to score this one on Craigslist for free. But it wasn’t quite love at first sight. The chairs were covered in a weird mottled brown paint, and the cushions were falling apart. Plus, Emily admits, she’s not such a huge fan of glass top tables. (Not that I can blame her — my roommate and I had a glass-topped table in college and that thing squeaked. I can still hear it now. Squeak squeak squeak.

Watson, my French bulldog, approves of the new front balcony furniture and window boxes filled with herbs. I have a notorious black thumb, so the plants were my biggest hesitation, as I hate the idea of making the investment in something that I have been known to kill in a matter of weeks. So I consulted my friends who love to garden and they recommended the heartiest of herbs, which include thyme and rosemary (also a few of my favorites when cooking).

We love a good lap pool. They take up a fraction of the space of a traditional pool, and their elongated shape is so elegant and modern. There’s room to exercise, to splash around and have a drink on a hot day (because isn’t that the whole reason to have a pool?), and you can still have a backyard.While an ideal size for swimming laps is 6 feet in width by 60-75 feet in length, you can still fit a pool that accommodates exercise in as little as 30 feet.

Bonnie’s porch was a great space with a lot of potential — it just hadn’t quite lived up to it yet. See what she did to transform this screened back porch into a party-ready indoor/outdoor room.  Bonnie’s porch is now a bright, cheery, vacation-like space filled with candy-colored accents offset by natural tones. The only thing that makes me a little nervous here is the firepit, but maybe it’s there just for looks and not use.

I love a good porch. Maybe that’s because I don’t have one (and am dreaming of the day), but this one really caught my eye! At first, not terrible, but definitely not dazzling. And now for the after: check out that gorgeous, bright yellow door! The simplest touches, like the paint colors, brand new bench and pretty flower planter, jazz this space up and gave it a whole new outlook. Click on over to The Rooster and the Hen for more details on this before and after!

Rebecca and Staffan have been hard at work building an extraordinary terraced garden in Sweden since 2007. In such a short time they have carved out six terraces and built an unimaginable series of walls to hold it all in place. And then there is this one (comparatively) small piece — an outdoor kitchen with an extraordinary view.And then the glorious after – if I had this kitchen I think I would want to brave the Swedish winters to cook out all year long.

I love this true and honest account of using wood cuts for path making. As a professional I’ve never had the guts to try it because, if what happened on Jen’s first run happened in a client’s garden, well, clearly I would deserve to be fired. So I am grateful that Jen shared the ups and downs of her path project, and am curious as she comes in the the spring how the latest version faired.

This type of corner is so common in so many backyards. Unruly, untouched and unloved, it is just not very friendly. This transformation is satisfyingly sensitive to the tree that shades the area and provides structure and turns something quite unappealing into something that is very sophisticated. See the step-by-step transformation below.1) Paint fence and the wall white – this cleans up messiness and brightens the whole space. It also unifies the disparate vertical surfaces.

Erin lives in a row house with a brick façade that she and her husband found underwhelming. The brick was not the best quality and had mismatched mortar spots, and the bottom line was, they wanted to give their home some stand-out personality.After testing out 12 shades of gray paint samples, Erin of 110 + 2 settled on Sherwin Williams’ Classic French Gray for the house and their Citrus for the front and back doors. The gray is classic, and the punchy yellow is fun and modern.

It started with a splinter. We’d long neglected the worn, ugly deck off our master bedroom. It contained two chaise lounges, a plant, and a sand table for our toddler, but was still bare and underutilized. Then I got a nasty splinter from it — my third in as many days — and I realized we couldn’t ignore it any longer.It wasn’t a rash decision, so much as an acknowledgment that the deck needed repair.