Is your porch or patio looking a little bare this year? These 37 DIY patio and porch decorations will fix that fast. You’ll find quick wins like a ten-minute wreath vignette, painted rocks and a tabletop fire bowl, plus weekend builds like a pallet bar, a modern fire pit and a porch bench. There are plenty of upcycles too: a milk can, a cabinet door, an old chair and a cable spool all get a second life outside. Perfect for front porches, back patios, decks, apartment balconies and anyone decorating on a budget. Grab your paintbrush and let’s make your outdoor space the spot everyone wants to sit!
1. $40 Tiered DIY Planter Box
This two tiered DIY planter box costs about $40 and looks like a pricey garden center piece. Five 2×6 boards, a saw, a drill and a box of screws are the whole shopping list. The lower box sits like a frame around the base of a smaller upper box, and dividers split both levels into pockets, so herbs, flowers and vegetables each get their own spot. It fits a patio corner, a balcony or a small yard, and the raised design puts every plant within easy reach. The step by step video makes it a beginner build.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
2. Patio Rustic Cooler Box
A rustic cooler box hides a plain plastic ice chest inside a wooden cabinet, so the drinks station looks like furniture instead of camping gear. The build wraps a 52 quart Igloo cooler in a wood frame on locking caster wheels, with the cooler lid bolted into a hinged wooden top. A spigot on the side drains melted ice, and the inner cooler lifts out for washing. Three handles and a coat of spar urethane finish it for outdoor weather. A free video walks through every cut, and printable plans are sold separately.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
3. Repurposed Teracotta Pot Into Accent Table
This repurposed terracotta pot accent table cost about $20 and stands up to wind that would flip a glass topped table. A large clay pot is painted white with semi gloss latex, then wrapped around the middle with jute held by hot glue. Flip it upside down and secure the matching saucer to the base with Gorilla Glue, and the saucer becomes the tabletop. It is just the right size to sit between two patio chairs and hold a couple of drinks or a small plate. Seal it if it will live outside.
Get the full tutorial at Thrifty and Chic.
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4. DIY Patio Pallet Bar
A DIY pallet bar gives a patio its own drinks station, set apart from the dining table so guests have a place to gather. Three pallets, a saw, a drill, screws and a sander are all it takes. The pallets are cut to shape following the video, screwed together into a simple bar, then sanded smooth so nobody snags a sleeve. Paint it, stain it or leave the wood raw for a rustic look. Add a few stools and string lights overhead and the backyard pub is open.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
5. Easy DIY Beaded Plant Hanger and Lantern
This beaded plant hanger doubles as a lantern, so one project can hold a potted plant one week and a candle jar the next. Four 5 foot lengths of fishing line loop through a small wooden ring, then 8 mm and 14 mm glass beads are strung in pairs to build the long arms. The strands split and rejoin near the bottom to form a cradle, and a tight knot finishes the base. Painter’s tape keeps everything in place while stringing. Hang it from a porch hook with a mason jar and an LED candle inside.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
6. DIY Outdoor Chandelier
An old dining room chandelier becomes an outdoor candle chandelier that never needs an outlet. Take the fixture apart, remove the wiring and the bulb sockets, and keep the small nut pieces for reassembly. A few coats of bright Key Lime spray paint give it a fresh look, turning the piece between coats so every arm is covered. Put it back together, hang it from the patio cover on its original chain, and super glue small glass votives into the cups. Swap real candles for LED tea lights on windy nights or in dry areas.
Get the full tutorial at Hey There, Home.
7. How to Make a DIY Modern Fire Pit from Scratch
This modern fire pit is cast in concrete using two mixing bowls as the mold, an 18 inch bowl outside and a 15 inch bowl inside. Coat both with nonstick spray, pack the concrete between them, weigh down the inner bowl and let it cure before popping the shell free. Sand the rim smooth, then set gel fuel canisters inside under a 14.5 inch grill grate and cover it with fire safe stones. It is portable, weatherproof and costs well under $50. Wear a dust mask, gloves and goggles for the concrete work.
Get the full tutorial at ManMadeDIY.
8. Easy DIY Porch Light
This porch light is a cluster of grapevine balls stuffed with warm fairy lights and hung from a birch branch. The tutorial uses five orbs, two about 6 to 7 inches and three around 4 inches, with two 50 bulb strings shared between them. Find the most open spot in each ball, push the light string inside and weave it around the vines rather than wrapping the outside. Garden twine ties each orb to the branch at staggered heights, and two short pieces of burlap ribbon hang the branch from the porch beam.
Get the full tutorial at All Things Heart And Home.
9. DIY Front Porch Bench
This front porch bench follows free park bench plans with one smart change: skip attaching the arms until the end, because they get in the way of the seat planks. Build the seat frame first, add the front and back legs, then the bottom support beam and the back. Screw the front and back planks tight against the frame and space the middle boards evenly. Sand every edge smooth and paint it. To keep cushions from blowing away, sew a shoelace to the back of each outdoor pillow and tie it on.
Get the full tutorial at Over The Big Moon.
10. How to White Wash Terra Cotta Pots for Front Porch
White washed terra cotta pots get a soft, time worn look in minutes with leftover white paint. Thin the paint with a little water so it runs off the brush, then dab most of it onto a paper towel. Streak the paint onto the pot in small sections and wipe each one right away, which blends the strokes into a wash instead of a solid coat. Treat the inside down to the soil line. Group the pots on an old table or crates and plant shade lovers for a covered porch.
Get the full tutorial at The Keeper of the Home.
11. DIY Beaded Wind Chime
A DIY beaded wind chime is a relaxing bead project that sparkles in the sun and jingles in the breeze. Strands of glass, acrylic and charm beads hang from a natural stick, with tiny bells tucked in so the chime makes a soft sound when the wind moves it. Use fishing line or strong jewelry wire so the strands hold, and lay out each bead pattern on the table before stringing to balance the colors. A loop of twine at each end of the stick hangs it from a porch hook.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
12. DIY Modern Rustic Wall Hanging
This modern rustic wall hanging was inspired by a $400 store sculpture and made for under $25. Cut two pieces of reclaimed barnwood to about 7 by 30 inches, sand them and stain them Golden Oak, roughing up the ends with a belt sander for a natural edge. Tape off the bottom third of each board and apply copper leaf with adhesive, letting the glue get tacky first. Seal it, screw a 6 inch plant bracket near the top and hang a glass jar of stones and a candle from the hook.
Get the full tutorial at Mountain Modern Life.
13. Easy DIY Pom Pom Wreath
A pom pom wreath is a soft, colorful door wreath made from yarn scraps and a plain wreath form. Wrap yarn 80 times around a cardboard rectangle, tie it tight in the middle, slide it off, knot it again and cut the loops. Trim each one into a round ball. Make about 16 large pom poms in mixed colors and 18 smaller ones, then hot glue the large ones around the form and fill the inner and outer edges with the small ones. A ribbon bow and beaded wire finish the front door look.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
14. How to Build a Pallet Wood Chair
This pallet wood chair needs just two identical pallets, four short posts and two longer planks for the arms. One pallet becomes the seat, the other the back, and the posts set the height. Since the size depends on the pallets found, it is smart to pick the seat cushion first and work backward. Sand every surface with several grits so nobody gets splinters. Styled with a deep cushion and pillows, it reads more like an oversized chair or loveseat. The build takes under two hours, and part two has the full steps.
Get the full tutorial at Funky Junk Interiors.
15. Mason Jar Vase on Lattice
Mason jar vases on lattice turn a yard sale lattice panel into a living wall for a back porch. Wrap jute rope around the neck of each jar, then tie the jars to the lattice at different heights so they look scattered rather than lined up. Fill them with water and big cut blooms from the garden, like hydrangeas. When nothing is blooming, pour a little sand into each jar and add battery operated candles for a soft evening glow. The panels can also hide an air conditioner or a bare wall.
Get the full tutorial at House of Hawthornes.
16. DIY Pig Planter From a Plastic Bottle
This DIY pig planter starts as an empty plastic gallon jug, with four small bottles cut down to make the feet. An adult should handle the cutting and smooth any sharp edges. Glue on the legs, ears, snout and tail, then prime the whole thing, caps and gaps included, so the paint grips the plastic. Once the primer is dry, paint it a bright color, add a second coat and give the pig its eyes. Fill it with lightweight soil and plant flowers, herbs or small succulents along the patio.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
17. Upcycled Front Porch Planter Drawer
This upcycled planter stacks two old dresser drawers in an A frame stand. Paint the drawers, then cut four legs with a 15 degree angle on one end, testing the angle on scrap first. Mark a line 8 inches up the legs and screw the larger drawer in from the inside, then attach the smaller drawer higher up. If the upper drawer is narrower, glue on side boards to match the width. Trapezoid caps join the legs at the top, then add a handle, drill drain holes and seal it with spar urethane.
Get the full tutorial at Beyond The Picket Fence.
18. DIY Succulent Chandelier
A succulent chandelier starts life as a hanging pot rack, the kind that hangs from a ceiling hook on chains. Set small potted succulents on the flat rim of the rack and tuck in a few candles or jar lights between them. Hang it from a covered patio beam over the outdoor dining table so the plants get bright light without baking. Hens and chicks, echeveria and trailing sedum all work well, since they need little water. It makes a living centerpiece that never needs fresh flowers.
Get the full tutorial at Erin Ever After.
19. How to Paint Flowers on Rocks
Painted flower rocks are an easy beginner rock painting project that brightens a garden bed, a porch step or a potted plant. Pick a smooth, flat river rock, scrub it with soapy water and let it dry fully. Paint the whole rock sky blue, then add pink flowers with six or seven petals, green stems in two shades, purple lavender and white daisies. Finish the details with yellow and orange centers, letting each layer dry first. A clear spray sealer keeps rain from washing the art away.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
20. How to Set Up Mini Water Gardens on Your Deck
A mini water garden fits on a deck in a single large container, like a plastic wine barrel planter. Pick a sunny spot, then plant tall marginals such as canna lilies in pots and set water lilies in pots on rocks so they sit at the right depth. Floaters like water lettuce shade the surface and slow algae. Use real garden soil, not a peat mix, and top each pot with rocks so nothing floats away. A few small feeder fish handle mosquitoes. The whole setup came in around $37.
Get the full tutorial at Whats Ur Home Story.
21. How to Make Outdoor Curtains
Outdoor curtains made from drop cloths cost less than $10 a panel and add shade, privacy and color to a covered patio. Medium weight 9 by 6 foot canvas drop cloths come two to a pack at the home improvement store. Mask off stripes with painter’s tape and paper bags, then spray paint bands in coordinating colors that match the patio furniture. Two heavy washers sewn into pockets at the bottom of each panel keep them from blowing around. Measure first and trim the length for a clean fit.
Get the full tutorial at Hey There, Home.
22. Tiered Herb Garden Tutorial
This tiered herb garden is a corner planter built from cedar 1×6 boards in three stepped levels, with short 4×4 legs lifting each tier. Build each level separately with pocket holes on the underside, joining the left and right sides of each tier with pocket screws and outdoor wood screws plus Titebond III glue. Landscape fabric lines the boxes, clear silicone seals the joints and an outdoor stain protects the wood. A detailed cut list covers every piece. It suits a deck where deer or rabbits raid the yard.
Get the full tutorial at Decor and the Dog.
23. Brick Edging Tutorial
Brick edging keeps grass out of the flower beds and mulch out of the lawn, and once it is in, there is no more trimming the border. This method uses 6 by 9 inch concrete pavers set in a shallow trench cut with a lawn edging tool and shovel. Lay a bed of sand, set each paver and tap it level with a no bounce rubber mallet, using a wood block to keep the height even. Sweep sand into the joints with a stiff brush. Weed guard underneath is optional but helps.
Get the full tutorial at World of Lush Gardens.
24. Folding Chair Facelift for your Porch
Old metal folding chairs get a cheerful facelift with nothing more than spray paint. Wipe the chairs clean and prime any padded seat well with a spray primer, letting it dry 24 hours. Then spray each chair in its own color, two coats apiece, which takes about one can per chair. Brands are not equal: Krylon covered best with the least overspray, while others coated the whole garage in dust. Pinks, purple, teal and yellow turn a stack of basement chairs into a rainbow for porch parties.
Get the full tutorial at The Moon and Me.
25. DIY Gravel Patio
A DIY gravel patio of white marble chips creates a crisp, coastal sitting area in a weekend. Mark the shape with a garden hose and place the plants first to settle the size. Dig out the beds, plant them and mulch, then edge the whole perimeter a few inches deep. Lay weed control fabric held down with metal clips, line the edges with gray limestone bricks to hold the stone, and spread mini marble chips about 3 inches deep. This patio took roughly 90 bags of 40 pounds each.
Get the full tutorial at Finding Silver Pennies.
26. DIY Patio Day Bed
This patio day bed stacks four pallets of the exact same size, two high and two wide, so there is no frame to build. A handful of screws locks them together, and planks from a local mill face the front and the open side. The mattress from a folding guest bed makes a free cushion that stores away in bad weather. Trimming a plank off each pallet made them match the mattress width, and the leftover space became a built in side table. Two coats of fence paint finish it. Use only heat treated pallets.
Get the full tutorial at Lovely Greens.
27. DIY Outdoor Curtain Rods
DIY outdoor curtain rods use chain link fence top rail from the hardware store, which is built for weather, cheap and easy to cut to length with a hand saw. This deck is 20 by 16 feet, far too big for store bought rods at a sensible price. U shaped brackets from the same fencing aisle mount the poles to the deck beams, and fence end caps finish the ends. Ready made mildew resistant outdoor panels slide right on. Tie backs or weights help keep the curtains from blowing in the wind.
Get the full tutorial at The Polka Dot Chair.
28. DIY Vertical Garden
This DIY vertical garden hangs ordinary clay pots in columns from a balcony or porch ceiling. Each column runs on a threaded steel rod through the pots’ center drain holes, with washers and nuts setting the spacing so every pot still drains into the next. The tools list covers a drill with a 1/4 inch bit, a hacksaw or angle grinder for the rod, a file, primer and scrap wood for drilling flanges. Sketch the layout first, choosing the number of columns and pots. Herbs, coleus and succulents all look great in it.
Get the full tutorial at The Horticult.
29. Forsythia Wreath Porch Vignette
Need a spring porch makeover that takes about ten minutes? This forsythia wreath vignette is pulled together from things already sitting in the garage. A bright green painted side table holds a galvanized bucket, and the yellow forsythia wreath rests inside it instead of hanging on the door. That’s a smart fix if wind keeps knocking your wreath down! A stone bunny at the table’s feet finishes the farmhouse look. Swap the wreath with the seasons and the same table works all year.
Get the full tutorial at House of Hawthornes.
30. Spool Top Planter Side Table
Got an old planter and a wooden cable spool lying around? Put them together and you’ve got a porch side table with storage hiding inside! The planter gets a coat of charcoal paint, then the round end of an electrical spool sits on top as the tabletop. Paint the spool to match and dry brush a little soft white over it for a weathered farmhouse finish. It’s sturdy enough for a crate of flowers or your morning coffee, and it costs next to nothing to make.
Get the full tutorial at Cozy DIY Home.
31. Wire Basket Ladder Planter
Short on porch floor space? Go vertical! This wire basket ladder planter hangs three antique white wire baskets from a display ladder with small screws, and each one holds a pot of spring flowers. Here’s a clever trick: wrap the plastic nursery pots in brown paper lunch bags so they don’t show through the wire. Burlap works too. Lean the ladder beside your front door and you’ve got a pretty, layered planter display. Change the flowers each season to keep it fresh.
Get the full tutorial at From My Front Porch To Yours.
32. Cabinet Door Wall Art With Rustic Hardware
Don’t pass up that $5 cabinet door frame at the thrift store! This one becomes porch wall art with a piece of beadboard wainscoting cut to fit inside. Paint it flat black first, then add two coats of white chalk paint on top. A spoonful of unsanded grout mixed into the base coat helps paint grip a shiny frame. Sand the edges and grooves lightly so the black peeks through, wax it, then bolt on chunky rusty hardware and a big metal initial.
Get the full tutorial at Organized Clutter.
33. Milk Can House Number Planter
Give an old milk can a porch-worthy makeover with your house number on the front! Clean the can with TSP, then spray three coats of oil rubbed bronze. Print your number on card stock, cut it out for a stencil and tape it on. Crackle spray paint gives the numbers that aged look, but it only crackles when it’s warm, so wait for a nice day. Tie on a burlap bow, fill it with lighted branches and change the greenery each season.
Get the full tutorial at DIY Why Spend More.
34. Modern House Number Grass Planter Box
Ever driven up and down a street squinting at porches, trying to spot a house number? This modern house number box fixes that in style. Build a shallow wood box (or use a shadow box with the glass removed), paint it with exterior paint and glue a piece of faux grass inside. Then screw sleek metal house numbers right on top of the grass. Size the box to fit your numbers. It’s a fun, fresh twist on the usual plaque!
Get the full tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
35. Upcycled Chair Planter
Don’t throw away that wobbly old chair! Pull out the seat and it becomes a darling flower pot for your yard or porch. Look for one with character at garage sales, thrift stores or antique shops, and give it a bright coat of paint if you like. Set a hanging basket liner or pot into the open seat, then fill it with colorful annuals like petunias and daisies. No two chair planters ever look alike, which is what makes them so fun.
Get the full tutorial at Evolution Landscape and Nursery.
36. Farmhouse Style Porch With Grain Sack Pillows
Want that comfy farmhouse feel on your porch without a farm? These easy ideas work on a big wraparound porch or a tiny apartment balcony. Pile grain sack, ticking and burlap pillows on your seating, and set a vintage wood crate by the door as a rustic shelf for a pitcher of flowers. Old tin buckets and a yard sale chicken waterer make great planters. Chippy furniture, climbing vines and a gate propped against the wall finish the look.
Get the full tutorial at Little Farmstead.
37. DIY Tabletop Fire Bowl
Want a cozy glow on your deck without building a fire pit? This DIY tabletop fire bowl takes three supplies and about ten minutes! Start with a fireproof container like a wide terracotta planter, fill it with fire glass or plain rocks, then nestle in a can of clean burning gel fuel. Leftover pea gravel works just as well as pricey fire glass. Pick a food safe gel and you can even roast marshmallows for s’mores. It runs about $15.
Get the full tutorial at Today's Creative Life.
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