Outdoor Upcycles: 60 Ways to Reimagine, Repurpose + Recycle for a Beautiful Yard on a Budget

In just a few steps — and for less than $30 — you can turn that dusty, old kettle grill into a stylish way to ice down your favorite summer sips. Learn how to craft your own portable (and pretty!) patio bar, below.

Seriously, how cute is this?! Teach your kiddo a bit about making a buck by turning wood crates, a pine board and dowels into an outdoor kiddie bar that you can quickly construct, then break down again in a flash.

Add a tropical twist (hello, flamingo!) to your front porch or back patio with this faux boxwood topiary that starts as a standard plastic flamingo, then gets a crafty update to create a boxwood topiary that needs no maintenance to keep its playful good looks.

Has your concrete patio seen better days? You could cover it with an outdoor rug or try this long-lasting DIY. With a can of concrete stain, a plastic stencil, a high-quality stencil brush and a few hours of work, you can totally transform the look of a porch, sidewalk or patio with a stylish, custom tile design — we'll show you how, below.

Give your backyard 'vacay, every day' vibes with a stock tank pool. Just two feet deep, the shallow pool is perfect for a refreshing dip with friends or splashing with small kids. Get all our tips for turning what is essentially a water bowl for livestock into a colorful backyard oasis — complete with an above-ground pool filter and drain.

Does your patio, porch or deck have a case of the blahs? With minimal supplies and in just a few steps, you can turn a plywood board into colorful outdoor art that can stand up to the elements. Get our full tutorial, below.

One of the most common garden pests, slugs are bad news — especially for vegetable gardeners but they're also fond of munching on ripe fruit and all types of seedlings. So, whether you're hoping for a landscape filled with flowers or edibles, slugs are a threat. Deter them with our DIY penny ball that uses the magic of copper to ward off these insatiable eaters.

Using inexpensive supplies and leftover wine or liquor bottles, you can quickly create tabletop torches filled with citronella oil to deter pests while beautifully brightening up the night.

Follow our tutorial, below, to turn a small flat-weave rug into a sturdy tote for transporting firewood — no sewing machine required.

Is your cutting board a bit too small to make the cut? No problem. In just a few steps, you can upcycle it into a stylish stand-in for a front door wreath that also doubles as a pretty address plaque.

With a slim silhouette and fun, round shape, this upcycled window box is a budget-friendly fix for brightening up any backyard. Get all our tips for prepping the PVC pipe, below.

You’ve seen it on all your favorite design sites and in catalogs: a wicker basket as a planter. But water + natural woven fibers = leaks and a rotten mess in short order. Learn how to protect your pricey basket while still achieving a trendy look with our waterproofing tips, below.

Upcycle free wood pallets into a space-saving outdoor bar that — bonus — folds securely closed to keep beverages and glassware protected from the elements when not in use. Now you can raise a glass to happy hour anywhere — even small outdoor spaces.

Turn over a new leaf in your garden with this craft that uses large leaves (like elephant ear, shown here) to cast quick-drying concrete into an organic shape that'll look right at home in your backyard.

If your outdoor space is well protected from the elements, you can safely bring indoor pieces out and turn an old dresser into a colorful potting bench — or even an outdoor buffet. Damaged mirror? No worries — replace it with pegboard to provide vertical storage space for gardening gear.

Give your outdoor get-together a little ambiance (fast!) by transforming a large ceramic planter into a tabletop fire pit in under 15 minutes. Learn how to light up the night with our tutorial, below.

Don't toss it! Give a pretty but chipped or permanently stained tea cup new life as an outdoor bird feeder. Use permanent, outdoor-rated glue to attach a china teacup, on its side, to a saucer. Following manufacturer's instructions, allow the glue to fully set, then fill with birdseed and hang the feeder with ribbon threaded through the teacup's handle. Hang near a window so you can keep an eye out for squirrels and enjoy watching our feathered friends help themselves to a snack.

That's right, bees like baths too — or, more accurately, they appreciate buzzing by for a sip. Pollinating (aka saving the world) is hard work for busy bees; provide them with a spot to rest and drink clean water with a shallow plate, attached to a peony stake, and topped with pebbles or beach glass so they can safely sip without wetting their wings. Get more tips for turning your backyard into a pollinator hot spot, below.

Our quick video and step-by-step instructions, below, will show you how to turn PVC pipe, a water hose and pool noodles into a summer-heat-beating outdoor water park for your kiddos.

Canvas totes are not only handy for weekend trips and shopping outings — with our waterproofing tips, below, you can turn one into a pretty planter and make your front door bloom.

Give a plain terra cotta pot a trendy, high-end Chinoiserie makeover using just paper napkins and decoupage medium. Learn all our tricks, including how long to let the decoupage medium cure, below.

Sculptural and organic, this repurposed planter makes the most of having to remove an old tree by turning the trunk into a gorgeous, oversized planter with midcentury-inspired hairpin legs. Learn how to upcycle the old trunk in your yard, below.

Don't waste time searching for your missing glove; instead use that time teaching weeds (ugh, weeds!) who's boss. A scrap piece of wood, clothespins and a bit of wire are all you need to ensure your gardening gear must-haves are easy to just grab and go.

Surprise: Just like you, your furkid's skin can burn in the sun — and they're much more likely to overheat on a warm, sunny day. Help them keep their cool and prevent a painful sunburn with this totally portable pup-sized bit of shade. Learn everything you need to craft it yourself, below.

Tin can lanterns are one of those summertime crafts that we all remember making as kids — but do you remember them looking this stylish? For an almost-free outdoor update, pull large metal cans out of the recyclables and give them a chic upgrade following our tips, below.

Put a leftover hardware-store plastic bucket to work to turn two or more planters, in graduated sizes, into a sturdy vertical garden. We filled ours with food, water and shelter to draw in a wide range of pollinators but this trick can be used to boost growing space in any container garden.

Cinderblocks: the handy (but heavy!) concrete blocks many of us have just taking up space in our garage or garden shed. Reclaim your space and put them to work to create a sturdy bench, that — surprise — doubles as a planter.

Yes, you read that correctly, trendy Turkish towels beautifully combine form with function and are a perfect substitute for an outdoor throw. Also known as a fouta or hammam towel, their quick-drying 100% cotton construction and massive size make them perfect for working in a bit more color or cozying up an outdoor chair. Plus, rain isn't a worry because they dry in a flash and are easy to pop in the washer for a freshen up.

Water-resistant fabric + sand and surf = a stress-less day at the beach. Follow our tips, below, to turn a colorful, patterned shower curtain and pom-pom trim into your new beachy BFF — no sewing required.

Turn it into a chic planter instead with a little paint and a few basic supplies from the hardware store. Our tutorial, below, walks you through the steps.

Get ready to relax. Our tutorial, below, shows you how to turn a beautiful old door, hardware-store staples and some spindles into an oversized porch swing.

Give your backyard timeless charm by repurposing a pair of old solid wood doors into a pergola. Allow blooming vines, like climbing rose, wisteria or jasmine, to soften the structure or simply place it where you want to frame a view. Our instructions, below, provide all your need-to-know tips.

One of the oldest tricks in most gardens is assembling a pyramid- or tripod-style structure to support climbing edibles, like peas, runner beans and cucumbers. Painted in bright colors, the wood supports here are topped with a painted plastic pot and small wooden finial to both secure the wood pieces and add a decorative finishing touch. Learn more about how to trellis veggies, below.

Don't toss your kiddo's old crib. Use the rails to create a DIY bike rack with bonus storage for helmets, bike locks and other gear. Our tutorial, below, shares all the steps.

It's a snap to turn pinecones, a bit of wire and pantry staples into a tasty snack for our feathered friends. Hang near a window so you can enjoy taking a closer look at the visiting diners. Bonus: This easy project is a great one to make with even the littlest crafters.

Our tutorial, below, shows you how to turn a couple of old lamps and a trash can lid (or large, glazed saucer) into a chic spa for our feathered friends. Place your new bath near a tree, shrub, fence or other area where birds can easily find shelter. A shady spot will keep the water cool and prevent evaporation along with algae buildup.

Easily whip up a few of these canning jar luminaries to keep mosquitoes from crashing your party. Place a few slices of lemons and limes along with sprigs of rosemary into a jar of water, then add several drops of essential oil. We recommend citronella, lemon or lavender. Top with a floating candle and enjoy a bug-free fête.

Wood pallets are one of those rare, readily available and free (seriously, what's not to like about free?!) castoffs that can be upcycled into so many useful items. From a wine rack to a mobile pet bed, the DIY design options are nearly endless. Get our tips, below, for turning those freebies into outdoor seating.

A ridiculously easy DIY planter that's also ridiculously cute? Sign us up! This project takes less than an hour and uses five simple materials you probably already have sitting in the garage.

Upcycle an empty pill bottle into a clever key hider and never lock yourself out of the house again. Remove the label and glue a rock to the top of the lid using heavy-duty super glue. Once dry, drop a key into the bottle, replace the lid and bury until only the rock is visible.

Expecting company? Backyard games are a surefire way to break the ice between guests who may be meeting for the first time. Badminton, croquet, bocce or horseshoes are all safe bets — or, turn a leftover tarp into a fun-for-all game that folds flat for easy between-party storage.

Get crafting to silence cries of "we're bored" with this easy upcycle that uses a yoga mat, pool noodles and chip cans to create a fun and colorful backyard bowling alley. A few simple materials and you’ve got a fun activity the kids can do on the patio, deck or yard. It’s also perfect for rainy days indoors.

Feel like a kid again by turning pressure-treated lumber and rope from your garage into an adult-sized rope swing. A great project for a woodworking beginner, our tutorial, below, shares all the steps.

With just a few inexpensive supplies and a little creativity, you can whip up these colorful lanterns while binge-watching your favorite show. Learn how to add the watercolor patterns, below.

Put your wheelbarrow or garden cart to work as a handy drink station you can easily move around the yard. Just rinse it clean, then fill with ice and easy-to-grab sips. Use a bit of twine to tie a bottle opener onto one of the handles so everyone can just help themselves.

Take a cue from designer Emily Henderson and give old galvanized wash tubs new purpose as oversized planters. Or, follow our tutorial, below, to turn metal trash cans into a mobile container garden.

Ahh ... the Zen-inducing sound of running water. Boost your patio's relaxation quotient by turning a pair of glazed pots into a tabletop fountain. Our tutorial, below, will help you craft a water feature — without soaking your budget.

Quite possibly the easiest raised garden, ever — just drill drainage holes in the base of your kiddo's old sandbox, then plant it with herbs, flowers or other low-growing edibles. Get all our tips for growing a kid-friendly garden, below.

Make outdoor party set-up and clean-up a snap by subbing an inexpensive fitted sheet for a tablecloth. When the party's over you can just throw it in the wash. Best of all: the sheet's fitted corners keep it from shifting or flapping around in the breeze.

Get gardening gear in order by repurposing a (free!) shipping pallet into a vertical tool rack. Add a few hooks, then attach it to the wall of your garage or garden shed. Tip: Don't toss any broken tools when getting organized. Look closely: the head of a bow rake was also upcycled to hold hand tools.

Old shipping pallets are a great (and often free!) source of weathered lumber — perfect for upcycling into a rustic planter box. Paint the slats in watery shades of blue and green for a beachy backyard update that you can build in about an hour.

Save those soup cans to fashion fun outdoor decor. Cut the top and bottom from a thoroughly washed and dried standard tin can (non-stackable works best). Spray paint or cover the can using durable vinyl-coated contact paper. Use hot glue to attach long, flowing lengths of ribbon to the inside bottom of the can. Punch four holes in the can near the top with a nail and loop twine through the holes. Tie it to a tree branch and watch it sway on a windy day.

Has your plastic laundry basket seen better days? Give it new life as a chic, nautical-inspired planter. Drill a few holes into the base of the basket for proper drainage, then wrap the basket in jute rope for a beachy update.

Fill clean, glass soup or sauce jars with small votives and pebbles or sea glass for an easy-to-make outdoor lantern that'll add sparkle to the garden by day and illuminate a pathway by night. Get our tips for crafting them, below.

Easily craft this colorful gameboard top to give an unused fire pit year-round functionality by turning it into an outdoor coffee table that's great for entertaining guests or family game time.

Give your existing, plain sisal or coir doormat a personalized upgrade with a monogram. A letter printed off your computer, a few craft store supplies and two bowls are all you'll need.

Boost your curb appeal while making it easier for delivery folks to spot your house by adding your house numbers to a grouping of planters. Get all our tips, below.

If your gardening space is slim, go vertical with this stacked basket container garden idea that works for both homeowners and apartment dwellers. Get all our tips, plus watch the short video, below.

Create an outdoor bar that can stand up to the elements with our tutorial, below. By staggering the depths of the cinderblocks, you can even create mini planters to fill with seasonal potted plants so they're easy to swap out.