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Austin-based DIY and home decor influencer Lauren Gutierrez refreshed her neglected rental patio with removable pavers, planter boxes, trellises and plants. When her landlord later hired professionals to expand and renovate the backyard, the landlord kept her pavers as part of the finished space.
Austin renter Lauren Gutierrez transformed a small, neglected patio with removable pavers and DIY planter-and-trellis details, and her landlord later kept the pavers when professionals renovated and expanded the backyard. The makeover, reported by Apartment Therapy, shows how one renter’s reversible improvements became part of a larger landlord-led project.
Gutierrez said the yard at her apartment had uneven ground, weathered gray fencing and scattered dirt when she moved in. She wanted a comfortable outdoor area where she could work in the mornings and have breakfast, as well as a place for her dog. She told Apartment Therapy that having an outdoor space mattered to her mental health and her dog’s wellbeing.
To make the ground feel more level, Gutierrez laid landscape fabric and a thin layer of sand, then placed concrete pavers she said cost less than $2 each at Lowe’s and painted them Behr’s “Pasha Brown.” She designed the surface to be removable when she moved: the pavers could be picked up, and the fabric and sand removed. She said the work was physically demanding and left her with a back strain that kept her bedridden for three days.
Gutierrez also paid $250 for two planter boxes, attached trellises and covered exposed wood with thin panels and trim, painting the structures Benjamin Moore’s “French Toile.” She added a lattice-style cover for the air-conditioning unit and solar-powered sconces. Months later, her landlord arranged a professional renovation that updated the fence and expanded the yard to 234 square feet. The landlord liked her pavers and incorporated them into the finished space. Gutierrez then repositioned her planters and trellises and added more potted plants.
A Rental Upgrade That Stayed
The project’s outcome was unusual for a renter-led improvement: the pavers were not removed when the landlord’s renovation began. Instead, the landlord retained them in the redesigned backyard, while professionals handled the larger work. That does not mean every rental project will receive a similar response, but it shows how removable elements can give renters flexibility while still contributing to a property’s later design.
For renters weighing outdoor upgrades, the account also illustrates the difference between reversible styling and permanent alteration. Gutierrez used loose-laid pavers and freestanding planters rather than describing a permanent patio installation. Her experience was not effortless, however: she reported a serious back strain while moving materials, a reminder that even small DIY projects can involve heavy lifting and physical risk.
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From Small Yard to Larger Patio
Gutierrez said she began by collecting design references on Pinterest and identifying the colors, textures and patterns she wanted. Her goal was a European-style patio with lattice, trellises, comfortable seating and plenty of plants. She did not set a total budget, instead aiming to keep spending low month by month. The reported costs include $250 for the planter boxes and about $500 for a vintage wrought-iron table-and-chair set found on Facebook Marketplace.
The landlord’s plan emerged months after the initial DIY work. According to the Apartment Therapy report, the renter had to adjust her layout after the yard was expanded: the original L-shaped arrangement of planters and trellises no longer suited the space, so she moved them parallel to the new fence. Her later purchases included more pots and a dining set for hosting, alongside the seating she had originally wanted for herself and her dog.
““I saw potential!””
— Lauren Gutierrez, as quoted by Apartment Therapy
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Costs and Approval Details
The report does not give a complete project total, the precise date of the renovation, or details of any agreement between Gutierrez and her landlord. It also does not specify whether the landlord reimbursed her for any materials or whether the pavers were modified during installation in the final yard. The account describes this one project; it does not establish how common it is for landlords to retain renter-installed features or approve similar changes.
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How the Finished Patio Is Used
Apartment Therapy’s report describes Gutierrez rearranging her planters and trellises after the yard grew to 234 square feet, then adding plants and a vintage dining set. It does not announce another renovation or a further landlord decision. The next stage described is everyday use of the expanded space, including outdoor work, meals and hosting.
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Key Questions
What did Lauren Gutierrez change in her rental patio?
She laid landscape fabric and sand beneath removable concrete pavers, added planter boxes and trellises, and decorated the yard with plants, solar sconces and other details.
What did the landlord keep after renovating the yard?
According to Apartment Therapy, the landlord liked Gutierrez’s pavers and included them in the professionally renovated backyard.
How large was the yard after the renovation?
The report says the landlord’s renovation expanded the backyard to 234 square feet, about twice the previous size.
How much did some of the project items cost?
Gutierrez said the two planter boxes cost $250 to have built, and she paid $500 for a vintage wrought-iron table-and-chair set. She reported buying pavers for less than $2 each; a full project total was not provided.
Did the DIY work cause any problems?
Gutierrez said moving the materials for the paver installation caused a back strain that left her bedridden for three days. The report does not provide medical details or describe any other injury.
Source: rss
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