Weekend Wonders: Transform Your Outdoor Spaces with DIY Tips from Design Expert Kristan Cunningham
As enthusiasts of home improvement and budget-friendly decor, we often seek inspiration from the best in the business. That’s why I was thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with Kristan Cunningham, a celebrated interior designer and familiar face from HGTV’s Design on a Dime. Kristan, also a regular on CBS’s Early Show and Rachel Ray, shared invaluable insights into refreshing outdoor spaces with DIY projects that can be completed in a weekend or even just an hour. For anyone looking to elevate their home’s exterior appeal without breaking the bank or dedicating weeks to a renovation, Kristan’s advice is pure gold.
This interview was a real treat, offering a rare glimpse into the strategies of a true DIY professional. Kristan’s approach emphasizes scale, impact, and making outdoor areas feel like a seamless extension of our interior living spaces – a trend she believes is here to stay. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting, these tips are designed to inspire and empower you to create the outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed of.
Watch the Full Interview: Kristan Cunningham’s Summer DIY Secrets
For those who can watch, I’ve embedded our seven-minute conversation below. It’s packed with visual examples and Kristan’s energetic delivery that truly brings her ideas to life.
If you’re unable to watch the video right now, don’t worry! I’ve meticulously captured and expanded upon her key tips below, ensuring you don’t miss out on any of her fantastic advice.
Kristan Cunningham’s Core Philosophy: Extend Your Interior Outdoors
Kristan beautifully articulates a prevailing trend in home design: “I think we’ve seen the trend with making our outdoor spaces truly feel like an extension of our interior spaces.” This guiding principle encourages homeowners to approach their patios, decks, and gardens with the same design sensibility they apply to their living rooms and bedrooms. It’s about creating continuity, comfort, and an inviting atmosphere that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. This philosophy underpins many of her quick and impactful DIY suggestions, proving that a little intentional effort can yield significant results.
The 60-Minute Makeover: High-Impact Projects When Time Is Tight
Even with just an hour to spare, you can make a noticeable difference in your outdoor area. Kristan’s strategy focuses on identifying a “visual destination” – the first place your eye lands when entering the space – and making it impactful. This approach ensures your limited time yields maximum aesthetic return. Here’s how:
1. Identify Your Visual Destination and Go Big with Scale
“Figure out where your eye immediately goes to. What’s your visual destination? Make something impactful happen there, whether it’s a really beautiful wooden arbor painted in a snappy color like canary yellow or China red, or you take a pedestal and put an urn on it, the most important thing is scale.”
- Focal Point Creation: Whether it’s the entrance to your garden, a cozy seating nook, or a bare wall, pinpoint the spot that draws attention.
- Bold Statements: Consider elements like a freshly painted garden arbor in a vibrant hue (think sunny canary yellow or classic China red). These colors instantly inject personality and life.
- Strategic Decor: A classic pedestal topped with an elegant urn, perhaps filled with seasonal flowers, creates a sophisticated focal point.
- Embrace Scale: Kristan stresses the importance of scale. Don’t be afraid to use larger items that command attention. Undersized decor can get lost in expansive outdoor settings, whereas appropriately scaled pieces make a significant statement.
2. The Unsung Hero: The Outdoor Area Rug
“Everything doesn’t have to be cut or screwed or hung up to necessarily really change a space, especially with the outdoors because they go unconsidered… Even if you’re not going to completely redecorate your back space, throw down one new area rug, and walking out your back door – it is amazing the kind of impact that can have.”
- Instant Transformation: Outdoor spaces are often overlooked in terms of soft furnishings. A single, well-chosen outdoor area rug can instantly define a seating area, add a pop of color, and introduce texture.
- Comfort Underfoot: It brings the comfort of your indoor living room outdoors, making the space feel more inviting and comfortable for bare feet.
- Defining Zones: Use a rug to visually separate dining areas from lounging zones on a larger patio or deck, creating functional “rooms” outdoors.
- Easy Update: This is perhaps one of the quickest and most impactful ways to refresh your outdoor decor without any heavy lifting or construction.
The Weekend Warrior: One-Day Projects for Major Impact
If you have a full day dedicated to DIY, Kristan points to one powerful tool that delivers the most significant return on your investment: paint. Its versatility, affordability, and transformative power make it the ultimate weekend project material.
Paint: Your Biggest Bang for Your Buck
“If you have a little more time, paint is always going to give you the biggest bang for your buck… There’s very little else that can give you the level or scale of impact that a great paint treatment can.”
Paint offers an incredible opportunity to revitalize almost any outdoor surface. Here are some ideas for how to harness its power:
- Furniture Revival: Give old, tired patio furniture a new lease on life with a fresh coat of paint. A vibrant color can turn a worn-out bistro set into a chic focal point, while a classic neutral can provide a sophisticated foundation.
- Concrete Patio Transformation: Instead of an expensive re-tiling, consider painting your concrete patio. You can create geometric patterns, mimic the look of tiles, or simply apply a uniform color to brighten the space and define an outdoor room.
- Fence or Wall Upgrade: A garden fence or an exterior wall can become a stunning backdrop for your plants or seating area with a coat of paint. Darker colors can make greenery pop, while lighter shades can make a small space feel larger and airier.
- Planter Personalization: Terra cotta pots and simple planters can be personalized with paint, reflecting your style or matching your outdoor color scheme.
- Door & Shutter Refresh: As Kristan mentions later, painting your front door is a powerful statement. Extend this to shutters or window boxes for cohesive curb appeal.
Remember to choose exterior-grade paints designed to withstand weather conditions, ensuring durability and long-lasting beauty for your projects.
On-Trend Outdoor Decor: Chevron and Ombre
Kristan also shared her thoughts on incorporating popular design trends like chevron and ombre into outdoor spaces, ensuring they look fresh and stylish rather than dated.
Chevron: A Fresh Take on a Classic Pattern
Chevron can be hit or miss, so Kristan had two suggestions for making chevron still look fresh: one stripe done in a trendy accent color like flame orange, or a totally overscaled effect.
- Subtle Accent: Instead of an all-over chevron pattern, consider a single, bold stripe on a throw pillow, a painted garden stool, or even a narrow section of a fence. Choosing a trendy accent color, such as a vibrant flame orange or an electric blue, makes the pattern feel current and deliberate.
- Overscaled Impact: For a more dramatic but equally fresh approach, go for an overscaled chevron pattern. Imagine huge, broad chevron stripes on a large outdoor wall or a custom-made patio mat. This unexpected scale gives the classic pattern a modern, artistic edge.
Ombre: Accessible Art for Your Outdoor Walls
Think ombre is out of your reach? Think again. “The tools are what make the treatments happen.” New, extra-wide feathery brushes can allow you to feather color onto a flat surface.
“Take a great teal, start at the bottom of your wall, feather it out as you go up, and all of a sudden, you’ll have what looks like ombre fabric or the ocean… It’s completely on trend, you can do it in a couple hours, and next year if ombre’s not hot, you change it. Really, really simple!”
The ombre effect, characterized by a gradual blending of colors, is surprisingly simple to achieve with the right tools and technique. It adds depth, sophistication, and a touch of artistic flair to any space:
- Tool Power: Invest in specialized brushes—extra-wide, feathery brushes or even sponge applicators—that are designed for blending. These tools are key to achieving that seamless color transition.
- The Ocean Effect: Kristan’s example of starting with a rich teal at the bottom of a wall and gradually fading it upwards mimics the serene depth of the ocean. This creates a calming yet visually striking backdrop for your outdoor area.
- Versatility Beyond Walls: While great for walls, ombre can also be applied to large planters, outdoor screens, or even fabric elements if you’re feeling adventurous (using fabric dyes).
- DIY-Friendly and Temporary: The beauty of paint is its impermanence. If the ombre trend fades or you simply want a change, it’s easy to paint over, making it a low-commitment way to experiment with style.
Beyond Paint: Other Ways to Make a Lasting Outdoor Impression
While paint is a powerhouse, Kristan also highlights other simple yet impactful elements that can transform your home’s exterior and outdoor living spaces.
The Power of the Front Door
“The front door is always the most impactful place that you can apply a coat of paint and completely change the personality of your home.”
Your front door is the welcoming handshake of your home. A fresh coat of paint in a carefully chosen color can dramatically alter your home’s personality and curb appeal. Consider a bold hue that contrasts with your exterior siding, a classic shade for timeless elegance, or a color that reflects your personal style. Don’t forget to check the hardware; updating a doorknob or adding a new kickplate can further elevate the look.
Embrace Outdoor Lighting: Beyond Basic Fixtures
“Now, there’s all kinds of great outdoor lamps – not hanging fixtures, but actual table lamps. What a great way to walk outside and still have the space feel intimate and like an extension of the interior space.”
Lighting is crucial for extending the usability of your outdoor spaces into the evening and creating a desired ambiance. While fixed outdoor fixtures serve a practical purpose, Kristan emphasizes the impact of incorporating portable lighting:
- Outdoor Table Lamps: These are game-changers! Placing a weather-resistant table lamp on an outdoor side table immediately creates a cozy, intimate glow, much like you would indoors. They add a sophisticated layer of lighting that hanging fixtures often can’t achieve.
- String Lights: Drape string lights across a patio, pergola, or gazebo to add a festive and whimsical touch. They create a magical atmosphere for evening gatherings.
- Lanterns and Candles: Group various sizes of battery-operated or traditional lanterns on tables or the ground for a warm, inviting glow. Citronella candles can double as decor and insect repellent.
- Solar Path Lights: Line walkways or garden beds with solar lights for both safety and aesthetic appeal, highlighting your landscaping even after dark.
Thoughtful lighting design transforms an outdoor area from merely functional to genuinely enchanting, encouraging you to linger longer under the stars.
Bringing the Indoors Out: Textiles and Accessories
To truly achieve Kristan’s vision of an outdoor space as an extension of your interior, incorporating textiles and accessories is essential. These elements add comfort, color, and personality, mirroring the warmth found inside your home.
- Outdoor Throw Pillows: Just like indoors, throw pillows can instantly update a seating area. Choose weather-resistant fabrics in patterns and colors that complement your overall design scheme. They add a layer of comfort and can easily be swapped out for seasonal updates.
- Cozy Throws and Blankets: Keep a basket of outdoor-friendly throws on hand for cooler evenings. This simple addition makes your patio feel incredibly inviting and encourages relaxation.
- Outdoor Curtains: For pergolas or covered patios, outdoor curtains can provide shade, privacy, and a luxurious, resort-like feel. They soften the space and add a touch of elegance.
- Decorative Planters and Pots: Beyond just holding plants, beautiful planters act as decorative objects. Mix and match materials, sizes, and styles to create visual interest.
- Art and Mirrors: Consider adding weather-resistant outdoor art or an outdoor mirror to a sheltered wall. A mirror can reflect light and greenery, making a space feel larger and brighter.
By layering these elements, you can create an outdoor environment that is not only beautiful but also deeply comfortable and reflective of your personal style, truly extending your home’s living space into nature.
Ready to DIY? More Inspiration Awaits!
Feeling inspired to tackle your next outdoor project? Here are some excellent resources to help you along the way:
- For even more creative ideas and project guides, head over to Lowes.com and explore their comprehensive Creative Ideas section.
- Want to follow Kristan Cunningham’s ongoing design adventures and get more tips? Check out her inspiring blog, Live a Little Lovelier.
Disclaimer: All images provided courtesy of Lowes. I was not compensated or provided any special perks for conducting this interview with Kristan Cunningham. While Kristan is quoted in several places throughout this article, all other opinions expressed here are 100% my own. My aim is simply to share valuable DIY insights with fellow home improvement enthusiasts.
