Oh, doesn’t it feel so good to tackle a project that’s been looming and be able to step back and say it is done? You know what I mean. There’s those have-to kinds of projects and those want-to kinds of projects. Today, I’m pleased to say we were able to get our DIY patio & pergola update done. I do believe I hear angles singing! umm…that’s actually just my kids. tee hee.
It has been 5 years since we began our patio makeover journey. At that time we built the pergola, the furniture, and continued to add to our space. You can see the first “reveal” HERE. While in most instances you should wait until pressure-treated lumber sits for a while before staining, it isn’t always a must. You can see our addition of last-years fence we put up that we stained after installation and it’s holding up well.
Also, if you look close, you can see our pergola is showing that it needs some lovin’ too. We had planned to get this all done last year, but our trials left us waiting until this season.
DIY TIME
Normally at this time of year we would already have our curtains and lights up and be enjoying the summer days and nights. However, we wanted to tackle this project before settling in. Our first goal was to clean and prep the area. Because our patio has trees surrounding it, as well as a downspout that drains onto our patio, there are issues with mildew. I typically borrow a pressure washer from my dad to get the job done. This time, however, I treated myself to this beauty.
{{pause}} I just have to tell you that patience pays off. I have been waiting to purchase a pressure washer for years. One day I was waiting in my car for my kids to come out I saw a deal pop up. If I bought this unit within the next 18 minutes, I would get it half off. The bonus is I had a $65 credit in my account. So, I essentially only had to fork out $65 more. SOLD! Don’t you love when that happens?
To say I am skip-happy is an understatement. I’m a clean freak in most instances and I don’t like to bug others for help. This allows us to get our jobs done on our own. First up, we test it out on our backdoor steps. I’ve shared a video below of this DIY patio & pergola update. You can see it in action there. Then, I set up to refresh our faux fireplace. (tutorial HERE)
Talk about therapy washing that mildew blast away. woot!
NEXT STEPS
Back a couple of years ago I won a contest for my BEEP chest of drawers. I purchased this patio set with my winnings and updated it with my DIY thrifty patio pillows.
Presently, they are faded, smell blucky, and are also chewed up by squirrels and chipmunks. The little buggers climb under our tarp during winter and use the fabric and stuffing for nesting materials. ugh. One of my cushions has a huge hole under it. ssshhhh…don’t tell.
I’ve been waiting for over 2 years to build a wooden sectional for our space that will sit all 8 of us plus guests. It looks like I’ll have to keep waiting. It’s all good! UPDATE: We built it DIY style! HEAD HERE.
On the next rainy day, I spend time sewing new covers for all 6 pillows. Easy and the most affordable way to update.
FINAL STEPS
Last, it’s time to refresh the stain. The grain of the wood is in great shape, so I the prep I need to do is cleanup of mildew under the tree and smooth down any rough spots. Since my daughters and I wanted to tackle this together, we use rollers and brushes so we could all be out there at the same time. I say they deserve a round of applause for stepping up and helping, don’t you?
Meanwhile, I’m up on our ladder hitting the high spots. I’m so absolutely thankful for this adjustable step/extension ladder I purchased a year or so ago. Last time, I had my neighbor’s folding ladder and that was horrid. This one adjusts short on one side and long on the other to allow me to reach tricky spots on our slope.
In addition, I’m also thankful for a couple of beautiful weeks to work. The pergola is complete in less than a day. Yay! This was my view for most of the day.
For those of you interested, we used a solid stain by Behr in Cordovan Brown. Solid stain is different than paint. It absorbs into the grain as opposed to resting on top like paint. Plus, the solid will give longevity more than semi-transparent, or transparent. We used a semi-transparent on our fence in the background.
TOOLS & DECOR
All that’s left now is to put up our decor and take a rest.
THE REVEAL
Finally, we can see the fruits of our labor have paid off in our DIY patio & pergola update.
After a rain, we have a damp place to be, but thankfully it dries up pretty quick with the sun and slope running it off. Our table is our favorite place to enjoy summer dinners and desserts. It sits 12, so plenty of room for a few guests to join us.
Also, our faux fireplace is clean and ready to go with a new coat of poly. We just love how much charm it adds to our space.
This time around, I chose to use blue accents. If we are here by next year, we will be siding the house. So, I wanted to change the exterior doors color to a blue instead of red. In our recent garden shed remodel, I used a gorgeous blue and that inspired my patio colors.
Through the winter, I had been saving my pennies to purchase a new swing since our hand-me-down one was rotted. Thankfully, I also had some “cash back” from a store that paid for the cushion. Yippee!!
MANY THANKS
As is always the case, I am ever so thankful for my wonderful family. We know how to come together to get the job done, to fill in where needed, and support one another. This isn’t my entire crew, but snapped a pic while we were enjoying an evening on our patio.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this project of ours. Our goal is to inspire you to tackle those daunting projects because they are typically easier than you think. Don’t let the obvious distract you from trying. You can celebrate when you’re done!
Also, do pin and share our DIY patio & pergola update to inspire others.
OTHER RELATED POSTS:
- ORIGINAL PERGOLA & PATIO BUILD:
- NEW PATIO SECTIONAL
- DIY FIRE PIT
- OUTDOOR PILLOWS – THE THRIFTY WAY
- FREE GARDEN ARBOR BUILD PLANS
- DIY CONCRETE TABLES
- STAIN A FENCE THE EASY WAY
- DIY BIKE/GARDEN SHED
- SHED REMODEL
- FAUX FIREPLACE TUTORIAL
- OUTDOOR DECOR
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
Also, more outdoor projects like our DIY patio & pergola update:
Its a stunning, beautiful place to enjoy family times.
Thank you. We just love being outdoors.
Stunning! I wouldn’t be surprised if real estate agents start knocking at your door to say they have a client who wants your house!! And your beautiful family!!…. they are what truly makes a home! Btw, hubby is in new treatment and we are seeing some amazing results! For today, I will enjoy being giddy with hope and thankfulness!!
Forget the patio…WAHOOO!! I’m so excited for you and your husband! Praises!!
Nothing else to say except WOW!!! GREAT JOB!! Kudos to all.
Works for me! tee hee! Thank you, Cate.
WOW! It looks Fabulous.. You all done a wonderful job.
Was going to say; during the winter months store your pillows and cushions in those large, heavy duty lawn bags to keep them little critters from chewing holes in your cushions & pillows or store them in a Rubbermaid container during the winter.
Storing them in a nice container when not in use will keep them from getting rained on, etc.
Thanks! We just love being outside. Yes, I usually store them differently, but a year or so ago I wasn’t able to get it done and the kids did it for me. They still got in. lil’ buggers.
That is such a cozy outdoor space Larissa. Perfect for relaxing in the summer. I also have a few pesky squirrels that wreak havoc in my outdoor space. Sigh!!
Thank you. They can drive ya nuts! 😀
Wow! It looks absolutely beautiful! I really like the color of the stain on the pergola! This spring I tackled a small side patio by laying patio pavers and bricks – it too felt great to get it done. Now I have a place for the grill just outside the door. I’m waiting for that really cool deal to come along on my phone or email, so I can get the bar-height table and stools to help finish the space!! Thanks for inspiring me daily!
Thank you. We wanted the color to kind of blend in, but also provide function. It makes it feel so different out there. You are such a treat to me, Judy. Thank you!
It is a lovely patio and looks very inviting, job well done. Great that you have a family that pitches in.
Thank you. We love to have gatherings out here or just hang out with a book. My family is the best help. 😉
Love it Larissa! One would not readily know you do not live in the “country” with the way you have beautified your outdoor space.:) A soul-nurturing spot to just be and enjoy each other – yay! Beautiful!
OH MY STARS!
Gorgeous!
I am sooo impressed.
And then the sun went down and the lights came on and I was further WOWED❤️
This whole space looks like a wonderful place to spend time with family of all ages. Or maybe even time alone with Gods little backyard critters.
Blessings to you ❤️
Minnie
You are so fun, Minnie! Thank you for the smile. 😀 As much as I still long for country living, this helps make up for it. So glad we are able to create spaces like this.
What a cozy, welcoming, private space! I love the curtains and the new blue pillows pop. It always feels so good to check such huge project off the to-do list. And wonderful to have everyone pitch in to help. Well done!
Right?? Thank you so much, Jerri. We do truly enjoy the outdoors and this makes our time spent together more fun. Yay!
Such an exceptional yard! Bravo!
I love your advice to just DO it. My husband and I have very different styles of doing projects. I tend to think about what I want, then present it to my hobby with all my plans in place. He almost ALWAYS listens to me, then adds a ton of extras, which take the budget out of reach and above his skill set. :::sigh::: We’ve been together for over 20 years and I still haven’t decided if it’s just a way to get out of doing a job, or???
I have at times given up on getting him to help me with some things as I’d like them done (I’m disabled so there are several things cannot do myself any longer) and I give up and contract someone to do a job, or put it on our 2X a month farm helper’s to-do list.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Thank you for the smile, Shelly. We’ve worked hard on it, and although there is still much to do, we are so delighted we are able. My husband and I are never on the same page either, so I get it. I tend to just pick up and go it alone in most instances, but I know not everyone can do that. Don’t be afraid to barter with folks too. Trade off a chore for another chore. Many are game for it.
Beautiful, especially at night!
It’s kinda surreal when candles are lit and we can sit back and enjoy. Now to find a spot like this in the country. 😀
Your yard looks so good, Larissa. All the zones you’ve created are just lovely. I remember your pergola – what five years already? It looks so inviting and the perfect spot to gather. I’m green with envy about that swing!
Yes! It seems like yesterday. Thank you, Marie. I’m stoked to have this done. Hoping we can create a space like this in the country some day.
Beautiful! There’s nothing like a beautiful outdoor space! I hope your family has a great summer out there!
Thank you for those loving words, Becky. We do enjoy it as long as the neighbors behave. haha. 🙂
That’s a lot of hard work. God Bless you all
About 18 years ago we had a deck, railings and a pergola roof built over the deck. All Trex and vinyl it was $11,000 way back then . But all we have to do is wash once a year . As senior citizens makes it easy for us.
Thank you. It’s not bad considering we went 5 years without needing to do anything. This time I believe it will last longer now that the wood is aged.
Oh my goodness! I just bought myself a pressure washer like this too. I love it! I got it mainly to clean my flagstone patio. You can use soap but I just used the water pressure alone. It was so satisfying to see all the grime be swept away. I had forgotten how pretty the stone actually was as it was almost black in places. It took me several days as I am a senior citizen and could only do it an hour or two at a time. I plan to wash down my siding next and my front walk where the oak trees cause staining from the acorns. You can even wash your car with it.
Yes! We’ve used pressure washers for years, but never took the step to get one until now. We love how addictive cleaning with any pressure washer is. This one sure is handy. 😀 Have fun!