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15 Ways to Create a Backyard Oasis on a Budget

Optimizing outdoor living spaces helps you get maximum value out of your property. It makes summers more idyllic, playtime more fun, and gatherings more special.

Of course, most of us don’t have the budget of a home makeover show. That’s why we’ve compiled a whole grip of tips for creating a backyard oasis on the cheap.

1. Define different zones

The secluded, exclusive feel of your own backyard getaway starts with arranging separate areas. Create close-knit groupings of furniture, plants, and other elements to create spaces for dining, relaxing, playing, or anything else you’d like to enjoy outdoors.

2. Do a deep cleaning

You don’t always need professional landscaping to start fresh. Pressure wash pavers, give outdoor furniture a good scrub, pull up weeds, and trim away overgrowth.

Pro tip: To maintain this, buy an adjustable spray head for your hose. Blasting away dust, grass trimmings, bird waste, and other debris regularly means your backyard furniture and lounge areas will always be ready for relaxation.

3. Add high planters

Cocoon yourself in plants and flowers. Taller planters, climbing plants, vertical gardens, and more increase privacy and aesthetic value without costing a mint.

4. Use reclaimed and found natural materials

Rough rocks, driftwood, pebbles, and other finds can be incorporated into your backyard oasis. Use rock to replicate a retaining wall made by Mother Nature, edge planting beds with reclaimed wood, or create small, winding paths with pebbles.

5. Swap the swing for a hammock

Ditch old, unstable swing sets and rotted rope swings for a hammock. The gentle rocking is ideal for relaxation and togetherness. An easier, breezier summer vibe for all ages.

6. Employ a few indoor design principles

To make your backyard feel like an extension of your home, choose a color palette for plants, accessories, cushions, and other design elements.

You can even follow the 60/30/10 rule to ensure it all ties together. Sixty percent for your dominant color, 30% for the secondary shade, and 10% for an interesting accent.

7. Create a cozier dining space

Invest in intimate gatherings and garden parties by adding or improving al fresco dining areas. Even a basic picnic table, sanded down and stained, becomes an inviting dinner den with extra cushions and a well-planned, outdoor-themed tablescape.

8. Upcycle planters

Your old plastic, cement, and terracotta planters can be painted in your chosen palette for seamless integration into your design. Apply a rust and UV-resistant coat or glaze on top to keep colors sharp.

Pro tip: Almost anything can be a planter when you step up your DIY game–especially metal objects.

Galvanized tubs, old watering cans, broken wheelbarrows, and more can be refurbished and hold new life in the backyard. Even old gutters can become deck railing planters.

9. DIY a backyard beverage cart

What’s a backyard oasis without some refreshments? Refurbish an old grill or DIY a bar cart for an outdoor beverage station that makes summer entertaining effortless.

10. Use privacy curtains

Outdoor curtains are available in all opacities and styles for shade and privacy. Boost the dreamy vibes by adding cushions and lanterns to create an outdoor nap area or DIY backyard yoga studio.

11. Look into large-format pavers

Pavers are the best solution for pathways, smaller offshoot patio areas, and for adding stability under backyard furniture. To reduce planning–and in some cases, cost–choose larger pavers that come together quickly with less hassle.

12. Try a chiminea

Fire tables and other features can be pricey. DIY fire pits can be dangerous. Instead, buy a good-condition used or new chiminea. You get the warmth and ambiance of an evening blaze on a serious budget. It can help repel insects during summer soirees, too.

13. Layer on more mood lighting

Your existing outdoor lights are there for your safety–don’t dim or alter them. But when you don’t need a flood of visibility, keep them off in favor of string lights, LED candles, and lanterns.

Pro tip: Citronella wax candles might be great mood lighting, but they’re not that effective at repelling mosquitoes. Some report better results with incense (bugs don’t like smoke), but you’re better off exploring other repellents.

14. Maintain or refurbish patio furniture

By far, the biggest expense during the average backyard oasis makeover is new furniture. It’s not always necessary; imagination and elbow grease can transform secondhand buys and your existing pieces.

Sand, stain, and seal wood furniture that isn’t rotting. Iron and metal can be revived with a few fresh coats of rust-resistant paint.

Where to spend: Upholstery. Buying weather-resistant fabric can be the next best budget option if you have basic sewing skills.

Brand-new cushions and upholstered pieces are available at their lowest price from August through October/November, depending on your location.

15. Add texture with interesting textiles

Speaking of upholstery, don’t forget to add the creature comforts of the indoors to your backyard hangout. Patterned area rugs, soft blankets, and fuzzy accent pillows bump up the visual wow factor and double your comfort.
And they’re easy to stow away in a storage bench or covered area when not in use.

Get more budget-friendly makeover advice from The Designery

The Designery specializes in top-quality professional planning, materials, and installation. From full remodels to new construction, we have experts for every step of the process.

However, we trust our valued clients to decide where to spend and where to save. Check out more budget-friendly home remodeling and design advice: