Part 3: Operation Outdoor Spruce Up - The Deck

In honor of Memorial Day and to kick off the summer, I wanted to follow up with a few of our latest outdoor DIY projects. Last spring I left you with only one installment of Operation Outdoor Spruce Up, part 1, where Caveman installed a play-set for Caveboy and then yesterday I debuted Part 2, where Caveman upgraded our rotting board sidewalk to a brick sidewalk.

Today is all about the Deck and the area around the deck. NOTE: Picture heavy post!

BEFORE:

Best BEFORE view I have of this side of the deck and the landscaping around it.

Around the sides of the deck there had been dark mulch with some hosta plants but we took those out temporarily because Caveman wanted to add more dirt and pebble rocks instead of the moldy mulch. Also note our old sliding glass door in the photo above. The right side, behind the wind chimes, was fogged up when we bought the house. We’ve wanted to replace that door since before we moved in but kept putting it off for various reasons.

Side Yard/Old Patio BEFORE: View 1

This is where our old failed patio was located (and the grass was taking over), then it was Caveboy’s giant sandbox for a while. Instead of there being a huge expanse of paver bricks like before; Caveman wanted to incorporate a few matching elements from the rest of the yard like a brick sidewalk and red mulch along with the pebble rock.

Side Yard/Old Patio BEFORE: View 2

Best view at ground level. Please pretend there isn’t a chain-link fence in the way.

Side Yard/Old Patio BEFORE: View 3

When there was mulch & hostas around the deck, we had also planted Flame Grass; which promptly took over! It went into the yard, under the deck and down both sides of the deck. I had made an attempt at removing some of it towards the stairs when this photo was taken, but I gave up after a few hours and I had only move 1 foot! Caveman finished it up!

As I’m sure most people do, we wanted a back yard where we could come and enjoy the outdoors; play on the grass, maybe barbecue and hang out with friends. I think we’ve achieved that back here now.

AFTER: Deck, complete with new door!

In this photo you can really see the pebble rock landscaping really well as well as the new Patio Doors!

We love these doors!! You can open them up to add a whole new outdoor room!

We mostly only open these doors wide in the spring and fall due to the humidity and heat in the summer, but we couldn’t be happier with them. The built-in blinds are so wonderful. The previous owner had lace curtains in front of the sliders for privacy. We never could find anything we liked to replace them so we lived with them. Now no more lacey curtains and plenty of privacy!