Special Outdoor Projects

Aluminum awnings are a durable way to help reduce sun penetration into your house through windows and reduce inside temperatures. Over time, however, aluminum awnings can fade or scratch as the...

Rubber mulch is a popular alternative to organic mulches, particularly for use on playgrounds. The elasticity and permanence of rubber makes it safer and more durable than gravel or wood chip...

If you cut your own firewood then marking the piece lengths on the log is just one of the nuisance jobs required. You can pay twenty five bucks or more for a marker that holds a can of spray paint...

Glow-in-the-dark rocks are a sound alternative to traditional electrical lighting systems and they can be used to light driveways, sidewalks and gardens. The rocks charge for free, with the UV...

Using a spray system to paint is one of the best ways to give a project a professionally finished look. From small crafts to cars and trucks, painting at home will save money and give you more...

A storage shed is a useful place for storage, but if the color does not match your home or the shed has become an eyesore due to dirt and grime or peeling paint, it's time to paint the shed.

The benefits of rain barrels for conserving water are becoming well known. However, many homeowners dread the thought of a large plastic barrel sitting in the yard, visible to every passerby. If...

Wooden swing sets are exposed to rain and other inclement weather as well as the sun which can cause UV damage over time. Any wood structure left outdoors needs to be properly stained to protect...

Cement is just one component that is used to make concrete and mortar. It is used to make buildings, driveways, garage floors, sidewalks and more. The effort needed to remove dried paint from...

Acrylic concrete stains are made to decorate smooth concrete surfaces. They are especially designed to soak into the permeable concrete and act as a dye that leaves a slightly transparent coloring...

Concrete lawn ornaments can bring beauty and character to your garden or front yard. These ornaments are often purchased unpainted which allows you to decorate them to suit your own personal color...

Any family with young children knows how much kids love plastic outdoor playhouses. Unfortunately, many of these playhouses come in bright or unattractive colors. Perhaps the playhouse is the...

If you're looking to attract birds to your yard, hanging a bird feeder is a great way to do just that. However, a bird feeder doesn't have to be just about attracting birds. It can also give you a...

Rain barrels are a "green" way to utilize to the fullest advantage that which nature gives you. A device that allows users to collect the rain from their gutters and re-use, a rain barrel is not...

Birds in your backyard can make for hours of watching enjoyment. No matter how many bird accessories your backyard has, you could always use another birdhouse. It helps enhance your landscaping...

Writing on pressure treated wood is the same as writing on non-pressure treated wood except that you have to be careful when using paint. New pressure treated lumber should dry for at least thirty...

Allowing your children the time to play outdoors is an important role in their developmental skills. However, there are fears parents have that may cause them to limit the amount of time their...

Gazing balls are metallic spheres of many shapes and colors, typically displayed on a stand in a garden. These colorful globes make good focal points for gardens consisting mainly of shrubs, trees...

A metal tool shed can be a great addition to your yard, but they can be unsightly. The prospect of painting your steel shed can be a scary one, as the difficulties of painting on steel are...

Tiki lights are an added delight when you're hosting a party in your backyard. They are equally as enjoyable when you just want to have a relaxing evening at home with your family. Tiki lights...

Painting an existing pole barn can add beauty and style to your yard, and it can extend the lifetime of the barn. Taking the time to collect the proper equipment and choose the type of paint to...

Curb numbers are the numbers painted on curbs that indicate the street address of each home in a neighborhood. Depending on the particular neighborhood, residents may use curb numbers in addition...

Create colorful planters you can use as yard decorations with clay pots, mosaic tiles and acrylic paint. Clay pots are inexpensive planters that you can embellish to suit your landscape design....

Pressure treated wood is infused with a chemical to resist rotting. Any pressure treated wood must be thoroughly cleaned and then allowed to dry before applying 100 percent acrylic primer. The...

Making fake rocks can be a relatively easy process, especially with patience and the right materials and tools. If you carefully follow the directions on how to create faux rocks, you can soon...

Wheel barrels can add a bold, attractive design element to your yard. Fill the barrel with your favorite flowers and herbs to create a makeshift flower pot. Place the wheel barrel in your garden...

Inviting blue jays to share your outdoor space by providing a freshly painted birdhouse is a rewarding task and a fun way to add decorative interest to your garden. But when planning the aesthetic...

Keeping a boat dock in good shape is nearly as important as keeping your boat in good shape. Docks have to withstand the elements, and, over time, exposure to the weather can take a toll. You can...

Making garden ornaments is a money-saving way to get the look that you want in your garden. It can also become a lucrative home-based business. Making garden ornaments doesn't take a lot of...

Yard décor can add a fun and whimsical dimension to a home. Creating yard art that is easily viewed and protected from harsh weather can keep the art in use longer. Unchecked wear and tear...

Do you ever wish you could have a backyard landscaped concrete pool? One that doesn’t have that store bought stuff, and looks hand made? The author built the pool described in this article long...

Paint is a wonderful application to freshen up outdoor areas that are tired from the constant demands of weather. Paint can be applied to just about any surface, and with the variety of colors and...

Rope hammocks are one of the most popular types of hammocks available. They are loved for the durability but lack the color and tropical feel of Brazilian hammocks. With some paint and...

Old recovered lumber is a great material to use for some outdoor projects, such as landscaping ties, trellises or even deck posts. If someone painted that lumber way back when--and you want to...

Everybody is putting in pre-formed ponds. They look good and are fun and interesting to own. Problem is they look like plastic ponds and the waterfalls really look like plastic. Not very natural...

Green-treated wood is lumber that has been chemically preserved under pressure with a chromated copper arsenate, or CCA, solution to protect it from fungus and insect damage. The process leaves...

A painted rain barrel can reflect your personal taste and accent your yard or disappear into it. It can be as whimsical or as elegant as you like. But you have to prepare the surface and use the...

Do you have a laundry list of weekend projects to complete around the house? Is one of those projects painting your wooden garage? Painting your outdoor garage should be done when the temperature...

Fire pits can be a lovely addition to any backyard, but they are exposed to a fair amount of sun, wind and precipitation. For this reason, they can look pretty weathered and beat-up in a short...

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with your old paint cans, I have a solution for you. Turn them into planters !

Welcome people into your garden with this cute garden sign. Not only is it a nice decoration, it is also functional too, making a spot to hang everyday garden tools. This is an easy and...

Ever have empty 2 liter bottles hanging around? I'll show you how to make a bird feeder that anyone can do with minimal time and effort. You may even have everything you need right at home to do it.

Secrets to creating the look of an english garden include the paint color and the hardware used to decorate the door to a garage, shed or house. A creatively decorated door with oversized,...

If you have an old fishing boat or canoe and don't know what to do to get rid of it, why not turn it into art! You can revamp that old boat into a place to plant flowers, add to your lake home...

Make coming home even better this summer by dressing up your front porch. You can add charm and curb appeal for under $500 and about a weekend's worth of time. Nothing says "Welcome...

Homeowners often use wooden lawn ornaments to decorate for holidays, or to announce birthdays or other important dates. Lawn ornaments add color and whimsy to a yard, no matter the time of year....

Plain, gray-scale concrete slabs can dampen a home's aesthetic appeal. Luckily, color can be applied to concrete with a simple paint job. Whether it's a patio, garage floor, exterior wall or...

Before you're ready to paint any concrete surface to look like stone, you have to select what colors the stone will be. Note that no stone is one uniform color. There's a basic background color,...

Adding a decorative touch of color to your old concrete birdbath is a snap if you follow a few simple steps. You can significantly alter the appearance of the outside of your birdbath with a fresh...

Waterproofing a metal shed roof or any metal roof for that matter should not be done the moment the roof is installed. During the manufacturing process the metal roof has multiple applications of...