A colorful deck seating area makeover: Bring on the Spring!

This past weekend, not only did we have the grand reveal of our Barshed (which was mostly my husband's brainchild), but I also unveiled my bright updated deck seating area.
To be honest, I think this is my absolute favorite home project I have done to date. Everyone I know who I showed the photos to (shared it with some friends on facebook first) raved about how bright and cheerful it was. So, without further ado, here is my:

 Updated Seating Area and Deck Space

Super bright right?

I was determined to make this space as bright and cheerful as humanly possible, since out backyard isn't the most glorious spot. I just can't wait till the spring and summertime is in full swing, so I can hang out here a lot more.

The only thing I still haven't done is put up the sunshade we have planned over the benches corner- but I'm waiting for the winter to be officially over before we go through the effort of putting that up.

Anyways, here is a basic breakdown of the deck project:

The Benches:

So, this is what the benches started out looking like:

Last spring we recovered the seats that came with the benches and made them look super cute like this:

Sadly however, with limited storage space at the time, the seats didn't last outside well. With one claw mark from a neighborhood cat walking across the seats, they were officially destroyed.  ;( I recovered them AGAIN with whatever tablecloths I could find, to look like this:

I know, not nearly as pretty...

Then with some bad weather that summer/fall, the cushions started to get mold inside and the tops started to peal. This past winter, I had to throw away the seats, as at that point there was no saving them.

So I thought to myself "How can we still have these benches used, but without the seats?" We decided to pick up some plywood sheets, cut them to size and attached them overtop of the benches. I then spray painted them the brightest color I could find- Seaside teal blue. For the 3 benches, I used 3 1/2 cans of spray paint. 

I also was on the hunt for cushions. After much research, I was dismayed by how freak'n expensive bench cushions are! One evening earlier this month I wandering around Wal-mart for some hope of finding something to make the cushions out of and I came across an end bin filled with these adorable body pillows.

*lightbulb moment* I just will use these as back cushions and it will bring in the bright colors! At first I snapped up 3 pillows (I thought "we have 3 benches, that should be enough right?) at $8.88 a piece.

After getting home and testing them out on the benches (in the dark, mind you) I noticed I really needed 1 more pillow.

Oh no! I need more pillows!

But being it was late and I was tired, I hoped for the best that I'd find another pillow the next day. Luckily, they had 1 left when I returned *phew!*

I then was on the hunt for the throw pillows- I refused to pay more than $5 a piece, which even Wal-mart didn't have that cheap in bright colors. I already had the large teal pillow (far left), but I knew I wanted a few more. After a trip to my trusty Salvation Army, I found exactly what I needed- more bright throw pillows- ranging from $2-4 each.

I just love all the color!

Savation Army finds!

Us enjoying the pillows on the benches. ;)

 Woo! Our Salvation Army is always a godsend went it comes to things like that. lol

Tire Coffee Table:

Earlier this year my car needed 2 tires replaced. Knowing that they charge you to dispose of them, I asked our mechanic to just stick them in my car, as "I'm going to use them as planters." I was determined to save money and use these tires for SOMETHING. After seeing numerous ways to use tires as furniture or planters on Pinterest, I got the idea to make it into a coffee table for the deck. We had this round piece of glass leftover from an old coffee table the hubs picked up (which I thought was hideous, but refused to get rid of the glass portion as "we can at least use that.") We first used the glass in our 80s party decor (putting it over our round dining room table with Christmas lights under it) however it was slightly too small to keep on our dining room table all the time. 

spray painting the tires (they rested on the spare bench we had- that was in the worst shape of the bunch).

So after spray-painting the tires with my favorite Key Lime green/yellow color spray paint (which I painted our kitchen breakfast nook chairs with), I stuck the glass on top of the tire stack and tada- instant table! Eventually I might put something inside the tires- Lights, sparkle, flowers or something. But for now, it works.

I finished off the table with some Dollar store bright finds.

 Rest of the Deck:

The rest of the deck includes our classic patio furniture with umbrella. I set the table with some cheerful place settings, to enjoy some soup and bread eventually. 

And for the little nook left on the deck, I setup 2 of my soda fountain chairs on either side of a spare tv table I have (I'm debating over painting it a bright color as well eventually).

Overall, I just love how the bench corner turned out. Each day that I can't hang out here, I get antsy (since its been quite cold everday since I set it up on Saturday). Even though I have to bring all the pillows indoors during inclimant weather, I still think it will be much more lasting as a fun outdoor space, than previous attempts. lol

View from the steps going up to the deck

Did I mention how lovely a day it was on Saturday?

Here is some of the pricing for the project. All the candles, flowers, etc. I got from the Dollar Store (except the green lantern- which I got on sale for $5 from Target last end of summertime):

Even at night, the space is fun- I set up mason jars with LED tea lights all around the deck, besides the actual candles. I just can't wait to hangout here more!

lighting the way.

It wasn't that difficult of a project, and if you have the right materials, I bet ya'll could do it too!

Have a great day everyone and with tomorrow being the first day of Spring I have my *fingers crossed* the weather gets warmer!

-M