Backyard Deck Makeover: How We Created a Resort-Inspired Outdoor Living Space

You know how one home improvement project somehow turns into five more? Well, that’s exactly what happened with our latest backyard deck makeover!

What started with removing our old hot tub quickly turned into a complete outdoor refresh, including pressure washing the deck, replacing our outdoor furniture, adding curtains, and creating a cozy dining room and outdoor living room complete with a TV!

The goal was to make our backyard feel more like a relaxing resort and less like a space we were barely using. I think we succeed.

Here’s how we transformed our existing deck into a beautiful, functional outdoor living space and why this makeover will be leading us straight into our NEXT backyard project.

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Before: Our Backyard Deck Needed a Refresh

Our back deck has always had so much potential, but for years, a large hot tub took up most of the space on the right side even after we extended the deck 10ft!  The left side was done right, where we added an outdoor kitchen, couches and a fire pit coffee table. It was now time to make this entire space feel usable.

Between the hot tub and the general wear and tear from being outside, the deck was starting to feel a little tired.

Instead of having one large feature taking up most of the deck, I wanted to create two separate areas: a comfortable outdoor lounge where we could relax and watch TV, and a dedicated dining space for family meals and entertaining.

Think warm wood tones, cozy furniture, soft curtains, greenery, and that relaxed California resort feeling!

Step 1: Removing the Old Hot Tub to Open Up the Deck

The first major change was removing our old hot tub. And WOW! This was a job trying to remove the hot tub. It weighed 1000 lbs and without a crane we had no way of removing other than too cut it up. Not easy and took ALL DAY!

But, I don’t think I realized just how much room that thing was taking up until it was gone! Suddenly, we had this huge open area under our pergola, and I could finally start envisioning what our new outdoor living space could look like. We knew we still wanted a hot tub, but instead of putting a new one back in the same spot, we decided to move it to our side yard.

That decision ended up being the inspiration for TWO backyard makeovers instead of just one! Although this post is only covering the back deck, below is how it currently loos and the future inspiration for our side yard hot tub location.

Step 2: Pressure Washing the Deck Before Decorating

Before bringing in any new furniture, we needed to give the entire deck a REALLY good cleaning.

And by cleaning, I mean breaking out the pressure washer!

After years of outdoor dirt, dust, and grime building up, the deck was definitely ready for some attention.

We used this pressure washer from Lowe’s to clean everything up, and I swear there is nothing more satisfying than watching years of dirt disappear right before your eyes. Seriously, once I start pressure washing, I have a hard time stopping. It’s one of those home improvement tasks that can make such a dramatic difference without requiring a major renovation.

If you’re planning your own outdoor deck makeover, I highly recommend starting with a deep clean before spending money on new furniture or decor.

Pressure washing tip: Always check the cleaning recommendations for your particular decking material. Using too much pressure or holding the nozzle too close can damage wood and certain composite surfaces.

Step 3: Creating a Cozy Outdoor Living Room

Now for my favorite part: the furniture! Once the deck was clean, we could finally start bringing my vision to life.

I wanted the area under our pergola to feel like an extension of our indoor living room. Somewhere we could sit comfortably, relax after a long day, or hang out with friends and family.

We replaced the hot tub with a beautiful outdoor sectional featuring a warm wood frame and light-colored cushions. I also added a pair of sitting chairs to make the space more conversational. It made the deck look more intentional and gave us a comfortable seating area that we could actually use every day. We also added a coordinating outdoor coffee table, which helps define the seating area and gives us a spot for drinks, snacks, or a little decor. Everything was anchored by a natural jute rug that grounded the space perfectly.

Step 4: Replacing Our Outdoor Dining Table

With the seating area figured out, it was time to update the other half of our deck. I wanted the entire deck to feel cohesive, so we chose a new outdoor dining table with a warm wood finish and coordinating chairs. The chairs have beautiful woven details and neutral cushions that complement the sectional perfectly. Now the two areas feel like they belong together!

It’s amazing how simply choosing furniture that works together can make an outdoor space feel so much more expensive and thoughtfully designed.

Step 5: Adding Outdoor Curtains and a TV for That Resort Feel

This is where our backyard deck makeover REALLY started feeling like a resort! We already had a pergola over the deck, which gave us the perfect structure to work with. To soften the space, we added outdoor curtains around the pergola. The curtains instantly made the seating area feel like a private cabana. They add texture, soften the darker pergola framing, and give the entire space that relaxed, breezy resort vibe.

We also added back our outdoor TV, pillows, side tables, lanterns and cafe lights to make it finally feel like a true outdoor living room. And we accomplished all of this while working with the existing deck and pergola!

My Favorite Ideas for Creating a Resort-Style Backyard on a Budget

One thing I love about this project is that it proves you don’t need a huge renovation to make your backyard feel more luxurious.

Here are a few things that made the biggest difference in our outdoor deck makeover:

• Start with a deep clean. Pressure washing can completely refresh an older deck before you spend money on anything else.
• Create separate outdoor zones. Having a dedicated dining area and a lounge area makes the space feel more functional.
• Choose coordinating furniture. Similar wood tones and neutral fabrics help create a cohesive, elevated look.
• Add outdoor curtains. This is such an easy way to bring that cabana-inspired resort feeling to a pergola.
• Think about comfort. Cozy cushions, a coffee table, and a TV make the outdoors feel like an extension of your home.
• Use lighting to create atmosphere. Warm string lights can make an outdoor space feel completely different in the evening. Solar up-lighting in the greenery makes the biggest difference and they come on automatically at dusk, these are my favorite and have lasted me 4 years and counting!

You don’t necessarily need more space. Sometimes you just need to rethink how you’re using the space you already have!

The Next Backyard Project: Creating a Side Yard Hot Tub Oasis

Of course, finishing one project around here usually means starting another. Remember how I mentioned that we decided NOT to put the new hot tub back on our deck? Well, we have a whole new plan! We’re transforming our unused side yard into a private hot tub oasis.

This area has been pretty neglected, and honestly, we haven’t had much reason to use it. But I started thinking about how amazing it could be to turn that forgotten space into its own little backyard retreat, especially because it is right off our bedroom patio door. Imagine having a dedicated area just for the hot tub, separate from the main deck, where we can relax and unwind.

The first step was clearing out all the overgrown weeds and vegetation. We did that and then hired out help to get this area graded and back filled with a retaining wall and fence build. They then added decomposed granite and gave us a blank slate for this upcoming space. Below is how it now looks and I am so excited to eventually tackle this space!

We still have plenty of work ahead of us, but I’m so excited about the potential. Once it’s finished, we’ll have TWO completely different outdoor spaces: our main deck for entertaining, dining, and relaxing, and a separate hot tub oasis tucked away in the side yard. And I have a feeling this next project is going to be a good one!

Shop Our Backyard Deck Makeover

If you’re looking to recreate a similar outdoor living space, I’ve linked the tools, furniture, and accessories below!

Shop My Lowe’s Storefront here to find everything listed below:

• Pressure Washer
• Weed Wacker
• Outdoor Sectional
• Outdoor Sitting Chairs
• Outdoor Coffee Table
• Outdoor Dining Table and Chairs
• Outdoor Curtains
• Roller Shades
• Cafe Lights
• TV
• Solar Lighting
• Lanterns

These are affiliate links, which help support the projects and tutorials I share here on Nailgun Nelly at no additional cost to you.