Turning your backyard into a stylish retreat doesn’t require a huge budget. With some creativity, resourcefulness, and a little elbow grease, you can create a classy, cozy outdoor space without spending a fortune.
In this article, you’ll find some budget-friendly ideas to boost your backyard’s appeal.
Remodel your deck with pallets
Remodeling your deck can completely redefine the look and feel of your backyard, but wood isn’t cheap, and redoing your deck can cost thousands of dollars. However, wooden pallets are a free or low-cost alternative source of wood. You can pick up free and/or cheap pallets from local classified ads and use them to create a nice deck. You just have to get creative with how you use the wood. If you plan it right, you won’t spend much on the rest of the materials you’ll need.
If you need to see it to believe it, a UK woman named Charlotte went viral for transforming her decking with free pallets. She cut the pallets into pieces and screwed them into a herringbone pattern and it looks amazing. She spent £30 on screws, £10 on membrane, and £30 on some extra wood.
Create an outdoor dining area
Few things elevate a backyard more than a designated outdoor dining spot. Whether it’s for weekend barbecues or weekday dinners, having a set space to gather and eat outside will make your yard feel like an extension of your home. The best part is that you don’t need to drop thousands to make it happen. All you need is a grill, some counter space, and a nice table and chairs.
If you’ve ever looked at the price of outdoor furniture, you know it can cost thousands of dollars just to seat a few people. However, you’ll find great deals for second-hand furniture on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Don’t forget the umbrella or pergola for shade to keep everyone cool in the summer heat.
Create distinct areas
Sometimes all it takes to beautify a backyard is having distinct, separate areas, like a spot for dining, lounging, and gardening. Distinct areas make a yard look organized, neat, and functional. Use outdoor rugs, planters, and various ground coverings to create designations between spaces. Even if you just create a border with pavers around your flower garden, it will give your yard more structure.
Take advantage of vertical gardening
Vertical gardening can transform your backyard instantly. Whether you’re short on space or you want your yard to feel more vibrant, going vertical is the answer. Get some trellises and wall planters to start. You can also repurpose tall items, like ladders, to help plants grow upward. With the right plants, your yard will start looking lush in no time.
Buy a basic fire pit
Fancy commercial fire pits can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, but you can get one for under $100 if you look hard enough. Many department stores sell basic fire pits, like Home Depot and even Target. A fire pit doesn’t need to be fancy to be beautiful. Once you get a fire going, the warm flames will be everyone’s focus.
Refresh your outdoor furniture
If you can’t afford to replace all of your outdoor furniture, try refreshing what you have by thoroughly cleaning it, getting new cushions, or adding outdoor throw pillows. You’d be surprised to see what you can find at thrift stores and on Facebook Marketplace.
Add some lighting
Hiring a professional to install lighting in your backyard is expensive, but there are plenty of things you can do on your own. String light and solar-powered lanterns are cheap, and if you look on Pinterest you can find plenty of DIY lighting ideas.
Start a vegetable garden
Having a backyard vegetable garden will significantly reduce your grocery bills while providing you with fresh, healthy vegetables to make tasty meals. A vegetable garden will also make your backyard look beautiful. Just having a few raised beds in the backyard can make you feel good every time you walk outside.
Making raised garden beds is one of the easiest DIY projects around. You just need to buy some lumber and hardware, and most lumber stores will cut the wood to whatever length you need. In that case, all you’ll need to put your beds together is a drill.
Elevate your backyard without draining your wallet
Creating a luxurious backyard aesthetic doesn’t require a huge budget. With some DIY techniques, creative ideas, and repurposed materials, you can transform your backyard into a budget-friendly, beautiful place your whole family can enjoy.
