Create a cozier backyard for less

JODI STREAHLE, For the Courier-Post

Beautiful weather lures you outside, but there’s a catch: That living-room couch is so much more comfortable than your old patio furniture.

The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a fantastic, personalized outdoor living space. With a little time and some creativity, you can create this space on a dime.

Susan Dagostino often contributes ideas to Wise Buys, the Vineland secondhand shop owned by her son Curt and daughter-in-law Lisa.

The shop’s inventory is always changing and the staff is happy to help find the items you need for your project, Dagostino said.

DON’T DITCH OLD ITEMS

Some of her favorite ideas include making a bench out of an old headboard, transforming unsightly stumps or pipes in your yard into decorative mushrooms with old bowls and paint, creating a bird bath from an old vase and a plate or bowl, or making a decorative dragonfly from old ceiling-fan blades.

“Taking several used items and crafting them into your own creation gives you something you will be proud of and enjoy for years to come,” said Dagostino. “Whatever you may need for your project, we probably have it, and it’s much cheaper than buying new.”

Shannon Vasile of Collingswood recently purchased a new home and has been on a mission to create an enjoyable outdoor living space without spending a lot of money. She has become a fan of yard and garage sales, as well as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

“We have been checking out secondhand places, going to Goodwill and checking out the ReStore. The ReStore is great. Every time I go there, I find something great,” said Vasile.

“You can find really great stuff like inside pieces that are a little too rough for inside, but they are great for outside. We also look for stuff people throw out for the trash. You can find a lot of good stuff that way.”

She recently purchased a large tile-top table at ReStore that she is now using as an island next to her barbecue grill. Her favorite yard sale finds include a three-piece bistro set for only $20, as well as a wicker table for $5.

Vasile now has three sitting areas in her yard, but she is still on a mission to find a wrought-iron baker’s rack to add to her eating area.

“We are noticing that more and more people are trying to fix up their backyards and staying home instead of planning big vacations,’’ says Phil Vitale, general manager at Ace Hardware in Vineland. “Not only does it add equity to the home, they aren’t just throwing the money away. They can take day trips and still enjoy their outdoor living areas.”

Lisa Dagostino, owner of Wise Buys thrift store, made a birdbath out of a dish and a vase for just $14. (Photo: Sean M. Fitzgerald/The Daily Journal)

WORTH BUYING NEW

Plastic Adirondack chairs are a great way to create a sitting area without spending much money. Vitale said you can pick up the chair for $15, and even if you spruce it up with a throw pillow or cushion, you still only spend about $35.

The chairs also create a relaxing area around a fire pit — another popular outdoor feature.

“Fire pits are real big, and we have them from $29 to $79 depending on how big you want it to be. Also, if you are really working on a budget, consider a charcoal grill that can be picked up for as little as $10,” added Vitale.

To spruce up your outdoor space, consider adding a couple planters, some rope lights or solar lights, and candles.

“You can get solar lighting pretty cheap,” Vitale added. An 18-inch section of rope lights costs $12.99 at Ace.

Associates at Home Depot also are seeing an increase in people creating outdoor spaces.

“Outdoor living continues to be a growing trend as more and more people move their living spaces outside and create another living room in their backyard,” said Rich Gess, field divisional merchandising manager for The Home Depot.

Gess also mentioned the popularity of Adirondack chairs.

“Resin patio furniture is an inexpensive alternative and unlike yesterday’s flimsy plastics, many of today’s polymers offer a smooth, sleek surface that is also sturdy and resistant to breakage.

Resin patio furniture is available in bold, playful colors as we all neutral tones and is easy to maintain because it wipes clean with a damp sponge and detergent,” said Gess.

“The money you save on buying a piece such as this, can then be spent on accessories to spruce up the space, including colorful outdoor throw pillows, made of Sunbrella fabric that is weather resistant, as well as light strings, serving items, poufs, lanterns and more.”

Lisa Dagostino, owner of Wise Buys thrift store, painted a glass bowl to look like a ladybug, creating an accessory that can be used to cover tree stumps or pipes (Photo: Sean M. Fitzgerald/The Daily Journal)

DIY outdoor living space tips

Instructions for Susan Dagostino’s ideas:

Bird feeder or bird bath: Place an old vase upside down and glue a plate or bowl to the bottom of the vase. The plate will serve as a bird feeder and the bowl will work as a bird bath. Stack both vases together to create one piece with two purposes.

Mushrooms: Purchase secondhand bowls, flip them upside down and paint them with exterior paint in whatever color you choose. Add some polka dots and then secure them to unsightly pipes or stumps in your yard. You can also make a lady bug or turtle out of the bowl.

Bench: Start with an old twin-size headboard and footboard. Cut the footboard in half and attach it to the outer edge of the headboard. Screw in some boards for sitting between both sides of the foot board, paint and enjoy.

Garden table: Paint an old dresser with exterior paint. Use the top as a table and the drawers for storing your garden tools.

Dragonflies: Arrange fan blades to look like wings and use another fan blade for the body. Add beads or other items to embellish your decorative dragonfly.