"Design Happens"

I’ve got spring fever – bad. Ever since Groundhog Day. Now that the sun is making a comeback and it’s not dark when I leave work, I’m ready to live on my patio. Unfortunately, my outdoor space currently consists of … well, nothing. And a naked patio is a boring patio. Do you have the same problem? Fortunately, with HGTV.com’s Fast Fix: Outdoors, I can give my patio some love, and so should you. This DIY outdoors design guide is packed with projects to match your skill level, schedule and style.

Lacking a green thumb? Well, in just a few hours you can turn into a natural-born gardener by creating your own mobile container garden out of galvanized metal trash cans and casters. Design Happens featured blogger Brian Patrick Flynn provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that will give your outdoor space some green bling in no time.

If you’ve been looking for an outdoor area rug but can’t find one that matches your outdoor decor and furniture, make your own with custom colors. Brian Patrick Flynn shows how to turn a basic drop cloth into a chic and durable outdoor rug. Don’t like stripes? Ditch them for a simple pattern or more intricate, detailed designs.

Grilling outdoors with friends is my favorite thing to do when the weather gets warm. Re-purposing an old dresser into an indoor/outdoor serving buffet is such a handy and fun piece to have on hand, especially with wheels on the bottom.

Can you imagine lounging on this hanging daybed in your outdoor space? Lazy summer days would be so much sweeter. Perfect for reading and napping.

For eight more easy-to-tackle outdoor projects, visit Fast Fix: Outdoors.

Kayla is an assistant editor for HGTV.com. When she’s not scouring the internet for delicious design inspiration, she’s shopping for home decor to spruce up her apartment, spending quality time with D'Artagnan, her adopted cat, and finding any reason to be outside. Her favorite design style: eclectic with a vintage, retro vibe.