We had a blast House Crashing Kelly Moore last May — you can read that full feature on our site — and when she told us she’d refreshed her outdoor space we couldn’t wait to see what she’d done on the deck. Her updates turned the small outdoor area into a cozy, stylish retreat that feels both intentional and relaxed.
The deck now features airy outdoor drapes, a hanging egg chair from Ikea, bright and comfortable seating from CB2, and an abundance of potted plants. Together these elements create a welcoming, come-hither charm that invites you to linger with a book or gather with friends for an evening drink.
One of our favorite DIY touches is Kelly’s leaning pallet planter. She assembled it using simple hose clamps from the home improvement store, and the rustic, vertical display makes a great use of limited deck space. A quick note on pallets: some are chemically treated while others are heat-sealed, so if you’re unsure about the source it’s wise to seal them before use. Products designed to block contaminants can provide an extra layer of safety for outdoor garden projects.
From the deck, a set of steps leads down to a lower seating area that’s equally bold and inviting. That space includes colorful chairs, a chiminea, and a fire pit that make the yard usable throughout cooler evenings. The layering of seating zones gives the outdoor living area a natural flow from casual conversation on the deck to a cozier hearth-like spot for late-night chats.
Plants appear in nearly every corner, ranging from small succulents to fuller potted groupings. Kelly mixes classic plant pots with unexpected containers — like an old metal toolbox repurposed as a planter — which adds character and personality. These small, thoughtful choices help the space feel curated rather than overly designed.
Kelly’s outdoor updates also highlight practical styling: outdoor fabrics for shade and privacy, lightweight furniture that can be rearranged for gatherings, and plenty of potted greenery that allows seasonal swaps. The result is a flexible deck that reads like an outdoor room, ready for quiet mornings, afternoon hangouts, and late-night fireside conversations.
We’re always inspired by clever DIYs and low-cost tricks that deliver high impact, and Kelly’s pallet planter and toolbox planters are perfect examples. They show how modest materials and a little creativity can turn leftover items into focal points. If you’re thinking about refreshing a balcony, porch, or small deck, consider vertical planters, mixed container groupings, and a statement hanging chair to maximize comfort and style.
House crashing update and call for homes: We’re currently looking for great homes to visit in the Atlanta, Georgia area and anywhere between Atlanta and Richmond — including stops like Charlotte, Greensboro, and Greenville — because we’ll be heading that way for the Haven Conference next week. We’ll also be traveling to Bethany Beach, Delaware later this summer, and we’re interested in homes in nearby regions such as Virginia Beach, Virginia’s eastern shore, and Annapolis, Maryland.
If you’d like us to consider your home for a house-crashing visit, email some photos and a general location to [email protected]. We don’t need your full address at first, just enough information to determine if a visit could work with our travel plans. While we can’t promise to visit every submission, we do our best to fit in as many house-crashing adventures as possible.
Back on Kelly’s deck: our favorite detail is the hanging egg chair — it adds a playful, cocoon-like spot that’s perfect for lounging — while John is partial to the quirky toolbox planter because it brings unexpected charm. We love seeing how creative touches and practical updates come together to make outdoor spaces feel personal, useful, and beautiful.