Backyard Playhouse Makeover and Renovation

My daughter and I were daydreaming and designing some fun ideas for her backyard. It was time to update the kids playset and make it special. This is how we did our backyard playhouse makeover and renovation.

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When the swing set needs an update

By southern California standards, her backyard is quite large. And with young children at home, they pretty much live outside.

The kids play in the playhouse area, and the family spends much time in the backyard. So I scheduled a trip to fly in for a long weekend to do some outdoor projects. I didn’t anticipate that I’d be doing a backyard playhouse renovation.

A week before my trip, I got this via text message:

A change of backyard renovation plans

Gwen, my granddaughter had drawn a picture of her play structure transformed into the perfect playhouse. Currently it was less than exciting, with no roof on the upper half, and a useless built-in picnic table on the lower half.

Normally the text messages I receive from my daughter are one of the kids blowin’ up my phone with emojis, but this one changed our plans!

We had plans for a different backyard update, but we were now going to transform their play structure into the perfect little playhouse.

Since I am used to full house renovations and decorating, I figured I could handle this one!

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Packing and planning for the playhouse redo

I packed my tools, made a list of others for my daughter to borrow, wrote a supply list, and headed to the airport.

Our plan was to first stop at Home Depot, (after a lunch at In n’ Out first, duh) buy our supplies, and then head on over to get started.

It took a bit of wood, two days to construct, three Diet Cokes, a few hours to paint, and we had a perfect little house for the girlies to play in.

How to update a boring play system

Basically I removed the old picnic table, and covered the lower four sides with cedar fencing to create the playhouse. Cedar fencing is super economical, and already meant for outdoor hardiness.

I added a new corrugated roof on the top of the backyard structure, and it was feeling like a real fun play area. And yes, I slid down that slide about 47 times.

When wearing long pants, you have to put your feet out to slow yourself down or you just fly right off and land on your butt. Learned that the hard way.

Details for the backyard playhouse

I cut a story book entrance door for one side, and built a new ladder for another (the old one was more like stairs and taking up too much space).

A small window was added with shutters that open and close, and I cut a large window space for added light (otherwise it was like a cave).

My son was in town and stopped in for a visit. He pointed out that the big window should be open so the kids can’t close all the windows and do something “sketchy”, whatever that is.

Of course, leave it to the sketchy one to come up with the idea, but he’s probably right. So the shutters on the big ‘window’ are actually fixed to the body.

In a matter of days, thanks to the wonders of online shopping, we had all the needed accessories for creative play.

We ordered a new wheel, telescope, and handle set, along with a bell to ring, a mailbox for all their artwork, and a large chalk board for the back fence. New swings rounded out the update.

I even had plenty of paint to update their current child sized IKEA picnic tables. (Color used: Cornflower by BEHR) Check out my Amazon store for more fun accessories we’ve been using to update this space.

When the playhouse renovation was done

After returning home, and while the Coronavirus scare was building, I got a text message a few days later from my daughter. She sent a picture with this message: “It’s seriously such an incredible blessing that you did the playhouse right before this crazy quarantine. They were outside for forever playing today.”

And then the best part, “They love it and you.” This is music to my ears.

Renovation is always worth it, no matter the size

I keep these pictures the girls made me awhile back by my bedside to remind me that I am loved by my littles far away (I have five more little blessings that live close to me that I see quite often and get lots of hugs and kisses and “I love you Mimi”.)

Check out my Pinterest boards for other great outdoor inspiration.

These days, life can get crazy. And I never know what project will come up next. But one thing I do know….my name is Mimi, and right now, I’m feeling like the best.

Backyard update: We’ve been adding a fairy garden to the area and it’s just divine. Each time I visit, we work on it a bit more. If you’d like to start your own fairy garden, visit my Amazon shop for all the finds.

Read more about how to make a fairy garden.

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