DIY Network

Finishing Touches for a Great Patio These touches are the icing on the cake. From "Yard Crashers" episode DYCR-105

Finish off a fabulous look.

A custom concrete patio and stylish fence screens are a great start – but it'll take more to turn this backyard from drab to fab. Scroll down to see how Ahmed Hassan and the rest of the Yard Crashers crew turned this yard into a great outdoor room.

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Finishing Touches

What does it take to turn a blah backyard into a hipster's hideaway?

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Add a fireplace. A pre-fabricated fireplace is easy to install and goes just about anywhere on the patio. These come in several large pieces, so count on asking for help to unload and assemble the fireplace. Have a pro connect it to a gas line or simply hook up a propane tank to get things sizzling (figure A).

  Safety Alert: Never work with a natural gas line yourself — always have a qualified professional handle any gas work. If you think you have a gas leak, leave the area and call your utility's emergency hotline immediately.

• Add landscape lighting. Low-voltage lighting adds a lot of ambiance without adding a lot to the budget. Hang outdoor pod lights from a bar and set path lights around plants and the patio. Consider solar-powered path lights; they don't just save energy, they're a snap to install yourself.

• Chill out with some misters. The original mister system for this backyard was a menace, with water lines hung from electrical wiring. With the new, safe set-up, waterproof misting fans connected to a pump system spray water further without risk (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Water and electricity don't mix. Never simply hook up an electric fan to a water supply to make a mister. Instead, use a system designed to work with water for a safe and comfortable oasis.