{"id":84214,"date":"2010-01-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-01-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sunset.com\/home-garden\/diy-projects"},"modified":"2025-07-25T15:14:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T22:14:17","slug":"home-garden-diy-projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sunset.com\/home-garden\/diy-projects","title":{"rendered":"DIY Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\n \n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Transform your home with quick and easy DIY projects, crafts, and decorating ideas for around the house","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"landing-page.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_should_modify_publish_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,43207],"tags":[],"layout":[67],"class_list":["post-84214","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-diy-projects","category-home-garden","layout-article"],"acf":{"display_row_fields":"yes","page_subheadline":"Transform your home with quick and easy DIY projects, crafts, and decorating ideas for around the house","display_row_1":"yes","stories_row_1_top":[{"ID":189452,"post_author":"98","post_date":"2025-07-07 03:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-07-07 10:00:00","post_content":"\n

It\u2019s summer, which means we\u2019re pulling off the exterior furniture<\/a> covers, hauling items out of storage, and maybe considering a new summer project. If you need a little inspiration for updating your outdoor space<\/a>, there are a few expert-approved areas to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLighting, textiles, and plants are always my top three when it comes to quick fixes for an outdoor space,\u201d says Brady Tolbert<\/a>, an interior designer based in Los Angeles. Tolbert\u2019s priorities, combined with furniture, comprise the main elements you should update during your next reno<\/a>. Read on for expert tips that\u2019ll make you want to do anything<\/em> alfresco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Level up Your Lighting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Outdoor

Design by Brady Tolbert; Photo by Amy Bartlam<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cString lights<\/a> over a seating area, or around a balcony railing<\/a> if you live in an apartment, are super affordable and instantly create a mood,\u201d Tolbert says, whose own backyard reflects the power of good lighting. \u201cI would also recommend these solar landscape lights<\/a>, which don't require any electricity and really light up the space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider Nabbing a New Rug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Outdoor

Design by Stephanie Hunt; Photo by Blake Bellet<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Both Tolbert and Stephanie Hunt of The Flairhunter<\/a> recommend a new rug to provide a fresh textile to your space. Tolbert just purchased this washable option from Ruggable<\/a>, which he calls \u201ca game changer.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI've used a lot of different outdoor rugs in the past, but they always end up dirty, dingy, or moldy over time due to the elements,\u201d he says. \u201cThe fact that you can pull this one up and throw it in your washing machine when it needs a good clean makes it a major win for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunt repurposed a blue indoor rug with a snake pattern from Ruggable<\/a> for a touch of \u201cwhimsy\u201d on a porch. \"Add freshness with blues and greens against a rugged exterior siding and an earthy toned chair,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think Outside the Box with Plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Mounted

Design by Susie Novak; Photo by R. Brad Knipstein<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With your budget in mind, Tolbert has one pro tip: Don\u2019t sleep on Facebook Marketplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI've purchased, and even picked up for free in some cases, some really amazing plants for my outdoor space,\u201d he says. \u201cA lot of people just want to offload them so you can usually get them at a really affordable price.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to enlist a professional to lug your items, Tolbert says the appropriately named company Lugg<\/a> is an on-demand service that can pick up and transport your plants back home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But where should these plants live? \"A mounted wall garden brings lush greenery to balconies or patios,\u201d says Susie Novak, founder and principal designer of Susie Novak Interiors<\/a>. \u201cIt softens up the space and is something that many people don\u2019t think about!\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Novak says there are plenty of metal wall planters<\/a> you can purchase online to DIY a wall garden, or you can call up a gardener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevate Your Furniture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Hanging

Design by Susie Novak; Photo by R. Brad Knipstein<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\"A hanging chair<\/a> instantly elevates a small outdoor space by adding comfort, style, and a sense of escape,\u201d Novak says. \u201cI often recommend rattan or woven styles and you can add some fun cushions to give the look personality. In some cases we have really cute custom cushions made! They\u2019re ideal for patios and create a lounge-y zone that feels super fab on a budget.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"4 Minor Exterior Renovations That Can Transform Your Outdoor Space","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"easy-outdoor-renovations","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-07 20:55:28","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-08 03:55:28","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.sunset.com\/?p=189452","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"stories_row_1_bottom":[{"ID":190230,"post_author":"98","post_date":"2025-07-21 03:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-07-21 10:00:00","post_content":"\n

We\u2019ve all heard the running joke that a renovation<\/a> ends up costing twice as much and taking twice as long. But after delays with my own home updates and seeing friends and relatives experience similar setbacks, I was curious to know if it\u2019s possible to expect the unexpected: How much money should you actually<\/em> save, and how much time should you expect to spend living in a construction zone or away from your home? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To approach this topic from all angles, I spoke with three experts: Rachel Brown, an award-winning home builder and the founder and principal designer of RB Interiors<\/a>, who has more than 20 years of experience in luxury residential design and development; Lindsey Harn<\/a>, a residential real estate agent and owner of Lindsey Harn group; and John Tricamo, owner of Tricamo Construction<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe money that people spend on real estate and their homes is the most money that they'll spend on anything in their entire lifetime,\u201d Tricano says. \u201cPeople spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a lot of planning and thoughtfulness need to go into that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on for all our experts\u2019 insights about how to best navigate a renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Contractor

Maskot\/Getty Images<\/p><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ask potential general contractors the right questions.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many homeowners, it\u2019s significantly easier to hire a general contractor to manage their renovation<\/a>. No matter the scope, it requires a lot of time management skill, which is where a trustworthy pro comes in. Harn says she has clients who take it on and coordinate with various subcontractors, but it really comes down to your availability, budget, and personal preferences.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you choose a general contractor, you\u2019ll want to interview a few to get estimates and see if it\u2019s a good personality fit. Harn says to schedule meetings and take notice if they show up on time and are responsive, and both Harn and Tricamo have several questions they recommend asking potential builders and contractors. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n