Freshening up your backyard doesn’t have to be time-consuming and expensive. Even the easiest and most minor upgrades can make your backyard more functional and gorgeous.
There are numerous budget-friendly outdoor decor options you can use for your backyard, as well as DIY projects, including building a pergola, creating a fire pit conversation area, or even gracing the space with some planters.
We’ve compiled some cheap and stylish backyard ideas that’ll help create a yard you love without breaking the bank, whether you’re going for a small or big upgrade.
Take a look!
1. Bring a Rustic Feel
Enjoy summer nights with a fire pit area that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. You only need a few inexpensive materials, such as the fire bowl and wood planks for the bench.
Find a lush corner in your yard and embark on this simple DIY outdoor project over the weekend!
2. Opt for an In-Ground Fire Pit
Enjoy bonfires with your family with a simple fire pit idea. For this fire pit idea, you’ll require some gravel for the base and angled pavers for the surround. Complete your fire pit by installing a metal fire ring for safety.
Adirondack chairs make ideal furniture for the fire pit since they can be used throughout the season, not to mention you can drape them with different blankets and pillows each season. Before installing a fire pit in your backyard, confirm with local regulations or your HOA first.
3. Build a Pergola
A pergola offers the perfect opportunity to create a living space in your backyard. Bring in some comfortable furniture, add a coffee table and ottomans, and even include topiaries to bring a welcoming feel.
We love how the woven area rug adds interest to the concrete slab patio and pulls everything together.
4. Paint Your Furniture
There’s no need to splurge on new outdoor furniture when you can perform a few DIY fixes to reinvigorate your existing pieces.
Here, a coat of green paint makes this metal bench, table, and chairs blend seamlessly with the surroundings.
5. Repurpose Playground Swings
If you love lounging in the sun and have some old, unused play swings in your backyard, consider this idea. Affordable hanging chairs replaced the usual seats, with some colorful pillows cozying them up.
A pair of outdoor mats beneath the chairs make the look seem intentional, while string lights entwined on the post and a candle lantern on the side table create the ultimate hang-out spot at night.
6. Embrace the Natural World
You’d be surprised at how much small touches of decor accessories can transform the entire look of your backyard. The wooden chairs in this backyard add elegance and beauty and contrast nicely with the painted wooden side table.
A trio of wall plant décor on the fence makes for excellent cheap backyard ideas, while planters and garden beds add a touch of nature’s beauty. A small water fountain fills the space with a serene sound.
7. Upcycle Pallets
Instead of hiring a contractor to build an expensive patio, along with buying costly patio furniture, consider building a deck and patio furniture using pallet boards. Pillows and throw blankets give the sectional and egg chair a cozy touch and make the backyard more inviting.
A pallet coffee table makes this backyard idea more budget-friendly, while low-budget spherical lamps bring flair to the space.
8. Add a Lawn
One of the most expensive undertakings in any landscape is hardscaping. However, introducing a lawn to your hardscape is a cheap backyard landscaping idea that can help save some costs.
The neat lawn in this backyard combines with the plants in the garden beds to soften the hard elements.
9. Let the Kids Play
A cozy patio with a fire pit and chairs creates a nice spot in this backyard for adults to have a chat, while a small slide incorporates a kid-friendly feature that the little ones will enjoy playing with throughout the summer.
10. Make a Grand Statement
One way of capitalizing on backyard ideas on a budget is investing in a single element that’ll maintain its glamor for years to come. Here, the homeowners were not opposed to the idea of spending a bit extra for a half-enclosed pergola.
Mood lighting, hanging planters, and comfy seats make the pergola the ultimate place to spend your free time in. A small dining area with string lights above running across further elevates this backyard’s charm.
11. Forego the Grass
Eliminating grass in your backyard provides you with a more functional space and leaves you enjoying your outdoors without the hassle of lawn maintenance.
Planters and small garden beds have been used here to create an abundant backyard without the grassy fuss. String lights and candle lanterns add a fun and celebratory ambiance, with their warm glow highlighting the backyard’s features.
12. Plan for the Future
Create a unique, rustic garden look with a stone bench. This marble-like bench is visually appealing and will last for years.
The fire bowl complements the bench while offering a simple, inexpensive way to create ambiance.
13. Add a Patio Umbrella
A patio umbrella is a budget-friendly way to update the look and feel of your backyard.
Here, a patio umbrella creates a lovely, shaded dining area next to the grill. The place can also be used to enjoy quiet time outdoors with a glass of wine and a book.
14. Hang Planters
Plainer areas in your backyard, such as the fence, can benefit from a dash of color and a lush look from flowers and plants in hanging containers.
The hanging planters in this backyard are made of natural materials and bring that extra pop of color, with some of them crossing above the pathway for a more whimsical feel.
15. Reduce the Plants
Consider a tightly curated selection of plants for easy backyard landscaping ideas. Get creative with where and how you want to plant them, and pick only a few of your favorite varieties.
Here, brown brick pavers form an interesting patio. Small garden beds bordering the pavers add a contrasting color and liven up the space. A large plant fence creates a lovely natural backdrop for the seating area.
16. Create a Living Wall
The living wall in this budget-friendly backyard idea creates a high-end, low-cost look. The straightforward technique was achieved by planting a tree that was later trained to grow sideways.
The resulting effect is a conventional look that adds texture and visual interest to a blank wall, as well as the seating area.
17. Build an Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be only for cooking outdoor meals. With a creative design, it can turn an eyesore in your backyard into a cozy entertaining space. Here, a pergola that runs from the house to the fence defines the outdoor dining area.
The kitchen is fitted with a counter that increases storage for essential items and a chic dining set. The play of white and green from the landscape and plants creates a pleasing contemporary backyard.
18. Go for Potted Plants
Add interesting colors and layers to your backyard using potted plants. Save a little cash by disregarding enormous planters and upcycling obsolete items.
Numerous planters add a chic and lush feel to this small backyard. The light wood part of the bench contrasts nicely with the gray wood planks for a rustic yet modern look. A built-in bench is another cost-effective option and helps maximize space.
19. Add Interest Above
Add rattan lampshades for your outdoor dining area lighting for a rustic, elegant look.
The inexpensive, natural elements create a cozy outdoor dining area, with garden beds filled with flowers and ornamental grasses finishing off the look.
20. Consider Vining Plants
A pergola that acts as a trellis is a cheap backyard idea that adds an impactful landscaping feature to your yard.
Here, the black pergola and furniture pop against the greenery, with some hydrangea blooms nearby, creating a magical destination in the backyard.
21. Connect Seating Areas
Delineate spots for small casual conversations and large gatherings with this simple backyard idea.
Here, tiles have been used to connect the two seating areas and pair with the lawn to instantly elevate this outdoor space.
22. Add a Shade
Add charm to your backyard with affordable treasures such as a shade. Here, a shade sail is outlined with string lights for a fabulous seating and relaxation spot.
23. Incorporate a Hammock
Create a space where you can sneak away from the outside world to enjoy some alone time by setting up a hammock.
Rustic log chairs surrounding a whimsical fire pit create a rustic little getaway in this backyard.
24. Focus on Natural Materials
One expensive investment in backyard projects is furniture. However, there are affordable backyard ideas that will still give you a trendy and modern look. Consider DIY outdoor furniture like chairs, tables, and benches to furnish your backyard for less.
Here, a wooden bench and repurposed log seats offer plenty of seating in this high-traffic spot. The stepping stones and flagstone patio work exceptionally well in the country-inspired backyard and enhance the space.
25. Try a Chic Design
Set your backyard apart from the rest by using warm, neutral tones for your outdoor space. The gravel, pavers, and raised beds complement the house’s walls for a coordinated look.
A living feature wall creates an Instagram-worthy spot to take your favorite snapshots while enjoying the backyard. The small strip of lawn provides a more refined, polished look.
26. Bring Color with Architectural Features
Add color and impact to your backyard by painting architectural features in bold colors. Here, the black pergola and bench create design cohesion, as do the white planters.
The white walls help the pergola and bench stand out more, while touches of green from the lawn and plants increase the visual appeal.
27. Keep It Low Maintenance with Succulents
A simple and affordable backyard idea is outfitting your contemporary spaces with succulent gardens. Succulents require minimal care and watering, making them perfect even for beginner gardeners.
Here, succulents dripping over the slatted fence form an interesting focal point in the backyard. Other desert plants, including a cacti planter, uplift the visually appealing design.
28. Set the Mood
Get creative with cheap backyard ideas by hanging lanterns beside your porch swing.
The lanterns used here are an excellent way to set the mood, while pillows, a throw blanket, roses, and vining plants create a romantic spot to enjoy the night.
