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10 Easy DIY Backyard Projects You Can Build This Weekend | Outdoor Living Today

10 Easy DIY Backyard Projects to Transform Your Outdoor Space

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Have a spacious backyard but not sure what to do with it? You don’t need to be a master craftsman or spend a fortune to create a beautiful, functional outdoor space. These easy DIY backyard projects are budget-friendly, beginner-approved, and fun to complete over a weekend.

Whether you want to add flair, functionality, or just some personality to your backyard, here are 10 simple ideas to get you started.

🔥 1. Build Your Own Backyard Fire Pit

What’s a backyard without a cozy fire pit? With a bag of cement, 50 bricks, and a metal insert, you can build a custom fire pit that’s perfect for roasting marshmallows or hosting BBQ nights. Plenty of tutorials are available online — check out Lowe’s DIY fire pit guide for a solid beginner approach.

Want a fire pit space with coverage? Browse our cedar pergolas for a stylish overhead solution.

♻️ 2. Recycled Pallet Table and Chairs

Turn salvaged pallets or crates into rustic outdoor furniture. For a table:

  • Attach legs or use cement blocks for the base.

  • Add a shatter-resistant glass top for durability.
    For seating, use wooden cartons or stacked concrete blocks topped with outdoor cushions.

🌿 3. DIY Herb Garden Tower

Grow herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary in a stacked pot tower or repurpose old containers into planters. Arrange them in a terraced style, fill with soil, and enjoy fresh herbs just steps from your kitchen.

Looking for a raised solution? See our urban garden beds for compact patios and decks.

🍸 4. Outdoor Bar From Pallets

Create your own backyard bar using a few stained and sealed wood pallets. Stack them to form the bar base and top it with a smooth surface like butcher block or tile. Add hooks, shelves, and bar stools to complete the setup.

🔠 5. Scrabble Tile Floor Game

Make your backyard interactive with a giant scrabble board! Lay down square tiles or pavers in a grid, and create oversized scrabble letters for backyard games. It’s creative, fun, and a guaranteed conversation starter.

🎨 6. Mosaic Stepping Stones

Use broken tiles, marbles, or colored glass to make custom mosaic stepping stones. Arrange them in a non-stick cake pan, add concrete and mesh backing, and let dry. These make great decorative paths or garden borders.

✨ 7. Votive Candle Chandelier

Hang votive holders from a wooden X-frame using chain or twine, then place candles inside for a warm evening glow. Great for patios, pergolas, or suspended tree limbs — and easy to personalize.

For a centerpiece to hang it from, check out our cedar gazebo kits.

🚿 8. DIY Outdoor Shower

Beat the heat with a simple outdoor shower setup. All you need is:

  • A vertical pole to house plumbing

  • A showerhead

  • Two vinyl or bamboo privacy screens
    Set it up near your garden or pool for rinsing off without tracking water indoors.

🛠️ 9. Install Mosaic or Stepping Paths

Use leftover bricks, flagstones, or tile shards to create a winding garden path or patio inlay. It’s an easy way to define space, improve drainage, and give your yard a polished look without professional landscaping.

🏠 10. Build a DIY Shed

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One of the most rewarding projects is building your own backyard shed. Whether you follow free online plans or order a pre-cut DIY shed kit, you’ll gain much-needed storage while adding structure to your yard. Bonus: you’ll save money and get bragging rights.

Need a low-effort option? Explore our pre-panelized Western Red Cedar Shed Kits here.

Ready to Get Started?

You don’t need a workshop full of tools or a huge budget to upgrade your backyard. With just a little time and creativity, these DIY outdoor projects can completely transform your space into a more usable, beautiful retreat.

Looking for quality materials or ready-to-assemble structures? Browse our full collection of outdoor products to complement your next project.

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DIY, How to, outdoor living, pergolas

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10 Creative Pergola Design Ideas for Your Backyard

10 Stunning Pergola Design Ideas for Your Outdoor Space

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Looking to transform your garden or patio? A pergola is one of the most stylish and versatile additions you can make to your outdoor space. Whether you’re creating a cozy backyard escape, a shaded dining area, or an eye-catching walkway, there’s a pergola design for every space and style.

Here are 10 creative pergola ideas to inspire your next outdoor project — from rooftop retreats to poolside lounges.

🌿 1. Attached Pergolas

Attached pergolas connect directly to your home, extending your living space into the outdoors. Mount one outside your French doors or patio entrance to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, complete with natural ventilation and filtered sunlight.

Check out our attached cedar pergola kits for easy-to-install options.

🪴 2. Two-Tier Pergolas

A two-tier design adds height and elegance to your pergola. Layering the roof structure creates visual interest while allowing airflow and room for hanging plants or climbing vines. It’s a great way to make your garden structure feel grand and luxurious.

🌙 3. Curved Pergolas

Curved pergolas offer a softer, more intimate look than traditional straight-beam styles. Popular with basket-weave or deep-V lattice tops, these designs are ideal for gardens or patios where you want to balance openness with cozy seating areas.

🧱 4. Disconnected Pergolas

For expansive backyards, try placing disconnected pergolas along stone or gravel pathways. This creates charming outdoor zones — perfect for dining, lounging, or enjoying your garden in sections.

🪟 5. Over-the-Door or Window Pergolas

Small pergolas installed above windows or doors add architectural charm and provide space for flowering vines. Extend one over a large window and pair it with a bench or bistro set to create a cozy garden nook.

🛋 6. Extra-Large Pergolas

Have a large backyard? Consider an oversized pergola that functions as a full outdoor living room. Add a fire pit, furniture, string lights, and even an outdoor kitchen for a four-season gathering space.

🏊 7. Poolside Pergolas

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A pergola near the pool offers shade and luxury. Combine a pergola with a pool house design by incorporating tiled floors, outdoor showers, lounge seating, and storage. Cedar is ideal for humid environments and looks stunning beside water features.

Browse gazebos and pergola combos that elevate your pool area.

🏡 8. Pergola Walkways & Entryways

A pergola-covered path from your gate to your front door offers charm, shade, and structure. It’s a smart way to use lawn space when the backyard is limited — and creates a memorable first impression for guests.

🌇 9. Rooftop Garden Pergolas

No backyard? No problem. Lightweight pergolas can be installed on your rooftop or terrace. While aluminum and steel are common, eco-friendly options like bamboo or raffia are also available for a softer, more natural vibe.

🖤 10. Contemporary Pergolas

Modern pergolas go beyond wood beams. Popular contemporary pergola kits feature aluminum frames, vinyl-mesh panels, and retractable canopies. They’re low-maintenance, stylish, and come in a variety of sizes and finishes to suit your home.

Bring Your Vision to Life

Whether you’re drawn to classic cedar craftsmanship or sleek modern styles, pergolas offer the flexibility to match any outdoor aesthetic. At Outdoor Living Today, we offer a wide variety of Western Red Cedar Pergola Kits that are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and ready to assemble.

Explore more ideas in our Decorating Ideas hub or get support with setup via our Assembly Manuals.

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DIY, How to, outdoor living

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How to Winterize Your Backyard for Winter

How to Winterize Your Backyard: Tips for Protection & Seasonal Maintenance

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As the seasons shift and summer fades, it’s time to start thinking about how to winterize your backyard. From patio furniture to garden tools, taking steps now will not only protect your outdoor space during the colder months but also make reopening it in the spring much easier.

Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or simply want to maintain your investment in outdoor living products, here’s a comprehensive guide to preparing your yard for winter.

🛠️ 1. Protect Your Grill & BBQ Station

If you use a portable grill or barbecue, bring it indoors to a garage, shed, or storage unit. Avoid storing propane tanks inside — keep them outdoors in an upright position, covered with a tarp or plastic bag to shield them from snow and moisture.

Need a place to store gear? Explore our Western Red Cedar Sheds — functional and built to last.

🌾 2. Store and Maintain Garden Tools

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Clean, sharpen, and store your hand tools to keep them rust-free:

  • Dip tools like spades or shears in sand mixed with motor oil to clean and lubricate them before storage.

  • Store in a dry place like your garage or cedar storage shed.

💧 3. Drain and Store Garden Hoses

Leaving hoses outdoors can shorten their lifespan. Even if drained, the cold can make hoses brittle and crack-prone.

  • Disconnect from spigots.

  • Drain all water.

  • Coil and store indoors — a shed is perfect for this.

🚜 4. Prep Your Lawn Mower for Storage

Avoid the spring rush by tuning up your mower at the end of the season:

  • Add a gasoline stabilizer to any remaining fuel.

  • Clean off grass and debris.

  • Store it in a dry, covered space.

🌱 5. Retire Potted Plants for the Season

Sadly, potted annuals won’t survive the freeze. Before the first frost:

  • Pull up and discard spent plants.

  • Empty soil to prevent freezing expansion.

  • Store terracotta and plastic pots in a shed, garage, or basement to prevent cracking.

🪑 6. Cover or Store Lawn Furniture

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Here’s how to protect your patio and lawn furniture:

  • Plastic furniture: stack and store in a garage or shed.

  • Wrought iron or metal: OK to leave outdoors, but cover with vinyl covers or heavy-duty tarps.

  • Cushions: store indoors and wash them before storage to avoid staining and insects.

Want to elevate your outdoor furniture storage? Check out our accessories collection for smart solutions.

🏊 7. Winterize Your Swimming Pool

Proper winterization helps preserve equipment and keeps the pool clean for spring:

  • Balance water chemistry:
    • pH: 7.2–7.6
    • Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
    • Calcium hardness: 180–220 ppm

  • Remove ladders, fittings, and accessories — store them in a shed.

  • Drain filters, chlorinators, and pumps.

  • Ensure chlorine is below 3.0 ppm before covering the pool tightly with a winter cover.

🐟 8. Prepare Garden Ponds

Winterizing a garden pond (especially with fish) requires care:

  • Turn off and remove pumps or filters exposed to freezing air.

  • Trim plants back to their root ball and remove from the pond.

  • Keep a small hole in the ice open using a pond heater or air pump — this allows oxygen in and harmful gases out.

Ready to Get Started?

A little time spent now can save you money and effort later. For the ultimate in storage, durability, and protection, explore our full line of Western Red Cedar Sheds — the perfect solution for storing tools, gear, and seasonal accessories.

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