Author: Megan Hartley
Megan Hartley
Hi, I’m Megan, the creator behind Tools Compendium. I’ve always loved the feeling of building something with my own two hands, especially when it solves a small everyday problem at home. Over the years I’ve turned dozens of wood pallets, scrap pieces, and old tools into outdoor seating, planters, storage, and little upgrades that make life a bit easier. I started this site because I kept meeting people who wanted to try DIY but felt intimidated by it. My projects aren’t perfect and I don’t pretend they are. They’re simple, budget friendly, and fun to make, which is exactly why I love sharing them. If you enjoy practical ideas that real people can actually build, you’re in the right place. Thanks for stopping by. I hope my ideas spark your next project.
Find 20 budget-friendly ways to build a rustic brick patio with reclaimed pavers, salvaged edging, and materials you may already have on hand.
See 19 DIY pergola ideas with simple materials and practical ways to add shade over a patio, from basic wood frames to leafy covers.
Find 17 budget-friendly ways to shade a back patio, from simple pergolas and shade sails to curtains and easy DIY covers.
Find practical ways to reuse old chairs, tables and benches on the patio, with affordable paint, sealers and finishes that hold up outdoors.
See 21 ways to refresh a back patio with paint, lighting, plants, and new furniture while keeping its current layout and hardscape intact.
Find practical ways to use reclaimed brick for patio paths, seating areas, borders, fire pits, and other simple outdoor projects.
Find 18 affordable ways to pair pavers with gravel, from simple borders and paths to patio layouts that work with a range of budgets.
Compare 20 low-growing plants for softening patio borders, filling gaps between gravel, and keeping paths tidy through changing seasons.
See how stepping-stone paths, slim paver grids, and small seating areas make a narrow side yard easier to use without crowding the walkway.
Compare 18 square patio layouts that pair large pavers with contrasting borders, from simple dark edges to patterns that define seating areas.