If you are new here, we are living in a rental while we build our new house. In order for us to NOT be miserable living in a house that’s not ours, we decided to give the backyard a makeover on a budget. We spend every freaking minute that we can in our outdoor spaces. Because the weather here in Indiana is BIZARRE. So why not enjoy our space while we are here.
If you are keeping track, we bought a small shed to store our lawn mower and other garden items. We aren’t counting that as part of the budget because we will be selling that when we leave. But, I talked about our shed and our plans for this backyard a few weeks ago. So far, we uncovered some limestone pieces and used them as a landing spot outside the back door and gave the fire pit a makeover. And, I can’t tell you how much time we’ve already spent out there.
Planting a vegetable garden is something that I enjoy so much in the summer. So I think I picked the perfect spot and got that all planted this past week.
I don’t know about you, but having a clothesline is MUST for me… to hang sheets and blankets, etc. I was pretty excited when I saw that this rental house had one. Deb isn’t a fan because she remembers her mom making her go out and hang clothes and her dad making her paint the posts. Remember that silver paint that everyone painted their clotheslines with? ???? We both remember that. It was like a shiny silver paint…. ????
Anyways, we had a retractable clotheslines at our last several homes because we didn’t have a big enough yard to actually have the posts. They work well if you have a smaller area. But don’t worry, there WILL be a real clothesline at our new property. I have actually been pinning some really pretty ones trying to prove to Deb that they aren’t all ugly. ???? Check them out on my Clothesline Pinterest Board. Oh… and give me a follow while you’re there. ????????
These clothesline posts here at the rental sagged and needed tightened. One of the lines lost all of the plastic coating and was rusty, so that needed replaced. The other one was a newer line so we could use that one. Deb happened to have a few turnbuckles in her stash in the basement to tighten up the original line that was here. And we bought a new line for the other side.
I ended up painting the posts with some white paint that I already had on hand here. And they look SO DIFFERENT…. so clean and so fresh.
If you are keeping track of our Backyard Makeover on a Budget, we were at $29 total. Adding the $12 for the clothesline puts us at $41. We still have a few things we want to do back here including getting another load of packing stone for the bird feeder and the grill areas. So stay tuned for that.
*** My laundry basket is a vintage one that I found a few years back, but I found some other ones online that look similar.
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I was so excited to see your post about the clothes line. I finally felt like I had a connection to you guys! I also love to hang my sheets, etc outside and didn’t think about making the line pretty till I saw your post and then followed you in Pinterest to see those pictures. Anyways, have a another project for my husband to put up! ???? thanks
hahhahah awwww.. thank you. Have fun!
hahaha yay. I'm excited about all of our new projects at the new house... this being one. Enjoy.
In my younger days, hanging clothes outside to dry was just the normal thing to do. One doesn't see that any more, sadly. I loved hanging towels out side, they always had that fresh air scent, even though the kids complained how scratch they were. Oh, and the sheets were heavenly when crawling onto a fresh outdoor scented bed. You've brought back some good memories of the good old days, Thank You<3
I love hanging clothes on the line. But many people do this anymore or their HOA doesn’t allow it. I’d much rather dry things on our clothesline in the summer than turn on the dryer.
Me, too!
I grew up with clotheslines, my kids did too, and I really miss one in our latest house. Husband syas hell put up a retractable one for me soon. Hah! His idea of soon is different than mine. There raw a few hanging chains from planters in the back yard on the roof line, I can get a few hangers on each one and I call that a clothesline for now.
Yes.. every house I have to have something. The retractable ones have worked at our last three homes, but I LOVE a real old fashioned clothesline.
Looking great!!! I grew up with clothesline poles and had them at first house but it quickly lost its appeal to me when kids came and time was short. My mom still hangs things up occasionally ❤️
Yes, I totally understand about the kids thing. I usually only hang my sheets and bedding.. and Ivy's blankeys.
When I was really little I remember my Mom hanging sheets on the close line. I remember more of my Grandma in Kentucky using a clothesline. Bedding smelled so good. I'm glad you're going things to the backyard to make it feel a little more homey.
Yes... That was the simple way of living back then. And, I am too. We are outside every moment we can be.
Love the old fashioned appeal of a clothesline, it’s been many years since I’ve used one and when I did it was totally out of necessity. You may have inspired me to see if I can get the ol’ ball & chain ????to put on up for me!!
Only for warmer months though, too many memories of frozen laundry on the line in the dead of winter... not fun and not pretty ????.
hahahahahahah I remember my ex-MIL telling me when she was little they would hang clothes out and let them freeze dry. LOL
I could not live without a clothesline either! The amazing smell of fresh lime dried sheets is the best scent ever!! And guess what??? My clothesline has to be pretty too!! I wish I could attach a picture of it to show you. It’s white wood posts in the traditional T shape but then we added ornate wrought iron corbels for the corners and painted them white as well. I also only use white rope for my lines and I replace them every spring!
Oh my gosh... Yours is one I would LOVE. Do you just use the real rope lines? I've never used those.
Nothing beats the smell of sheets and blankets dried on a clothesline. Your whole bedroom smells fresh and clean!!❤️❤️❤️????????
I TOTALLY agree.... I've been enjoying that smell.
I have always had a clothesline. I hang all of my clothes, all the time, either indoor or out depending on the weather. But.... now I need to make my clothesline pretty. Ahhh, another reason my husband dislikes you gals and Pinterest. He says y’all give me way too many ideas ????????????????. And he’s right, but at least they are GOOD ideas. ????????????
hahahaha Awwww.... Yes, did you see those ones on my Pinterest boards? I cannot wait to get to our new house and get some fun projects going.
When is it in 2019