Sources for our Backyard Deck Ideas:
- Cabot Solid Acrylic Deck Stain {Seacoast Gray (decking), White (trim)}
- “Rug” stencil “Perfect Catch”
- Porch/Patio Paint for “rug”, Clark & Kensington “Heirloom China”
- Heavy Duty Paint Sprayer
- Buffalo Check Curtain/Pillow Fabric
- State flag for throw pillows
- String Lights
- Outdoor Pendant Light kits for Oyster/Coffee can chandelier
- Outdoor Patio Umbrella
- Home State Pillows
- Antique Pepsi cooler
- Vintage crab bushel
- Vintage oyster tins
- Outdoor-rated table tennis table
1. It had to be LARGE
2. It had to be INEXPENSIVE
Our solution? This was another one of my fave, unique backyard deck ideas. A tad unconventional, perhaps… We bought an inexpensive ping pong table topper from eBay and tried to polyurethane it to make it safe for outdoor use. It didn’t work. That thing bubbled up and took in water like a drinking straw. At some point when we’re financially able, we’ll sink some money into a real outdoor grade table tennis table, but for now, despite the blemishes, and slightly uneven surface, this one will suit us just fine. We cover it at night with a tarp to try and keep it from getting too much worse. Sometimes you have to just try something and fall on your tush, you know? *Update: We bought an outdoor grade ping pong table in 2016, and have had it now going on 5 years. It has held up AMAZINGLY well, and is super easy to fold up when not in use, and fold down whenever we want to use it to eat or play table tennis! I highly recommend the model we bought! I really love the concept of having this ping pong table out here. Not only is it functional as an outdoor table (the net removes when we want to eat at the table), but it’s SO quirky and FUN! And we take table tennis, AND fun seriously around here. Just ask this guy… Over on the other side of the deck is where we have our outdoor living area. We used our patio furniture that we’ve had for years, and just added a few key touches to the mix. Most importantly, our SUPER FUN outdoor firepit table that has built-in seating underneath. There are four pie-slice shaped stools that conveniently tuck under the table that can be pulled out for extra seating or a little more table space. PLUS, this one has room to sit a plate, or a wine glass around the perimeter of the firepit. Clutch. Sadly, I don’t think this particular model is manufactured anymore. I’m not the “lounging” type, but if I were, I know this would be the perfect spot. The pillows we got from Finch and Cotter with our home states of Virginia and Maryland highlighted have so much personality! They make the space really homey and comfortable. Here’s a close-up shot of the Maryland pillow… Awesome, no?! Need more backyard deck ideas? Did you notice our stenciled outdoor “rugs”?? This is a geometric stencil called “Perfect Catch”. You can check out the tutorial here for the DIY outdoor painted rug. I’m not gonna lie, it took some time to do this, but I love the results. I’ve always liked the look of outdoor rugs, but the reality for me, at least, is that they end up a mildewy, disgusting mess unless you take them inside and haul them back outside when you want to use them. I didn’t want that kind of commitment to a rug, so a stenciled-faux-outdoor rug was our solution. They add some color, and pattern, and help break up the larger spaces into more manageable and cozy areas. That patio umbrella? It’s from Overstock.com and was on sale for UNDER $100!! That’s a phenomenal price for a 10′ offset, tilting umbrella based on all the pricing I did, so we were pretty excited about that. My favorite time in this space is definitely the evening. We’ve strung a bunch of outdoor patio lights, and they give off such a warm glow. I can’t even get over the difference now on our wood deck. Before, I really didn’t even want to come out here. Every time I walked past my kitchen window, I wanted to duck and cover. But now,We’ve got a functional, beautiful deck with cover!
Shop our Outdoor Living Area:
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Click here or on the image below and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!”

Jolena says
Nice job! I love the painted rug idea for outdoors.