Think we spent the long weekend lounging and eating burgers? Not entirely. We did plenty of grilling, but we also turned our back patio into a welcoming, functional outdoor room perfect for cooking, relaxing with a book, and roasting s’mores. We’d been dreaming about a space like this for a while, and with the long weekend ahead, we decided it was time to make it happen. Here’s what the patio looked like before Memorial Day weekend — pretty lonely, with only an old Target table and chair set in place.
By Saturday morning, after a few hours of assembling, planting, and even building a quick fire pit, the space was transformed. We finished the bulk of the work quickly so we could spend the rest of the holiday enjoying the new outdoor room. Here’s how we pulled everything together.
A few months earlier we ordered two lounge chairs from a big-box store with birthday money our families gave us. They were on backorder for a long time, but once they arrived we were thrilled. The paired loungers were worth the wait and the price; John even assembled them at dusk the night they arrived because we couldn’t wait to try them out.
I admit I tested one out that first night — in the dark — and loved it. We’re definitely nerds about cozy outdoor seating.
We built a simple fire pit by stacking heat-resistant pavers in a safe spot well away from the house and low branches. It’s compact, practical, and perfect for evenings spent making s’mores.
To add life and color, we brought in two black planters from Ikea and planted inexpensive boxwoods in them. A green lumbar pillow from a previous porch project brings a cheerful pop of color to one of the lounge chairs; we’re thinking of getting matching pillows for a cohesive look.
Our stainless steel grill has been leaning against the idea of being used for a while — we originally bought it for our backyard wedding when our dads grilled for guests — but the patio itself didn’t invite regular use. With the makeover, we’ve grilled at least four meals over three days. It’s satisfying to finally put the grill to regular use instead of keeping it covered for years.
The updated layout makes the area feel larger and more versatile. Even though the footprint isn’t huge, we created distinct zones: lounging, grilling, and a small social area around the fire pit. Designing a space to multitask is a great way to make sure it gets used a lot — that’s worked for us in other parts of the house, too.
Our chihuahua, Burger, immediately claimed both lounge chairs and rotates between them every twenty minutes. He’s a big fan of the new setup.
Every now and then John and I manage to steal a chair back and relax with a book and an ice-cold drink on a repurposed side table — an old Ikea stool that we painted with exterior paint and sealed with outdoor poly. Small upgrades like that make the space feel finished and usable.
One evening we tested the new fire pit and made s’mores after a delicious grilled dinner. Toasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers — a simple pleasure that never gets old.
Is there anything better than a molten marshmallow and melty chocolate between graham crackers? I don’t think so. John agreed — he was clearly enjoying his s’more while Burger kept watch nearby.
For those wondering about cost, here’s a straightforward budget breakdown. We expected to spend more given the patio’s size, but because many items were repurposed or gifted, the total was pleasantly low.
- Lounge chair set: $277
- Two black Ikea planters: $30
- Two boxwoods for the planters: $12
- Side table: repurposed Ikea stool (originally $19, repurposed for free)
- Grand Total: $319.00
What did you do over the long weekend? Tackle any home projects, escape town to avoid your to-do list, or enjoy any sticky, delicious s’mores? We’d love to hear how you spent your time and what projects you’re planning next.