Backyard Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Outdoor furniture and decor can be expensive, especially for a space you may only use a few months out of the year. Luckily, you can make a big impact outside with wallet-friendly DIYs. Tackle some of these projects — from privacy solutions to entertaining essentials — and create an outdoor space you’ll want to spend time on. Bonus: Many of these ideas are great for renters and small-space dwellers, too.

Keep your budget intact by making planters instead of buying them. It's easy to turn metal washtubs and buckets into planters. Start by drilling holes in the bottom for drainage. Then add furniture feet and use a stencil to paint on a custom pattern.

New hardscaping adds practicality and style to any yard. A combination of pebbles and stone pavers is the most inexpensive type of pathway to create, and it is also the easiest to DIY. Don't worry about perfection and straight lines when installing your walkway, freeform curves and shapes are more appealing and more in sync with nature.

Get the fire pit feel without the hefty price tag. This easy DIY can save you some big bucks while still bringing the warmth and festiveness of an expensive fire pit.