See how we transformed our unused side yard into the perfect outdoor kitchen and dining room on a budget! This space is now a three season patio ready to entertain friends and family.
Create a beautiful outdoor kitchen and dining room that you can gather your family around on a budget. An unused side yard was transformed into a tropical oasis. We partnered with The Home Depot to build a covered pergola and the perfect outdoor entertaining space we can enjoy all year.
I cannot believe it is done! Our tropical oasis is finished and we even had a chance to entertain some friends in it. Do you even remember what our side yard looked like just a couple months ago? Well, I will remind you because I can barely believe the transformation.
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Now we have a beautiful outdoor kitchen and dining room. The space is so large, we have a table that seats 10 people and the portable kitchen island to prep all our food. And the entire space was created for $1500! Thanks to The Home Depot we were able to create the perfect space without breaking the bank.
To create this beautiful outdoor entertaining space, we built a patio pergola attached to the house then installed a clear pergola roof. The roof still lets in all the light, but blocks out UV rays and the weather. I absolutely love it!!! Then we filled the space up with an outdoor kitchen island, oversized outdoor dining table and benches, DIY tropical wall art and more.
I am sharing the outdoor kitchen and dining room reveal on The Home Depot blog. Click here to see how our tropical oasis turned out.
And then come back and check out some of our other Room Reveals. We love to update our home on a budget!
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Dee Skinner
Friday 3rd of November 2017
I am so happy to hear you are all safe! This will be a four season spot with a little patio heater!!!!! Enjoy the holidays with your new space!
Kati
Thursday 9th of November 2017
Yes, I have been researching patio heaters. Thanks so much!
J. Neal
Friday 3rd of November 2017
I, too, feel that the window wells should have some kind of guard to avoid miss-steps into the wells (at least, bubble covers, if not rails). However, while some kind of fix is needful to avoid accidents, one could also serve a dual purpose. How about creating a table-height curving rail on each well with a hinged, sturdy, plexi-glass drop-leaf? That way, most of the light into the basement windows wouldn't be blocked whether the leaves are up or down, and you have useful side tables in place when the leaves are up. These would serve as handy counterspace for drinks, silverware & napkins, side dishes, etc., or even for a plant or other decoration. Perhaps a light but strong stand-alone railing fixture could be constructed of bamboo to fit over each well and be wall-anchored. These would be relatively inexpensive to construct, strong to use, durable in weather, and in keeping with your present tropical theme. Another point, the bamboo element won't detract from changing up your theme, either temporarily for a party, or for moving to a different continuing look for your pergola-covered patio. It is versatile as it can fit in with elegance or whimsy, and various eclectic mixes. Also to consider, the rails could be made at seating height, if desired, so that the hinged drop-leaves can be flipped up and rest securely on the rails to make additional seating. By the way, the patio area transformation is beautiful. I know your family will enjoy it for years to come. (I love the teal stools!)
Kati
Friday 3rd of November 2017
Thanks so much for your ideas! I love the bamboo railing idea. Unfortunately we have already installed window well covers. They were ordered when we finished the patio, but were not done for the pictures. But the additional seating idea is brilliant ;)
Dee Skinner
Thursday 2nd of November 2017
Very comfortable looking but the window wells need some covers, grates, something to insure there are no accidents! Enjoy your space!!!!! You earned it with all the hard work!!!!!
Kati
Friday 3rd of November 2017
Thanks so much Dee! We will definitely be enjoying the space. We have installed window well covers. They were ordered when we finished the patio, but were not done for the pictures. I definitely want to make sure everyone is safe too!
Sherry
Thursday 2nd of November 2017
I love your space! An area like that can add so much entertainment space to a home. We already have a covered patio and this gives me a lot of good ideas to spruce it up. The only thing I noticed, that I personally would do something about, are the window wells. I can just see someone accidentally stepping into one and getting injured. ????
Kati
Friday 3rd of November 2017
Thanks Sherry! This space turned out better than I hoped. We are installing window well covers. They were ordered when we finished the patio, but were not done for the pictures. I definitely want to make sure everyone is safe too!