Updated outdoor space without spending any money

There was this little area on our back deck that had been neglected far too long. It was dark and empty and had absolutely no personality. We didn’t spend any time there and it really was a shame.

So, one day I decided to look around the house and find some things to “make do” until I could work on it.

Here’s what it used to look like:

Yup, just a neglected little area underneath an upper deck behind our garage.

We had an old garden storage bin that we weren’t using any more. After giving it a good scrubbing, I used Krylon Paint for Plastic that I had on hand from another project.

The paint covered really well and gave that storage bin new life. I knew it would make the perfect coffee table in front of the swing.

As a bonus, I can store the cushions and pillows from the swing in it when the forecast calls for rain.

I grabbed a few outdoor pillows from the shelf in the garage. I found a lantern from the screened porch, a plant from the greenhouse, and an old cutting board from my shop to finish off the arrangement.

This neglected area has now become one of our favorite places to spend time together. And not spending any money was a bonus.