Article By: Mirna Cacic

This adorable vintage-style beehive fits in perfectly on any porch during these warm spring days. With summer fast approaching, it’s time we get our porches in tip-top shape for porch season! This beehive would look great on a small side table next to your porch swing or patio furniture! It’s so easy and cheap to make and it costs less than $10 to put together! Everyone will think you purchased it at a vintage shop, since it looks so realistic! Make a couple of these to arrange in groups, maybe one large beehive with one or two smaller ones next to it. If the color isn’t suited to your tastes, break out the acrylic paint and paint it a fun color to match your decor!

Supplies:

1) Metal bowl

2) Hot glue gun and glue sticks

3) Rope

4) Permanent marker

5) Scissors

Step #1:

Begin making your beehive by wrapping the rope around the rim of the bowl. Add a few drops of glue as you go along to hold the rope in place. Remember, you’re only gluing the rope pieces together, not actually gluing the rope to the bowl!

Step #2:

Keep wrapping and gluing the rope until you have covered the entire bowl.

Step #3:

To finish off the beehive, leave about an inch of rope at the end and form it into a loop at the top, then feed it through the bottom before eventually cutting it.

Step #4:

To take the beehive off the metal bowl, you want to place it inside the freezer for about 20 minutes. Then you can gently take it off the bowl by wiggling it side to side until it slides off completely. Leave the beehive to come to room temperature, then cut a piece of rope for the entrance to your beehive.

Step #5:

Glue the rope in a circle and color in the entrance with the permanent marker. You don’t want wasps to take up residence by actually cutting a hole in your beehive!

If you like, you can paint your new beehive or you can add a few pom pom bumblebees to it! Place it on your porch just in time for this year’s porch season!

Photos: Confessions of a New-Old Homeowner.

Article By: Mirna Cacic

We just love anything shabby chic, and this cute chair planter is no exception! Raid your local thrift store or garage sale for an old wooden chair that you can turn into a planter for cheap! This is a great way to dress up your porch, patio, or garden if you’re on a budget. Paint the chair a fun color or add whimsical designs to it to dress it up and match it to your garden decor. This project is great because you don’t need any special power tools to get the job done, and it can be done in less than an hour!

Supply Checklist:

1) Old Chair

2) Paint

3) Sand paper

4) A planter with a lip, wide enough to fit inside your chair (the lip will help hold the planter in place)

5) Polycrylic

6) Screwdriver

7) Damp cloth

8) Plants and soil

Step #1:

Sand your chair using the sand paper. This will help remove any varnish that will prevent the new paint from sticking to your chair. Sanding the chair will roughen up the surface so the paint can stick better.

Step #2:

Take out the seat from the chair. You can do this easily by removing any screws using a screwdriver.

Step #3:

Get a damp cloth and wipe down the chair to get rid of any dust before painting. When you’re finished, paint your chair your desired color.

Step #4:

To make the new paint on your chair last longer, give it a few coats of polycrylic.

Step #5:

Add your soil and plants to your planter, then place the planter into the spot where the chair seat originally was. Now place your new shabby chic planter anywhere you like! Try it out on your patio or porch, or place it in your garden amongst your flowers!

Photos: DIY Cozy Home, Love This Pic, Moonstruck Vintage.

If you’re looking for just the right thing to fill up your porch, living room, kid’s room, or basement, make this hammock! This hammock can really add a bit of fun to any space, and the kids will love it! It’s simple to put together and you don’t need to have pro building skills to make it! Take a look at the tutorial below and let’s get started!

Supply List:

1) 1 1/4″ x 3′ oak dowel (oak is a hard wood and is great for supporting heavy weights)

2) 3/8″ x 16′ braided polypropylene

3) 2 yards of plain canvas

4) 80mm stainless steel spring snap link (holds up to 220 lbs)

5) 3/16″ stainless steel quick link (holds up to 660 lbs)

6) black fabric paint

7) paint brush

8) drill and 3/8″ drill bit

9) sewing machine

10) iron and ironing board

11) shears

12) ruler

13) lighter

Step #1:

Fold the 2 yards of canvas in half. Lay the canvas flat with the fold on the left side. Measure 7″ in from the top right edge and make a mark. Using a ruler, draw a line from the top mark to the bottom right corner. Cut through both pieces and open your canvas.

Step #2:

Fold the top edge down 1/2″ and iron the edge until it’s flat. Fold it again 1/2″ and iron. Pin the bottom of the fold and stitch. Repeat this process with the long bottom edge.

Step #3:

Turn your canvas 90 degrees to the left, making sure that the longest edge is on the right side. You need to create pockets for the rope to slide through. Fold each corner 1 1/2″ in and iron until flat. Fold the top edge (that isn’t hemmed) in 1/2″ and iron.

Step #4:

Fold the canvas again 1 1/2″ and iron until flat.

Step #5:

Stitch 2 lines along the bottom folded edge. Make sure you reinforce your beginning and ending using back stitches. Repeat the same process with the other side.

Step #6:

Mark at 2″ and 4″ in from both ends of the dowel and drill through. Sand any rough edges and stain if needed.

Step #7:

Place the canvas on a protected surface and paint on your design on one side of the canvas. Allow it to dry, and paint the design onto the other side if you like.

Step #8:

Tie a knot at one end of the 16′ rope. Leave about a 3″ tail at the end. Use the lighter to melt the end to prevent fraying. Thread the rope through the outer hole of the dowel and up from the widest corner on the one side of your canvas to the narrow corner of the canvas. Tie another knot 3′ from the first knot. Thread it into the dowel. Continue threading it down into the hole, 4″ from the other edge. Measure about 3′ from the loose end and tie a knot. Thread the rope down through the other pocket and back through the last hole. Finish by tying another knot with a 3″ tail.

Step #9:

Find the center of the piece of rope that’s above the dowel and tie a knot. Make sure there is about 8″-10″ of room above the knot. Attach the spring link and then the quick link. Hang it onto a hook that you previously screwed into a ceiling beam. Make sure it is secure.

Step #10:

If needed, you can add a cushion to your hammock for extra comfort.

Photos: A Beautiful Mess.

These autumn touches will make your home cosy in no time! Autumn colors, natural elements, and rustic pieces are a cheap way to bring some fall into your home.

1. Autumn Colors

Think burnt orange, rustic brown, and brick red. Choose a color scheme that matches your home, and tone down the orange and red with neutral tones.

2. Pumpkins

Arrange pumpkins throughout your home for an instant fall vibe. We love these painted white pumpkins decoupaged with leaves using Mod Podge.

3. Knit Pillows and Warm Blankets

As the weather gets colder, store small blankets in your living room for easy reach. Add a few knit pillows on your couch for added comfort. You can easily make a few knit pillows for cheap using thrift store knit sweaters.

4. Mason Jar Decor

Mason jars can add a cute rustic touch to any room. Arrange them on your kitchen table, and toss in a few acorns and a candle! You can also wrap wire around the rim and hang them up for instant lanterns!

5. Make a Wreath

This wheat wreath would look great on anyone’s front door! Tutorial here.

6. Decorate Your Mantle

Add rustic pieces, natural elements, and neutral colors to your fall mantle. We love the cute pinecone garland and antique gears.

7. Decorate Your Porch

Get your porch fall ready with pumpkins and dried corn stalks! Don’t forget the leaf wreath on the front door!

Photos: Annie Bowman, Alison Gootee, Tog and Porter, Camilla at Home, Daisy Mae Belle, Grand Design Co., Tumblr.

Since almost all July 4th celebrations happen outdoors, getting our porches ready for the big day is a must! Dress up your porch with patriotic pillows, flowers, flags, and other accessories. The sky is the limit! Take a look at these festive July 4th porch ideas you can re-create yourself, and for cheap, too!

1. Get Creative

We’re loving this shutter painted with a star and stripes. The burlap garland draped over it gives it a rustic feel, and the DIY scrap wood firecrackers complete the display. Recreate the look yourself using a reclaimed shutter, and scrap wood or logs.

2. Budget-Friendly

To decorate your porch for next to nothing, try these tissue paper fan decorations! Dollar stores are a great place to find tissue paper on the cheap, and you can hang up the fans using tape. Try hanging them on twine for a fun garland. Tutorial here.

3. Add Flowers

Put together a few hanging planters with red, white, and blue flowers. Hang them up in groups for a more dramatic effect, and don’t forget to stick a small flag in the middle!

4. Use Palettes

Reuse that palette that’s headed for the landfill with this easy DIY! Simply paint on the American flag! Place it in a corner of your porch and decorate by adding potted plants.

5. Pillows and Cushions

Adorn your porch swings and chairs with festive pillows and cushions. It’s the easiest way to change the look of your porch instantly and add a splash of color. If you don’t want to buy new sets of pillows, make slipcovers!

6. Decorate With Vintage Flags

If you’ve got a few vintage flags in your collection, show them off by standing them up in a vintage bucket or pot. We like how in this rustic display the large flags take center stage, and the smaller ones adorn the outer edge.

Photos: Hoosier Homemade, Martha Stewart, Josie Jones and Co., Neftali Valadez, Gail’s Decorative Touch, Flickr.

If you’re stuck on how to decorate your porch or balcony, try your hand at hanging planters. They look especially gorgeous with luscious flowers and plants with big leaves. Check out these flowers that you can add to your space!

1. Bacopa or Sutera

This flower will drape over the sides of your planter and comes in lovely shades of blue, white, and pink. Hang it in a partly shady area where it can thrive. Keep the soil moist and don’t let it dry out between waterings.

2. Fuchsia

These flowers come in many different colors and sizes, and thrive when being kept in a humid environment. Make sure to use a well-draining potting soil, as they are susceptible to root rot.

3. Lobelia

These electric blue flowers are loved by butterflies and thrive best in spring. They are only a seasonal plant, and will need to be replaced by the end of June when the weather is hot.

4. Petunia

These flowers like hot summers best and will produce flowers continuously.

5. Sweet Alyssum

These flowers have a honey scent that will attract bees and butterflies. Pruning this plant is needed when it becomes overgrown.

6. Euphorbia

Easy to grow, this plant loves full sun and is drought and heat tolerant. It also doesn’t need much fertilizer, either.

7. Million Bells

This plant is easy to take care of. Moist soil and full sun is all it needs to stay happy, and it also tolerates heat well, too.

Photos: MS, Water Shed, P Photography, Aliexpress, AG Report 365, CAES, Susan’s Daily Dose.

You’ve probably seen all the awesome pallet ideas floating around on the internet lately. Everyone’s in a pallet craze, making anything from benches to playhouses for their kids! The possibilities are endless! Here is a simple DIY for making a cool swing for your yard!

What you will need:

• 1 pallet
• saw
• rope
• wood stain of your choice
• sandpaper
• cushions and pillows (optional)

Step 1:

Cut the pallet in half with a saw.

Step 2:

Add two leftover boards to the side of the pallet if you would like drink holders.

Step 3:

Lightly sand the pallet to get rid of any splinters and rough edges.

Step 4:

Attach the swing using a strong nylon rope. You can put the swing under a tree, or on your front porch! Add a cushion and a few decorative pillows if you like.

 Photos and idea: Sheryl Salisbury Photography.