25 Creative Backyard Ideas to Fit Every Budget

Backyard season is here, you want to make it over, but don’t have a lot to spend? Here are 25 easy backyard update ideas that fit every budget.

A backyard is not just an extension of your home, but also a sanctuary where you can relax, entertain, and spend quality time with family and friends.

However, creating the perfect backyard oasis can be expensive, especially if you’re working with a limited budget.

Good news! I’m ALL about saving money and creating high-end looks for less.

The entire mission of this blog is helping you on every front…even creating a beautiful backyard, deck, porch or patio on a budget.

I’m sharing 25 creative backyard budget friendly ideas that will help you transform your outdoor space into a stunning retreat without breaking the bank.

With a budget of $500, you can transform your simple backyard into something special.

• Transform your backyard into a cozy oasis on a budget with DIY outdoor furniture, decor and lighting solutions.
• Create an inviting atmosphere with outdoor conversation spaces.
• Fun theme ideas for entertaining in your backyard.

Contains hand selected products, with affiliate marketing links where I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made. {full disclosure here}

Affordable Backyard Update Ideas

Transforming your basic backyard into an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to be expensive.

With a little creativity and a few budget-friendly ideas, you can create a beautiful backyard (even if it is small) in no time.

Or if you want to splurge and take advantage of the Labor Day sales to get something special…yay you!

Start by giving your furniture a fresh coat of paint to give it a new lease of life.

Next, add some bright and cheerful seasonal pillows and rugs to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a focal point, consider making your own fire pit or adding an affordable fire table to a conversation area.

Another fun idea is to hang solar lights in your backyard, instantly turning it into a little slice of paradise with a little twinkle and sparkle.

Keep reading for lots of new ideas to transform your backyard into a place you are proud of and want to share with family and friends.

SHOP MY PICKS

I made over this backyard patio for only $500! (sorry many items are sold out)

Budget Friendly Outdoor Entertaining

Outdoor entertaining is one of the joys of having a backyard and hosting a gathering doesn’t have to be costly.

Fortunately, there are several budget-friendly ideas for outdoor entertaining that will help you create memorable experiences.

Backyard Entertaining Ideas

• Movie night
• S’mores party
• Craft cocktail class
• Ice cream station

When tally up the cost of taking a family of 4 to the movies between tickets, food and drinks it costs a lot!

Why not think about setting up a movie night at home?

To host a backyard movie night, simply string up a large white sheet or invest in a portable movie screen (use inside too!).

Spread out some blankets and pillows, and use a budget-friendly projector to screen your favorite film. Pump up the volume with all-weather outdoor bluetooth speakers.

Want to invest a little to make movie night in the backyard even more comfortable? Try an inflatable outdoor sectional sofa!

For a fun and cost-effective way to serve drinks at an outdoor party, set up an outdoor bar or serving cart.

Then turn it into a craft cocktail making party! You can make them mocktails for kids.

Set up the supplies and give guests different recipes to make craft cocktail recipes to create and then sip together.

Another idea is an ice cream Sunday station. Set up a portable cooler with ice cream and have the fixings ready to go on an outdoor serving cart.

Add to that a s’mores station to bring back childhood memories for everyone!

Don’t have space for a fire pit? Try a tabletop s’mores maker instead!

With these budget-friendly outdoor entertaining ideas, you can create unforgettable experiences for your friends and family without spending a fortune.

It is the simple things in life that memories are made of!

Thrifty Outdoor Conversation Spaces

Did you know that shopping for outdoor furniture in early spring is the BEST time to score big deals?

Assembling the furniture yourself will save you a TON. You can get multiple outdoor furniture pieces to fill a backyard patio space for under $500!

Create a Fire Feature to Gather Around

There is something about sitting around a fire that just calms your mind and soothes your soul.

Fires are great for gathering around to toast marshmallows, hot dogs, have an adult beverage.

The cool nights of spring are the PERFECT time to enjoy a fire pit or fire table in your backyard.

Don’t love the smokey smell of a real wood fire?

Look to a smokeless fir pit or a propane based fire table instead. All the enjoyment without that smoke smell in your clothes and hair.

If you love the look of a built in fire pit, but don’t have the budget to have one built try the DIY option below.

DIY Lighting for your Backyard

There are easy and low cost ways to add a little twinkle and sparkle to your space. Choose LED and solar powered lighting as the most budget friendly options.

Adding the right lighting to your backyard can create a warm and inviting ambiance. Perfect for those cozy fun nights spent with family and friends.

If you are willing to DIY the installation of landscape lighting, you can highlight the architectural details of your home and create safer walkways or stairways.

It is the most affordable way to add landscape lighting to your home. Try this DIY landscape lighting kit that has everything you need!

Add spotlights to both your landscaping and uplight your home exterior or deck for the perfect mood lighting. (need help? Read how to install quick connectors here).

Not comfortable with the DIY option? Try Solar-powered lights that are easily install and ready to use after a day in the sun.

From solar powered spot lights, fence and deck lighting to walkway lights, it’s easy to add a little glow by popping them in the ground.

Solar-powered string lights are another cost-effective option that can be easily added to update your backyard.

String them between trees or on a porch or deck for everyday magic and ambient lighting.

They will automatically turn on as the sun goes down, so you can set them and forget them.

If you want to string the lights across the backyard, invest in 2 to 4 light poles to define the area.

With just a few simple and affordable lighting updates, you can transform your backyard into a cozy and enchanting retreat.

Inexpensive Patio Upgrades

A beautiful patio can make a world of difference in your outdoor space, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

In fact, there are plenty of inexpensive upgrades that can instantly enhance the look and feel of your patio.

Outdoor rugs are a budget-friendly option for transforming a simple concrete slab into a stylish and comfortable outdoor living room.

You can find many outdoor rugs in various patterns and colors to match the style you love.

Additionally, if your patio pavers on concrete is damaged, placing a patterned outdoor rug over the area is a cost-effective way to hide any imperfections.

Another great option to cover less than perfect concrete is deck tile. There are so many options in low maintenance composite decking.

All you do is snap them together to create a beautiful wood looking deck over the top of your concrete.

A DIY option is PAINT or stain! Yes, you can easily paint over concrete to change the color and seal it.

DIY Outdoor Furniture Makeover

Tired of your outdoor furniture, but can’t afford to replace it? Why not paint it for a whole new look?

Not only can you paint your wood outdoor furniture, but also your resin wicker or rattan furniture with spray paint.

Here are a few tutorials to explore and inspire a DIY outdoor furniture makeover.

Another idea is to makeover a basic porch swing into something really special by painting, upholstering the seat and wrapping the chain in rope.

Frugal Landscaping Ideas

Landscaping can be expensive, but with a little creativity and some frugal ideas, you can achieve a beautiful and functional backyard.

Planting perennials that reappear each year and using gravel or crushed rock for patios are great options for budget-conscious homeowners.

Container gardening is a simple and affordable DIY way to add color and dimension to any backyard space.

Not only can you plant flowers, but also create a vegetable and herb garden.

If you don’t have a ton of space, a raised garden bed is the perfect option. Plus it will be protected from those nibbling rabbits!

Don’t have a ton of time to water? You can DIY a drip irrigation system (full tutorial)!

How can I make my plain backyard look nice?

Hopefully, I’ve given you a TON of new ideas to add a little something special to your backyard.

It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to make your backyard look nice just in time for Labor Day parties.

If you have a limited budget, adding solar powered accent lighting around your outdoor space is going to give you the most bang for the buck.

Next to that, painting or staining what you already have is an affordable way to make old and outdated outdoor furniture look new again.

Just adding one rug under your existing furniture for a pop of color will color a long way!