Patio Transformation on a Budget Challenge
Do’s and don’ts for planning an outdoor patio space
My patio has seen better days…If you’ve owned your home for any significant amount of time, I’m sure you feel the same.
Tackling projects cost money, time and a bit of your sanity! Doing it outdoors also has to account for the weather, here in Florida its getting HOT, HOT, HOT and humid. It’s April and we’ve already hit 85 degree days, yet for this Spring One Room challenge I’m tackling the Patio.
This is going to be a budget friendly refresh with things I’ve already bought but you should be able to steal my strategy for planning your own patio refresh. I call it….shopping end of summer clearance!
I know, its spring and that time has long since passed…but now you know for planning next years refresh. However all is not lost there are things you can get on the cheap today (or in the next couple of weeks to plan your own refresh)
Save on Paint for your Patio
Paint prices are going up up up, and the quality is about the same for may brands. One thing you dong want to go the cheapest is buying the lowest quality paint. When shopping check the mis-tint or the Oops section to find quality paints that may have been made in the wrong sheen (glossy paint any one), wrong color, or maybe someone forgot to pick it up at the paint counter.
There are special paints used for porches and patios s make sure to look for those.
Either way this means savings for you! I’ve bought a gallon of paint for $9! I used it in my spare bathroom Reno last Fall!
In this refresh I mixed my paint with powdered joint compound to create a faux Roman clay look. I think it turned out great!
Other ways to save is during sales. Frequently home improvement and paint stores will have sales on paints or stains. you can save as little as 10 percent off to as much as 40 percent. Sherwin Williams will often have sales on their paints. Check out their website to see if there is a sale going on now!
At Sherwin Williams you can buy your paint on sale un-tinted while on sale, so if you’re not sure of the color you can always bring it back to get tinted. Keep in mind for paint there are different bases so if you’re painting a dark color, get the deep base.
When planning a patio refresh, look for porch paint that has been mis-tinted, primers and other goodies. Just keep in mind for paint where you store them because you don’t want them going bad before you’ve had time to use them, or they freeze during the winter (not an issue here in Florida)
Buy Off Season Patio Deals
Hear me out! Buying clearance items as they are going out of season is still the best way to save money. For a patio refresh this can save you hundreds.
Last Spring I knew I wanted an oversized patio egg chair but it was almost $700!! I scored one for $350 in September during the weekend that it was marked as clearance, was out of stock in all the stores near me, I drove 60 miles a couple towns over to get one, had a mild panic when the patio egg chair wouldn’t fit in the car, posted about the patio egg chair, then the chair went back to full price…and I rewarded my great find with and afternoon at Disney World.
Facebook Marketplace for Patio Furniture
If you’ve spent any time on Facebook Marketplace (FBMP), you know its the bad place. You message a seller and they never respond, items get sold quick, scammers, resellers and lots of junk. BUT there are gems to be found in such a rough place…and the same can be said for Craigslist or Ebay. Patio furniture can be found fore cheap if people are moving, downsizing or just looking to clear some space.
You’ve got to be quick…but also get your message seen!!
- Do: Personalize your message.
- Don’t use the “Is this Available” button…most people ignore it like spam
- Do: offer to pick up right away, same day, within the hour if possible. Get them to commit to you first
- Don’t ask to hold for an extended amount of time
- Do: Confirm measurements, pickup time etc
- Don’t: Be late! or fail to communicate or Re-schedule it can get you blocked
- Do: Pay cash
- Don’t: Come empty handed planning to Venmo or insert money app the person may not have
Bonus: You can haggle but depending on the item popularity and the seller…you can miss out on the item or the seller might not want to deal with you
All of this to say..I’m ready to tackle the One room Challenge…I have my egg chair, patio table and lots of awesome items to get this patio and cattio (cat patio) started. The cats love this outdoor space so it has to be functional for both me and them so can watch the squirrels harass them.
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