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We might still be in the middle of the global Covid pandemic, but there are still lots of bright patches where the best of humanity shines through. Don’t get us wrong, the past year and a half has been utterly exhausting, but some people took advantage of the endless lockdowns to work on their personal projects. While some baked bread or took up painting (or wrote short stories about the Alien Apocalypse that was supposed to cap off 2020), others took a more natural approach… and put their green thumbs and DIY skills to work!
There are quite a few members of the Bored Panda team whose idea of a comfy evening means wrapping ourselves in a blanket on our porch or somewhere in our yard. With a good book, a big mug of hot tea, and an eye on the stars, popping up above us, one by one. So we wanted to share our love of cool and cozy backyard projects with you by showing you some of the utterly amazing transformations people did during the recent quarantines.
A lot of people were still working from home until very recently (some still are!), so they had more free time to spend with their families, on their hobbies, and doing various chores they’d been putting off. And, of course, to turn their tired, weed-ridden, overgrown yards, porches, and balconies into something the entire neighborhood could marvel at.
Scroll down to check out some of the most eye-catching quarantine yard before and afters and upvote the ones that you loved the most. In the mood to share your own lockdown projects, whatever they might be? Be sure to drop us a line in the comments. Meanwhile, let’s get digging, shall we? Pass the shovel and the hedge clippers, please!
And be sure to read on for Bored Panda's interview with Dublin-based Stephen, who runs ‘The Powerwash Man’ power washing service and has seen more gardens (a lot of them in rough shape) than many of us put together.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Never Had A Backyard In My Life. Took 3 Months Of Covid Quarantine To Pull This Together. Finally Have My Very Own Balcony Oasis In Toronto
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I Built A Backyard Treehouse As A Quarantine Project
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My Covid Backyard Project. An Especially Cozy Place For My Chickens. My Home Office Is In This Old Garage Looking Into The Chicken Coop
Power washer Stephen, from Ireland, told Bored Panda all about the very worst gardens that his service deals with.
“The worst gardens we deal with are gardens without drainage, as we use quite a lot of water and without drainage floods the whole area,” he explained one of the challenges that he faces.
However, Stephen noted that they’ve overcome this problem by bringing in a new piece of equipment, so it’s no longer much of an issue. There are other challenges that power washers like Stephen face, though. Issues that garden owners can help overcome with a bit of foresight.
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My Covid Project. Yard And Paint
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Before And After Lockdown Backyard
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My Quarantine Project, Before And After
“Other issues we have with gardens are the ones with weeds that haven't been taken care of in a long time,” the power washing expert shared with Bored Panda. “What we do in these situations is we use an eco-friendly weedkiller, let that go to work, then come back a few days later to power wash.”
So if you’re revamping your backyard and you think there’s even a chance of you wanting to get things power washed in the future, make sure to get rid of the weeds and to have some proper drainage, too.
#7
Turned A Nasty Place Into A Cozy Place. Our Lockdown Project
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Outdoor Living Room - My Corona Project
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A Bit Late To The Party, But Here's My Lockdown Garden Transformation
We were also curious to find out what business has been like for Stephen recently. He shared with Bored Panda that business has been good and sees it as a positive that so many people are working from home.
“For us, it's actually good that most people are at home and we can get to work with them being in the house,” he said.
#10
Since Everyone Seems To Be Posting Their Quarantine Project Before And Afters
#11
My Neglected Backyard Covid Project: After A Lot Of Power Washing And Plant Care It’s Finally Used By Everyone
Mihai Mara 3 years ago
I like this one cause all initial objects are still there but thoroughly cleaned. Looks really nice
#12
My Lockdown Garden Project For The Grandchildren Nearly Complete
When you roll up your sleeves and put in the proper time and effort, your garden will look amazing. In the internet age, we’ve got the wisdom of the entire world at our fingertips, so it’s easy to watch a whole bunch of video tutorials.
However, when it comes to DIY, nothing can trump some friendly advice from your family and neighbors, as well as getting your hands dirty and learning what (not) to do through hard-earned experience.
#13
New Home With A Neglected Garden vs. 3 Months Later With A Lot Of Hard Work
#14
Revamped Entire Backyard During The Quarantine
#15
Before & After Of Our Backyard Quarantine Project. I Will Be Purposely Social Distancing Here Throughout The Summer
In the mood for some more inspiring posts? Have a look through Bored Panda’s previous articles about some of the coolest coronavirus and lockdown projects right here and here. Hopefully, this will inspire you to get creative no matter how difficult life might be.
#16
You Guys Like Driveways? This Was My DIY Covid-19 Project
#17
DIY Backyard Overhaul. 1 Girl, 2 Days, $750, And A Whole Ton Of Ambition
#18
My Husband Transformed Our Backyard With His Own 2 Hands Over 9 Months
Lydia Dean-Melchior 3 years ago
He did a really nice job! Now you can enjoy the fruits of his labor.
#19
My Mom Finally Kicked My Abusive Stepdad Out So I've Had The Chance To Make Some Improvements
#20
My Covid Project. Revamped Backyard
#21
With My Free Time During Quarantine, I Gave My Kids The Backyard I Have Promised For Two Years
I only hired out the trenching for sprinklers, and leveling to final grade.
#22
It Took Us Months Of Quarantine But We Revived The Family Garden
Cheri Aline Sydney 3 years ago
Wishing you much enjoyment and good health! Such a nice way for family to spend time together and enjoy the fruits of their labor!
#23
2020 Lockdown Garden Bar Build
#24
My Quarantine Backyard Project
#25
My Lockdown Backyard Project
#26
My Lockdown Project
#27
My Husband And I DIY’d Our Backyard In Phoenix
#28
Our Quarantine Project Was Screening In And Decorating The Back Porch. Having This To Look Forward To Gets Me Through My Insane Work Days
#29
My Dad’s Retired So He’s Had A Lot Of Time On His Hands Lately. This Is His Quarantine Project
#30
That's Right! It's Another Lockdown Patio Project! I Built A Set Of Benches For Our Small Courtyard Patio
#31
2 Days Of Work, 83 Days Of Waiting For The IKEA Order To Ship: Another Covid Backyard Make-Over
#32
Combination Of 2 Summers Ago And Covid Lockdown. My Backyard
Deck, raised beds, trees, stone patio, arbor, gurgler, pavilion, and lots of aching muscles. I am not a landscaper by trade but rather a soft office man. I will never do this all again myself.
#33
Backyard Quarantine Project
#34
My Uncle's Covid-19 Project
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What do you think ?
Brian Bennett 3 years ago
All these are amazing projects and beautiful. But one must have hand the money during COVID to do these makeovers, I figure COVID gave them time. We have neither.
Uncommon Boston 3 years ago
Some of these projects were just hard work -- mostly cleaning -- and some were done in just a few days. My favorites were the tiny city gardens.
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Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
See all the wonderful and satisfying things people can do when they’re not working 60, 70, 80 hours a week? I think the quarantine and work from home phenomenon of the pandemic is opening our eyes to the fact that all work and no play, just to barely pay the bills, is a very dreary and joyless existence. I hope it leads to a shift toward a shorter workweek—-with NO drop in pay, I mean, come on, management, ffs!—-so we have the time for enjoyable projects like these, and the chance to enjoy them when they’re done. Well, I can dream, can’t I?
Honu 3 years ago
My husband and I are working the same kinds of hours we were working before, but not having the commute has been a tremendous boon. Commuting used to cost us 4 hours a day on average between the two of us, and often added stress and frustration. Plus, working from home allows us to knock out little tasks throughout the day instead of doing all of them when we get home and are tired. I can fold a little laundry, do a little exercise or something while I'm in a meeting. When I was in the office, I sometimes needed to get up and walk around a bit to clear my head when working out a problem. Now I can go tidy something or load the dishwasher while I think. I'm less tired and stressed at the end of the day, with less work left to be done. I sleep better. Our teams have been really productive. And imagine all the carbon emissions we're saving!
Load More Replies...
Brian Bennett 3 years ago
All these are amazing projects and beautiful. But one must have hand the money during COVID to do these makeovers, I figure COVID gave them time. We have neither.
Uncommon Boston 3 years ago
Some of these projects were just hard work -- mostly cleaning -- and some were done in just a few days. My favorites were the tiny city gardens.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
See all the wonderful and satisfying things people can do when they’re not working 60, 70, 80 hours a week? I think the quarantine and work from home phenomenon of the pandemic is opening our eyes to the fact that all work and no play, just to barely pay the bills, is a very dreary and joyless existence. I hope it leads to a shift toward a shorter workweek—-with NO drop in pay, I mean, come on, management, ffs!—-so we have the time for enjoyable projects like these, and the chance to enjoy them when they’re done. Well, I can dream, can’t I?
Honu 3 years ago
My husband and I are working the same kinds of hours we were working before, but not having the commute has been a tremendous boon. Commuting used to cost us 4 hours a day on average between the two of us, and often added stress and frustration. Plus, working from home allows us to knock out little tasks throughout the day instead of doing all of them when we get home and are tired. I can fold a little laundry, do a little exercise or something while I'm in a meeting. When I was in the office, I sometimes needed to get up and walk around a bit to clear my head when working out a problem. Now I can go tidy something or load the dishwasher while I think. I'm less tired and stressed at the end of the day, with less work left to be done. I sleep better. Our teams have been really productive. And imagine all the carbon emissions we're saving!
Load More Replies...
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