12 Amazing Backyard and Patio Ideas on a Budget - Learn to create beautiful things (2024)


If you live in the colder climate and looking out the window wishing to be outside and do something fun in your patio, this post will inspire you.

By the time the weather is warmer, you will have a bunch of budget-friendly ideas onhow to give a makeover to your garden and patio.

I consider myself lucky to live in Puerto Rico because I can work in the backyard anytime during the year. For me, It’s really not a job; it’s therapeutic. We have a nice size backyard, and we created a little vegetable garden on

the side of it.

We also find a lot of DIY projects. For example, make seats, tables, a new garden bed. These projects allow us to spend some quality time outside with our friends.

With this extensive list, I hope you’ll enjoy your time at home. Upcycle old furniture and create beautiful backyard decor on a budget.

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Let’s jump into it, and let’s see my favorite backyardideas on a budget for this year.

1. DIY outdoor projects on a budget with kids

There are so many cheap, easy backyard ideas you can do with your kids. It will develop their love for DIY, and the family can enjoy quality time together.

Make a Fairy Garden on a dime

If you are looking for a kid-friendly cool DIY backyard DIY idea, I found the cutest backyard fairy garden tutorial for you. The kids can choose the spot in the backyard and help you to make the little fairy garden.

You only need a few accessories. I like to save money on DIY materials. If you are like me and want to save money on rocks, gems, figurines, and moss, you can find cute kits on Amazon for cheap.

Here are some cute fairy garden kits I love:

Remember, you can buy a couple of things but no need to break the bank on making a fairy garden. You can collect rocks and paint them.Get some moss when you walk in the woods. Collect some driftwood and use it as a fence of the fairy garden.

Giant Jenga DIY

So my friend got this giant Jenga, and it’s a cool outdoor game for friends and her family. I didn’t even think I ever want to DIY a giant Jenga set, BUT, it’s the perfect yard game to play outside at BBQs, picnics, or family get-togethers!

Whether you worked with wood before or not, it’s a great beginner woodworking project, and it’s super affordable. It also makes a great gift for BBQ and outdoor fans.

It is perfect entertainment for sleepovers too.

Chalkboard DIY

This super cute and easy DIY Outdoor Chalkboard is a perfect creative space for your little kids. They can make beautiful chalk art anytime when the sun is out. This DIY Outdoor Chalkboard can be hung outside all season. Perfect for the kids to spend time outside on the backyard and perfect for you because it will be no mess inside to clean up.

For more fun with the kids on the patio, check out these articles:

Build an obstacle course with the kids.longwaitforisabella.com/2017/03/kids-obstacle-course-ideas.html

Create a cozy place to enjoy an outdoor movie night with your family.janinehuldie.com/2015/06/5-tips-summer-outdoor-movie-night

Make cute dragonfly decors for your planters.craftifymylove.com/2017/06/18/diy-dragonflies-3-easy-steps

2.DIYoutdoor garden ideas

Garden, Planters & Trellis are an excellent addition to any backyard. You can create your own organic oasis.

There is nothing more delicious than your homegrown organic tomatoes, veggies, herbs, and fruits. I love to separate a sunny corner for my veggie garden, but I don’t like to spend money on expensive gardening materials and supplies.

If you like gardening and ready for some budget-friendly garden DIY projects, here are my favorites.

Bamboo Trellis DIY

Luckily we can find bamboo everywhere. Just walking on the beach, we can pick up a bunch of “driftwood” bamboo.

So what we use the bamboo for? The old sturdy ones can be used to build a new garden bed. The others, like in the picture above, are perfect for making a bamboo trellis for tomatoes and other veggies in your garden.

You can use the bamboos as a building material for almost all of your garden projects.

It’s sturdy, available, comes in a variety of sizes, and, mostimportantly, it’s free.

Arch Shaped Garden Trellis

I love this arch trellis. It has a double purpose. You create a shady, fun place for your family, and it will help the green beans and other veggies to crawl and grow healthy.

We made one like this long time ago and spent zero money on the project. We repurposed leftover chicken wire from other projects. We also created a repurposed driftwood seat where we can enjoy a little wine after working in the garden.

Gorgeous Spring Planters

Don’t you get the inspiration with the first green bulb on the trees to create your beautiful spring planter? I love different flowers and plants in the same pots. Design your spring planter with your favorite flowers and colors.

This project can be very budget-friendly if you upcycle old terracotta pots or paint old plastic containers. If you already have a lot of flowers in your garden, you can save money and don’t buy new plants just replant a few of them to the spring planter.

You got yourself a new gorgeous patio decor for free.

Wooden Herb Markers

Sooo many ideas on Pinterest for this little cute herb markers. I make plant markers all the time. First, because I’m a beginner gardener, and when it comes to gardening, there are times when I can’t identify a new plant. Simply can’t remember where I planted the arugula or salad greens seeds.

These wooden heart-shaped herb markers are one of my favorite. Combined with cute chalkboard labels, you can start a unique herb garden.

It’s a super easy DIY backyard project, and I’m sure your little one(s) would be happy to help you with it. If you have an indoor or outdoor herb and veggie garden, you want to add these markers to it.

Grow Lettuce and herbs in hanging containers

Another great idea for those who have a constant fight with pests. If you want to have organic homegrown lettuce and herbs, but theslugs and snails get to them before you can enjoy a nice salad, these hanging pots are your best friends.

I can even imagine herbs and lettuce in apartments and small houses without a patio. Instead of cactus and succulents, plant some lettuce into those boho pots around your ho apartment.

Do you need more ideas on how to give a makeover to your backyard and patio with grass? Check outsimplifycreateinspire.com. She gives you a lot of tips on how to maintain a clean yard.

3. Backyard designs DIY

We all love to extend our living space to the outdoors. Porches, Patios & Deck makeovers are fun DIY projects.

I left the more complex, but great backyard and patio DIY makeover tips to the end. Of course, all these patio decors and makeovers are budget-friendly too.

Wood Slice Side Table

We love to work with wood. Also, I like to invite nature into our house and create a rustic vibe.

Sadly some of the trees must go, and when they are cut, you can keep a slice or two to use it for your home decor projects. If you don’t have a wood slice, ask around probably one of your friends, family, or a neighbor cut down a tree recently.

You can do this project for free if you have some old stool to repurpose. You can use its legs to finish the coffee table.

If you’re gonnause it on your patio, make sure you protect the wood so the weather can’t destroy it.

DIY budget patio ideas

Give a makeover to your patio and backyard this spring.

You can save money and have a new colorful patio decor if:

  • Your seats are in good shape and just need fresh, bright paint. We actuallyrebuilt curb-find beach chairs.
  • You already have a firepit and only needs some love and cleaning.
  • If you don’t want to spend money on pavers, you can power wash your patio and give a new clean look. Believe me, the powerwash is a magical thing, and it will take off at least 50 shades of grey from your terrace.

Garden Path DIY

Oh, I’m so doing this paver and rock path in my garden this year. This garden path not only gorgeous but very practical too. No more dirt and mud will get into your house if you make a path with pavers and rocks.

We live next to the rainforest, and we never know when it’s gonna rain. Let’s say it rains every day.

We made a rock garden for free. It was free because after Hurricane Maria we had a lot of rocks falling on our street and somebody had to clean it. Well, we did and took them home.

If you can’t have the rocks for free, try to research local shops, Home Depot, Lowes, and wait until they have them on sale.

Mud Pit Patio Make Over

This full patio makeover is very impressive. They transformed a mud pit into a beautiful sunny patio where the whole family can enjoy a dinner or BBQ.

I know I know it is a complex DIY project, but if your patio is crying out loud for a makeover, you might want to create a cozy place like this.

I can imagine saving some money and use repurposed pallets to create a built-in bench and deck. Or give a fresh paint to your existing patio chairs and table. You can spray-paint old pots and planters too.

Wood Fired Pizza Oven DIY

And the ultimate DIY for your backyard!

If you love to entertain a lot of people on your patio and your backyard is big, you can build a pizza oven.

Why not? Imagine sitting next to the fire-throwing some pizza in the oven with good company. It’s almost like camping in your backyard.

Pheew, that’s it for today. I hope you found useful budget-friendly backyard and patio DIY ideas in this post. There is something for everybody in your family — kid-friendly projects, easy DIY, and full patio makeovers.

12 Amazing Backyard and Patio Ideas on a Budget - Learn to create beautiful things (14)

Don’t forget to share and pin it so you can come back anytime when the sun is shining, and you are ready to work outside.

12 Amazing Backyard and Patio Ideas on a Budget - Learn to create beautiful things (15)

BTW, what kind of DIY you worked on last summer in the backyard? Send me some pictures or comment below. 😉


12 Amazing Backyard and Patio Ideas on a Budget - Learn to create beautiful things (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to make a patio? ›

What is the most budget-friendly DIY patio material? Packed gravel is the lowest-cost option. Gravel is inexpensive, and installation involves digging, tamping, spreading, and adding borders. It's a fast way to add usable backyard space.

How can I make my backyard beautiful? ›

Create Areas of Interest

Create multiple areas for friends and family to mingle. Here, a lush, green lawn offers space to spread out and play lawn games or have a picnic. A gorgeous fire pit seating area provides room to relax and, just steps away, a spacious deck is an ideal spot to enjoy dinner alfresco.

How do you build a good outdoor space in a budget? ›

Landscaping around a stone walkway, planting tall shrubbery, or creating visual appeal with a dry stream are all simple DIY landscaping ideas. Bedazzling garden stones, hanging plants, and installing a garden arbor can transform your backyard living space into a secret garden that fits any budget.

How do I turn my backyard into an oasis on a budget? ›

Here are my top 10 tips for turning any outdoor space into an oasis, no matter your square footage or budget.
  1. Set the mood with string lights. ...
  2. Make your space more private. ...
  3. Create a seating zone… ...
  4. … ...
  5. Add plants (real and fake). ...
  6. Tie the room together with an outdoor rug. ...
  7. Get a sprayer nozzle for your hose.
May 12, 2022

What is the easiest DIY patio? ›

PAVERS are the best option

For a do-it-yourself patio, a simple square design with one size of pavers is a lot easier to install than one with various sizes and curves because you will not have to cut the pavers, which takes time and skill. Pavers are strong, inexpensive, and easy to install.

How do you lay a patio for beginners? ›

  1. Mark out the patio. Before you can start work on your patio, you first need to mark out and clear the area where you want to build it. ...
  2. Clear the area. ...
  3. Lay the sub base. ...
  4. Mix up mortar. ...
  5. Lay the first slab. ...
  6. Lay remaining slabs. ...
  7. Pointing between slabs.
Jan 3, 2024

How do I turn my patio into an oasis? ›

Your outdoor room will feel more like an oasis if it has a sense of enclosure. Fences and garden walls ensure privacy for patios and decks. You can also use lattice, pergolas, and landscaping to define outdoor spaces and screen views of neighboring houses.

What makes the perfect backyard? ›

The best backyard ideas all have one key thing in common: comfort. Whether it's a row of chaise lounges by the pool or a group of Adirondack chairs in an open grass field, a comfortable outdoor setup is the ultimate luxury. But you don't need an abundance of square footage to create a fun and functional backyard.

How to make a bedroom outside? ›

To turn a basic concrete or stone pad into an inviting outdoor room, start by creating a sense of enclosure—your home's exterior walls or even a row of potted plants will do the trick—and, ideally, some overhead protection. Then use colorful accents to add personality.

Is a backyard patio a good investment? ›

On average, the cost of building a patio can be as high as $5,300, depending on size and materials used. That said, it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%.

How do you make a whimsical backyard? ›

Start by repurposing everyday items into charming garden features. Old teacups become whimsical planters, while vintage ladders serve as enchanting trellises. Embrace your artistic side by painting rocks with vibrant colors or crafting DIY fairy houses to nestle among the greenery.

How to design your backyard yourself? ›

The design process itself isn't hard at all. How do you design a backyard layout? Start by outlining all the fences, add a walkway, place utilities and plants, set out primary paths, and remember not to crowd pathways or patios.

What is the cheapest patio cost? ›

Gravel patios are the most affordable, at $1.50 to $4 per square foot for materials. Concrete patios cost between $4 and $7 per square foot for materials. Flagstone patios cost between $15 and $27 per square foot for materials.

Is it cheaper to build a deck or paver patio? ›

Decks are more costly to install, but have a higher return on investment at around 60-80%. Patios cost less to install, but have a return on investment at around 50%.

Is concrete or wood cheaper for a patio? ›

Concrete, on the other hand, is much more affordable. This makes the installation of a concrete patio much lower than a wooden deck. While the prices vary based on your location and the professional you hire, you may wind up paying twice as much for a deck the same size as your patio.

What is the most cost effective patio surface? ›

Gravel is the most affordable patio material, followed by wood and pavers. Natural stone patios cost the most, especially if you use high-end materials like granite, travertine, and bluestone. You'll get your money's worth with either gravel or stone.

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