All Ready for Partying – A Party Patio (barn) Makeover!

I love participating in parties and I love Jen so even though this is an older post, I thought I’d dig it out, brush it off and “wear” it to the party!

I’m so excited to share my barn before/after pictures. This space was completely un-usable, except to store/throw junk. Now it’s a functional clean party space hidden from the rest of the house and road. I’m still working on some additional DIY touches, but in the meantime, I think you’ll agree that the transformation is a HUGE improvement.

To keep costs low since this area is only used for occasional entertaining, we re-used a lot of the things we discovered in the barn already (and more DIY coming). We also obtained a few things from estate sales.

Before (left side):
The “barn red” paint was faded to a really ugly pink. The ‘floor’ was dirt with broken bricks/pavers. There were LOTS of spiders.
We took out the crumbling brick and concrete pavers that formed a broken floor on top of dirt, some broken glass and weeds. We added paneled siding to the back wall and painted. We poured a concrete patio (professionals did that part since it was a large area).
My husband framed the door and the wreath was on clearance at Joann Fabrics for $8.
I’ve had these old looking milk bottles for years … in the basement/storage.I also have special plans for the short table (hope to finish it this week).
The left side is still a work in progress…so updates coming in the future.

Before (right side):
Scary, huh?
Ready for the after of this side?

I love it. I changed my mind – it’s not all about entertaining. This is a great spot to relax! The wicker furniture was picked up at an estate sale. Isn’t the footstool the cutest? I didn’t even bother with repainting it. I loved it the light faded blue that it is. I did give the wicker chairs a coat of white spray paint to freshen them up.
I sewed cushion covers with fabric I bought at Goodwill. (I’ll spare you the nasty before picture.)
We found the old Coca Cola sign in the barn.
I made a table from a crate and old window we also found in the barn.


The other accents we got at estate sales (the book and gauge). The blue canning jar I confiscated from my brother. The bird house was hanging on the old grape arbor.
The only thing new is the birdie cloche I got at TJ Maxx a few months ago (how perfect for a barn!) and the white lantern (above).
I also ran out of time for replacing the hanging light bulb fixtures since I’m so indecisive. Since we have a BBQ coming up, my quick temporary solution was the paper lanterns (less than $2 on sale at Michaels). I already had the area rug too.
I did make a chalkboard from one of the old windows. It’s not hung up yet, but here it is:
The tables looked liked this before. The first one was actually nailed to the back wall.

Tables/etc. now:
Now, with new legs and paint and a “found” bench…they’re perfect for picnics, cookouts and to use as a buffet table.

Here is the transformation one more time:

Before

New Back Wall


New Concrete Patio

Russ tries out the paint sprayer

And now….




I do have a huge wall to decorate yet too and I’ll share details as they happen.

Edited to add:
Remember this?
It’s the mantel I found in the loft of the barn. I’m pretty sure it’s original to the house.

It was filthy-dusty. The paint job also looks like it’s 80-years-old. For now it just got a major scrubbing and I think I like the finish. Very rough old paint. I think it’ll go here. What do you think?

This post is brought to you by Tunstall Garden Buildings, manufacturers of timber garages and other quality garden buildings.



Consider a fire pit to enjoy your outside space.

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