Are you searching for backyard ideas on a budget? You are not alone. For anyone who lives in a metropolitan flat or tiny cottage, a backyard seems like a luxury – one that requires time, energy, and, above all else, money to maintain.
But, while an outdoor space is a great bonus to any beautiful home, it doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune.
Need proof? Have a look at these innovative yet cheap backyard ideas, all of which are beautiful too. Turns out, all you really need to have a gorgeous garden space is time, elbow grease and some creativity.
Backyard ideas on a budget
Our beautiful but cheap backyard ideas will inspire you to update your space and create your ideal outdoor retreat, whatever your style and budget.
1. Create a vegetable garden
(Image credit: Rocky Hedge Farm)
If you’re looking for a budget-conscious backyard idea that will also allow you to save money on your grocery bill, consider adding some raised garden beds to your space.
The beauty of raised beds is that they can be tailored to your specific size requirements, meaning that a vegetable garden can be fitted into even awkwardly shaped spaces and easily integrated into small backyard ideas.
Sarah Blankenship, the blogger behind Rocky Hedge Farm, created several in her yard with a few wooden planks. Once you’ve constructed the raised beds, fill each one with soil and seeds for a homemade vegetable garden.
2. Add an arbor
(Image credit: Farmhouse on Boone)
Another way to dress up your backyard is with an arbor, perhaps incorporated into your garden fence ideas like in this yard's design. This garden detail can add a whimsical charm to your garden, plus it might discourage critters and nosy neighbors from infiltrating your space.
An arbor might look like a fancy feature, but Lisa Bass from Farmhouse on Boone proves it can be an affordable undertaking. Once you invest in a drill and saw, all you need is some planks of wood, screws, and a fresh coat of paint.
3. Add interest to your patio –on a budget
(Image credit: Hayley Stuart )
Whether you’re curling up with a good book, enjoying a meal al fresco, or simply admiring your garden, a patio never fails to offer an excellent vantage point. But, if you're looking for some fresh patio ideas, consider stenciling a cool design on the floor.
Not only is this an easy project that can be completed in a weekend, but it can also be done for a fair, affordable price. Let blogger Hayley Stuart show you how it’s done.
4. Build your deck from the ground up
(Image credit: I Spy DIY )
Or, if you don’t have a deck or patio in your backyard, you can always build one from scratch.
Admittedly, this budget-friendly backyard requires time and a close attention to detail. In fact, levelling a sloped backyard can take a few days. But, as this final product from home decor blog I Spy DIY proves, the results are so worth it.
5. Give your small garden the textured treatment
(Image credit: The Grit and Polish)
Want to make a patio from scratch, but not willing to put in that much elbow grease? This patio refresh from the Grit and Polish offers the best of both worlds, making it the perfect backyard idea on a budget.
Here, husband-wife duo Garrett and Cathy used pea gravel to landscape a backyard with visual and textural distinction from the rest of their grassy plot. For a makeshift patio, the couple covered a portion of the gravel with large pavers.
6. Make a splash with a stock pool
(Image credit: Emerson Grey Designs)
Pool ideas offer endless fun and for many they are a backyard staple. However, building a pool can get expensive. If you’re looking to make a splash for less, add a stock pool a la Bri Moysa of Emerson Grey Designs.
The designer accessorized a stock tank with homemade steps, tropical plants, and a fresh coat of black paint to make it feel like an intentional addition to the backyard, not an afterthought.
7. Introduce solar garden lighting
(Image credit: Sugar Maple Notes)
A few strands of twinkling lights are an easy, affordable way to add some style to your backyard. But, unless you have a few trees to hang them from, you might be out of luck.
Fortunately, this idea from Sugar Maple Notes is a good one, creating clever backyard ideas on a budget by using a planter as a base for a post to drape string lights from. Not only aesthetically pleasing,solar garden lighting ideas will also save energy and keep costs down.
'Our DIY planter posts project is so simple, yet makes a big impact in our backyard,' explains blogger Sarah Harmsen. 'The string lights add just the right amount of twinkle to our patio – much needed for summer evenings on the porch.'
8. Set up a spot for outdoor lounging –and garden shade
(Image credit: Future)
A cooling spot for relaxing, entertaining or designed purely as a retreat will make your backyard a joy to use all day long. Think about a planning a shade garden that includes multi-sensory experiences of sight, sound and scent – all that's needed is some draping fabric, wooden posts and a bit of creativity.
If your budget allows, invest in a small pond or water fountain. The trickling water will feel cooling and add a relaxing soundscape to your sensory garden.
9. Enhance a sense of garden privacy
(Image credit: Diana Elizabeth)
For a backyard ideas on a budget that are both affordable and space-efficient, consider decking out your privacy fence.
'Because of the small footprint, we decided to use vertical garden ideas – and add plants in unique vessels on the fences,' explains Penny D. Francis, designer and owner of Eclectic Home.
'Half -round brass wall vessels were perfect for the succulents. We created a planter made from white oak that extended the length of the fence that also doubled as a bench for guests.'
The result? A small yard that doesn’t sacrifice style.
10. Defy gravity with a trellis
(Image credit: Eclectic Home)
Speaking of your privacy fence, you can also spruce up often overlooked fence or garden walls with a DIY trellis.
Blogger Diana Elizabeth used floral wire to create a diamond-shaped trellis on her wall, allowing her jasmine plants to reach new heights. It’s a budget-conscious idea that can appeal to all of the senses.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in backyard ideas on a budget, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Here are some key points to consider:
Vegetable Garden
- Adding a vegetable garden to your backyard is a budget-conscious idea that can also help you save money on your grocery bill.
- Raised garden beds are a great option as they can be tailored to fit your specific size requirements and can be easily integrated into small backyard spaces.
- You can construct raised beds using wooden planks and fill them with soil and seeds to create a homemade vegetable garden.
Arbor
- Adding an arbor to your backyard can add a whimsical charm to your garden and also provide some privacy.
- You can incorporate an arbor into your garden fence design to create a beautiful and affordable feature.
- All you need is some planks of wood, screws, and a fresh coat of paint to create your own arbor .
Patio Design
- Stenciling a cool design on your patio floor is an easy and affordable way to add interest to your outdoor space.
- This project can be completed in a weekend and can be done for a fair price.
- You can find tutorials and inspiration online to guide you through the process.
Deck or Patio Construction
- If you don't have a deck or patio in your backyard, you can consider building one from scratch.
- While this may require time and attention to detail, the results can be worth it.
- Levelling a sloped backyard and constructing a deck or patio can transform your outdoor space.
Textured Patio
- If you want to create a patio from scratch but don't want to put in too much effort, you can consider using pea gravel and large pavers.
- Landscaping a portion of your backyard with pea gravel and covering it with large pavers can create a textured patio with visual and textural distinction.
Stock Pool
- Building a traditional pool can be expensive, but you can make a splash for less by adding a stock pool to your backyard.
- You can accessorize a stock tank with homemade steps, plants, and a fresh coat of paint to make it feel intentional and stylish.
Solar Garden Lighting
- Adding solar garden lighting is an affordable way to add style and ambiance to your backyard.
- You can use planters as bases for posts to drape string lights from, creating an aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient lighting solution.
Outdoor Lounging and Garden Shade
- Creating a spot for outdoor lounging and garden shade can make your backyard a joy to use all day long.
- You can plan a shade garden that includes multi-sensory experiences of sight, sound, and scent using draping fabric, wooden posts, and a bit of creativity.
- Consider investing in a small pond or water fountain to add a cooling and relaxing element to your sensory garden.
Garden Privacy
- Decking out your privacy fence is an affordable and space-efficient way to enhance your backyard.
- You can use vertical garden ideas and add plants in unique vessels on the fences to create a stylish and private space.
- Consider using half-round brass wall vessels for succulents and creating a planter made from white oak that doubles as a bench for guests.
DIY Trellis
- Sprucing up your privacy fence or garden walls with a DIY trellis can add visual interest and allow plants to reach new heights.
- You can use floral wire to create a diamond-shaped trellis and let climbing plants like jasmine thrive.
Remember, these are just some ideas to inspire you to update your backyard space on a budget. Feel free to explore further and adapt these ideas to your specific style and budget.
