This post is sponsored by our very favorite budget-saving brand: IKEA. All opinions expressed are our own.
As the days grow longer and the sun makes a more consistent appearance, there’s a collective yearning for outdoor living. After an unusually mild start to winter, followed by a surprisingly prolonged period of snow, rain, and hail, we’re more than ready to shed our winter layers and embrace the warmth of summer. This season truly calls for refreshing our outdoor spaces, transforming them into inviting havens for relaxation and entertaining.
In anticipation of this vibrant season, we recently gathered a talented group of bloggers for an exciting Outdoor DIY Challenge. Our personal focus for this challenge was to revitalize our covered patio, turning a neglected area into a functional and beautiful outdoor dining room. We’ve poured a full month into this project – from intensive cleaning and concrete repair to painting, assembling furniture, sewing, and meticulous staging. The entire journey was captured on video, and we’re thrilled to share how our 40-year-old covered patio underwent a remarkable transformation. Get ready to be inspired by our cozy outdoor dining space and discover other incredible projects from the Outdoor DIY Challenge!
From Covered Patio to Chic Outdoor Dining Room: Our IKEA Transformation
Every impressive “after” story begins with a humble “before.” Our patio certainly had a story to tell. When we first acquired our home, the covered patio was largely overlooked, a space with potential but lacking purpose. It was tired and worn, a blank canvas waiting for imagination. After enduring a particularly long and unforgiving winter, the patio looked even more forlorn, serving primarily as a storage spot for forgotten outdoor items rather than a welcoming extension of our home.
It was clear the space needed more than just a quick tidy; it required a complete overhaul to unlock its true potential. Our journey began with a thorough cleaning, removing years of accumulated grime and debris. Once cleared, the extent of the work became evident, especially with the 40-year-old concrete needing significant attention. We documented how we tackled this foundational repair in a previous post (How to Paint a Concrete Patio), laying the perfect groundwork for our ambitious dining space vision.
Designing Our Dream Outdoor Dining Space
With the structural repairs complete, it was time to envision the aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from Dawn’s incredible virtual makeovers, I delved into Photoshop to plan the space. Initially, I considered a dark accent wall, similar to the painted black brick fireplace we love inside our home (our fireplace). However, after careful consideration, I concluded that a darker palette might feel too heavy or “boring” for an outdoor setting, especially one meant for summer enjoyment and lively gatherings.
Ultimately, we opted for a much brighter and more dynamic approach. Our decision was heavily influenced by the vibrant green of the TEODORES chairs we planned to use. This bold color choice promised to inject energy and a fresh, modern feel into the patio. You might even recognize this lively green hue from our wooden block art, which previously adorned this very wall before our redesign. This vibrant inspiration set the tone for the entire transformation.
Bringing Color to Life: Painting the Patio Walls
With a clear vision in mind, we moved on to the painting phase. The left wall received a couple of fresh coats of bright white paint, creating a clean, crisp backdrop. For the back wall, we chose a captivating Glidden color known as “Bright Teal Surprise.” We had this shade custom color-matched to BEHR Ultra Exterior in a satin finish, ensuring durability and a beautiful sheen. The name “surprise” truly fits, as the color instantly brought a delightful pop to the space! As avid Disney fans who cherish our trips to Disneyworld, this brilliant teal immediately evoked the sunny, cheerful atmosphere of Florida. It’s a little slice of that vibrant vacation feeling right in our backyard, and I honestly believe we could all use a bit more “Florida” in our daily lives!
The entire process of painting, installing, arranging, and decorating is showcased in our video, offering a complete visual guide to the transformation. But if you’re eager to see the stunning results, look no further! We are absolutely thrilled with how seamlessly the entire space came together, creating an outdoor dining room that feels both sophisticated and incredibly inviting.
IKEA Essentials for Your Outdoor Dining Oasis
Our partnership with IKEA was instrumental in achieving this stunning transformation on a budget. IKEA’s range of stylish, functional, and affordable outdoor furniture and accessories allowed us to create a high-impact space without breaking the bank. Here are the key products that brought our vision to life:
- ÄPPLARÖ Drop-leaf table: This versatile table offers incredible flexibility. Its drop-leaf design means it can be expanded to comfortably seat our family and friends, accommodating up to 8 TEODORES chairs with ease, and even more little ones if needed. Its solid acacia wood construction ensures durability for outdoor use.
- TEODORES Chairs (green): These chairs were the inspiration for our color scheme. Their bold green hue makes a vibrant statement, while their comfortable design and easy-to-clean plastic material make them perfect for real-world outdoor living and entertaining.
- VIVAN Curtains: We chose the crisp white VIVAN curtains for their ability to add elegance and softness to the patio. Hemmed to length and hung on HUGAD rods with BETYDLIG brackets (we show how to connect shorter rods for custom length in the video!), these curtains provide excellent control over sunlight and add a resort-like feel.
- HUGAD Curtain rod: Sturdy and stylish, these rods support the VIVAN curtains beautifully.
- BETYDLIG Wall/ceiling bracket: Essential for securely hanging our curtain rods.
- BJURSTA Wall-mounted drop-leaf table (x2): Two of these ingenious tables were combined to create a fantastic, extra-long outdoor serving bar. Their drop-leaf design allows them to be folded down when not in use, maximizing space.
- ASKHOLMEN Trellis: This multi-functional trellis not only adds a touch of greenery with climbing FEJKA plants but also serves as a convenient organizer for our BBQ tools.
- RAVENEA Potted plant, Majesty palm: These majestic palms, housed in MUSKOT pots, are key to enhancing the desired “Florida vibe” and bringing lush, natural beauty to the space.
- MUSKOT Plant pot: Simple yet elegant pots for our plants.
- REGOLIT Pendant lamp shade: These lightweight pendant shades offer a striking large-scale design element without being cumbersome or difficult to hang. They also cleverly disguise our not-yet-updated ceiling fan.
- LAPPLJUNG RUTA Rug: The bold black and white geometric pattern of this rug instantly defines the dining area and elevates the freshly painted concrete floor, adding a modern and sophisticated touch.
- TRILLING Poster: Used with FISKBO frames to add personalized artwork.
- FEJKA Artificial potted plant, hanging: Effortless greenery that adds a touch of life without the maintenance.
- FEJKA Artificial potted plant, thyme: Realistic artificial plants for decor.
- FEJKA Artificial potted plant, daisy: Cheerful and maintenance-free floral accents.
- MUSKOT Plant pot: Versatile pots for various plants.
- PAPAJA Plant pot, turquoise: Adds pops of color in coordinating hues.
- PAPAJA Plant pot, dark turquoise: Deeper teal tones for visual interest.
The Stunning “After” Reveal: Our Cozy Outdoor Dining Space
Our newly transformed outdoor dining room is now a vibrant and welcoming extension of our home, perfect for enjoying meals al fresco and creating lasting summer memories. The ÄPPLARÖ drop-leaf table stands as the centerpiece, offering unparalleled versatility. It easily expands to comfortably seat our family of eight with our TEODORES chairs, and we can even squeeze in extra seating for younger guests at each end during larger gatherings. This flexibility makes it ideal for everything from intimate family dinners to lively summer barbecues.
The white VIVAN curtains are a true game-changer. Carefully hemmed to the perfect length and artfully hung on a set of HUGAD rods with BETYDLIG brackets (our video details how we connected shorter rods to achieve the desired span), they introduce an instant touch of elegance and comfort. Beyond aesthetics, they offer fantastic functionality, allowing us to control the light and privacy as the sun sets. Beneath it all, the bold black and white pattern of the LAPPLJUNG RUTA rug grounds the space beautifully. It visually enhances the freshly painted concrete floor, adding a chic, modern foundation to the entire dining area.
Above, the REGOLIT pendant lamp shades provide a fantastic solution for adding a significant design element without the weight or complexity of traditional fixtures. Their ethereal presence softens the ceiling, and as an added bonus, they do an excellent job of camouflaging our existing, awaiting-update ceiling fan.
This panoramic view truly fills us with joy! The addition of the RAVENEA Majesty palms, nestled in their classic MUSKOT pots, perfectly encapsulates the desired “Florida vibe,” introducing a lush, tropical feel that instantly transports you to a vacation state of mind.
The bright green TEODORES chairs are not just visually striking; they are also incredibly practical. Their bold color makes an unforgettable statement, while their comfortable design and effortless cleanability ensure they stand up to the demands of everyday outdoor life and entertaining.
On the side, the ASKHOLMEN trellis proves its worth by serving a dual purpose. It not only adds a vertical element of greenery with charming FEJKA plants, but it also cleverly holds our SOMMAR 2018 BBQ spatula, fork, and tongs conveniently above the grill, keeping essential tools within easy reach.
For our tablescape, we opted for a chic black and white striped table runner, which serves as a striking contrast, making our classic white dishware—like our favorite SOCKERÄRT pitcher—and turquoise/aqua accents truly pop. The effect is wonderfully modern and fun! The colorful SÖTVATTEN straws are always a hit with everyone, and the bright blue aqua of the SOMMAR 2018 tealight lantern is the epitome of summer charm. Trailing FEJKA plants are strategically placed to add a touch of effortless greenery, completing this inviting outdoor dining tableau.
Perhaps one of the most versatile additions is the outdoor serving bar, ingeniously crafted from two BJURSTA drop-down tables. This creates an extended, functional surface perfect for entertaining. Currently, it’s beautifully adorned with pretty FEJKA thyme, rosemary, and daisy plants, all artfully arranged in white MUSKOT and vibrant turquoise and dark turquoise PAPAJA pots, alongside a charming miniature SOCKER watering can. But just imagine it laden with mouth-watering BBQ fixings or a delightful array of ice cream sundae toppings – now *that* is truly embracing summer! Above the bar, incredibly affordable FISKBO frames (keep an eye out for another project featuring these soon!) beautifully display the TRILLING “shine bright” print series. These frames are incredibly versatile, making it easy to swap out prints for different moods or even to display a special menu for a fancy al fresco meal.
We are absolutely enamored with our updated covered patio space and immensely excited to make the most of it this summer. With such an inviting and functional outdoor dining room, we might just forget what it’s like to eat indoors!
For more budget-friendly transformations, be sure to check out our last IKEA before-and-after project: our updated entry! And don’t miss out on all the other inspiring projects from the Outdoor DIY Challenge:
Get Out! More Inspiring Outdoor DIY Projects
Discover even more fantastic ideas to enhance your outdoor living space from our fellow bloggers:
Covered Patio Outdoor Dining Area | Remodelaholic
DIY Outdoor Bench | Hertoolbelt
How to Build a Gazebo (from a Kit) | The Palette Muse
Sunroom Makeover | Lantern Lane Designs
DIY Solar Walkway Lights | Toolbox Divas
Wooden Welcome Sign Wreath |Lemon Thistle
DIY Washer Toss Game | Everyday Party Magazine
Backyard Hammock Area | North Country Nest
Easy Cinder Block Garden Planters | Our Crafty Mom
Funny DIY No Soliciting Sign | Leap of Faith Crafting
Simple DIY Tricks for a Covered Porch | Ugly Duckling House
Bistro Set Makeover | Practical & Pretty
Tiered Vertical Planter Garden | Creative Ramblings
I am a Brand Ambassador for IKEA U.S. This is a sponsored post.