Get inspired to refresh your backyard, even on a tight budget.
Upgrading your backyard doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming.
A few cheap backyard ideas can turn basic green space into the ultimate outdoor retreat.
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They can be affordable, too.
Purchase or build the swing, andhang it on your back porch or from a well-supported tree.
Dress the swing up with outdoor cushions, blankets, and pillows to create the ultimate relaxation spot.
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The best part about this projectanything goes!
Add a Pop of Color
Gabrela Herman
Consider adding a trellis for a cheap backyard idea.
Purchase or build wooden planter boxes, making sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom of each planter.
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Attach hooks and chains to theplanters to create a stacked look.
Clean out and spruce up your shed to create a budget-friendly backyard entertaining spot.
Refresh walls withpeel-and-stick wallpaperand bring in chairs and pillows to create anindoor-meets-outdoors space.
Credit:Gabrela Herman
Go one step further and landscape around the shed to add further appeal.
Purchase a set of Adirondack chairs, and use different pillows and blankets to outfit them for each season.
Save a little cash and createDIY geometric planters.
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These easy-to-make containers are made from corrugated plastic, costing just a few dollars.
To make this backyard idea more budget-friendly, considerstitching together pillow coversfrom outdoor fabric to recover old pillows.
Install a DIY Fire Pit
Enjoy warm summer nights spent around a backyard fire pit.
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You’ll need a few inexpensive materials tobuild your own, including angled pavers and gravel for the base.
Check local regulations or your homeowner’s association regarding fire pits before installing one in your backyard.
A cheap backyardidea for small yardsis to fill your flower beds withcolorful perennialsand watch them bloom every spring.
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When planting, be sure to complete theproper prep workto keep perennials looking their best.
Consider spending a little extra on afreestanding fire pitor onespecial piece of furnitureyou’ll use regularly.
Finish your backyard with more affordable accents, like pillows andstring lights, to complete your space.
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The simple technique involves planting a tree and training it to grow in a pattern.
The result is a custom look that adds visual interest and texture to a blank wall.
Rather than splurge on new furniture, try a few DIY fixes to revive your existing pieces.
Credit: Dana Gallagher
This cheap backyard idea for small yards will work for larger spaces, too.
A once-rusted patio table looks brand-newthanks to spray paint, new strapping, andminor cleanup.
Employ furniture pieces that work in two different ways.
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Alternatively, select backyard furniture withbuilt-in storageto provide additional seating while hiding away accessories that are used infrequently.
Upgrade Your Patio
Try thesebackyard patio ideason a budget to bring style and comfort to your space.
These easy backyard ideas will take your patio from basic to beautiful.
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One of our favorite budget backyard ideas useslow-cost concrete blocks, dry-stacked and covered with a foam pad.
The DIY bench offers lots of seating in a high-traffic spot outside the home’s back door.
Repurpose Vintage Decor
Utilize fabric andvintage findsfor cheap backyard ideas for small yards or patios.
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Sweeping fabric curtainsmade from yardage, sheets, or other suitable materialadd elegance and beauty.
Here, nonworking chandeliers are outfitted with candles and trailing vines.
Incorporate DIY Backyard Accents
For a fresh backyard idea on a budget, make your own accents.
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Enhance your backyard space bycasting stepping stonesusing quick-mix concrete.
This leaf-inspired stepping stone set is one of many backyard ideas that work particularly well in acottageor country-inspired garden.
A plain outdoor shelf provides a display area for a low-cost stockpile ofsucculents andcactus plants.
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This easy cheap backyard idea for small yards adds a fun pop of color.
Ordinary concrete blocks elevate lengths of decking to create aneasy outdoor bar.
This simple, budget-friendly garden project can be used forgrowing pretty succulentsor even low-growing vegetables.
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Choose a few favorite varieties and get creative with how and where you plant them.
To expand your garden, considerdividing plantsto cover more ground with growing material.
This doesn’t require any new furniture purchases;use rugsto shift traffic orrocking chairsto guide people into nooks.
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In this backyard, a slatted fencewith the boards spaced a bit wider than usualhelps to reduce wood costs.
Gravel provides a more casual surface underfoot for outdoor seating nooks anddining areas.
Matching vessels offer design cohesion, as does a similar color palette for the plants.
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Another cheap backyard patio idea?
Place a stone slab on top of a lumber scrap makes for a casual outdoor side table.
These outdoor items can add height, define traffic flow, or indicate movement from front to back.
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Consider creating alily pond in a tub, bucketor concrete tank for a unique budget-friendly project.
A water feature can breathe life into your backyard and turn the space into a tranquil oasis.
Grow More Grass
Miranda Estes
Luscious greenery is the cornerstone of a beautiful backyard.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
To add more green space to your yard, considergrowing grassor clover along pathways and stairs.
This unexpected touch softens the hard lines of the steps and blends the outdoor elements seamlessly.
With the right care, grass can add texture and visual interest to your backyard to enhance its beauty.
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A thoughtfully chosenoutdoor rugcan tie your furniture together to make your backyard feel more cozy and inviting.
It also adds comfort, providing a soft, cozy spot as you relax in the sun.
As they mature and cover these structures, they create peaks and valleys that make your yard more dynamic.
Credit: Matthew Benson
The darkmonochromatic colorsfeatured on this patio create a clean, cohesive backdrop to help the greenery shine.
Matching orange details tie the look together.
This functional yet stylish backyard idea offers extra storage.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Mixing textures and materials, like wood, metal, or ceramic, adds even more interest.
Decorate with Colorful Bouquets
Matt Armendariz Photography
Freshen up your backyard with avibrant bouquetof blooming flowers.
Choose flowers that thrive in your climate and pair them with containers that complement the nature around them.
Credit: Laurie Black
Thisrattan-coveredwater pitcher creates an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxation.
Place a Mirror Outside
A mirror is a stunning addition to any backyard.
Plus, with the right placement, it cancapture natural lightand create the illusion of more space.
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It’s an affordable and rewarding project that makes your backyard feel like an extension of your home.
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