patio lights: DIY Our Back Porch for Summer

I was finally able to get the back porch finished on the weekend! Between the rain and pollen (oh yeah, and an almost-two-year old running around non-stop), this space came together in 15 minute increments over the past couple weeks.
10 minutes here after work, 15 minutes there on the weekends…

Here is the new and improved beach house inspired back porch.
She is open and ready for summer entertaining! Come on over, y’all!

THE AFTER
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As a reminder, after the winter months, the back porch was a hot mess and in need of some serious lovin’!

THE BEFORE
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Now the porch is a little more inviting and comfortable.

I look forward to summer nights relaxing in this space!

Did I mention it doesn’t have to cost much either? We are lucky that the bigger, more expensive pieces were already purchased, so to give this space some personality cost less than $100.

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The plants are kind of magical. I don’t know what they are actually called, but my family refers to them as “eye-poker-plants” because of their leaves. When winter comes, I literally pull them down into our storage in the basement- zero water, zero sun. Then pull them back out in the summer- and they require zero watering all summer. I have been doing this for 4 years and they just keep on keepin’ on.

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The coral Sunbrella cushions were a bit mildewed so I threw them in the wash and they came out good as new. Added some outdoor throw pillows to the seating areas to add some pattern and extra comfort.

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The plastic Adirondacks were $2 each at a garage sale a few years back. They were green when I got them, nothing a little brown spray paint can’t fix. Those pillows were old faded outdoor pillows that I covered with an old beach towel. I’ll be back later to show you how I did!

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The shutters were at my parents basement just waiting to find a home!
I painted them with leftover navy spray paint from the rug. I think it gives the space the lake-house feel I was after.

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Mr. Koi came from Pier 1 and will make a great citronella candle holder on the dining table to help keep the bugs away.

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Mr. Hen is content growing a sweet potato vine.

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The string of lights was one of the first projects we did when we moved in. We just nailed in some 2×2’s to the railing to give them something to hook to on the opposite side of the house. Shockingly, the patio lights and the boards have lasted over 3 years and still make great extra lighting at night!

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