iriemade Skip to Content

Part 3: How Our Kmart Outdoor Living Space Makeover Came Together

So now that I have revealed our outdoor living space, it’s time I tell you how it all came together. It’s quite simple, if I spare the tantrums thrown in stores and my fear of not being able to complete the project in time, and worrying Greg about it all. So. I started by going to kmart.com for inspiration. I browsed their Outdoor Living section, Outdoor Living catalog, and Patio Finder. The Patio Finder was pretty neat, but I had my heart set on a swing and no additional patio furniture since our patio is of the smaller variety.

Using Wishpot, I built three wishlists. One general wishlist of items that I wanted up to $1,500, one wishlist of items I’d like to have if budget was no limit, and a final wishlist of items (featured here) that would be more cost effective with costs of shipping, tax, and unexpected expenses in mind.

We managed to get everything on our final wishlist for a little under $1,500, with a majority of the purchases being made at our local Kmart and Kmart.com. Everything came from Kmart except the DIY Garden supplies: Soil, Compost, and Mulch, Heirloom Vegetable Seeds, Fruit/Nut Trees, Chicken Wire, U Posts, Snip Pliers, PVC Pipes, Composting Worms, Hose Bibb, Downspout Filter. Again, I’m noting the items that I already had on hand: Bistro Patio Set, Mini Glass Table, Hanging Coco Planters, Dishes (on the table), Teapot, Placemats, Bamboo, and Bonsai Tree. Oh, and the Step 2 Double Slide Climber.

For fun, here are some items that I wanted, but didn’t get because of costs or lack of space. Maybe I’ll get some of them later!

Wanted, But Didn’t Get

Little Tikes TotSports Basketball Set
Double Rope Patio Swing
Step 2 Play Up Picnic Cottage
Antique Copper Bird Bath
Cascade Vase Fountain
Solar Roly Poly Frog

It was so funny because our first trip to Kmart, we spent $400 and apparently we set a world record or something because the cashier was like, “Are you guys moving in somewhere… or are you just splurging?” I was like, “Ooh we’re splurging for the first time in like a loooong time.” She couldn’t get over it. She replied with, “Wow, this is a lot of stuff!” I guess no one spends that much at Kmart. She was probably wondering why we weren’t spending it elsewhere, lol.

We may have to take back the window bird feeder because I didn’t realize that the screen on the patio door would interfere with it. We also did a switcheroo on the grill. The grill on our wishlist was pretty basic and I wasn’t really feeling it. So, we ended up (miraculously) getting the one that I really wanted :D.

049 024
Seriously, how many people do you know with a burnt orange grill? Fancy, huh?

052 026
Full view from an alternate angle.

009 034
Jayden watering the Azaleas and “cooking breakfast” on his grill.

015 051 053
Bistro area (best photo ever), Solar Butterfly Lights, and another view of our patio.

082 023
Seeds germinating and an inside view of our storage seat. It houses the hose, garden tools (non sharp) and toys.

067 059 - Uh oh...
Hubby reading instructions to a rain barrel we decided we didn’t need, and Jayden, knocking the screen out of the door… after Daddy just fixed it! All we could do was laugh!

I just realized that I didn’t photograph the easel. I kept it inside since the instructions said so. I think it will be great outside, if not left out during harsh weather. I’ll be sure to take some photos when we break out the paint! Oh! We’re going to fire up our new Kenmore grill and put our new dishes to use tomorrow at Jayden’s birthday party (his birthday was April 26th). I’ll be sure to take lots of photos!

More from this series:

Part 1
Part 2
Flickr Photo Set

Although this is a 3 part series, I will continue to update you all on my tweaks (because I can never leave anything as is) and our garden since it’s going to take a while for it to come together!

I have been compensated for this unique shopping experience. Opinions are my own, of course!

Donna B.

Saturday 11th of June 2011

Lucky you - I love that grill! Your backyard really came together nicely :)

spirit_kim

Saturday 11th of June 2011

The "Big Boy" grill a good choice as well as the mini. Think grilled veggies, pizza, ribs, chicken, Yum.

Jaque R.

Friday 10th of June 2011

I want to come play in your backyard....looks so nice! Although I have no idea how you could give up the Solar Roly Poly Frog! :-) Do you mind my asking what part of the country you are in? It looks beautiful.

Sheena

Saturday 11th of June 2011

Thanks! If the frog goes on sale, I just may get it. We're in NW Indiana :).

Theresa

Thursday 26th of May 2011

Sheena, I love the back yard! I haven't shopped at Kmart in years (stuck in a Target Rut), but your article is really inspiring me to make a trip there! Especially for the Solar Butterfly Lights. I LOVE those, now feel my deck isn't going to be complete until I have some for myself lol.

Sheena

Friday 27th of May 2011

Thanks! If you don't find the lights in-store, be sure to check out Kmart.com. I had to order mine.

Brent

Monday 23rd of May 2011

Sheena, This is really amazing. Backyard looks great. Thank you for the great ideas. Cheers. b.

Comments are closed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares