Outdoors

Whether you are planting flowers in the garden, adding a water feature to the yard or just need to mow the grass, Family Handyman covers all your outdoor needs.

View More in:

Add Filter

15 Perfect Patio Designs

From entertaining spaces to cooking stations to areas designed for lounging, patios can add value and comfort to your home. Whether you're looking to design a patio with pavers, brick or poured concrete, here are 15 perfect patio designs to inspire you.

Tout icon

How to Build a Concrete Retaining Wall

Get your weekend workout and an attractive, hard-working wall with this DIY-friendly project


Tout icon

Pouring Concrete Patio: A First Timer’s Guide

Poured concrete makes a terrific backyard patio and it's easier to succeed than you might think. Here's how to get...


Tout icon

The 3 Main Types of In-Ground Pools

You've decided to install an in-ground pool. Now it's time to decide between the three main types of in-ground pools:...


Tout icon

How to Install Concrete Flower Bed Edging

Edging lends a crisp, clean, finished look to a flower bed. It also keeps the lawn from migrating into the...


Tout icon

How to Pour a Concrete Slab Successfully: 31 Tips

Building a shed this spring? Before you can even think about raising the walls, it’s imperative to have a solid...

Tout icon

How to Build a Deck Over a Concrete Patio

The ultimate solution for a hopeless slab


How to Build a Hammock Awning

Rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on warm...


Tout icon

How to Cover a Concrete Patio With Pavers

No need to tear out an ugly slab—just hide it!


Tout icon

Build a Brick Pathway in the Garden

Build this handsome backyard feature in one weekend.

Tout icon

How to Estimate a Concrete Order

Calculate concrete prices and how many cubic yards of concrete you need for a walk, driveway or basement. How much...


Renew Your Concrete Patio: How to Stain Concrete

Get a new look with stain in two days


Build a Flagstone and Stone Block Patio

Construct a poured concrete and stone patio with a curved stone wall.


Patio Tiles: How to Build a Patio With Ceramic Tile

Make patio tiles stand up to Mother Nature with these installation and care tips.


Tout icon

How to Build a Fire Table

A fire table is a beautiful addition to your outdoor living space—and an...

How to Build Pathways: Brick and Stone Pathways

With a little imagination and a lot of muscle, you can build this walk in a three-day weekend


How to Build a Stone Fire Ring

Build this backyard fire pit with retaining wall blocks.


How to Build a Garden Fountain

Cast this fountain in a weekend with a few bags of concrete and some hardware odds and ends.


How to Cast Concrete Fountains

Use basic materials and clever techniques to create a water feature in one weekend.


12 Stamped Concrete Patio Ideas We Love

A low-maintenance, durable stamped concrete patio is the perfect foundation for an outdoor living space where you can both relax...


Tout icon

How to Build a Modern Outdoor Fireplace

It’s surprisingly easy to build—and portable, too.


Use Brick Borders for Path Edging

Transform a dull concrete path into an elegant entrance to your home


How to Build a Stone Path and Steps

Modular blocks let you build like a master mason—even on slopes


Tout icon

How to Build a Wooden Boardwalk

Create a boardwalk in your back yard

Magazine Cover

Subscribe & SAVE

1 Year Subscription for only $10!

How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall Material

Learn the pros and cons of stone, wood and concrete block retaining walls


How to Build a Post and Beam Pavilion

Does it seem like whenever you want to spend your day off outside, the weather foils your plans? Rain and...


Tout icon

Concrete Air Plant Planter

This modern desktop planter is perfect for low-maintenance air plants—and it only takes a few quick steps to complete.



How to Build a Timber Frame Garden Arbor

You can cut perfect, old-style joints with standard tools...and keep all the fasteners out of sight


Build a Circular Patio and Retaining Wall

Hilly, small or ho-hum yard? Modular pavers and blocks let you carve out a unique retreat darn near anywhere!