30 Inexpensive & Easy Backyard Patio Ideas on a Budget

Are you looking for backyard patio ideas on a budget?

Summer is right around the corner and I can hardly wait to be outside enjoying our backyard once again.

Personally, I think that enjoying a meal and entertaining outdoors is so relaxing.

And with our busy schedules and demands on our time, taking the time to unwind and relax is a must!

However creating backyard patio or an outdoor living space can be expensive and time consuming.

But don’t worry, you can create a backyard oasis for yourself without breaking the bank!

Here are 30 inexpensive and easy backyard patio ideas from our blogging friends that you can do on a budget.

From adding lighting to repurposing and updating furniture, these backyard patio ideas will surely make your backyard the envy of the neighborhood!

So what are you waiting for? Get planning and start executing your backyard patio dreams!

Be sure to scroll all the way to the end, you’ll not want to miss the amazing ideas and backyards retreats!

In this post . . .

Backyard Patio Ideas with Paint

Definitely one of the easiest and most economical ways to transform or update a space is with paint.

For instance, April at Love Our Real Life refreshed her existing backyard patio furniture with spray paint.

Her patio furniture was looking a little worn yet the bones were still in great shape.

This little makeover totally changed the look and feel of her space without spending a lot of money.

You’ve gotta love that!

Backyard Patio Ideas, paint worn patio furniture and make it look new again.

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Laura at Inspiration For Moms updated her deck with a little paint.

Now her deck looks brand new.

As a result, she now has a beautiful space for outdoor entertaining.

Be sure to check out all the details of her backyard transformation on her blog.

Outdoor Living Ideas, update an old deck with stain and paint.

Ideas for Planters, Potted Plants & DIY Decor

As it happens, another great way to spruce up your backyard patio is with potted plants and decor.

In fact, Jennifer at Smart Fun DIY has added beautiful pops of color with her bright colored flowers.

On her blog post she shares planting tips and also how to stencil a terra cotta pot.

Add texture and color to the backyard with colorful potted plants.

I think these beautiful gazing balls look amazing in the garden. Click here to see Jennifer’s Youtube video for all the details.

Backyard Patio Ideas, add a little color and texture to your backyard with DIY garden orbs and potted plants.

Another quick way to update a potted plant is with paint. See how we created a Faux Concrete Look on a cheap plastic pot.

We recently built a mobile planter box with an umbrella stand. It has totally changed the way we use our patio!

Paint a pot for textured cement look pot.

Wendy At Lane and High participated in a backyard makeover challenge and updated her space for less the $100.

I love Wendy’s idea of DIY wall art for her backyard patio.

She also created a salvaged wood top for her dining table.

Be sure to see all her budget friendly ideas on her blog.

Outdoor Living Ideas, diy custom art for backyard.

Patio Lights and Privacy

Undoubtedly adding lights to your backyard patio creates an alluring affect.

Not only is it easy to do, but it’s also easy on the budget.

Take a look at the beautiful DIY solar lights and privacy curtains from Melanie at Southern Crush at Home.

First of all, I love the fact that she used solar lights.

That means no hard wiring, so any one can do it!

Also, the addition of the curtains, soften the entire look, while creating privacy.

Outdoor Living Ideas, add outdoor lighting with string lights for ambiance.

On the other hand, Meredith at The Pallet Muse created romantic lighting with a DIY Chandelier with soft candle lighting and cafe lights.

These two projects are easy and so affordable.

Check out her blog post for all the details.

Backyard Ideas, add string lights to existing pergola.

Backyard Fire Pit Ideas

Adding a fire pit to your backyard patio has become a must have idea for many.

In fact, it’s one of our families main spots to hang out on a summer evening or even when it’s chilly.

If you are looking to build a fire pit you’ll want to see the blog post from Lisa at Shine Your Light.

You’ll find all the details for installing the veneer stone fire pit, as well as the pea stone patio.

This is such a great spot for gathering with family and friends.

Create a fire pit area for outdoor entertaining.

Similarly, Marty at Marty’s Musings created an amazing hangout spot with a recycled brick patio and fire pit.

We love the idea of reusing and repurposing discarded materials.

Not only is it easy on the budget, but it’s great for the environment too.

It also is her families favorite spots to gather!

Backyard Patio Ideas, add a fire pit area with brick pavers.

Repurpose & Refinish Outdoor Furniture

While we’ve got repurposing on our mind, let’s look at these awesome ideas repurposing and refinishing outdoor furniture.

Kim at Salvaged Living is a girl after my own heart.

She loves to get her hands dirty and transform vintage and discarded pieces.

I’m in love with her vintage beer garden table!

Kim shares all the details for refinishing outdoor wood furniture. Don’t miss this!

Outdoor Living Ideas, repurpose vintage furniture into a fabulous dining area.

This next table is so clever.

Anita created an ice trough in a discarded table.

She shares how she distressed it and created the aluminum trough.

You’ll find all the details at Unique Creations by Anita.

Build your own patio furniture with a beverage station.

Another unique and creative idea from Anita is this wine barrel table.

There is also a hidden ice bucket in the top, so clever!

Be sure to see all the details at Anita’s post.

Create a pub style outdoor table from an old wine barrel.

Do you have a fence that has seen better days?

Jennifer at Smart Fun DIY has tips for refinishing and staining a fence fast.

We all love FAST!

Backyard Patio Ideas to Build

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, why not build a great piece for your backyard patio.

I personally think this mobile outdoor kitchen island with seating from Kati at Houseful of Handmade is incredible!

In fact, you may see one showing up in my yard soon.

On her blog you find all the details along with plans for creating this mobile outdoor kitchen.

Backyard Patio Ideas, DIY a mobile patio bar.

In addition to Kati’s mobile outdoor kitchen, she’s created a beautiful island inspired backyard patio with lots of DIY ideas.

You’ll find plans for this gorgeous table, a vertical garden, slat outdoor sofa and a fun DIY playhouse for the kids.

So many great ideas for your backyard patio here.

Backyard Patio Ideas, create a privacy screen with fabric.

Certainly this unique outdoor table idea would be a fun addition to your backyard patio.

Toni at Design Dazzle has created a beautiful backyard patio complete with many great ideas.

Outdoor Living Ideas with lounge chairs and DIY floating table.

Have you always wanted a pergola to shade your patio?

Toni at Girl, Just DIY shares how to build a pergola with a kit. In fact, you’ll find her step by step instructions easy to follow.

Not only does building it yourself save money, but it’s so rewarding to do it yourself.

Backyard Patio Ideas, add a pergola and outdoor seating.

If you have never tried to build something out of wood, this project is for you.

This adorable playhouse from Maria at Simple Nature Decor is an easy build.

The perfect project for a beginner.

And what child wouldn’t be thrilled to have their own outdoor playhouse.

Backyard Ideas, create a DIY playhouse for the kids with pallet wood and fabric.

While Steph and I have DIYed many projects this Outdoor Farmhouse Bench was the first project we completed all by ourselves.

While it’s not perfect, we are pleased with the results and would make a great addition to any backyard patio.

If you have old metal outdoor furniture that could use some lovin’, see out tips for fixing old rusty metal furniture and make it stunning.

Vintage metal chair refurbished with paint. — RESTORED Rusty Metal Furniture

Outdoor Stairs

If your backyard has a steep slope like ours, then adding outdoor stairs is a must.

After taming some of our hillside and adding destinations like fire pit area, we definitely needed stairs to access these areas.

Our solution is simple DIY stone steps.

It was the perfect solution for our backyard to add the functionality we needed.

Tackle a steep slope with DIY stone stairs to an outdoor fire pit area.

Outdoor stairs can be constructed from wood, brick, stone, concrete and steel.

Stairs also provide a great way to connect the backyard to different levels of your home.

An outdoor spiral staircase is the perfect solution for accessing outdoor living areas without taking up a lot of space.

A spiral staircase not only add function to your backyard, but also adds a modern vibe.

Backyard Patio Hardscape Ideas

When considering ideas for your backyard patio, the hardscape has to be first on your list.

While there are many options from a concrete patio to a deck.

Each will provide the foundation for your outdoor living area.

When we purchased our home it had a tiny patio that was about 4′ x 6′. In fact, it was pretty much unusable.

However, with a vision for a larger gathering area, we pushed back the hillside and created this paver patio.

Backyard Patio Ideas, create a seating area on a paver patio.

Morgan at Charleston Crafted created a stone look patio using Quickrete and a Walkmaker form.

This is an easy doable DIY backyard patio idea any one can accomplish.

There is no particular skill needed.

Morgan said she was able to complete the patio in about 7 hours.

In addition Morgan shares in another post how to fill in the grooves with polymer sand.

Backyard Ideas, DIY a cement patio with a paver look.

For another quick and easy idea to create a backyard patio take a look at Jennifer’s post “How to Make a Gravel Patio in an afternoon.

While this is a more casual look, it still provides a great outdoor living space on a tight budget.

Create a hardscape for your backyard with pea gravel, chairs and a firepit.

If your backyard is sloped like ours, consider creating small stone retaining walls and create more usable space and gathering spots.

Gathering area with a dining table in a backyard with a slope and a small retaining wall.

Backyard Retreats

Definitely, this is my favorite section of this post.

I love how each of these creative ladies have set up outdoor rooms.

Not only have they deliberately created rooms with their outdoor living retreats, but they have used their DIY skills to do it on a budget.

For example take a look at Carrie’s screened porch from Lovely Etc.

She has painted, repurposed and built every piece in this space, creating an outdoor living area her family loves to be in.

You’ll find tutorials for painting furniture, stenciling a floor, along with building furniture.

She is one talented lady!

Outdoor Living Ideas, update a screened porch with DIY furniture and paint.

Next up is Wendi’s from H2OBungalow waterfront backyard makeover.

Clearly her location and view is spectacular.

I mean, who wouldn’t like to kick up their feet and relax here in the evenings.

Wendi has 10 DIY ideas that she did in 30 days to spruce up her backyard patio.

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Outdoor Living Ideas, create an outdoor oasis on the waterfront.

Often we think our space is too small, what can we possibly do with it.

Well, Sara at Birdz of a Feather totally transformed her small yard with some amazing backyard patio ideas.

First she installed a beautiful paver patio and framed it with a dry river bed and a gorgeous water feature.

Not only did she create interest with various sizes and shapes of plants, but she also created privacy.

Sara’s yard is absolutely stunning!

Don’t miss all of the beautiful photos from her backyard oasis.

More Backyard Retreat Ideas

Outdoor Living Ideas, update landscaping with a rock garden.

Our backyard patio ideas on a budget included a crushed stone pathway to the veggie garden, a dining spot, sitting area and string lights for a little ambiance.

Backyard Patio Ideas, create an outdoor dining area on a paver patio.

Now take a look at this amazing space from Brooke at Farmhouse 1820.

She has created an amazing garden house.

Not only is it a place to relax and unwind, but also a functional space for entertaining and dining.

You must click to her site and see all of her beautiful photos.

Outdoor Living Ideas, create a retreat in an old greenhouse with a brick floor and wicker furniture.

Similarly, Kim at Salvaged Living has designed a backyard patio full of clever ideas.

I love the way she has layered in new and old vintage pieces, creating interest and a sense of history.

Don’t miss all of the details she has designed in her beautiful space.

Backyard Patio Ideas, create an outdoor living area with rug and furniture.

Not only has Michelle at Our Crafty Mom created a budget friendly backyard deck space for her family, but she’s incorporated beautiful colors to make it warm and inviting.

Create an inviting outdoor living space with wicker furniture and colorful pillows.

For more ideas for your backyard, take a look at these ideas:

Shop Backyard Patio Ideas

Did you find some inspiration for updating and creating an amazing backyard retreat?

I know I sure did!

I’m in awe of the Brooke’s garden room, Kati’s outdoor kitchen island and the way Carrie and Kim layered in vintage and discarded pieces into their designs.

What backyard patio ideas speak to you?

Please share what you are planning to add to your backyard this year.

You know we’re always looking for creative ideas on a budget.

We hope you found some inspiration for your home today.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

Jackie June 10, 2024 Reply

I love the look of this! Now that it is summer I have a few home projects I want to get done. I would love to upgrade our outdoor space & will totally be using this as inspiration. I am having our kitchen cabinets painted this week & then the next area to tackle will be the backyard! Thanks for sharing!!!
1. Michelle Dickson June 11, 2024 Reply
  
  That’s exciting Jackie, please share your projects with us, by uploaded a image and shooting us an email. We’d love to see your results. Good luck with your plans.