Your outdoor space is one of the most underutilized parts of your home. It’s a great place for entertaining, bonding with the family, and enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of your home.
There are hundreds of different variations landscapers use when designing the ultimate outdoor space. But sometimes, this can become rather expensive. Instead, take a look at how you can make the most out of your backyard with these helpful tips:
- Add a Firepit
Imagine roasting marshmallows over the fire or hanging out with friends at night by a warm flame. Propane fire pits are an excellent and affordable way to immediately add an extra element of coziness to your backyard.
Today, most are made with durable materials that can withstand the elements so they can be used all year round.
- Use an Outdoor Rug
Sometimes a splash of color or a pattern is all you need to brighten up a space. If you have a deck or a cemented area, this could be a great spot to add an outdoor rug.
It’s an inexpensive way to change things up without the need for staining or painting. Plus, it can give you the inspiration to start building out your backyard design.
- Build a Bench
While you may not be the handiest of people, building a wooden bench doesn’t require much work and can be a great DIY project. You can get recycled material from wooden pallets to cut down on cost.
Typically you can find these for free on the marketplace or Craigslist. A little sanding and a coat of paint can go a long way when building a quaint little bench to add to your garden.
- Set Up a Trellis
A trellis is a framework, usually built out of wood or metal, for growing plants or vegetables to climb upwards. They’re a beautiful addition to transform your landscape without paying too much.
If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can even build one yourself. It’ll create an extra sense of charm for your whimsical garden.
- Use Water
Adding water features such as fountains, ponds, or water statues brings an element of calm. The soothing effect of hearing the water trickle down or sitting by a small pond with fish can make a huge difference to the ambiance of your backyard.
A simple fountain is usually connected to the home’s water supply. Make sure you have your water feature set up properly to avoid any leaks or excess flooding.
- Create a Stone Walkway
A little labor goes a long way. Clearing out some of the grassy areas to replace with stones and mulch is an easy way to build out a walkway. It becomes a little path to guide people to the new oasis you’ve created in your backyard.
- String Up Some Lights
Lighting is a gamechanger in every aspect of the home. But it can certainly do wonders for the outside. String up some lights to set the mood.
You can drape them across trees or around the frame of your house. Make sure to get LED bulbs as they’re more energy-efficient and can save you around $10 to $20 each year on your electric bill.
- Use Your Fence Creatively
You may already have a plain fence that’s built around the backyard. In this case, you have an advantage with your exterior design. It’s all about getting creative.
Sometimes all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. We’ve even seen some designs where homeowners will have a mural painted on their fence.
For an extra creative element, drill holes into the fence the size of a marble. Then, put different color marbles in the holes. The sunlight will reflect them causing a technicolored effect throughout the day.
Summary
Creating your dream outdoor area doesn’t have to be expensive. There are tons of ways to do a cheap backyard makeover without having to hire a professional landscaper.
You have to be willing to put in a little bit of extra work yourself – but the reward is worth it.
