Lately, I’ve Been Obsessing Over My Sad, Empty Patio
I don’t know why it took me this long to realize my backyard is basically a wasteland. We moved into this Wall, NJ, house two years ago, and somehow, the patio has remained a barren slab of concrete with two plastic chairs and a sad little grill. Not exactly the cozy outdoor retreat I imagined when we bought the place.
The problem? I have no idea where to start. Do I go full Pinterest-perfect with string lights and a fire pit? Or should I keep it simple with some pavers and built-in seating? I’ve been down so many internet rabbit holes that my phone now shows me nothing but patio inspo ads.
Then, while doomscrolling, I stumbled on Woodbine Contracting’s gallery page (here’s the link), and suddenly, I had real local examples to drool over. Like, actual projects in my area—not just some influencer’s California dreamscape. One photo in particular caught my eye: a raised stone patio with a built-in fireplace, surrounded by these gorgeous planters. It looked lived-in, not staged. And it got me thinking—maybe I don’t need to go full HGTV. Maybe just a little structure, some texture, and a place to actually sit without folding chairs.
I’m still not sure if I’m ready to commit to a full renovation (RIP, my wallet), but seeing what’s possible in Wall homes has me sketching ideas on napkins. Maybe this summer, my sad concrete slab will finally get the glow-up it deserves.