Craving a breath of fresh air but longing for the comfort of your home? Look no further than your outdoor living space! Here at Gerstad Builders, we know summertime and the early days of fall offer the perfect opportunity to extend your living area outdoors. We specialize in designing flexible, neutral outdoor spaces that easily transform into your oasis. We compiled a list of our favorite budget-friendly décor hacks, easy DIY projects and event ideas to make the most of summer’s final weeks and celebrate the arrival of fall!

Summertime and the upcoming fall season are some of the best times to enjoy your home’s outdoor living space. Embrace longer days and cooler weather coming soon with some seasonal décor that matches your budget. Gerstad Builders strives to create flexible, neutral outdoor living spaces that act as a blank canvas for any style.

Today’s Top Décor Ideas on a Budget

Outdoor living has become a popular add-on for today’s homebuyers. Customize your gathering space with comfortable seating, string lights and lanterns, greenery and more. Trending right now, seasonal pops of color and create-your-own art pieces add a unique flair.

Looking to find inspiration? Don’t forget to DIY and recycle! If you have an old piece of furniture that seems outdated, maybe it is time for a paint job, some new pillows or even repurposed into something new. Thrift shops and yard sales are also great locations for one-of-a-kind finds and potential DIY projects.

To get you started, here are a few project ideas that are easy to assemble and will not break the bank:

• If you are looking for some outdoor seating, consider DIY-ing a cinderblock planter bench. With just cinderblocks, four 4×4 boards and some outdoor adhesive glue, you can have a sturdy place to sit. The bonus? It doubles as a planter for flowers and is weather-resistant.
• A living plant wall is also a great statement piece and sure to spark up conversation.
• Interested in turning your backyard into an outdoor movie theater? Check out this DIY outdoor movie screen and s’mores table tutorial and you will be hosting movie night in no time!
• Fall nights can get a little chilly but a tabletop fireplace will have you warmed up and ready to relax outside for hours. Grab some lava rocks and gel fuel cans from your local home store, pick out a stylish ceramic planter and you are ready to go!

Summertime Event Ideas

Summer is coming to a close soon, but there is still time to celebrate warmer weather. Turn your outdoor haven into a cozy reading nook for the day or a stargazing retreat in evening. Barbeques, movie nights and outdoor game competitions are popular ways to get family and friends together for the final weeks of summer.

If you want to get neighbors in on the action, consider turning your backyard into a game center for an evening.  Nothing brings community together more than some friendly competition of kickball, capture the flag, freeze tag and other thrilling classics!

Autumn Event Ideas

Fall is just around the corner, bringing breezy days and changing leaves with it. Transition into the season by embracing outdoor dining and games. Grill out all season long and lounge on the fantastic, budget-friendly outdoor furniture you picked out. One fun idea to try this year is toasting s’mores in the fire pit. It is a great way to enjoy a treat after a long day and the kids will love it!

Take your first steps towards homeownership by contacting the Gerstad Builders team today. Visit the Find Home tab to discover homes in McHenry, Poplar Grove and Williams Bay. For more information, reach out to us via the contact form or call (815) 385-4495. Prospective buyers are also invited to visit our models in McHenry.