Backyard Pavilion Makeover: Before and After

Backyard Makeover: Our Cozy Pavilion Transformation

When we moved into our home almost two years ago, the yard was, well, a bit of a disaster and desperately needed a backyard makeover.

It seemed like it had beautiful flower beds and neat bushes back in the day, but it had been neglected for so long that we had to tear most of it out and start fresh with the landscaping.

There was this small pavilion in the yard that also had that “forgotten” look. With all the other projects we had, I wasn’t sure when we’d actually get around to fixing it up. But guess what? It’s finally done!

We loved transforming the carport at our last home into a gorgeous outdoor area with comfy seating where we could cool down in the summer and enjoy fall nights by the fire table. So, we decided to give our pavilion a similar makeover, and the cozy vibe was totally worth the wait.

We didn’t change the pavilion structure too much, but we did remove the rotting sideboards and added more sway support to the beams so we could keep the sides open for a better view. The pavilion got a fresh coat of faded warm black paint to modernize it, and we painted the entire underside of the roof, which had been just plain plywood. It looks so much better now!

We also tackled the multi-colored brown shingles by painting them black to match the rest of the structure. Fun fact: you can paint shingles! Find out more in my post here.

Adding a stone paver walkway to the pavilion really gives it that cozy cottage feel.

We adored having an Article sectional at our last place, so we chose this corner sectional from them for the pavilion, and it fits perfectly! It has built-in Acacia side tables, making it the ideal spot for your drink or a few small plants. It’s spacious enough for lounging with a book or having friends over. The modular cushion design and sleek powder-coated frame give it a modern look, and the light cushions are easy to clean.

We added this rounded lounge chair to tie in some black accents with the pavilion. It’s roomy enough for snuggling with our daughter, and the synthetic wicker is weatherproof but still gives a natural look.

What’s an outdoor seating area without pillows? I went with larger pink pillows and a set of orange lumbar pillows for a pop of color and extra comfort. We also added some woven round pillows to match the wicker details on the chair, and they really bring the whole look together.

To add more color, we chose this pink outdoor rug that fills up most of the space. These terrazzo planters are stunning and have speckles of pink, blue, and gray, adding texture to the decor. I’ll probably bring them inside during winter since they’re too pretty to leave empty outside.

We also hung some planters in the macrame holders to balance out the floor plants.

Outdoor spaces need good mood lighting, so we hung these LED string lights that we had at our last house. They’re dimmable, so you can set the perfect ambiance. Additionally, we added some natural-looking lanterns that are battery-powered.

I can’t imagine an outdoor space without a fire table now, and this one is just right for the pavilion. The white concrete pairs beautifully with the light-colored cushions.

To protect the outdoor furniture and make it last longer, we have covers for the sectional and the fire table for off-seasons or bad weather.

Got outdoor furniture? Check out our tips to keep it in top shape all year round

Altogether, the cleanup, fresh paint, perfect furniture, added mood lights, and landscaping efforts have transformed this pavilion into a cozy, revived space.

So, if you need me this fall, I’ll be right here by the fire table with some hot chocolate!