What have you always wanted to do with your backyard? Each summer, you keep putting that project off for one reason or another. However, if you’re planning on spending a little more time around home, then perhaps this is the year to get it done.
A “Holi-stay” or a “stay-cation”, are new made-up words for traveling less and hanging out closer to home. That’s why, in recent years, garden and outdoor living trends show more people investing in their backyards. Many are intrigued with the idea of creating a mini-retreat offering more comfort, beauty, and relaxation.
That doesn’t have to mean complex or expensive. A few years ago, I painted my little garden shed. I couldn’t believe what a difference that made for my yard. With a cheerful pop of color, that storage shed gave my yard a whole new character.
Projects you can do on a budget
Do you look at your backyard and think “I wish…” or “if it only had______ (fill in the blank). If it’s not in the budget, cheer up. There just so happens to be some creative, budget friendly solutions you can do yourself!
So what new feature would you like to introduce to your backyard? If your backyard space is wide open where neighbors can see into your backyard, perhaps a little personal retreat is in order.
5 Terrific Ideas for a Backyard Privacy Screen
On the other hand, maybe a pergola will provide an attractive spot for outdoor entertaining? Pergolas are simple by design and can be constructed in one day. Add a covering to provide a little shade and surrounded it with planters of colorful flowers.
Pergolas Make Outdoor Spaces Inviting Places
Such additions not only change the way your backyard looks, but how it functions. If your outdoor spaces seem boring to you now…with a little creativity…they won’t be that way for very long!
Low cost materials help with your budget
While you’re thinking about ideas for your new backyard, make a trip to your nearest Re-Build Store like the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Most major cities have at least one, so search on-line in your area. You’ll find all kinds of left over building materials from new home construction to remodels for a fraction of the cost.
Things like concrete pavers, left-over bags of concrete mix, remnant lumber and hardware, tools, lighting fixtures and more. When you don’t need a whole lot of something, your project will cost LESS, and be that much more rewarding!
Create some backyard fun
Projects that are simple by nature and easy on the budget:
Make a relaxing bed swing from Shipping Pallets
She Shed she said
Doll up a ho hum shed and make yourself a pretty backyard destination for a little R&R in between garden chores. You can buy small shed kits at places like Lowes or Home Depot. However, check your local Facebook Marketplace as well. You may find one already assembled that someone wants moved out of their yard. A tow company will deliver it on a flat bed for a fee. You’ll have to decide which is the best option for you.
If you already have a storage shed, it can always be converted. Do you really need all the stuff that’s in it? Maybe this is the time to sort through it all and get rid of anything you’re not using or something broken you’ll never get around to fixing.
With space freed up, you might see some new possibilities you didn’t know you had. Remember, paint changes everything!
She Sheds and More for the Kid-at-Heart
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Simple infusion of art
Nothing perks up the scenery like a touch of art. Paint a mural on a wood fence. Add an interesting sculpture. Create a little vignette with some prominent object as a focal point surrounded by planters and hanging baskets brimming with flowers.
Even touching up a small corner of the yard works wonders. Keeping it small makes it manageable without too much effort. But locate it someplace where you can see and enjoy it when you look out the window. That’s the whole point, right?
TIP: Opt for art made from durable materials like stone, concrete, metal or wood that’s been treated. They’ll hold up well under any kind of weather, worry free. Resin lawn ornaments–as cute as they are–fade all too quickly and loose their impact. Investing in higher quality outdoor art that endures season to season is a better choice.
I hope you’re excited to get going on that backyard project. Whether your outdoor space is large or small, it’s fun to see it all come together. In no time, it will become a more interesting and inviting place to spend time!
About the writer
Kristen makes and sells upcycled art for the garden. Through her blog, she encourages creative garden design, art and landscaping that make yards and gardens more refreshing and inspiring places to spend time.
Thank you for proposing simple ideas to add joy to your lawn. What are some of your favorite backyard DIY projects, and how do they improve your outside living space? Have you discovered any unexpected perks or problems while working on backyard projects?
Personally, I like developing flower beds, garden pathways and “destination areas”…the firepit, a hammock, or a she shed. A destination is important because it gives you someplace to go in your yard, even if it’s just 50feet across the lawn. And then that “destination” becomes a focal point. And then I just start filling it in, in between. Such as a pathway to lead you there, or something of interest along the way…a garden bed, a vignette/fountain, sculpture etc. As for ‘problems’, it’s fighting back the natural vegetation as I live in a rural area, very forested. Tree roots and their suckers, keeping wild shrubs trimmed. Maintenance is always on-going. But I love seeing it change and begin to take shape little by little each year.