You may not know what a pergola is by name, but you’ve most likely seen one around town.

It’s like a pagoda, but instead of a closed roof, the top of the structure has an open, lattice-like design. That makes it a perfect place to relax, especially on warm, sunny days!

Check out this weekend pergola project for all the details on making this fabulous outdoor hangout.

Everyone will be fighting over who gets to use this sweet chair hammock. But, if you’re the one who makes it, then you automatically get first dibs!

Even if you don’t know the first thing about braiding ropes, these step-by-step instructions (with pictures) will show you just how easy it is to make.

All you need is a four dowels, a drill, some macrame rope, and a few screws to get started.

This archaic-looking fire pit is definitely an attention grabber, but in a quaint, Bob the Builder sort of way.

What’s really great about this rustic campfire is that it only take a couple of hours to complete.

That means you can start roasting marshmallows and telling scary ghost stories by nightfall!

Who knew that you could make a cool-looking garden bench from some leftover 4 x 4’s and concrete cinder blocks?!

You don’t need to drill anything for this project, but grab some paint brushes to make the bench look less industrial, and more scrappy-chic.

What do globe lights, fairy lights, and candles have in common?

When they’re woven into this dreamy canopy, they bring a touch of class to any outdoor setting.

No need to tote heavy coolers around when they’re built right into the middle of your patio table.

Your guests can grab an ice cold drink without having to get up and move.

Now, that’s a lazy summertime dream come true!

This sweet little oasis looks almost like a tree house, but there’s no roof and it’s on the ground floor.

That’s okay though, because it’s much more inviting to relax and play in! Grab a couple of plush pillows and a good book, and heaven awaits.

This is sort of like building a sandcastle in your yard, but the grains of sand are pebbles, and you get to walk all over it when you’re done!

Even if you don’t have a creative bone in your body, this guide will teach you how to make a beautiful backyard pebble mosaic like the one pictured.

Don’t feel like making a pebble mosaic? Then check out this simple landscaping DIY that uses pebbles in an entirely different way.

It’ll give your yard simple clean lines, without all the fuss of trying to create an artistic masterpiece.

Flowing water has a way of creating a sense of peace and serenity. That’s probably one of the reasons why water fountains are so popular!

Thankfully, they’re pretty easy to make. This easy DIY shows you how to use a plastic pool liner to make the pond, and fieldstone to create the trickling waterfall.

Old tires and ropes have been used for ages to make backyard swings, but if you don’t have a tree, don’t toss them into the trash.

Just grab a glue gun and coil the rope around the tire to make these fun rope ottomans. This is so clever, no one will suspect that it’s made entirely from throwaways!

This is so cute that even experienced adults who know the “trick” to winning will be begging to play this Tic-Tac-Toe game.

Find out how to make it here.

If you want to add a sweet, ambient light to your patio party, then this simple DIY is for you.

Although pairing string lights with cupcake liners might not sound like a fabulous idea, it turns out they go together just as well as peanut butter and jelly!

If you love having plants on the table but don’t want your guests hiding behind a wall of leafy greens, then check out this succulent pallet table.

It holds your favorite plants, but it’s low enough for everyone to talk to each other face-to-face!

Here’s something both kids and adults alike will fall in love with. This fun toadstool looks like it came straight out of Alice In Wonderland!

The “mushroom cap” seats on these are made from old wooden salad bowls, which have been spray painted and placed onto tree logs. If you are “curiouser and curiouser” about how to make one of these cute stools for your garden, check out this tutorial.

Bring the fun of board games to your backyard with these giant Yahtzee dice!

All you need are some wood blocks, clothespins, wood glue, a few clamps, and a wood burning tool to make the dots on the dice. Find out how to make this fun Yard Yahtzee game here.

Want to add an extra layer of ambiance to your backyard gatherings? Check out these cracked log lamps!

Salvaged logs with natural cracks help highlight the uniqueness of this decorative piece, and you can pretty much bet that no one else on the block will have these!

Adding a walkway is one way to keep things interesting in your garden, but instead of making it with bricks, use pallets!

It’s basically as easy as lying down a series of untreated wooden pallets into a slight depression into the ground. Surround the edges with decorative features like rocks and plants, and you’re all set.

Bring the sound of the ocean back home with you with this easy-to-make seashell wind chime.

Use a piece of driftwood to hang the shells from, and add some decorative crystal beads to the string to bring in some positive vibes. If you’re lucky, it might even attract a hummingbird or two!

If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, you can still add a pop of color to your backyard by painting some large stones.

These whimsical zebra-striped stones are a certainly a cute conversation piece, and the good news is that you don’t have to be a professional to paint these black and white lines.

Don’t let an old tree stump bring your yard down! Breathe new life into it by hollowing it out and planting some gorgeous flowers inside.

Nothing ruins the sight of beautiful yard like a garden hose snaking all over the place. If you don’t have a shed to store it in, hide it inside this planter instead.

Not only will it keep the pesky hose out of sight, but it’s a perfect way for you to display your most prized blooms. This easy DIY is made from pallets, and it’ll only take you a short weekend afternoon to make!

If you want to add some elegant class to your backyard, make some grapevine ball lights.

Grapevine is exactly what it sounds like – it comes from the vine that grapes grow on. Just soften the vine with water to bend it into a ball shape, then weave some fairy lights through it.

Most people like to hang these from tree branches, but if you really want to go wild, make some supersized grapevine balls for a uniquely stylish look!

Making a cute and cozy stone patio isn’t as hard as it sounds, especially if you’re just making a simple circle. What makes this so wonderful is that you don’t have to worry about fitting the stones perfectly together like a puzzle piece!

The possibilities for this space is endless. You could setup a cozy table for two, or put arrange a couple of comfy chairs around a fire pit.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out this tutorial, which uses packed pea stones as filler between the larger stones.

It’s not the words written on the wall that will get everyone all excited, but how you actually accomplished what looks to be an impossible feat!

This whimsical wall is made out of live moss, which you’ll need to either borrow from an established patch in your friend’s yard, or local garden center.

Here’s the really strange part – you’ll need to blend it up with some beer and sugar! Once it’s reached a creamy consistency, use a paintbrush and letter stencils to graffiti your brick wall. The key is making sure that the wall is damp and shady enough for the moss to flourish.

This amazing umbrella stand planter will keep you shaded all summer long!

Just fill a large planter pot with some soil and flowers, pop in one of those patio table umbrellas, and you’ll be too bloomin’ cool for words.

You could also use a planter to string fairy lights around a cozy outdoor nook.

You’ll need to head to your local home improvement store for the 8-foot dowels, concrete planters, and pea gravel to make this project, but everything else is pretty easy to find.

Check out these step-by-step instructions to learn more.

This woven basket lampshade is super simple to make! In fact, this DIY project’s open weave pattern actually works in your favor.

Flip the basket upside down, then slip a chain through the bottom to make a “handle” that the lamp will hang from. Next, tie the two ends together with fishing line, but don’t put away the fishing line just yet! You’ll need it to secure the outdoor LED lights to the basket.

Easy peasy, and you didn’t even have to go to college to learn basket weaving!

Everyone loves snuggling up with a good pillow, but what if you want to lay down on a blanket in the grass? Most pillow covers just aren’t suitable for the great outdoors – they’ll get wet, dirty, or stained within minutes!

That’s where these crazy placement pillows come into play. The key to getting this to work is making sure the placemat has two layers. Use a seam ripper to open up a hole that’s large enough to fit your hand, fill it with pillow stuffing, then sew it back up. Use a waterproofing fabric protector to finish it off.

You’ve heard of Chia Pets, right? Well, this cute hedgehog pet is even better because it’s made of recyclable materials!

Just cut out the side of an empty 2-liter soda bottle, glue some twine around the body, and then give this adorable little guy some button eyes! Fill the inside of the bottle with potting soil, top it off with your favorite succulents, and you’re now the proud owner of a garden hedgehog pet!

Want a step-by-step guide? Check this one out!

This planter table project is so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it first.

All you have to do is flip a large terracotta pot upside down, give a nice paint job, place a wicker basket on top, and you have yourself a shabby chic side table!

Whenever you think of an above-the-ground pool for your backyard, a plastic behemoth or a blow-up kiddie pool are probably the first two things that come to mind. Well, it’s time to rethink those old ideas of cool watering holes!

This patio pool is only big enough for two adults, possibly four, and there’s absolutely no diving allowed! What really sets this apart from everything else out there is its sleek, metallic finish which gives it a nice, modern edge.

If you don’t have room for a full-sized fire pit in your backyard, make a mini fire pit from a terracotta pot, some rocks, a wire cage fashioned from hardware cloth, and a canister of clean-burning gel fuel.

Although you probably aren’t going to be grilling up a juicy burger with this, it’s certainly hot enough to toast some tasty S’mores!

It takes some both time and patience to lay the groundwork for a patio. If you have neither, then here’s a quick and easy way to make an elegant patio without all the fancy legwork.

First you’ll need to dig up some weeds, but once that’s done you can line the area with weed block rolls. Dump the pea gravel on top, flatten it out, and that’s pretty much it! Finish it off by centering some chairs around a table or fire pit, and you can officially call yourself a builder.

For all the nitty gritty details, check out a more in-depth tutorial here.

Building a hammock stand from scratch is a lot easier than you think, especially if you have a couple of 2 x 4’s and these handy DIY instructions in front of you.

Even if you’re not particularly gifted at woodworking, this is an easy project to complete. And the best news is that you can take a nap right after you’re done!

This adorable clamshell sunshade is made from PVC pipes, scrap wood, and an old king-sized cotton sheet!

You could also use canvas or a sun shade cloth to make it more weather friendly, but it’s easy to take apart and put away when it’s not being used.

If you love the beauty and serenity of Japanese goldfish ponds but just don’t have the space for one in your backyard, then check out this mini container water garden!

Even though this cute little pond-in-a-pot is inexpensive to make, it adds a wealth of charm to your outdoor living space. Materials you’ll need include a container, water lilies, potting soil, some fish, and a sunny spot so it can flourish.

Container gardens are super easy to make and maintain, but before you head to your local garden center to buy a large flower pot, why not upcycle materials you already have on hand?

This charming dresser drawer garden take it to the next level with its uniqueness, and it helps save the planet, too!

If your stone patio is looking a bit sad and drab, bring it back to life with some strategically placed pops of color!

Apply a mixture of both latex floor and porch paint to a few random tiles, then wait for it to dry between coats. Finish it off with a clear concrete sealer, then sit back and enjoy the pretty view.

This fabulous DIY movie screen will bring the nostalgia of drive-in movie theaters right into your backyard.

It’s made of PVC pipes and a sheet, which makes it easy to both setup and disassemble for storage. This tutorial can show you how to make a movie screen that’s similar to the one pictured.