A Budget Backyard Revamp using Kmart Outdoor Furniture

Just because the weather might be changing, it doesn’t mean your outdoor room needs to become a no-man’s land. With plenty of sunny days still about, styling up your yard is essential. And the good news is this: it can be done on a budget. And it can look just as good as the living areas inside your home.

I teamed up with Chelsea from I Heart Bargains and Metricon recently to prove it. We used a tonne of Kmart outdoor furniture and decor to revamp a Home Solution by Metricon space. And I want to give you some tips today on how you too can improve your styling game outdoors. And all without breaking a sweat!

PS: There’s a video further down if you wanna jump to it and watch the decorating unfold. Oh, and I’ll also include product links to the Kmart outdoor furniture and other bits and pieces. You know, so you can shop, shop shop away! 😉

Start by Addressing Function

Any space you’re decorating should start with a think about function.

What do you want to use your backyard for? Is it big enough to house two zones you can use separately? Do you entertain a lot and need a table and chairs to sit at? Or do you want a lounge area you can kick back and relax in?

All of these questions are really important to answer because it’ll help you define what to buy when you go shopping. There’s nothing worse than hitting the shops and just buying what jumps out as you. That, my friend, is a recipe for buyer’s regret. And there aint nobody who wants to experience that!

You’ll see for this scene, we decided to go for two zones in the yard using Kmart outdoor furniture and decor: an adult dining area and a kids play area. The dining area is more formal, and the kids zone far more ‘anything goes’.

Then Pick a Colour Palette

It’s also really wise to think about the colour story you’re going to tell. As you would do with an indoor space, keep the main colours to no more than three. For this outdoor area, we went with a grey, black and blue colourway, for the most part. Of course other colours feature, but they’re not dominant.

If you’re stuck on a colour palette for your outdoor area, look to what you have going on inside and match that. Also look to what kind of interior design scheme you have going on. If you have a Hamptons look, for example, take that vibe from indoors and apply it outside. That way, your house makes sense as you go from in to out.

If you do want to experiment with a pop of colour though, an outdoor room is the place to do it. Because there are no walls or roofing, and the area is more open, it can take a bold colour or pattern. So don’t be afraid to have a play.

Opt for Lightweight and Portable

In an outdoor room, especially in the kids play area above, you don’t want things to get too heavy. The weather can change in the blink of an eye (especially in Melbourne!). With that in mind, make sure the outdoor furniture is light and easy to bring inside if it starts to rain.

You’ll notice we popped some comfy denim beanbags in the kids play are as well. Again, they can be easily moved inside should you need to. The teepee will fold down in an instant. And the rug can be rolled away at lightning speed.

The lightweight approach is not only wise because of the weather, but also because kids make a mess. The zone can (and should) be a little crazy/messy. The good news is that the whole setting can be clean and tidy in no time at all.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

It’s fair to say that the dining zone in this outdoor room makeover took the most work. Put your energy (and more money) into that area. When it comes to the kids area, make it a little more budget and chill. Don’t sweat the small stuff here. Kids don’t care about a designer look. They want fun and comfort; deliver them that and pour all of your styling prowess into the dining zone. That’s where the magic happens.

What have you done with your Kmart Outdoor Furniture?

I’d love to know what Kmart outdoor furniture you’ve gotten lately. And I’d love to know what you’ve done with it. Drop me a comment below and share.

If you have pictures you’d like to show off, or you want to chat to other decorating junkies, come and join my private Facebook group here.

And if you wanna learn more about the stunning range of Home Solution by Metricon homes, click here.

Happy decorating!

This post includes images and/or videos of Metricon display homes and events, reproduced with permission.  © Metricon Homes Pty Ltd 2016.