Tips for staying on budget and creating a welcoming outdoor space is our topic today. In partnership with Better Homes and Gardens from Walmart I will be sharing ideas for creating a cozy area for entertaining.
Outdoor Entertaining: Easy and Affordable
To stay on budget, I mix and match my serving pieces from year to year. Galvanized metal is my all time favorite, this season I added the square metal drink dispenser and lift, which can double as an ice bucket.
This potting bench that we built a couple months ago is perfect as a serving area. I’m using it for drink service today but you could easily serve food here, use it as a mini buffet.
Serve ware: Go casual
I already had the galvanized chargers, they work great with the new pieces.
I added crushed ice and placed the watermelon in the round bucket for cool keeping. When it’s not holding watermelon you can flip it and use it to lift the drink dispenser or use as a server.
Tip: For the table, I draped a large scarf down the center, it was purchased at Walmart.
Decorate your space just like you would if it were inside:
Tip: Use outdoor tablecloths as curtains. They add color and they’re are so affordable!
The *Better Homes and Gardens striped tablecloths, aka outdoor curtains are so colorful and pretty. Red, orange, green, yellow and several shades blue. They bring all the colors from the patio together. I love how it coordinates with all the things that I already owned and they look great with the new stuff too.
I layered the top of this table with weathered wood, added a candle in the BHG Ceramic lantern and popped a plant in to an old minnow bucket. No need to worry about the elements, nothing our here is precious and has weathered a lot of pollen and a little rain.
This is where you can find most afternoons!
The whole family loves relaxing on the patio.
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Jenni says
April 3, 2017 at 5:49 pmFabulous! I would spend my day on the patio. Plenty of shade (I’m ultra-fair) and comfortable seating in the sun to soak up Vitamin D. It’s a work of art, Debbie. Thanks for sparking a fire in me.
Jenni says
April 3, 2017 at 5:50 pmMy favorite thing is … THE WATERMELON!
Jeanie @ Create & Babble says
May 30, 2016 at 10:59 amYou did a fabulous job Debbie! I would be spending all of my time in this area and never get a thing done if I lived there!
Brenda Bergman says
May 30, 2016 at 9:31 amI love Walmart’s Better Homes and Gardens home decor. Everything is so pretty!
Fatima says
May 29, 2016 at 9:03 pmI love the blue and white bowls.
Betsy Barnes says
May 29, 2016 at 5:35 pmMy favorite BHG items at Walmart is their home decor. I especially love the Better Homes and Gardens 3-Piece Mirror Set. 🙂
Maria Beatrix says
May 29, 2016 at 6:28 amI loved your space! It’s so inspiring! but you wrote nothing about the beautiful poster hanging behind the drink service table. I’m really curious about it
Debbie says
May 29, 2016 at 7:45 amThanks Maria, the poster is a canvas poster from Ikea. I love bringing stuff from inside the house to the outside!
Rebecca Parsons says
May 28, 2016 at 8:52 pmI am lovin’ those galvanized items Debbie!! May need a few for my summer entertaining!! Thanks for sharing.
Tania says
May 27, 2016 at 8:55 amThis looks just beautiful, I’d be out there every chance I could get!
Tania
nicole torres says
May 26, 2016 at 10:41 pmI love all of it. Beautifully styled, I have the same colors in our backyard that’s my current makeover project. My favorite item from Walmart BHG is the ceramic cookie owl jar, the owl gravy boat and the salt and pepper shakers. I am excited to share my backyard makeover! 🙂
Debbie w says
May 26, 2016 at 4:14 pmI have bought the oval galvanized trays already but I need the other items to add to it…..bring on the gift card!!!
Merry Z. says
May 26, 2016 at 1:53 pmI want my outdoor space to look like yours. I love the BH&G pillows at Walmart. I have them in almost every room.
Gina says
May 25, 2016 at 8:10 pmThat looks so great! I’d love to have an area like that! Is the botanical print you have hanging over the bar from BHG collection as well?
Debbie says
May 26, 2016 at 11:58 amThanks Gina, that is actually a canvas poster from Ikea.
Tabathia B says
May 24, 2016 at 6:41 pmI like the Better Homes and Gardens Full-Size Wax Warmer
ginette4 says
May 23, 2016 at 9:58 amI really love every piece..wow I love the ice bucket..galvanized steel is so in right now..I love the look
I live in Canada Debbie but I do have a U.S address
Robin All Things Heart and Home says
May 22, 2016 at 8:27 pmjust beautiful and welcoming…thank you for sharing my friend xo
Debbie says
May 23, 2016 at 7:59 amThanks Robin!
Ter'e Crow Lindsay says
May 22, 2016 at 6:16 pmI positively love anythjng galvanized. My collection is growing, one piece at a time. We will have a new deck latwr on this summer…….and
It is crying out to be a pretty place. Your patio area looks so restful and classy.
May I have some sweet tea, please?????
And, would you serve it in one of those priceless containers that have the cute spouts?
Love them!!!
Cookie Sheldon says
May 22, 2016 at 4:26 pmLove the ideas from Walmart. I truly love your patio…and the dog
Eva Andrew says
May 22, 2016 at 3:49 pmLove the outdoor furniture.
Wendy says
May 22, 2016 at 2:05 pmLove the rattan chairs. Beautiful. Your puppy is pretty special too :-).
Michelle J. says
May 21, 2016 at 6:50 pmThe Marble globe string light set.
Ann says
May 19, 2016 at 6:03 pmI love a good give away.
Susan Christy says
May 19, 2016 at 5:24 pmI have several sets of towels from the Better Homes and Gardens Thick and Plush Bath Towel Collection and they are so soft.
Joti B says
May 19, 2016 at 1:41 pmI love so many things from that collection but the new galvanized items are to die for.
Andrea says
May 19, 2016 at 12:18 pmI love it all and the ambiance came right through the screen. Love the Walmart curtains, any sewing required? xoxo
Lisa Brown says
May 19, 2016 at 12:57 pmI like the Better Homes and Gardens 9-Cube Storage http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-9-Cube-Storage-Multiple-Colors/40822756
Elizabeth J. says
May 19, 2016 at 2:09 amI love their tablecloths!! I need to get one!
Birdiebee says
May 19, 2016 at 12:48 amI love the Better Homes and Gardens Bright Dotted Circles Multi Area Rug.
Steve Weber says
May 18, 2016 at 11:26 pmAzalea Ridge Dining Set
shelly peterson says
May 18, 2016 at 9:34 pmI like the Better Homes and Gardens Bayonne Area Rug
Nancy H says
May 18, 2016 at 8:37 pmI love all the galvanized decor…
Martha Franks says
May 18, 2016 at 8:33 pmLove fresh ideas as the summer season comes on! Thanks for great pictures!
Cheryl B says
May 18, 2016 at 8:22 pmI purchased curtains produced by Better Homes and Garden. I love them.
Kathy S. says
May 18, 2016 at 6:33 pmTheir dishes are so inviting!
Natalie says
May 18, 2016 at 6:18 pmMy favorite Better Homes and Garden item at Walmart is Better Homes and Gardens Englewood Heights II Aluminum 4-Piece Patio Conversation Set.
Kelly D says
May 18, 2016 at 6:09 pmI like the Better Homes and Gardens LG Rope Handle Lantern.
Elena says
May 18, 2016 at 5:56 pmI like the Better Homes and Gardens Multi Border Table Cloth
Allison Swain says
May 18, 2016 at 5:41 pmI love those blue dishware
Thank you for the chance to win
Christina Robart says
May 18, 2016 at 5:25 pmI love your outdoor space! Table cloths for curtains is genius! 🙂
Cindy says
May 18, 2016 at 4:18 pmI LOVE the colors you chose! Unfortunately those don’t go with my pea green house. Guess I’ll have to find some yellows!
Jeannie Garcia-Buechele says
May 18, 2016 at 3:49 pmI love almost everything they make, but here in Phoenix, we need plenty of shade so I love the Better Homes & Gardens 9′ Market Umbrellas.
Julianne says
May 18, 2016 at 3:14 pmThe potting bench!! So versatile!!
MimiG2002 says
May 18, 2016 at 3:14 pmLove, love all the galvanized pieces. Reminds me of my grandma’s picnics..
Gigi says
May 18, 2016 at 1:22 pmLove it & the galvanized look. Taking notes. 🙂
HS says
May 18, 2016 at 12:36 pmI love Better Homes and Gardens Chenille Swirls Decorative Pillow.
Karen says
May 18, 2016 at 11:11 amWhat a beautiful place to enjoy the nice weather. I love your idea with the tablecloths as curtains! and that Galvanized stuff is to die for.
Elle says
May 18, 2016 at 11:09 amI like their different pillows like the Chenille Swirls Decorative Pillow in turquoise.
Maria says
May 18, 2016 at 11:03 amIt’s hard to choose, what I love most so I choose everything Aqua. the ceramic lantern for example. Thank you for the opportunity. Your space turned out great
Kim says
May 18, 2016 at 9:49 amI’m loving the new galvanized items. You can use them for every season!!
Terie says
May 18, 2016 at 9:36 amI love the metal serving trays – and your space is beautiful!
Lauren says
May 18, 2016 at 9:36 amI like the throw pillows.
tammy shelton says
May 18, 2016 at 9:32 amThe Better Homes and Gardens Jeweled Damask Bedding Quilt Collection is my favorite.
Shawnda says
May 18, 2016 at 9:28 amI’ve thought of trying to use shower curtains for outdoor curtains, but was concerned about UV damaging them. Using these tablecloths is a brilliant (and cute, and fun…) idea!
Debbie says
May 18, 2016 at 9:31 amThank you!
beverly e says
May 18, 2016 at 9:14 amI really love the Latticework Indoor/Outdoor Rug… Your patio looks so inviting. Thanks for the chance to win!
Lo says
May 18, 2016 at 9:07 amLove those tablecloths! Great idea to use them as curtains.
Jessica says
May 18, 2016 at 8:54 amI really love the Galvanized metal serving dishes! Thanks for sharing your beautiful back yard!
Karen says
May 18, 2016 at 8:43 amWhat an inviting spot. You have done a fabulous job. I would spend all of my time there.
Julie Wood says
May 18, 2016 at 8:33 amYour patio is so beautiful and you sure did a great job on it with the decor. I love so many things from Better Homes and Garden and the wall items are wonderful I like the Better Homes and Gardens Baroque Oval Wall Mirror in white! It looks so pretty.
Lisa Berry says
May 18, 2016 at 6:43 amLove your patio. I recognize a lot of your accessories because I also do a lot of my shopping at Walmart and really enjoy their line from BHG! The tablecloths as curtains add a nice touch and a lot of color to your porch.
Barbara says
May 17, 2016 at 11:52 pmI love you outdoor space, Debbie! I understand why you spend a lot of time out there! I was wondering if the chairs and ottomans were BHG products as I really like them. Thanks for all your hard work – I really enjoy your blog!
Debbie says
May 18, 2016 at 9:29 amHi Barbara, those chairs and ottoman are from Sam’s Club but the dining table is from Walmart. Check the site they have awesome seating!
Thanks for stopping by the blog,
Debbie
Laurajj says
May 17, 2016 at 11:37 pmOh I really love their Better Homes and Gardens Flameless LED Pillar Candles, 4pk, Vanilla! Those are so cute and I love the vanilla scent!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
May 17, 2016 at 11:36 pmLove it ALL, Debbie! That drink dispenser/ice bucket is FANTASTIC! You have such a beautiful space, friend. Would love to sit out here and sip tea with you! 🙂
gail says
May 17, 2016 at 10:26 pmI was at Walmart today, and noticed the ice bucket. Do I NEED an ice bucket? probably not, but I love galvanized stuff….
gail
Debbie says
May 17, 2016 at 10:42 pmyes we all need an ice bucket 😉 Thanks Gail!
LaTanya says
May 17, 2016 at 9:50 pmAzalea Ridge Dining Set
Debbie says
May 17, 2016 at 10:48 pmGreat set LaTanya!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
May 17, 2016 at 9:33 pmYou have outdone yourself! This is beautiful and your photos are gorgeous! We will be right over!
Debbie says
May 17, 2016 at 9:52 pmSeriously come on over!! Thank you!!
Shannon says
May 17, 2016 at 9:29 pmLove your space Debbie! Everything came together so beautifully!
You make me eager to have our courtyard done, so I can really do it up 🙂
Debbie says
May 17, 2016 at 9:41 pmThank you so much!! Love your space too!
xo