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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.

#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

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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#2

I Built A Backyard Treehouse As A Quarantine Project

I Built A Backyard Treehouse As A Quarantine Project

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#3

My Covid Backyard Project. An Especially Cozy Place For My Chickens. My Home Office Is In This Old Garage Looking Into The Chicken Coop

My Covid Backyard Project. An Especially Cozy Place For My Chickens. My Home Office Is In This Old Garage Looking Into The Chicken Coop

purple_sack_lunch Report

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.

#4

My Covid Project. Yard And Paint

My Covid Project. Yard And Paint

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#6

My Quarantine Project, Before And After

My Quarantine Project, Before And After

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“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

Turned A Nasty Place Into A Cozy Place. Our Lockdown Project

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#8

Outdoor Living Room - My Corona Project

Outdoor Living Room - My Corona Project

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#9

A Bit Late To The Party, But Here's My Lockdown Garden Transformation

A Bit Late To The Party, But Here's My Lockdown Garden Transformation

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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

Since Everyone Seems To Be Posting Their Quarantine Project Before And Afters

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#11

My Neglected Backyard Covid Project: After A Lot Of Power Washing And Plant Care It’s Finally Used By Everyone

My Neglected Backyard Covid Project: After A Lot Of Power Washing And Plant Care It’s Finally Used By Everyone

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mihaimara avatar
Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this one cause all initial objects are still there but thoroughly cleaned. Looks really nice

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#12

My Lockdown Garden Project For The Grandchildren Nearly Complete

My Lockdown Garden Project For The Grandchildren Nearly Complete

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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

New Home With A Neglected Garden vs. 3 Months Later With A Lot Of Hard Work

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#14

Revamped Entire Backyard During The Quarantine

Revamped Entire Backyard During The Quarantine

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#15

Before & After Of Our Backyard Quarantine Project. I Will Be Purposely Social Distancing Here Throughout The Summer

Before & After Of Our Backyard Quarantine Project. I Will Be Purposely Social Distancing Here Throughout The Summer

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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.

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#16

You Guys Like Driveways? This Was My DIY Covid-19 Project

You Guys Like Driveways? This Was My DIY Covid-19 Project

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#17

DIY Backyard Overhaul. 1 Girl, 2 Days, $750, And A Whole Ton Of Ambition

DIY Backyard Overhaul. 1 Girl, 2 Days, $750, And A Whole Ton Of Ambition

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takpozehnani avatar
Cheri Aline Sydney
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope this revitalized space brings you a lot of relaxing hours to come .... You deserve it!

martin-summers avatar
Wandaluzt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They posted this on Reddit a year ago. So yes, probably many hours. They're not going to see your reply here.

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Softsquatch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not a fan of the astroturf. you could have just mowed and fed your lawn and saved the planet a little.

korib17 avatar
Kori Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The girl also looks to have a slight disability with walking (and I say that kindly) so this may be why she chose astroturf. My uncle struggles with a walking disability and mowing takes a lot of work so he now hires someone but if he had the option I'm sure he too would switch.

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korib17 avatar
Kori Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's beautiful and well done! Looks very low maintenance too which I'm a fan of ;)

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Mars Lander
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

$650 of the $750 going to the astro turf... still looks great though

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#18

My Husband Transformed Our Backyard With His Own 2 Hands Over 9 Months

My Husband Transformed Our Backyard With His Own 2 Hands Over 9 Months

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#19

My Mom Finally Kicked My Abusive Stepdad Out So I've Had The Chance To Make Some Improvements

My Mom Finally Kicked My Abusive Stepdad Out So I've Had The Chance To Make Some Improvements

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#20

My Covid Project. Revamped Backyard

My Covid Project. Revamped Backyard

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#21

With My Free Time During Quarantine, I Gave My Kids The Backyard I Have Promised For Two Years

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.

BadIrishman Report

#22

It Took Us Months Of Quarantine But We Revived The Family Garden

It Took Us Months Of Quarantine But We Revived The Family Garden

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Cheri Aline Sydney
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wishing you much enjoyment and good health! Such a nice way for family to spend time together and enjoy the fruits of their labor!

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#24

My Quarantine Backyard Project

My Quarantine Backyard Project

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#27

My Husband And I DIY’d Our Backyard In Phoenix

My Husband And I DIY’d Our Backyard In Phoenix

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#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

Our Quarantine Project Was Screening In And Decorating The Back Porch. Having This To Look Forward To Gets Me Through My Insane Work Days

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#29

My Dad’s Retired So He’s Had A Lot Of Time On His Hands Lately. This Is His Quarantine Project

My Dad’s Retired So He’s Had A Lot Of Time On His Hands Lately. This Is His Quarantine Project

joseb23 Report

#30

That's Right! It's Another Lockdown Patio Project! I Built A Set Of Benches For Our Small Courtyard Patio

That's Right! It's Another Lockdown Patio Project! I Built A Set Of Benches For Our Small Courtyard Patio

sazerrrac Report

#31

2 Days Of Work, 83 Days Of Waiting For The IKEA Order To Ship: Another Covid Backyard Make-Over

2 Days Of Work, 83 Days Of Waiting For The IKEA Order To Ship: Another Covid Backyard Make-Over

nyanger Report

#32

Combination Of 2 Summers Ago And Covid Lockdown. My Backyard

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.

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#34

My Uncle's Covid-19 Project

My Uncle's Covid-19 Project

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#35

My Quarantine Project

My Quarantine Project

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