In our Style Challenge series, we ask some of our favorite bloggers from around the web to surprise us with their ideas for creating a stylish and functional space using Home Depot products as a starting point.

Erika Ward of BluLabel Bungalow is an interior designer in Atlanta and the mother of four active kids. With a couple of pieces from the Walnut Creek Collection, Erika created an inviting an under deck patio that suits her style and her family’s needs! Here she shares her money-saving outdoor decorating ideas. 

As a family of six, it’s important for us to get the most bang for our buck. This concept applies to all areas of our lives, including our outdoor living spaces. It only makes sense to take full advantage of our home’s amenities, both inside and out. After all, the mortgage pays for both the house and land, right?

Last summer we focused on the upper deck and created an area perfect for al fresco dining. This year we planned to focus on our badly neglected patio beneath the deck. You can see the before photos on my blog BluLabel Bungalow. You know the story about the cobbler’s children without shoes? Well, this designer’s outdoor space was without style until now.

The Home Depot Patio Style Challenge could not have come at a better time. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to select from a series of gorgeous outdoor furniture sets, including the Hampton Bay Walnut Creek 4-Piece Patio Seating Set in Wheat. Its wicker material stands up not only to Mother Nature, but also to wear and tear from active kids.