39 Cheap Backyard Ideas for Outdoor Spaces Large and Small

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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.

Try these budget-friendly backyard ideas, including DIY outdoor furniture and affordable landscaping tips, to create a yard you’ll love (and never want to leave).

Install a Porch Swing

Porch swings are the perfect backyard addition for anyone who loves to lounge in the sun.

They can be affordable, too. Purchase or build the swing, and hang 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.

Build a Gardening Station

This backyard idea on a budget is both practical and pleasing to the eye.

Using reclaimed or salvaged items found from the thrift store or flea market, piece together wooden boards, metal watering cans, and other gardening supplies to create a collected potting station.

The best part about this project—anything goes!

Plus, this potting station can be used year after year, making it a cost-effective addition to your backyard.

Add a Pop of Color

Consider adding a trellis for a cheap backyard idea.

Whether you create a DIY trellis or purchase one, add a coat of paint to make it pop against the greenery in your backyard.

Choose to match the paint color to the flowers and landscaping, or go for a neutral paint color that will let your garden shine.

Install Hanging Planters

If you love the look of full flower beds but lack space, install vertical hanging planters.

Purchase or build wooden planter boxes, making sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom of each planter.

Attach hooks and chains to the planters to create a stacked look.

Fill the planters with your favorite succulents, herbs, or flowers and hang them from the ceiling of a porch, covered deck, or pergola.

Transform a Garden Shed

Shed transformed into entertaining space

A shed has the potential to do much more than store your garden supplies.

Clean out and spruce up your shed to create a budget-friendly backyard entertaining spot.

Refresh walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper and bring in chairs and pillows to create an indoor-meets-outdoors space.

Go one step further and landscape around the shed to add further appeal.

Decorate for the Seasons

Chairs around a firepit with pumpkins and blankets

The easiest way to save money on backyard decor is to purchase items that can be used throughout every season.

Purchase a set of Adirondack chairs, and use different pillows and blankets to outfit them for each season.

Add flannel and knit throws for fall and winter, and swap for linen or cotton fabrics for spring and summer nights.

Create DIY Planters

Container gardening adds interesting color and layers to your backyard, but large outdoor planters can be expensive.

Save a little cash and create DIY geometric planters.

These easy-to-make containers are made from corrugated plastic, costing just a few dollars.

Make it Cozy

Patio seating with white furniture and colorful pillows

Make your backyard more inviting and cozy by piling on pillows to give wood and metal patio furniture a cozy touch.

Choose durable outdoor fabrics in bright colors and eye-catching patterns for style that will last throughout the season.

To make this backyard idea more budget-friendly, consider stitching together pillow covers from outdoor fabric to recover old pillows.

Install a DIY Fire Pit

DIY firepit in yard with adirondack chairs

Enjoy warm summer nights spent around a backyard fire pit.

You’ll need a few inexpensive materials to build your own, including angled pavers and gravel for the base.

This easy DIY outdoor project can be completed over a weekend, and your family can enjoy bonfires for years to come.

Check local regulations or your homeowner’s association regarding fire pits before installing one in your backyard.

Plant Inexpensive Perennials

Perennials come back year after year, which means you’ll save money on landscaping in the long run.

A cheap backyard idea for small yards is to fill your flower beds with colorful perennials and watch them bloom every spring.

When planting, be sure to complete the proper prep work to keep perennials looking their best.

Invest Smartly

When looking for backyard ideas on a budget, identify one element to invest in to help you create a yard you’ll love for years to come.

Consider spending a little extra on a freestanding fire pit or one special piece of furniture you’ll use regularly.

Finish your backyard with more affordable accents, like pillows and string lights, to complete your space.

Grow a Living Fence

espaliered wall tree backyard patio black table

Try this budget-friendly backyard idea: Espalier a tree to create a living fence for a low-cost, high-end look.

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.

Revive Old Furniture

refinished rustic patio furniture spray painted

Outdoor furniture, while made to withstand the elements, can take a beating over the years.

Rather than splurge on new furniture, try a few DIY fixes to revive your existing pieces.

This cheap backyard idea for small yards will work for larger spaces, too.

A once-rusted patio table looks brand-new thanks to spray paint, new strapping, and minor cleanup.

Save Space with Two-in-one Furniture

corner bench with pillows, blue table, lounger patio area

Here’s one of the best efficient and cheap backyard ideas for small yards.

Employ furniture pieces that work in two different ways.

A two-in-one piece, like this bench with a lounger, maximizes space and can be more cost-effective than buying multiple seating options.

Alternatively, select backyard furniture with built-in storage to provide additional seating while hiding away accessories that are used infrequently.

Construct DIY Outdoor Seating

diy patio bench with throw pillows gravel ground cover

Furniture can be an expensive investment for backyards, but you have options for affordable backyard patio ideas that still look modern and trendy.

To furnish your backyard for less, rely on DIY outdoor furniture, such as benches, chairs, and tables.

One of our favorite budget backyard ideas uses low-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.

String Up Lights

Outdoor lights remain a perennial favorite for porches and patios with good reason— they’re celebratory and fun, with a warm glow that keeps the light from being distracting.

For creative backyard ideas starring string lights, use them to wrap a tree or drape them down a table for a twinkling centerpiece.

Repurpose Vintage Decor

Shingle siding and white accents on porch with table setting

Utilize fabric and vintage finds for cheap backyard ideas for small yards or patios.

Sweeping fabric curtains—made from yardage, sheets, or other suitable material—add elegance and beauty.

Plus, they can shield family and friends from intense rays at key times of the day.

Repurpose vintage elements into decorative backyard focal points instead of a more expensive light fixture.

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.

Enhance your backyard space by casting stepping stones using quick-mix concrete.

This leaf-inspired stepping stone set is one of many backyard ideas that work particularly well in a cottage or country-inspired garden.

Display a Collection

miniature plant containers wall collection patio

Collections are often considered high-end or expensive, but a simple gathering of plants in miniature containers can be a great focal point for a backyard.

A plain outdoor shelf provides a display area for a low-cost stockpile of succulents and cactus plants.

This easy cheap backyard idea for small yards adds a fun pop of color.

Hardscape with Stone Leftovers

Hardscaping is one of the most expensive elements in any landscape, including walkways, retaining walls, and edging.

But the stone leftovers at your local landscaping, big box, or nursery supply store may be a less expensive option, especially if you’re looking for cheap small backyard landscaping ideas and don’t have much square footage to cover.

Use Off-the-Shelf Materials

two metal bar chairs at corner table yellow water can below

Custom elements quickly increase a budget for backyard landscaping, but creative recasting can get you the same function at a much lower cost.

Ordinary concrete blocks elevate lengths of decking to create an easy outdoor bar.

The same materials in a different configuration can also create an outdoor dining table, coffee table, or side table.

Start a Vertical Garden

vertical gardens wall hanging wood boxes

Outfit urban spaces or blank walls with vertical gardens for an easy and affordable backyard idea.

This simple, budget-friendly garden project can be used for growing pretty succulents or even low-growing vegetables.

Here, simple boxes made with found wood hang from hooks to serve as a focal point in a backyard.

Choose a Simple Plant Palette

red house exterior backyard patio plant palette

For simple backyard landscaping ideas, rely on a tightly curated selection of plants.

Choose a few favorite varieties and get creative with how and where you plant them.

To expand your garden, consider dividing plants to cover more ground with growing material.

Form Zoned Seating Areas

Use this simple backyard idea to instantly elevate your outdoor space—create zones or separate areas with a few shifts in furniture to delineate eating, relaxing, cooking, and more.

This doesn’t require any new furniture purchases; use rugs to shift traffic or rocking chairs to guide people into nooks.

Get Creative with DIY Ideas

concrete pavers patio wood table large stone planter

Get creative with backyard ideas that minimize costs and materials; you just need to be willing to invest time and effort.

In this backyard, a slatted fence—with the boards spaced a bit wider than usual—helps to reduce wood costs.

Oversized concrete pavers replace pricey stone for a patio while building materials help create the containers and outdoor table base.

Choose an Inexpensive Paving Material

backyard patio furniture gravel ground cover

If you’re looking for cheap backyard ideas for small yards or big areas with no grass, check out all your options for hardscaping, including less expensive crushed rock and gravel.

Gravel provides a more casual surface underfoot for outdoor seating nooks and dining areas.

If you use traditional pavers, consider unusual placement—large stones interspersed with vast swaths of grass, for example—to reduce the total material needed.

Build Color with Containers

overall patio with assorted coleus and black chairs

Annuals can be less expensive than perennials and shrubs, and they’re a great way to add color and impact to a backyard, especially when arranged in containers.

Matching vessels offer design cohesion, as does a similar color palette for the plants.

Another cheap backyard patio idea?

Place a stone slab on top of a lumber scrap makes for a casual outdoor side table.

Add Vintage Hardscaping Elements

Hunt down affordable treasures and bring vintage style to your space with this inexpensive backyard idea.

Many hardscaping elements, such as simple trellises or arbors can be found at garage sales, resale shops, or flea markets.

These outdoor items can add height, define traffic flow, or indicate movement from front to back.

Build a DIY Lily Pond

A backyard with a concrete lily pond, bright red chairs, and greenery

Including DIY elements in your backyard is an easy way to add personality and charm without breaking the bank.

Consider creating a lily pond in a tub, bucket or 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

Luscious greenery is the cornerstone of a beautiful backyard.

To add more green space to your yard, consider growing grass or 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.

Add a Fun Tablecloth

An outdoor dining table with a blue floral tablecloth and green metal chairs

A fun tablecloth can easily transform your outdoor table to add color, texture, and personality to your backyard.

Choose a pattern or style that aligns with the rest of the space, whether it’s bold florals, playful stripes, or something more subtle.

This blue floral tablecloth with tassels instantly brightens the table but also fits right in with the flowers on the table and the siding on the house.

Roll Out a Rug

Patio furniture underneath a large sun umbrella

Transform a basic patio or deck into a stylish outdoor room with a large area rug.

A thoughtfully chosen outdoor rug can 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.

Add Garden Features

Trellises, ladders, and arbors are perfect for adding height to your backyard, especially when plants and trees are still in their early stages.

As they mature and cover these structures, they create peaks and valleys that make your yard more dynamic.

If you want to take the look a step further, consider incorporating vivid colors that stand out against the greenery.

Create Contrast with Colorful Accents

Patio furniture in a backyard with gravel pavement

To make your backyard stand out while also sticking to a budget, decorate in a way that emphasizes statement-making splashes of color.

The dark monochromatic colors featured on this patio create a clean, cohesive backdrop to help the greenery shine.

Matching orange details tie the look together.

Assemble a Potting Station

A small metal table with gardening supplies in a backyard garden

Create a charming home for your gardening tools and plants by assembling a decorative potting station.

This functional yet stylish backyard idea offers extra storage.

The key to nailing this look is combining items of varying sizes, such as small potted plants, a watering can, a small set of clippers, and even a few stacked books.

Mixing textures and materials, like wood, metal, or ceramic, adds even more interest.

Decorate with Colorful Bouquets

Pink peonies in a rattan covered water pitcher on a table

Freshen up your backyard with a vibrant bouquet of blooming flowers.

Choose flowers that thrive in your climate and pair them with containers that complement the nature around them.

This rattan-covered water pitcher creates an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxation.

Place a Mirror Outside

An outdoor table with two chairs next to a garden mirror

A mirror is a stunning addition to any backyard.

Whether hung on a fence, nestled among a group of vines, or framed with greenery, a garden mirror blends into the natural elements while enhancing your outdoor decor.

Plus, with the right placement, it can capture natural light and create the illusion of more space.